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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 11/28/2014 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Greetings,
I just wanted to share a bit of news. When I "came down" with GERD one of my biggest fears was that I was going to have to give up competitive powerlifting. I new immediately when I found out that all my ear and sinus issues, shortness of breath, bad breath, dental erosion and the plethora of other not so obvious symptoms were all connected to my new symptom of chronic heartburn that I wanted to pursue the surgical route. For the past few months I have been pursuing the LINX route and pushing hard against my doctors to get the appropriate test and what not. After finishing all the test and touching base with a very well respected LINX surgeon I was ecstatic to find out that they mentioned that I could return to the sport after a few weeks of recovery. They even said that the LINX would be a -better- option than the fundo if I wanted to keep competing. I know this doesnt matter to a lot of people, most of us just want to feel better (dont get me wrong, I was willing to drop weightlifting all together just to feel better --i was ranked in the top 50 of my weight class in the nation in 2013), but the tried and true athletes out there will understand why this is important. There are not a lot of comments out there regarding this topic and please note that I am NOT a doctor, but if you are considering surgery, and happen to be any type of athlete. The LINX might be for you. There is hope!
Posted 12/3/2014 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, my interest in fixing my problem also revolves around being able to exercise, although not just powerlifting, but explosive movements, wrestling, olympic lifts, sprints etc. I'm curious if you also have a hiatal hernia, and if it has caused issues when you push yourself hard on lifts, and if you ever get a gag sensation?

I too am considering trying to have a linx along with hiatal hernia repair after pulling everything back into place if it can be determined that this is what is causing my problems.
Posted 12/14/2014 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Ribeo,
The only time I have ever been told I had a HH was during my Bravo. Doc said between 1 and 1.5cm. I've never felt a pull or gag, but I do recall one time pulling really heavy I felt kind of a "pop" in my belly and I was somewhat lightheaded afterwards. Don't knownif that's what started this or not. I'm pretty sure mine is due to having a desk job and eating a lot while hunched over a computer. I'm sure the weightlifting didn't help, but I don't think that's he main culprit.
Posted 12/15/2014 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
... my 2 cents on having a nissen. I use to be a college runner. After my nissan lifting weights is ok. I don't feel my stomach pull to much on curling, its more when I start benching 150 +. I'll start feeling a pull in my stomach and sometimes it hurts after my reps. Also, after my nissen... running fast is pretty much done. ran an 18:30 5k and after the race I was so bloated. My wrap was really tight and I had the sharts going... Faster running must pull the stomach around a lot. Running 7 min miles though I'll be fine.

I still suffer from reflux after my nissen... I know my reflux is worse after working out still.
Posted 8/4/2018 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey barbender, you may not see this post... but I'll ask just in case. I plan on having the Linx procedure soon and I am worried about the prospect of not being able to lift for the foreseeable future. Have you had any complications while lifting heavy after the procedure? How long after the surgery were you able to ease back into it? Would greatly appreciate a response. Thanks!
Posted 8/20/2018 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Being able to lift again was why I chose to to have a robotic assisted gastroesophageal valvuloplasty instead of the Linx, Fundos, or other procedures. Dr. Gee has a couple Olympic level weight lifters as previous clients. You might want to look into this option.
Posted 1/7/2019 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Roma, did you go ahead with the LINX? how are the results?

Hi Alpinist - whats your age and how long after the surgery were you able to lift?
Posted 1/7/2019 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
SidSin, after a fairly intense recovery process (~5 weeks), the results of the LINX have been great. I'm completely off medication and no longer have any reflux symptoms. I would absolutely recommend this procedure if you are considering it. But definitely keep in mind that you should not judge the efficacy of the procedure based on how you are responding to it in the first 6-8 weeks post-op. The dysphagia was no joke, but it slowly dissipated as I grew accustomed to the device. As far as lifting goes, I was able to return to lifting fairly heavy after about 6 weeks, and, for the most part, the procedure has not affected my ability to lift to much extent. I do avoid heavy deadlifting and squats now as they tend to put a lot of pressure on the device and thus risk reherniation. It's more of a precaution for me, but I've heard of others with the LINX able to perform these lifts safely. Hope this helps.
Posted 1/7/2019 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Roma,

Thank you for coming back and letting us know your experience.

Can I ask how old are you and how active were you?

Were you affected with GERD or LPR or both?

I lift too and I am interested in this procedure. I'm newly diagnosed with LPR and have not suffer for years like most users here. I'm debating if I should go with surgery route first. I am trying the low acid diet now and it seems to be work some what, but not 100%.

