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the linx and acid reflux

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Posted 2/12/2013 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I am a new member and I have a question about the linx. I had it implanted in Italy 1,5 year ago (with the repair of a 3cm hiatal hernia). I was doing well until a couple of weeks ago, when all my acid reflux symptoms came all back again: regurgitation of the food, belching, hiccups and terrible sore throat. I have laryngeal/pharyngeal reflux. Has anyone experienced such a thing after over a year from the implantation of the device? Any idea why is this happening again? I would appreciate anyone who could give some light on this.
Annina
Posted 2/12/2013 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Could be related to hernia ? BEACH-GIRL a member here, has had problems with a hernia and Linx.

I believe Shooz, an oldtimer around here also had some relapse of reflux - he was one of the first guys to have the Linx if memory serves me right. So, there is precedent, but no one knows the mechanics of this for sure.

GH
Posted 2/12/2013 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi GH,

Thank you so much for your reply. I have one more question. Do you know if their relapse of reflux resolved on its own? I know I can go back to Italy ( I was there a couple of months ago for my mom's funeral) and have some tests done to see if something happened inside, which I doubt it, unless the herniated part of the stomach, which was brought down at the time of the implant of the linx, has somehow pushed its way back up again, but how? Have you also had the linx implanted?
Thank you so mych for your time.
Annina
Posted 2/14/2013 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, this is news. So you had it for 5 years or 1? I also read that Beachgirl did not have luck with Linx. This sucks. I only of you and Beachgirl having issues. :( sad because I thought this would be my solution one day.
Posted 2/14/2013 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nickles,

I have had the linx for one year and half. Please do not base your judgment on two people who have not been successful with the linx. First of all, I have laryngeal/pharyngeal reflux and I knew from the beginning that my success rate was not high. Second of all, I have been doing pretty well up to now. It is very possible that something inside might have slightly changed. I also heard that relapses are very possible at times. I will not know until i go back to Italy and have it checked.
I am planning to do that between March and September, I am not sure yet. Anyway the linx is revers- able, and it is worth trying it and see if it works. I wish i could exchange a few words with this Beachgirl to hear how she is doing now. Does she still appear in this forum from time to time?
Remember, we are all different and what might not work for me, might work for you.
Posted 2/15/2013 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks :)

You are right. I hope things get better for you. I am not sure if Beachgirl still comes. I think she does.
Posted 2/15/2013 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
What do you mean laryngeal reflux? Is that different from silent reflux? What were your symptoms before the linx?
Posted 2/17/2013 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nickels,

Some people have silent reflux, which means that even though they do have it, they do not experience any symptoms such as heart burn, belching, regurgitation, but the damage still occurs.
There is a small percentage of people, including myself who experience reflux in the larynx/ pharynx instead of in the esophagus. The mechanic is to known. People with my type of reflux are unfortunately the unlucky ones, because it doesn't respond very well to medications or the operation.
My symptoms before the operation were the same ones that I am experiencing now, severe sore throat, belching regurgitation, inability to talk and hoarseness in the voice.
What have you heard about the Nissen Fundoplication? How long have you had reflux. I have for many years. If yours is intractable I wouldn't wait to long and I would take my chance and have the LINX implanted. Where do you live, in the States or in Europe?
As far as I know, there is no relation between Ibs and reflux. What is your natural approach. I tried everything but nothing worked with me, including ago puncture. I hope you are going to be more successful then I ever was.
Best
Annina
Posted 2/18/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Annina - have you had a full gall bladder study done? A LOT of my reflux was bile reflux, caused by my gall bladder and NOTHING worked until they removed my gall bladder. From what I was told (afterwords...) was they didn't know my gall bladder was bad until I had a gall stone attack.

I wouldn't recommend a Nissan to my worst enemy. I wish I never had mine done. It didn't help a bit, and is still intact. It limits me physically, is horribly uncomfortable because of the gas issues, and I can not eat high fiber foods (even with copious amounts of Beano and Gas-X) that I need to keep weight off after heart attacks/triple bypass.

The sad part is this: my stomach issues started when they put me on cholesterol drugs right after the heart attacks (I was diagnosed with gastroparisis twice while I was on it). I also reacted badly to PPI's - and had to tolerate them for 5 years before the Nissan was decided upon (when two Achiphex, two pepcid, and all the Mylanta and Tums I could swallow weren't working you have to do something...). Ironically, my reflux calmed down after the gall bladder was removed - AND after I stopped the PPI's.

