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BEST SURGERY AND HOW DID IT HELP YOU???

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 3/17/2017 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
yes, take that vacation and clear your head and don't think about surgery. if your daily pain outweighs having a decent life...then your decision will be easier. take care have fun on that vacation!
Posted 3/26/2017 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
hi law, cut my ppi's from 40mg's to 20mg's on 3/15...and today, stopped taking these meds! boy was sooooo scared...BUT...had a lot of gas...but NO pain! i don't know how this will play out...but my body is telling me these meds are making me feel sick. i'm very in tune with my body....and i could tell that my insides were healing because i wasn't feeling pain in my stomach, i could eat solid foods and just felt better as time went on. i also realized that these gastro doctors, mine anyway...just put you on meds and they don't even know what's causing it?? anyway...i kept thinking maybe because i was under soooooo much stress and drank every night...that maybe my body would heal now that i'm in a better place. i pureed my food for about 7 weeks because i got sic every time i ate solids. i pureed a bunch of veggies and made cream soup by adding chix broth and almond milk, and made fruit, power drinks with protein. i had 3 glasses of each a day...and would eat chicken and whole grain bread. anyway...yes, it feels like a withdrawal...but, if i don't chance it ... i will never get better...because i know these doctors will just keep me on these ppi's. anyway....just wanted you to know what's going on. hope you're feeling better...and i'll keep you posted. irene
Posted 3/26/2017 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
hi bythesea,
I meant to say thank you for the well wishes on my vacation. It is coming up in May. I'm so glad to hear that you are now off PPI medications! I really hope the acid stays away for you and that from now on, if you watch your diet, you will be feeling great! I am also very in tune with my body so I completely understand that. Any drinking would most definitely cause acid (it is at the top of offenders) as well as stress so it sounds like you have figured out how to keep it away. That really is the absolute best thing. You know, if you don't want to take meds you can find doctors that will offer surgery, but really it should be last resort. My doctor told me that most people can control their symptoms by 70% with diet and reducing stress. So even if you use an H2 blocker from time to time, that is way better than being on a PPI. And maybe if you have stomach pain, ask for Carafate. You may have already tried it. It does help gastritis. My problem unfortunately does not respond 100% to meds or diet changes. I am going to Duke University for consult soon and will be looking into Stretta. I am very interested in at least trying this before going to the Nissen. Thanks for keeping in touch!!! I will keep you in my prayers for continued success. Feel good!!!
Posted 3/26/2017 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
thank you ... 2nd day off ppi's...i feel pretty good. if anything...i will try Zantac if needed. i feel veeeery fortunate! the doctor would NOT give me a barium test to see what was going on in my body...but thinks i should take meds!!! those ppi's are very strong!! on 40mg's they are sucking the life out of me. could you imagine if my insides are healing and not over producing acid...and still taking these ppi's ... that would make anyone feel worse!! yes, totally watching my diet...not doing anything stupid now that's for sure. no, don't drink alcohol or coffee...but did have a glass of chardonnay the other day after three months...felt like i died and went to heaven. i have read that once your problems are under control, a glass of wine or coffee once in awhile is fine. i'll keep you posted on my recovery. I'm very happy that you are working with Duke University...that's a big deal! i might be taking a vacation soon also now that i'm feeling better. so nice to have someone to communicate with...and i'm interested in knowing what you find at Duke. take care...thanks. irene
Posted 3/27/2017 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
I think if you can have the things you enjoy every now and again, then definitely go for it. I know how you feel about the chardonnay...I feel exactly like that when I have one little cup of decaf coffee. I'm in heaven. I really can't even tolerate it, but sometimes I give in because I love the taste of coffee so much! So Duke called and they want me to repeat the Ph manometry test and I'm so down about it. They don't have an opening until late May (after my vacation), but said I could try and have it done closer to my house to get in to see the doctor sooner. Then they will do a Barium Swallow and then I would see the doctor to discuss if I am a candidate for Stretta, Linx, or Nissen. They also said the insurance companies aren't covering Stretta and they would have to fight it with appeals. They are having an easier time getting Linx approved. I am very upset to repeat the manometry. That test was horrible and I swore I would never do it again. I'm so bummed.
Posted 3/27/2017 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
manometry?? catheter is guided through your nose into your esophagus??? ouch!! i'd be bummed too!! you've never had a barium swallow test? sounds to me like the doctors don't know what's going on with you either...and you have been on ppi's all these years! i feel so much better now that im not taking those ppi's...and it's only the 3rd day! took a zantac this morning...just to see if that helps with gas. everything right now is trial and error. I'm going to look up the Stretta surgery...never heard of that one. one thing for sure though...Duke will get to the bottom of your ailments!! i think it's very empowering to know what you are dealing with so that you can do what's best for you! ok...thanks for the update...hang in there!
Posted 3/29/2017 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Law, just read your last post... I'm going in for my second NF and HH repair tomorrow morning. I'll post some updates when I'm feeling better and give you a play by play of how you'll possibly feel afterwards (everyone heals differently).

