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WEEK 2 POST NISSEN AND I AM STILL COUGHING

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 8/23/2017 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello there. I am 2 weeks post a total Nissen Fundoplication that I had for coughing. It was impeding my ability to breathe or do any significant amount of exercise. I am doing well physically, however I am quite distressed that I am still coughing. My husband said he notices that is not as often, however, it is still happening daily to the point that I am getting lightheaded again. I have been told that it takes about 3 months to fully feel the effects. I can't imagine how my cough would get better though. I don't see my doctor for another week and would just like to hear from anyone whose cough took a while to stop.
Incidentally, I am having the same chest pain everyone here describes that feels like a heart attack off and on. I have attributed it to the surgery and the recovery because I know that all my pulmonary tests were fine prior to it.
Thanks for any feedback that may come my way. I'm afraid I went through all this for nothing. cry
Posted 8/24/2017 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Roeses7.. I'm 4 weeks post op Nissen Fundoplication for GERD due to hiatus hernia and a weak LES. My symptoms prior to surgery were mostly coughing, globus sensation, some belching, and acid reflux to the point where the acid taste was constantly in my mouth. Other than the expected discomfort, for the first week of recovery I felt instant relief from all symptoms. But since about week 2 all of my previous symptoms have gradually returned to the point where now at week 4, the acid taste is back with a vengeance and I had one of my uniquely GERD coughing fits yesterday. I'm still experiencing sporadic coughing and clearing of the throat today. I only go through periods of coughing during times when the acid reflux and belching are peaking, like now. I am devastated at the thought that the surgery seems to have not worked for me and at the prospect of needing to go through everything all over again as I don't want to live like this any more. I'd also be interested to hear from others experiences with this. I am due to see my surgeon for post op check in 4 days time and will hopefully learn that this can be a normal part of the healing process, though it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I'm sorry I can't offer any more information, but you are not alone. Hopefully someone else here can relate and advise us both as I am searching for similar answers.
Posted 8/24/2017 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
My advice would be to not expect too much, too soon. You will find that during your recovery you will have small setbacks along the way. In my experience, I didn't feel a lot better until about 6 months, and my "new" self around one year post-surgery. You have just gone through a major surgery and it takes your body a while to adjust, but it does get better.
Posted 8/24/2017 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
I am trying to be hopeful, I guess I too don't understand the anatomy of the cough getting better with time. If the acid is getting past the fundo now, what's going to stop it later? Sorry to sound so negative, but I'm just so depressed at the thought that I went through this for nothing.
Posted 9/24/2017 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again. I am 7 weeks post op and am significantly better. When I went to see the doctor at week 4 she told me to switch to a liquid diet. I did for 4 weeks. I have started soft foods about 2 days ago. It helped tremendously. My throat was probably still irritated from surgery. I still cough occasionally and can’t drink coffee without coughing but the other things have been okay. The surgeon said I might want to return to the Dexilant I was taking before surgery, but I am really trying to avoid that. I have to watch my portions because if I eat too much I get nauseous and as I read here that is common. I have lost about 10 pounds.
I would say that I am glad I had the surgery at this point. I am looking forward to the next year to see if I can eventually be able to eat and drink more things. I know I won’t be able to eat everything I want , but maybe more than before. Thank you for the encouraging words. 😃
Posted 9/24/2017 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
That is great news. Your patience, good dr's advice, and going back to a liquid diet really helped. We simply cannot get impatient and expect miracles immediately after this major surgery.
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