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Anyone else feel like they are going to die?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 7/25/2012 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone!!! So thankful to have found this site, its so nice to see others experiences and stories.
IM NOT THE ONLY ONE:))

Ive been suffering with GERD for about 5 years I'm 31 years old, I have a fairly significant HH Im not sure of the cm, I have esoniaphil esoph, Barrets, and a huge Granuloma on my vocal chords.

Ive taken protonix, nexium, xantac, and prilosec. AT one point I was taking 4 40mg protonix...then switched to 2 nexium and 2 xantac a day.

Here is my situation, I constantly have a gagging cough that happens somewhere between 10 and 30 times a day. Every single meal I eat I always have to dry heave or a small amount of content comes up. At some points I will dry heave until I bust the blood vessels in my face, becoming dizzy and and about passing out. Which leads to severe palpitations and a really hard time getting mu thoughts in order. This has been the case for around 4 years now. My throat is so raw and painful that it hurts at times to drink water. My vocal chords are so weak it hurts to talk, my voice has went from a very deep and powerful one to a mild no tonal control muddled sound. All of this happening no matter how many PPIs i take.

Now on to the bad habit, I dip smokeless tobacco and have for a very long time. I have taken breaks from dipping but this still has yet to calm the gagging cough. I have had every test that can be done with the exception of the ph test due to the fact we can not get the probe to stay put. My gag reflex has become so boisterous due to irritation it just can be done while concious.

I am currently looking at the TIF or the Nissen, I am terrified of even thinking about the nissen. The TIF may not be doable due to the size of my hernia.

Can I have a hernia surgery repair with a TIF instead of the nissen??

I have very little acid coming into my throat as a burning sensation most of my acid shoots right down into my lungs.

I speak for a living so I have to do something about it before I develop cancer. Honestly I DONT care about the acid I just want to get rid f the gagging cough, even though Im sure they are related.

Thank You
Caleb

Post Edited (troubleshootn) : 7/25/2012 12:38:55 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/25/2012 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there and welcome,

I wouldn't worry about cancer - the link between Barretts and cancer is still being studied but the risk of Barretts transforming to adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus is low , now being reported as less than 1%. One study looking at deaths from all causes for people with Barretts showed that the commonest cause of death was heart disease, not cancer!

What's important is to find a way to move forward and get symptom relief. The Nissen has a very high success rate, so don't be put off by what you read on the Internet! Your surgeon will do tests to make sure that you are a good candidate, and answer any questions you have and I'm sure there are people around on the forum with tips on how to find a good surgeon and reassure yourself about taking the next steps.

MMM
Posted 7/25/2012 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
PS: can they do a barium swallow or Bravo instead of the wire for you?
Posted 7/26/2012 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
trouble,

Here's some things I've done to heal my throat and sooth the pain. I have also added digestive enzymes and vit. D. The manuka honey and aloe vera (I feel) were very important towards healing my throat. Keep in mind it will take weeks if not months of daily use (several times a day) before it's healed. Hope this helps.

I have barretts, gerd, gastritis, hiatial hernia, IBS, and poor LES valve. All of which have gotten worst over the years ( about 16yrs ). In June I was told I had short segment barretts and my LES valve was wide open, now the barretts are gone and my LES valve is partially open. I do still struggle with reflux daily, some days more than others. However I wanted to share what I feel has helped me make progress. I agree you will not cure gerd if you can not heal your LES valve (some say this can not be done but I disagree). I have gone thru all the same test as all of you have. Instead of writing a book on myself, it may be easier for people to just ask me questions that they may need. This is what I have done to try and heal the damage.

1.diet changes; all the normal.....eat 90% chicken and turkey for meat (fish if I could choke it down). Sweet potatoes, raw carrots, broccoli, spinach, blackberries, whole grains, . I stay away from soda, coffee, choc, chips, dairy, pizza, beer etc.
2. spirulina (loaded with chlorophyll)
3. sleep inclined on left side
4. manuka honey
5.aloe vera gel (lakewood brand has NO citric acid)
6. carafate (coats and protects from more damage)
7. Tums or gaviscon as needed
8.dexilant (ppi)
9. zantac in the evening (h2 blocker)
10. dgl (when i can't time the carafate)
PS: I know the honey and aloe will not stop the gerd, however they are proven healers so I believe they played a huge part in my progress of starting to heal my LES.

Posted 7/26/2012 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
about the hernia - Is it paraesophageal? (PEH) I.e.: does the stomach stay at least partly above the diaphragm all the time? If so a Nissen (or one of the varieties, like Toupet) is critical. A TIF won't do the job. It's contraindicated in large hernias. A paraesophageal hiatal hernia can twist and strangulate, and then you have a very short time to get into surgery.

You can't really tell about the LES (lower valve in the esophagus) if you have PEH. Testing may tell you your valve is open al the time, but that is due to the position of the stomach being partly in the chest.

If you are serious about surviving surgery you should stop the tobacco immediately. It's not as bad as smoking, but it's a survival factor nonetheless. Ask a doctor for something to help with the cough until you can get the surgery.
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