All the best,

C
Posted 3/29/2017 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Best of luck Minou87! Thank you and hope you heal quickly and feel better soon.
Posted 3/29/2017 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Irene! I'm a baby really...hopefully this time it will be better because I know what to expect. I've never had a barium swallow test. I've had many EGD's and the gastric emptying test and one 24 ph/manometry test. They know I have a hernia and a weak LES. I just joined a group on FB for Stretta and the people there are very helpful. I also joined one for Endostim because they asked me to attend an informational meeting. I'm not quite keen on having a device in body but I'm going to look into it. I hope you are continuing on an upward swing! Lori
Posted 3/29/2017 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
hi lori, yes, so far, so good...but of course things can change. great idea to join these various groups...get first-hand info and feedback! im going to wait a couple of months before i go back and see a new doctor! i am asking for a barium swallow! love reading your updates...keep me posted! thanks, irene
Posted 3/30/2017 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Glad you are still doing okay! That really makes so happy. Sounds like you have a plan! I will keep you posted...
Posted 4/2/2017 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Just had the LINX device surgery for GERD. Supposed to be safer, more effective, less side effects. I hope this is all true and looking forward to my recovery which should take somewhere between 1 and 3 months.
Posted 4/2/2017 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
hi jfriedman1! so happy for you...hope you have great results! how long did you suffer with gerd, what was your diagnosis, and how long were you on ppi's??? please keep us posted. thank you!
Posted 4/3/2017 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi jfriedman1..thank you for sharing with us and praying you have great results and healing! Where did you have your surgery? I can't wait to hear how you are doing. I don't know yet what procedure I will be heading for, but I know Linx will be one of the options. I echo bythesea and would love to know how long you've suffered and if you were on medications.
Posted 4/3/2017 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
hi law... i tried maximum strength zantac...and i felt better before i took this 150mg tablet, so i knew i had to reduce the mg's and am now for the last 3 days on regular strength 75 mg's, 1 in am, and 1 in pm. i have the weirdest reactions as i change meds. the other day i took one 75 mg in evening and woke up in the middle of the night with the worst pain? funny, happened once, maybe i didn't drink enough water with this medication? anyway...i feel really good on this dosage. i'm staying on it for 2 weeks to see how i hold up. i'm sooooo happy that i worked my way off those ppi's. anyway...just an update.
Posted 4/3/2017 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
hi bythesea, I used to take 75mg of Zantac and thought it was helpful, but not strong enough. When I take 150mg twice a day, I seem to get strange dreams and not as fitful as a sleep. But 75mg never bothered me that way. I know that sounds strange. You may know this, but you will build up a tolerance to H2's eventually so if you feel they aren't working after awhile, just take a break. My doctor always advised to take drug holidays with any of the acid reducing meds. Your pain was in the esophagus correct? H2's are way better so keep it up!!! And 75 mg twice a day is really good.
Posted 4/3/2017 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
my body hurts differently in various areas. when pain gets bad, it's right below the ribs then there is the burning sensation and pressure in the chest area. oh, didn't know i would build up a tolerance to these pills, good to know. i feel soooooo much better as time has gone by and have changed meds. i'm sure i have a lot to learn about my problem with gerd, especially cause these doctors don't even know what's causing it...and didn't want to do more testing!? i find that so odd that doctor thinks i don't care what is causing my body to react this way? oh well ... i have plenty of other doctors i can check with...but for now...im feeling pretty good and soooooo thankful!!!
Posted 4/3/2017 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
The PPI's should not cause tolerance over time, but for some they do especially after many, many years. The H2's are more prone to cause tolerance and some of the reading I've done says pretty quickly like after a week. Of course, it is different for everyone. It sounds like you have it under control and if you stay with a good diet, you should be good!!!! I really am so happy for you!!!!
Posted 4/3/2017 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
for me...the ppi's were great at first...but...after awhile...i would start feeling better in the morning...would then get up and take my ppi, and then the pain would start! the terrible thing about these meds...the terrible pain you feel that the ppi's helped, eventually turns out that these meds give you the same pain you felt before you took them. that's the difficult part...you think it's your body that is hurting...and then you realize it's the meds??? so, trial and error... but yes, thankful, that i feel sooooo much better. thanks!
Posted 4/4/2017 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
After all those years, the PPI's started bothering me with stomach pain so I know what you mean. It is true that they eventually could cause the very problem you are trying to help. Meds are bandaids. I hope and pray they come up with better solutions to the problem. Talked to a nurse today about my manometry test coming up. The tube they use for that is larger and has probes on the outside instead of the inside like it used to. I just want to get this over with already. I have to wait until the 17th. Trying to think positive and have the no big deal attitude!
Posted 4/8/2017 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
hi law, off everything! i feel soooo lucky!!! i do have gas, a little burning from time to time...but not painful, no pressure in my chest, which use to make me feel really tired. symptoms now...just remind me to watch what i eat. when i'm busy, i fell perfectly fine! all i have to do is find something good for gas. what do you suggest? haven't researched that yet, just taking this day by day using nothing. hope you're ok... irene
Posted 4/9/2017 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome bythesea!!! I wish I had good advice for the gas, but the only thing I have used is something like gasX. Other than that, I'm really clueless. Maybe start another post? Thank you for checking up. I'm hanging in until the 17th when I have the manometry and 24 ph study. I'm staying away from trigger foods so that things are bearable and not severe. Keep it up! You are doing great! Lori
Posted 4/9/2017 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
yes, im sooooooo lucky!!! i feel that god gave me a second chance to live without pain and be productive!!! yes, your next step is teeerrrible, would hate to do that!! do you drink water all day?? i do...and it helps a lot!!
Posted 4/9/2017 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
He did for sure!!!! I do drink water...nothing helps except to make it bearable, staying away from anything bready even gluten free. And absolutely no coffee, even decaf. Also, I stay on the foods that are considered low acid from foodary.com. I follow those charts and really, have a very limited choice of foods. I cheated tonight with some banana bread. I will pay.....
Posted 4/9/2017 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
yes, i notice my stomach burns in morning when i have no food in it...but if i grab the water bottle next to my bed and start drinking...it goes away! it does sound like you NEED that operation if you follow that diet so strictly!!!! i can eat lots of stuff now...but, i have a great daily diet too for the most part. and if you don't cheat live isn't worth living!!! lol really hope all goes well for you and you can live with NO pain again!!!
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