feeling bad after hiatus hernia surgery

I had a hiatus hernia repair a week ago . I wanted a fundoplication but the Dr wouldn't do it because my reflux had been atypical. He said the fundo would give me more problems. Since the surgery I have had ten times more acid and have been chocking at night even thought the Dr said the surgery had been succesful, at the hospital. I am realy scared that the Dr won't do a fundoplication and am worried that I will stay like this for the rest of my life. My acid symptoms are now very typical with strong acid whereas before I had more non acidic reflux. I have lots of pain in my throat.  I have restarted medication which controls the acid somewhat but leaves me with the most awful tasting non acid reflux 24/7. I can.t see the Dr for follow up for several weeks and am getting very depressed. I may now have to take a year off my university course. My 3 children have been negatively affected by this as I have been ill for over two years and am so depressed. I am struggling to get through each day because I feel so down because of this.This operation was my one chance of recovering and it does not seem to have worked. Does anyone have any advice or has had a similar experience to this. Also does anyone have acid reflux 24/7 instead of just around meal ties.

Thx for your reply. Yes I have done that, it seemed to help a bit at first.. He reckons my reflux is atypical because I have some ibs symptoms and the acid has been more non acid reflux which gives me a constant horrible taste without so much burning. This has all changed completely since the op. Now I have severe burning acid . Strangely the ibs symptoms seem to have improved, maybe because my stomach is now in the right place. Do you use medication for your reflux?

Rebecca, welcome. We'll help you as much as we can! I too, had atypical symptoms, but symptoms aren't the driving force here; it's the results on the testing that are more telling. Have you had a barium swallow, a 24 hour ph or a bravo?, a manometry? These are all important indicators on the function of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Are you now on a PPI? if not, contact your Dr., they should be able to prescribe something over the phone.

My initial thought, though, when I read your post, was find yourself a new Doctor! You do not deserve to be treated this way! What area of the country do you live in? I had my surgery done at Cleveland Clinic and I was treated with a great deal a respect and consideration, but they do want to do their own testing. You say you are going to school, which University?, is there a medical school and university hospital affiliated with it?

You will find that most of us have been dealing with chronic illness for many years, and one thing that we have all learned is that there is always hope! You say this was your one chance, I'm willing to bet that it isn't, you just have to find the right doctor to make you better.

The children will be okay, they're worried about their Mom. If you have a family practice Dr. you need to make an appointment with him/her and speak with them about finding a new GI DR and about helping you with your depression. You need to do this for your family, but more importantly, for yourself!
Janice

Hi Rebecca,
I second Janice and Bill's conclusion that it's time to consult with a different GI doc. You do not need to be depressed...you can still get help for your symptoms, so don't give up hope. If you have a good family doctor, it would be good to make an appointment and discuss your symptoms.

I had very atypical symptoms--even the testing didn't show that my GERD was as severe as most Nissen Fundoplication candidates have. My problem was severe asthma, and it took a long time before I got the support and courage to have the surgery. I'm so glad I did. Finally, I'm breathing easily, and not coughing up mucous constantly.

This forum gave me the information, support, and encouragement I needed to move forward with surgery and my recovery.
We'll be here for you, and try to support and help you as much as possible.
I wish you lots of luck. Don't give up or get discouraged. You will find help!
Take care,
Denise

Thanks for all of your replies. It is so nice to speak to people who have been through this. I had two ph studies done and an endoscopy and barium study. I also had a manometry which showed slight dismotility.The pressure of the les was in the lower end of normal. The ph studies did not seem to show much reflux except at night and showed more non acid than acid reflux. The barium study and the endoscopy however clearly showed reflux. I think your right about finding another Dr and I am feeling better tonight that I am going to do something about seeing my gp to arrange this. Im not sure if my university has a teaching hospital but I know there are nursing students so it may be worth looking into it. Thanks for your recommendations about the doctor but I am in the UK. I think in the states you have a better and more advanced system. I've been taking omeprazole and pepcid but this non acid reflux is a big problem because the taste is so horrible. Does anyone else have non acid reflux on ppis. Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate it.

Hi Bea!! Hail, Hail, the gangs all here!!! (oh yeah, I'm from Michigan..forget I said that!!)

We had someone from the UK before, does anyone remember who that is? I'm sorry Rebecca, my brain is old!!

Truly, though, don't give up, don't despair, there are better doctors and ways to help. I didn't have Non erosive reflux, so I'm not the right person to ask but someone here may know!
Janice