Gerdhater Linx Journal

Day 4 and Day 5
Feb 3 and 4 2013


Sorry had been away from the computer. I have taken a few weeks off work and am taking it easy.

Reflux - So far, I don't think I have been having anything other than minor reflux from time to time. I am however pushing the Linx by eating decent sized portions. I am on 40 mg Nexium once a day and will taper in a couple of days to 20 mg. Prior to surgery I had been taking 40 mg x 2 daily.

Swallowing - is becoming more noticeable which means when I swallow I know before and after it passes the barrier. It is not very uncomfortable and is something you get used to. It is by no means worrisome especially since we all know that it is expected to get worse, peak at 6 weeks (as told by Dr. Lipham) and get back to normal. I still eat at a good pace and I am not even following the chew swallow pause mantra religiously instead trying to keep eating as close to normal as possible.

Breathing is still the same - no major improvement. However, I am happy to report that I don't seem to be waking up with the same amount of nose block after sleeping. I have been sleeping almost straight after dinner.

Sleep - I still wake up earlyish, but I feel a bit more refreshed than before. When I wake up, I don't feel like I am gasping like I used to - but it is still some kind of shortness of breath. It is hard to explain but it used to be this plus gasping prior to surgery.

Cough - I did not have major cough although I feel like I cough occasionally these days - which I *think* is a good sign because previously my coughing reflex might have been suppressed and it is being restored [Too much speculation perhaps but I like hypotheses!]

Hiccups - Hiccups still cause the most discomfort - each hiccup can last for 2 secs at max - but it is a sharp pain. They happen most often after eating. I would say about 10 per day roughly.

Sorethroat - I have had chronic mild sore throat and that hasn't improved in the last 1 week.

Others - Wounds are not yet itching. No major discomfort moving around. There is may be a little bit of bloat - I've noticed that my diaphragm area seems to be larger and rounder.

Overall, unremarkable really. I do have a reasonably high tolerance for pain and so far it has not been particularly painful.

GH

I got the operative note today and it mentions using the endoFLIP device for measuring LES characteristics (although it doesn't tell me what those characteristics were)

http://www.crospon.com/UpperGIImaging.htm

Interesting info about the graph of distensibility (laxness) of LES against pressure. Mine was getting wide open with very little pressure I presume.

I will report if I can get them to give me more details of the measurements.

Hi GH,

Thanks for your comprehensive posts, especially the link on the EndoFlip. :)

Did Dr. Lipham recommend anyone in the NYC area to follow-up with, or just by telephone?

It would seem to me that you have a bunch of things going on and only time will tell. I am glad that the shoulder pain has gone but the hiccups are a mystery to me - did you have them pre-op?

As for the swallowing, anything dry will probably get stuck - I have this problem for many years and have not had any surgery yet. Even a potato chip can be a real pain for me but when taken with a bit of onion dip (which adds the moisture for swallowing,) I am just fine.

Would soft and moist food be better for you at this point, until you get past the peak of Dysphagia?

Best,

Gastricman

gerd_hater said...

Day 6
Feb 5 2013


Today was my first real "warning" moment. I just finished dinner where I had food get stuck. I was eating bread with egg curry. I felt food backing up a little bit and I first stopped eating and quickly had a few sips of water. There was significant pain for 10 secs before it all settled down and things returned to normal. I started eating a little bit slower and did not notice any further issues.

Also, so far, I've had no particular swalling problems with rice (others including justpassingthrough (JPT) had problems with it in the first few weeks) and shoulder pain has gone completely.

I am starting to notice a pattern of reflux associated with hiccups. It has probably always been thus in my case, but the strength of the hiccup seems to force open the Linx and brings a little bit of reflux (I can feel based on temperature) which quickly goes down.

When I say hiccup, it is not the usual hiccup associated with a sound. I feel a strong upward push at the LES level which "dissipates" by the time it reaches the throat.

GH

The stuck issue can be awkward feeling and painful but like you said, it goes away quickly. Although - in that moment it feels like forever when it's try to pass the LINX!