Thanks
Posted 1/7/2019 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Quan, I was officially diagnosed with GERD but I'm pretty sure I technically had LPR because my main symptoms were a burning sensation in the throat and constant throat clearing (after eating). Apparently it was not that important to the doctors to make that distinction. Either way, the LINX has definitely fixed the root cause. I was on prescription PPI's for a few years and they worked great, but I decided to do surgery because there were some concerns about the long term effects of these medications, especially since I am only 23 years old. I am pretty active and lift on a regular basis so I wanted to make sure that the surgery would allow me to continue my active lifestyle while eliminating my symptoms. I was reassured multiple times by the surgeon that I would be able to continue this without any issues, and he was right.

Understand that despite being a non-invasive procedure, surgery is not something you have to rush into, especially if you are able to keep symptoms at bay with diet and maybe some OTC medicine like Tums. The current surgery methods will always be improving and there is always a possibility of a better one coming out. However, you definitely cannot go wrong with the LINX, considering it is reversible, non-invasive, and most importantly, effective.
Posted 1/7/2019 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Roma! for taking the time. It is hard to not rush into this, we all want to stop the symptoms asap, but through my week of research, many have it for years! I told myself to give it a year before I make any decision to have surgery. of course with anything, especially surgery, it is never 100%.

Just as I posted the last reply, my LPR symptoms flared up, I think my lunch was a little bigger than my stomach would like, even though it is just chicken breast and veggies and oatmeal.

Do you know what have caused your hernia and GERD/LPR?
Posted 1/8/2019 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
I know that the reflux was a direct result of the hiatal hernia, but I was never able to find out what had caused the hernia itself. I assume it was related to stress, but who knows. I've asked the doctors/surgeon what could have caused it and they can't seem to pinpoint it and they simply suggest that it's a common occurrence that it is hard to prevent due to the commonality of its causes and potential heritability.

If you haven't already, I would suggest getting an endoscopy to see if you have a hernia and to assess any damage that could have taken place as a result of the reflux. Then, you and your doctor can discuss the best plan going forward. Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.
Posted 1/8/2019 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
The SIXness—when did you have your surgery?
Posted 1/9/2019 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Roma,

Having your hailtal hernia repaired, are you concern when you are lifting that it might cause re-injury?
Posted 1/9/2019 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Quan,

I originally had some reservations about lifting because I thought it would lead to reherniation, even though my surgeon said I would be fine. I had read that heavy lifting could cause a hiatal hernia so I was concerned. I still avoid heavy deadlifts and squats because I feel as if they'd be too risky in that regard, even though I've heard of powerlifters (with the LINX) having no problems with these lifts. However, I have been lifting heavy again on every other exercise for months now and I definitely have not caused re-injury. I make sure to breathe properly on my lifts in order to avoid excessive intra-abdominal pressure. Also, my surgeon has said that even if my hernia were to come back years from now, which is a strong possibility (simply as a result of getting older), the effectiveness of the LINX device would not be hindered and my reflux symptoms would still be significantly reduced, if not completely eliminated.

For what it's worth, I've also read a study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5845067/) that theorizes that the "collar" created by the LINX around the esophagus may play a role in mitigating against reherniation. This hasn't been confirmed or anything by surgeons but I think it's worth noting.
Posted 1/9/2019 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Roma for the info.

I think the Linx is still a new surgery so we wont get those data maybe for the next 10 years. But they could do a follow up with you in another 10 years to see. I think you would be a perfect candidate.

That is good to know that the linx will probably still function correctly if another hernia happen.

Roma who is your surgeon? I'm guessing you are not in Southern California.
Posted 1/10/2019 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Roma, what PPI did your doctor put you on and how many times a day?

When you were on PPI, could you still eat like before and everything you wanted? or did you kind of have to be careful?
Posted 1/10/2019 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Quan,

The surgeon is not in SoCal, he is based in Nashville. I initially took Prilosec, which is over the counter and it worked decently but I was eventually put on a prescription-level Pantoprazole. I only took one per day and it eliminated almost all of my symptoms, but I still had to avoid some foods but not a lot. I would have been fine just continuing to take this medication instead of having surgery until I learned about the potential long-term effects.
Posted 1/17/2019 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Roma,

My GI ordered an Endoscopy, which will take weeks to get approval. So now I'm self medicating myself with generic form of Prilosec. Just started today, still feel sore throat after meals, dont know if its effective against LPR or does it take a few days to work?
Posted 1/17/2019 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Quan, it can take up to a few days, maybe a couple weeks, for the PPI to become effective. Just make sure to take it consistently. If it still isn't effective enough, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. PPI's work by limiting acid production and neutralizing the acid, so you might still experience some reflux symptoms like I did while on the medication, but the reflux itself won't be causing much damage because of the neutralization.
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