A great resource for side effects for GERD drugs and such is below. It's by people like us all -patients, not doctors or drug co's.

http://www.askapatient.com/comparedrugs.asp?class=DISORDERS,%20ACID+PEPTIC
Posted 2/23/2013 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Thank you very much for all the information. Yes, I had a gallbladder study done years ago and there was nothing to be found. I have been dealing with reflux since I was quite young and it kind of runs in my family.
I know everything there is to know about the Nissen. I have read about it for 25 years and talked to a lot of surgeons from to time. it is a dreadful operation and i think that most people do not fully realize what it really involves. Unfortunately in my case, i have already lost a lot of functionality of my vocal chords and i could eventually loose my voice completely. I have been going through a lot of misery in all these years . I truly wanted to believe that the linx would do the trick, and it did for a while.
I am doing very poorly right now. I had a test of my vocal chords and goodness, are they in bad shape! I am planning to go to Italy to see what's going on, and eventually i will have to decide on the Nissen, or maybe a partial one. I wished I could solve my problem the same way you did, but it is not the case.
I am assuming you are not on PP's anymore.
I wish you all the best.
Thank you for the link.
Posted 2/23/2013 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Rae14
It seems that you need to have a barium swallow test as it can check the position of the Linx, show if the Linx is opening/closing properly, if a hernia is present, if the Linx is riding up or tenting at an angle through the hiatus opening of the diaphragm. This could cause your symptoms. Also have you looked into 'pepsin' and LPR ---this is discussed fully by JustPassingThrough in th Linx Club thread. He has the Linx, pepsin and recovered nicely.
What kind of diet are you on? Low acid? Go back to having head of bed elevated. We are not doctors but this is my suggestion for you. Want you to feel better. Wish you only the best.
Posted 2/23/2013 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pat,

I did have a 3 cm hernia, and that was repaired before inserting the linx. I would be shocked if it pulled through the diaphragm again, since the surgeon did put stitches. Everything is possible, but wouldn't have i realized that something was happening? I am going to email the doctor tomorrow and I am going to suggest what you told me. It is hard to believe, but it feels just as the linx is not there anymore, but I know it is.
I am on a very strict diet and still, I regurgitate all day long in spite of the PPI's
My bed is elevated, it has always been.
Thank you so much for your help, and I have one question: I am not sure how to get to the the Linx Club Thread. Could you kindly direct me there?
Annina
Posted 2/24/2013 10:04 AM (GMT 0)
sorry to hear that Rae14,

you've gone through so much, it's horrendous that you're still suffering from this- i've been suffering from acid reflux and what i suspect a hiatal hernia as well, going to have a barium tomorrow see how that goes. when off the PPI's a month ago, been trying natural, not too bad.

it's very frustrating, that your LINX isn't working as effectively as you would like - i think the LINX biggest weakness is the existence of a hiatus hernia - i'm very skeptical of the idea of just "stitching" the diaphragm without something to reinforce it, and expect it to work all fine.


i've been to LINX UK website recently and they now accept candidates with large hiatal hernia claiming that they're getting excellent results. i hope they're right for your sake.
Posted 2/24/2013 10:13 AM (GMT 0)
Rae14,

here's the link to justpassingthrough LINX journal, and he talks about his remedies to tackle LPR symptoms.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2622256

good luck turn
Posted 2/24/2013 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Rae14 and crosseye
Thanks for posting the link.

There is another Linx patient on this forum who had the Linx and hernia repair (small) done at the same time. Two barium swallows done after implant and H repair showed the Linx riding/tenting through the diaphragm and this person still has reflux problems. This Linx person feels that this is the cause of her on and off continuing reflux. Rae14, this is why I suggested another barium swallow to see what is going on with yours. We wish you the best. Feel so bad to hear and will pray for a resolution quickly.
Posted 3/2/2013 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi ,

I am sorry I did not reply earlier but I have been very down lately and I was not into writing. i want to thank all of you for your advices and suggestions. i will make sure to mention them when I go up to Milan in a couple of months. In the mean time I am dealing with this horrible heart burn that nothing seems to alleviate, not even the medicines. Something must have happened, I feel it.
Rae14, how did your barium swallow go? What did it reveal? Can't wait to get one myself(too bad it is so many radiation..). I will also pray that your situation is going to get better one way or the other.
Please keep me posted.
PS: I had a barium swallow after the linx too, but at the time everything was fine. It is now that something has changed.
Posted 3/2/2013 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
What what I have read, linx is not recommended for those who have hiatal hernia. In a lot of cases the herina pushes back though over time.
Posted 3/2/2013 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
What I know for sure though, is that they do operate on people with hernia as big as 3 cm. You can read that in all their studies and in the medical journals. Almost everyone who was operated in Italy had a small hernia.
I had the possibility to have a lot of talks with Bonavina and I do know that for fact. That the hernia might push back over time is a different story. That is why I am going to Milano and get tests.
Thank you
Posted 8/18/2014 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry for reviving this 1+ year old thread, but I was wondering how Rae14 is doing with his LINX LPR issues and whether they ever resolved themselves? I'm curious since I'm looking into this surgery as well. Any updates Rae? Thx!
Posted 10/8/2014 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Guys

I have had my LINX in for nearly three years, had quite a few problems in the early days which are not worth repeating however this week I have had a massive return to reflux / chest pain? trying to control it with PPI's but not working! if it continues looks like I'm back to the docs!

Sorry to bring bad news!

Gazbiker shakehead
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