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Lungs healing post Nissen Fundoplication

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 11/21/2013 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I inhaled stomach acid for who knows how long before it was dx'ed in June. I had the nissen in September. I now have pneumonia, for the 3rd time this year. I had really hoped the lack of acid would have helped this by now. I do know it takes time, but I feel like I need some encouragement. This is so depressing.

If anyone reading this has dealt with lung problems and nf, please share your experience with healing. At least, when did you see noticeable decrease in mucus production in your throat? There is no doubt that I am still inhaling the mucus when I'm sleeping. sad
Posted 11/21/2013 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Have never had the surgery but I do pray the u soon recover from what u are going through..
Posted 11/22/2013 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Laurie,

I had extremely sick lungs caused by reflux.  For six years, I suffered with horrible lungs--wheezing, coughing up tons of junk, recurrent infections.  I was fearful of the surgery, and my GI doc didn't think the surgery would help my lungs.

Thanks to a persistent PCP who kept on pushing me and my GI doc, I was finally referred to a surgeon (against my GI doc's better judgment...he finally just gave in).  I had a lung infection when I had my surgery, and I was a mess.  It took over two and a half months to see any improvement at all. 

Because I have a reactive stomach, my PCP didn't want to put me on an oral antibiotic post-Nissen, so I went in daily for Rocephin shots, so my stomach would be bypassed. 

Your lungs didn't get sick in a few weeks, and it takes longer than that for them to heal. I've heard of pulmonologists who said that lung healing will take at least six months post op. 

Hang in there...I know how hard it is to trust it will ever get better.  It does, though! 

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 11/22/2013 12:52 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Laurie,

I hope you feel better. My asthma is pretty much subsided since I had the Nissen. I notice I do get some phlegm from milk products. I still have a little problem with my left lung when breathing because of all of the work on the diaphragm. Did you have a mesh put in?

FC 

Posted 11/22/2013 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think I had mesh put in. I should probably try and get a copy of the surgical report. I just didn't consider that I might get pneumonia, again - after the surgery. I had really hoped the lack of acid in my lungs did the trick. It is horribly depressing.
Posted 11/22/2013 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Laurie,

My guess is that you are likely to still have mucous in your lungs from pre-surgery days, and sitting there, it got infected.  If you have asthma, then your lungs are very susceptible to infection, and it doesn't take much.  As you know it can be brought on by a cold or allergies as well.

I had an infection post-op that lasted a good long time.  Hang in there...if your lung issues are reflux related, then the healing will occur.  Acid that reaches the lung tissue can do some real damage that takes time to heal.  It will happen.  Think positively.  You can't rush the healing...it will happen in its own sweet time.  Just go with the flow and let it happen.  It will.

Hang in there,

Denise

Posted 11/22/2013 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise - I do have asthma, but I think it may have been caused by stomach acid, not allergies like my allergist originally dx'd. I take singulair, advair, flonase and my pro-air for it. I just have such a tough time breathing. I'm on 750 mg of Levaquin for the pneumonia. At least, today my fever is gone.

I just don't have patience for all this illness. It is wearing me down, along with my family and friends, no doubt. I knew I'd still have mucus issues, but not so much illness at this point in time. We are hosting family and friends for Thanksgiving next week. I've warned them I may have to postpone it, as I'm not up to even shopping right now. I'm still thankful I had the NF, though.
Posted 11/22/2013 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laurie,

There is no way you should be hosting anything next week!  You're only a bit over two months post-op, and should not be pushing yourself that hard--even if you didn't have pneumonia. 

Please rethink that idea, and let someone else host you event.  You just go this year, and you can think about doing all the work next Thanksgiving!  You're still recovering from major surgery, and on top of that are sick!  No way!  Don't even THINK about it.

Hang in here,

Denise 

Posted 11/22/2013 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Laurie,

I took everything you described for my asthma and since my diaphragm hole was closed; I have not one episode of asthma.

about Thanksgiving, have everyone pitch in and bring a dish. My aunt offers her home but everyone helps out with food and cleaning up.

FC
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