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Even Vomiting now a problem..... Surgery!!???

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 8/5/2011 6:58 AM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

Please help if you can. I have severe acid reflux, caused by weakened LES valve and Hiatal Hernia. I am developing very bad esophogitis from acid burning my throat.

Solution was to throw it up.

Yes I know.... Have followed the medical route, as well as the diet, the alternative, naturopathic etc etc...

As it stands, nothing is helping. PPI's, H2 blockers, I weigh 83 kg and am just on 6 foot, so am healthy, active, run, yoga.I drink only water for past 3 months. I eat healthy enough. Have done extreme restricted diets. They sort of help for a while. So, Doc is now recomendig the surgery. I think I am definatley going to take it. But I have a very crucail month ahead at work, so I don't think I'll have OP within the next 35 odd days, though I wish for the relief ASAP!

So - I used to be able to get a nights sleep in by sticking the old finger down the throat, just to get all the Acid out. Otherwise to much pain in throat and worsening of my esophogitis. Now, however, the finger trick is failing to work. It is just not triggering GAG reflex anymore.

Has anyone experienced this problem?

Has anyone any advise?

And is surgery then really my way forward?

And oh, PPI's help, but they give me the oddest side effects. I struggle to breathe after a few days use. Cant clear the phlegm from my throat, have a massve "lump" in the throat, and can't swallow. I drink 2 litres water a day and yet the throat was always dry! And I tried different types of PPI's, but it would seem I'm (allergic?) to that class of drugs. Also, I just don't think it's right supressing natural stomach acid over a very long term.

My thoughts and best wishes to all you reading, as you are all prob in same boat as myself. Not nice lekker (nice in SAfrica) hey!?

So any thoughts and help. Please......

Especially on the not being able to vomit anymore.

Anything else I should try the next 35 days apart from starve! turn Would be kindly appreciated.

Darryl

Posted 8/5/2011 11:19 AM (GMT 0)
I would stop putting my finger down the throat, i think that is counter productive in the long run and has probably made your condition worse.

the symptoms you describe seem like LPR reflux...

what you want to do:

Elevate your bed 6-8 inches.
Follow all GERD DIET TIPS STRICTLY (NO FATS, No Caffeine, small meals more frequently during the day,etc)


no drugs will cure LPR REFLUX by itself. Its a combination of Strict DIET and Meds that will bring you relief.

You need to go see a ENT and Gastro ASAP and follow there medical treatment advice. Only a doctor can tell you if surgery is the best option.


Throat symptoms are very serious!



-Jesse
Posted 8/6/2011 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Your gag reflex is messed up from the doing the finger method. If you continue this you will cause irrepairable damage! This is what happens to people with bulimea (not that you have it, but they use the finger method).
If you can't use PPIs can you ask your doctor to give you some Carafta (sp?). It will coat your throat and soothe it.
Posted 8/7/2011 11:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Joy & Jesse - 

Thanks. Yeah, I think my Gag reflex is pretty stuffed up now.

Jess, I've tried so much and hard, done lift the bed thing, diet, I only drink water and nothing else.

And if I really eat only green leaved vegetables and nothing else, last salad at 2pm, well then I shouldn't

get acid for the day. but that's no garuntee!! I still can at times.

But I don't think I can live like that much longer. I am 35, single, and don't even date anymore- I just sort of

steer clear of most situations, going out etc. I just want to have some semblance of a normal life!

So do you think it's wrong in this instance, after my throat now is already very scarred from the acid to want

to opt for the operation? I've just spoken to so many people that say they are acid free for 8 - 12 years after

their ops. Yes it was a tough recovery, but well worth it!

Joy, (love the name), is it (caraffette?) you mean? Something like that. Well, currently I am on Ulsanic now. It seems

to help on the short term. I am not going to take it too long, even though it's sort of managing my symptoms relatively nicely,

but my Doc said it is full of (Alimium?), and long term use could lead to Alzheimers. (That would be cool as I'd forget

about the Acid!) Not! Really bad joke soz. Anyway, it does help a bit. But I ma so sick of having to be cautious

of every little thing that goes in my mouth for the rest of my life!

