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3 Months Post Nissen- Daily Irritation

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 5/27/2012 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Just wondering if anyone else experiences this. For a few hours out of the day my esophagus feels irritated, pretty similar to reflux. I haven't tried taking a PPI again, but I think I will. Anyone else still have daily irritation this far out? I can't tell if it's because I'm not chewing my food enough/taking smaller bites or if it's acid. Also I did a couple of long 6-7 mile runs and I can't tell if it's exercise asthma acting up or esphageal irritation, but those are a little uncomfortable for the first 15 minutes or so. I've stopped running for now to see if that's causing this, but I'm still getting daily discomfort. It's about 2-3/10. Hope it improves!
Posted 5/27/2012 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Gerdy Girl. I had the TIF procedure with a hernia repair and I'm having symptoms similar to reflux 4 months post op. For myself it seems as though that PPI's don't do anything what so ever, so I haven't been taking them. I also am an avid runner and I've been having asthma like conditions also while running or breathing heavy. It really sucks not being able to run quickly anymore, but I've been slowly seeing improvements. My discomfort seems to come most from anytime I stretch my mid section or throat area. I pretty much sleep in a ball at night, but when I do this It does seems to help me breath and it does seem to minimize the irritation in my throat. If you want to get an aerobic workout in I recommend biking instead of running. Theres less stretching on the midsection and it may help reduce the acid like symptoms while working out.
Posted 5/27/2012 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi GerdyGirl,

Often when people progress in their recovery and start adding new and more challenging foods they begin to have some problems with irritation.  A lot of the time it's a result of not taking small enough bites and chewing as thoroughly.  As a result some of the food is held back at the wrap site to ferment and irritate. 

As far as the running issue...you're not fully healed, and your upper GI is still adjusting to the changes.  Running is a high-impact exercise and everything is forced up and down which, at our stage of recovery, could create some discomfort.

This will go away, but it takes time.  A full 6 months is required for the majority of healing and you will continue to heal throughout the first year.  I found continued improvements (I was dumping intermittently and thought I would just be like that forever) into the second year.  (One day it occured to me that I wasn't dumping at all any more.) 

You've got to baby yoursef a bit still. How about power walking?

Happy healing!

Denise

Posted 6/1/2012 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your replies. I've been trying a much softer diet and taking a PPI but to my disappointment still feeling discomfort with most swallows. I've decided to give myself a few months of running :( Darn! I'll give it a few more months before I really worry about it.
Posted 6/1/2012 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi GerdyGirl,

Good thinking.  Waiting a while to go all out running and waiting before you worry are two good choices.  PPIs won't do a thing for esophageal irritation if the irritation isn't reflux related.  That's a good sign that your wrap is tight and doing its job. 

Give your wrap and esophagus a break.  They've been through a lot.  While it's certainly enough time for them to be healed at the suture sites, it takes time for your upper GI tract to adapt to the changes.   As I recall you're just over 3 months along, is that right?  You've still got lots of healing time ahead of you. 

This surgery takes a great deal of time and patience.  Try not to struggle against what is...just go with the flow and accept your recovery as it is.  It'll make things lots easier for you.

Since the majority of esophageal irritation post-op seems to be related to food (and even meds) getting held up at the wrap site, be sure to continue to take small bites and chew things completely.  Stay away from spicy and acidic foods.  Also, rough foods that don't chew to liquid can increase irritation and interfere with healing of the inflammation that's already in place.

Hang in there.  This will improve given additional healing.

Best wishes!

Denise

Posted 6/2/2012 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
I feel your pain! I use to be able to run 5ks in 17 mins and now I'm thankful that i'm able to run 2 miles in 17 mins. I hope the irritation
resolves for the both of us in the next couple of months.
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