About Endostim

Yesterday I talked about Endostim with my GI doctor. He told me that don't do that. It just doesn't work, according to data available. This surprised me because I just posted a positive patient experience from the Endostim trial in New Zealand. Anyone know anything wrong with Endostim?

Hi GC1pink, have you found out how much it will cost?

I'm no doctor, but here's my sweat hog take on your question. There are many variables with GERD that can influence the success of a treatment. For example, if you have a massive hiatal hernia, I can't imagine that endostim will work (or for that matter, many of the other new alternative treatments, such as TIFF and the Linx magnetic bracelet.) In addition, if you have LPR, which is when the stomach fluids travel up to your larynx and airways, the treatment and other alternatives to Nissen surgery may not be suitable. I recently met with a surgeon who does Nissen and he says that the alternative treatments may block enough of the stomach contents to control or eliminate issues with stomach fluid entering the esophagus, because the esophagus is tough enough to tolerate some stomach fluids, but if you have LPR, the alternative procedures won't prevent enough of the stock acid from getting to the larynx so your LPR systems will persist. My point is that it's hard to make blanket statements regarding what will work and what won't because there are many variables to consider. My perspective is that endostim and the other alternatives are much less aggressive than Nissen, so even though they may be less likely to work then Nissen, they are worth trying because they are less likely to cause bad side affects. I would get a second and third opinion regarding if endostim or other alternative may work for you.

about me.

I have silent GERD. That is, I have bad post nasel drip, short of breath and a sleep disorder that is believed to be caused from my LPR. I didn't even know I had GERD until my doctor ruled out every other possible cause of my shortness of breath. When he sent me for GERD testing, I said, "OK, I'll go, but I have never had heartburn in my life." Two bravo pH tests didn't detect the GERD (the test only check for acid reflux, not alkaline) and a sleuth pH test also failed to detect it. Finally, I went to another doctor who detected alkaline reflux with the sleuth test (to this day, I still don't know why doctors bother with the bravo test since is won't detect alkaline reflux) I have since had a hiatal hernia repair and two TIFF procedures and my LPR is only gotten worse. I recently had a Restech LPR test. The doctor who did the test said I'm a super refluxer. I'm using a reza band at night that seems to help. I'm very apprehensive about the Nissen surgery because of the potential side affects, but I'm very tired of being sleep deprived and short of breath, especially since I like to rock climb and work out.

Well, at least that is what the surgeon who I had a consultation with claims, although 'm not familiar with an clinical research studies that may back up that claim.

Hi Jesse,

I had an email back today from his secretary saying that no endostim has ever been implanted privately in the UK, but that he is now offering it - I believe he also does the linx procedure almost daily now as well. I was not given a price, but asked to phone up for more information, I am going to do that next week after I have had my endoscopy and another barium swallow.

I'll keep you up to date on what I find out.

justasitis,

I don't think at this stage you would be eligible with barretts - as that was one of the questions that he asked me, but double check that, the hernia is fine as they repair that - I have one also.
He said that most of his enquiries have been from people with failed Nissens - and at the moment endostim whish to implant in the "normal refluxer" first before they progress from that.
I have been quoted £15,000
Hope that this helps.

Superrefluxer - may I ask where you got your Rezaband from? And do you wear it during the day as well?