Endostim Surgery Scheduled for 5/22

Thanks for the update GC. It's much appreciated. I'm really curious as to how effective the surgery will be in containing the LPR symptoms in the long-term (i think it might be very effective). Next time you check in, if you can maybe let us know how your swallowing problems are now. That's one of the biggest problems I have myself, so I'm curious about that. Thx.

Okay, another update: I'm eating the Swiss dark chocolate caramel and sea salt bar which I saved from Europe. Ate 1/3 this morning. Eating more now. Feeling good. Only had two cough drops today when I felt a hint of discomfort. Very mild. Today is way better.

Hey GC. Hope you are doing well!

Hey,

Things are about the same as the last update I think-- still feeling pretty good. Only occasional instances of a sore throat during the day, but not all that often.

I had a scare where I thought I had a small hernia, but it turns out it was just a rogue stitch that poked out like an alien head under one of my incisions! Ha- that got me worked up for a day. Apparently those stitches can take up to 6 months to dissolve.

The pain around the implant under my ribs had a flare up when I moved (hadn't noticed it all for a week before that), because of all the lifting, so that's a minor setback but not all that problematic. I still went mountain biking today, so it's obviously not that big a deal. I'm planning to drop down to 30 mg of Dexilant at some point in September and see what happens after a week or two or three of rebound. I'll keep you posted!

Here's a happy article:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=11310801

hi grovercat,

any updates? i see u ride bikes. how many miles do u do a day?

thanks

jesse

Hey Phil,

Thanks for the update on Endostim stock. Update isn't dramatic, but it's generally positive. I still get a touch of the sore throat a handful of times each week, but nothing terrible. Definitely an improvement overall. I don't get the same kind of stabby chest pains I used to have before the implant. I've felt free to drink decaf lattes once or twice a week (which have enough caffeine to WIRE me-- used to be a no-no), and a beer or a glass of wine now and again with no major consequences. It's hard to tell about things this week as I've been dealing with a mega sore throat/cold virus. Anyway. I'm positive and hopeful for ongoing improvements as time goes on!

I go back for my 6 month checkup in December in Germany... can't believe it's been 4.5 months now... crazy.

I wish everyone well!

GC

Hey! Yeah, I've gone down from 120 of Dexilant to 30mg and am preparing to wean off of that dose too in the next few weeks. I still have occasional issues with a sore throat/LPR, but it's not as bad, and I haven't had any chest pain since the procedure, which is awesome.

Not 100% perfect, but good and definitely worth the money/recovery time!

Glad you are feeling better GroverCat! I keep wondering if Endostim will try to get FDA approval in the U.S. or if they have given up. They were going to do an IPO to fund a clinical trial, but it looks like that didn't work out.

GroverCat,
Any new updates on your symptoms? Endostim looks quite promising.

PuppetMan,

please could you post updates about your evaluation for endostim?

This is one procedure I'm seriously looking into right now too as I have been informed I am a candidate for EndoStim (linx and stretta not as I already have a difficulty in swallowing)

I'd be extremely interested to know what happened after your evaluation, or if you're going to have EndoStim,

thanks so much

PS - GroverCat I think you're amazingly brave, your posts are sooooooo important, I wish you well.

Post Edited (321lift0ff) : 5/4/2016 4:36:25 PM (GMT-6)

321liftoff,
I complete my initial trip to Germany, and while there I met with Prof. Dr. med. K.-H. Fuchs, at the AGAPLESION Frankfurter Diakonie-Kliniken gGmbH, Wilhelm-Epstein-Str. 4, 60431 Frankfurt. We reviewed my case, including the swallowing difficulty that made the Linx, fundoplication and other procedures not options in the US. He discussed the 270° Toupee procedure as a possible option, since he views implants as a last option. He also made sure that my local doctors were supportive of my having the procedure, and I assured him they not only were supportive, and even recommended I check out EndoStim, as well as suppling their direct contact information should there be any questions.
We settled on the EndoStim, as it is the lowest risk option, and leaves the door open for other procedures in the unlikely event it should be needed. He also plans to repair my 3cm hiatal hernia during the procedure, to help give an optimal outcome.
He had my appointment set as the last in the day, and even though he was running late, he spent as much time as I ended, with absolutely no rush to discuss all options and questions I had, (and at no charge).
He requested that before I schedule the surgery, he wanted me to have a 24 hr gastro esophageal reflux test performed for a base line measurement, as this is standard procedure in Germany, although he would do it without it as I am a private pay patient. I hope to have the test next week and schedule my surgery for later this month or early June.
Bottom line, if the lower sphincter is opening with swallowing, this procedure is a very viable option with swallow motility issues.

I will start a new thread, and provide updates as they occur.

Any new updates?