I know the "hiccup" you are talking about. I've had a few random ones of those (mainly when I eat super spicy or carbonated drinks). When I get it, I can feel the pressure of the LINX for a second but then it goes away. I don't have the reflux come up though, not that I noticed.

But overall you are seeing the benefits and feeling better right?

Day 7
Feb 6 2013


Today morning was the hardest yet with pancakes proving difficult to get through (they were not as soft as they were supposed to be).

Chewing thoroughly takes it close to normal and I learnt to Chew Swallow Pause :) Still not majorly difficult.
I am beginning to eat a lot more than usual as well and serious weight gain is just around the corner.

No other interesting changes to report from yesterday. I've forgotten about the incisions except when they remind themselves when I bend or when in the shower.

GH

gerd_hater said...

I am beginning to eat a lot more than usual as well and serious weight gain is just around the corner.

This is what I'm waiting for too LOL I checked today and I haven't gained any weight... I think my scale is broken because I've been eating like a mad woman!!

It's so nice to have people to talk to that are going through the same thing!

Gastricman: I probably don't have time to dig into EndoFlip - I might've if I had known it before Linx but not so much now :-P
But, if you do end up researching (I usually just Google until I am satisfied), do let us know !

NoDoubtLove: You are right, but don't worry - you can exercise any of those extra pounds away in a few weeks :) Just the freedom for heartburn gives you new energy, doesn't it ?

GH

gerd_hater said...

NoDoubtLove: You are right, but don't worry - you can exercise any of those extra pounds away in a few weeks :) Just the freedom for heartburn gives you new energy, doesn't it ?

GH

Actually yes, now that I'm not sore anymore I do have lots more energy! I need to get over this sinus cold and I'll be golden. I want to start working out more or being more active. The heartburn controlled my life since July so I am feeling I need to get out and move!! I just wish spring/summer could come faster - this cold weather is making it hard to want to go outside!

NoDoubtLove said...

This is what I'm waiting for too LOL I checked today and I haven't gained any weight... I think my scale is broken because I've been eating like a mad woman!!

It's so nice to have people to talk to that are going through the same thing!

What's the secret for the no weight-gain ?

Seriously, you must be enjoying not being called "picky" again :)

One question, can you belch fine ? Have you tried any carbonated drinks so far ?

GH

Have you received your explanation of benefits from your insurance company yet?  I talked to another patient who thought their insurance was going to cover the procedure only to receive a notice a few weeks after the procedure denying a substantial amount of the bill.  I have an appointment with Dr. Lipham in a few weeks for a consult.  Was wondering how much of the bill I can expect to pay out of pocket if I end up having the procedure.

Hi Tick,

If you are on Facebook, please join the group called LINX Surgery. The link is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201278776669716/

I am the admin. A few members in this forum are in the Facebook group. I am also interested in having the LINX. The surgeon/hospital is working with my insurance, however I probably would not be able to have the surgery until Spring, since I am in college and doing an internship.

RGR

HONEYBADGER said...
Have you received your explanation of benefits from your insurance company yet? I talked to another patient who thought their insurance was going to cover the procedure only to receive a notice a few weeks after the procedure denying a substantial amount of the bill. I have an appointment with Dr. Lipham in a few weeks for a consult. Was wondering how much of the bill I can expect to pay out of pocket if I end up having the procedure.

I just checked www.myuhc.com (United Healthcare) and the full bill was $24,940.91 for everything (besides testing). I owe $2,046.91 - so it appears they covered it :) I'm so relieved. I'm going to post the break down in my journal: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2616398

Gastricman,

Nothing to worry. In fact, I am relieved. Long term success of Linx is well correlated with early dysphagia from my research.

The body wraps the Linx in scar tissue. And it becomes critically important to keep forcing food through it because you want the tissue around the Linx to be not so tight eventually.

I can eat as long as I chew well and take small bites. But, habits are hard to change...

GH