1yr Post Nissen Fundo - Reflux worse - What Now?

Natchezboxer

New Member

Joined : Apr 2012

Posts : 1

Posted 4/15/2012 8:14 PM (GMT 0)

I am a Pro MMA fighter and Pro Wrestler. This has stopped me from being able to get in the shape I need to compete. If I running or hit the bag or grapple very soon I start getting reflux in my throat all the way up into my nose. I start inhaling it and it causes me to have SEVERE chest pain and cough up acid and mucus for hours out of my lungs. If I push through the pain today and train then tomorrow I won't be able to even talk where anyone can understand me.

I have had chest pains since highschool. For a while they thought it was asthma and treated for that. Then I had highblood pressure so they decided it was my heart and started sending me to specialists that fixed the blood pressure prob but not the chest pain. All that was 10 years ago. I have had a sore throat for almost ten years. Always got tonsil infections and throat infections. They took my tonsils out and no help. They finally figured out it was reflux and started treating me witn omeprazole then protonix then dexilant. Plus carafate 4 times a day. I could not tell the difference if I took it or not.

Then about a year ago they decided to do a barium swallow and found with what the doc said was a huge hernia and that he can't believe I could swallow at all. The first thing they said was "Wow, that's your problem. We fix this and you should be good" ... So I cancelled my fights and wrestling shows for 6 months and I had the Lap Nissen Fundoplication surgery. Now it is worse than ever and this is what has been done so far but has not helped.

1. Full wrap on Nissen Fundoplication Surger

2. Carafate 1gm 4 times a day

3. Omeprazole 40mg 2 times a day

4. Bed is propped up 6 inches

5. No spicy foods or fatty foods

Ive lost almost 50lb since the surgery because I can barely eat. I was 6'1" 225 in the sixth grade... I am 29 now and am 205... I only eat a couple times over a 2 or 3 day span because it makes me so nautious and hurts. I'd rather starve... but I have got to be able to work out and fight. It's all I know. I'm losing all my muscle mass and strength. My bench was 500 2 years ago... not it is around 280.

What now?

dencha

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2009

Posts : 7263

Posted 4/15/2012 8:45 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Natchezboxer,

What you're dealing with is especially tough for a pro fighter and wrestler. Most of us have the surgery and go back to a desk job or something equally strenuous. Many here who aren't pros do enjoy weight lifting, and they are always concerned that their lifting will cause their hernia repair to fail and they'll be back where they were before surgery.

Did your surgeon say you'd be able to go back to to fighting and wrestling at this point in your recovery? It seems to me that they owe you an explanation. You've paid them lots of money to fix your problem and they should be working on this problem and helping you get better.

Have you been retested with a barium swallow and 24hr PH monitor? I think they will need to do some testing to determine if your symptoms are being caused by a failure of the wrap.

Your situation is very unique. I think being in your line of work is extremely problematic for GERD and Nissen recovery issues. It makes sense to expect your doctors and surgeon to help you through this and make it right.

I'm glad you've posted on the forum. I'm sure others will be by to share their experiences and provide support.

Very best wishes,

Denise

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