Is it wrong to think that we are made to be a little more resiliant than what we sometimes are? That if we become to aware of every little effect of every little thing, we become prone to exactly that? Note my Aliminium comment!

I am so sensitive right now. Should I really keep that consciouness, or eat mud cakes and cat food like when I was young and mom and dad weren't overprotective over everything!!

Well, my immune systemm aint that young anymore, but yo know what I mean, They say "what you don't know can't hurt you". Balance!!! But right now everything seems so out of balance and leading to the ever cautious Darryl that is scared of nearly everything. Because of the consequences!

Well, i believe they shall be Nissening me soon. I am a healthy person, so I just want to have a Pizza, at least once a month? Maybe a Glass of Old Brown Sherry at that Beach Party. And a chocolate! Is that so wrong?

Well, just a quetion!?!?!?!

Hope you guys a doing fine.

Darryl

Posted 8/7/2011 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Darryl,

I will celebrate my first full week of being wrapped tomorrow on the 8th of August. I've only been around here a few weeks but I've read a lot of the posts. After coming to the point with acid reflux and all the dietary limitations and other health implications from reflux, I can truly say that it was the anxiety that it caused that finally wore me down.

I never thought when it all started about 20 years ago that I'd end up having surgery for my symptoms but I've had more relief these past 6 days than I've had in years. Not just acid reflux relief but the beginnings of some relief from the anxiety all of those years of suffering caused.

I'll let those with more experience speak to you of the technical issues involved with both your condition and your desire to look into surgery but I will tell you I could not have lasted much longer physically or emotionally and I know exactly how you are feeling.

The surgery isn't pleasant but no surgery is. Mine has paid off enough in a week's time that I can say I wouldn't go back to how I was before for all the tea in China.

If you do opt for the surgery, make sure you have all the proper pre-op testing to confirm that you're a good candidate for it. I was a little ticked that as sick as I was my surgeon insisted on me going through even more tests prior to surgery but I'm so glad now that he did.

I'm not well yet but I'm getting better and I'm very grateful. My prayer at night used to be a very weak "Why?" uttered to God. Now I just say "Thank you". I hope he understands all that word means to me.

Take care of yourself.
Rita
Posted 8/7/2011 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Darryl, I'm not sure how to spell it, but others here have taking it to coat their throats.

I'm all for the benefits of having the surgery. I was miserible before the surgery. If I ever need it again I'd gladly go under the knife again. I never want to go back to it again.
Posted 8/8/2011 10:31 AM (GMT 0)
Darryl-
It is carafate(old name) now called sucrafate. it comes in liquid or soft pill u can add to a little water and makea slurry to drink. this to coat the esophagus. or u can take the pills normal if its just a stomach issue. you definitely need it to coat ur esophagus.
As far as i know the only way to stop lpr is to have a surgery to stop the aciid from getting to the upper esophagus. i have had 2 full nissen wraps and hopefully getting my redo
redone
Posted 8/8/2011 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
Ta -

In SA they call it Ulsanic.
Yeah, it's the lining of my esophagus that worries me most. The heart burn story doesn't bother me. It's the not being able to fall asleep without purging whatevers in my throat, and the damage that it is doing to the linning in my throat that are the real concerns.
I so do not want esophagal cancer. Doc says I may as well begin smoking then! Must be real scary.
I am hoping for the best from the surgery. Have heard the concerns, but thus far, all my research has shown that the benefits sure outweigh the bad. And the comments from friends and family over their experiences have all been positive.
Also, major thanks to you all for your time and efforts posting encouragement to me and all our fellow sufferes out there. It is incredible to read everyones experiences, and to know that we understand what each other are going through. It's sad, but it does help knowing you are not alone. I wish though that there weren't as many of us!
So here's to you all. Hoping the frikkin acid leaves us all alone!!
Take care
Darryl
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