Calling all uk members of this forum

Hi everyone. I joined this great forum a few months ago when I could find nothing on uk sites. Its sometimes hard to understand the different names of medicines and of course we have the Nhs (for better or worse) instead of seeming to worry about price of treatment. My story is I had fundoplication 12years ago. I must have been one of the first lapiscospically and it lasted 9years. I have since got symptoms back, and the original surgeon doesn't want to re-op. I have had 3 endoscopies, 2 acid ph 24hour tube, 1scan and 1 barium x-ray. All were clear except scan showed gall stones and barium showed reflux 'big time' as radiologist told me. I now have appointment with 3rd Consultant in May. I take no anti-reflux medication only motilium & sucrafate because none help, I just wait about 24hours and symptoms pass and I feel great. My big worry is my father died of cancer of oesophagus cancer at age 47, but all my tests thank goodness come clear but this burning that I get at cannot be good. Has anyone any idea what I can do next? Rita

Hi Andy the surgeon sent me for endoscopy & acid ph 24hr and they came back with no trace of reflux, so he just sort of dismissed it and I paid private to see him! So cos he says no the other Consultants don't seem to go against him. They all stick together! It was only in November I was sent for barium test and that Consultant just wrote to me saying an op would probably make my symptoms worse don't know how !! Maddening is'ent it. Thanks for replying I know of no-one who has this,good job I've got an understanding husband.

I've noticed through reading this forum that lots of people have negative results with ph test. As soon as wire went down I felt so much better could eat what I wanted and it lasted 10days!! Good luck with barium test I had mine at the now infamous Stafford hospital although they were very patient and supportive. Its just getting across to the Consultants how poorly and life destroying this complaint is!

Hi Barry. Thanks so much for your info its much appreciated. I will look into Nugits when I get back, it sounds very promising and another channel to proceed along. Good luck to you sorry you are having trouble so soon. Rita

Hi there, I'm also in the UK and have worked for the NHS......

If you feel you need a second opinion then you are entitled to one and can choose which hospital you go to via the Choose and Book system. I know the system isn't great and it takes a fair amount of phone calls and nudging, but you can get yourself seen at a different hospital. If you can find someone who has experience of "re-dos" then you can also insist on a named-consultant referral from your GP.

If the radiologist has confirmed reflux then you should be able to discuss this with a surgeon. Also, if the radiologist has proven you now have reflux and you are not on a PPI, does your GP think you should be on a PPI to protect your oesophagus?

I know your family history is worrying you, so if they don't want to offer surgery should they not be offering medication? Was your father a smoker or heavy drinker? The risk of cancer should still be very low for you, but I think everyone in your shoes would want to be proactive about reducing the risk.

Those are my thoughts....... hope it's of some help,

MMM

Hi Les thanks for reply you talk good sense. When I saw the Consultant who operated(it is over 3years since the consultation) he just shrugged his shoulders and said no reflux could be found. At the time I just thought that it would get better on its own not realising 3years on I would be no different. My new appointment in May(unless I get a cancellation) will be the 3rd different Consultant so keeping fingers crossed.