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Is it Dangerous to Have Surgery if I have Spasms??

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Posted 4/9/2014 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Im coming to the end of my patience if the osteopathic/chiro thing does not permanently bring my stomach back down after 3-4 sessions...

I just want to kindly ask if it is safe to get Hiatal hernia surgery if I experience sudden esophageal spasms? Is it not risky? What if they happen after the procedure? Has anyone had the HH Nissen or TIF procedure despite spasms? What about the vomiting? I hear one can have fatal consequences with vomiting/burping in relation to these procedures.

If I find a good surgeon.. well these are still concerns.. he cant help that secondary aggravation from the other symptoms and issues...

And what about recovery? I am reading mixed stories about recovery... is it possible to have a perfect procedure and recovery? I hear some recover in three days and feel nothing, others done fare so well and others have even been doomed.

I am currently mentally preparing for all this. For the worst.. but might not be the ideal mentality.

(In a nutshell, I was the former tennis player who can now barely do atheltics or gym because of bloated burping in the tightness of chest... as well as the other GERD and sliding HH symptoms and scares.)

And by the way, anyone with spasms - some advice for you is either a hot compress or hot bath/careful with that one. or hot shower... the spasms go away with all that dilated relaxed muscles... perhaps a hot wet towel a bunch of times before jumping in to take down the intensity...

Also, do get some electro-stim on your LES at a chiro - and - if you are convinced it scientifically reduces and helps - perhaps the osteopathic visceral downward pressure on the stomach portion if he or she is trained in that.
Posted 4/9/2014 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
7stringer-

Short answer, YES. Find a good surgeon who has done a lot of these surgeries successfully and have the pre op tests done to see if you are a good candidate for surgery, and I believe you will be.

The surgery can actually get rid of the spasms if they are caused by the reflux damage.

I've been through 3 nissens and an esophagus tear surgery. I eat anything I want to. I do anything I want to. I have no limitations. Yes I can't physically vomit, but I keep anti nausea meds on hand and take them if I feel nauseous. If I was to get food poisoning I was advised to go to the ER, but they also said it would just go out the other end if I didn't. Going to the ER is just a precautionary measure if I suspect it.

Yes the recovery is slow and can be trying, but the results is worth it. You have to understand not everyone heals the same and not everyone's body reacts the same to surgery. Most of the horror stories you read do turn out very well in the end. That end may take a year, but most of them never return to the web and reply they feel so much better now. Also the people who are completely happy to begin with usually don't post on the web because they have nothing to look for or complain about.

We have had a few members just recently come back and update us on how well they are doing at their 1 year mark or so. Even a member who is having a terrible time with her recovery because of a very unusual anatomy has said she would still do the surgery again as it has made a huge difference.

As for someone being able to reposition the stomach with downward pressure....if there is a HH large enough for the stomach to go up into the chest I don't see how pushing the stomach down will close that defect. The stomach will continue to go back up. Constant manipulation of this, to me, seems dangerous as it could enlarge the defect.

When the stomach goes into the chest there is a chance of strangulation of the organ and vessels.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 4/9/2014 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the time. Why 3 nissens?

Strangulation for a sliding is unlikely. That's more for paraesophageal. Which is not likely my thing since there's no evidence of paraesophageal types. If they were paraesophageal, the GI doc told me the pain would not have gone away on its own.
Posted 4/9/2014 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Also, there might not even be a real hernia. If I get the surgery just to be on the safe side since I'm 99 percent I'm sure I do have a sliding, can I do sports and weights let's say 6 months after that with proper breathing? Or nothing physical allowed?
Posted 4/10/2014 6:21 AM (GMT 0)
At 6 months your body is about 80% healed. Usually they say to go easy for 6 to 8 weeks and then add back in the physical activities as tolerated.

Here is a link to the resources page with the story of my 3 nissens

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2337138

Take care,
Bill devil
Posted 4/10/2014 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Ok will check.

I'm wondering why no doctor has suggested the linx ring. Is there any evidence to success out there with a partial wrap, or not too tight full wrap + Linx?
Posted 4/10/2014 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
7,

If you get a wrap you don't need the linx. But do follow what Bill says and get to a surgeon. You should have all the testing done to see surgery, if any, needs to be done. It's wise to get what you need, not just what you might prefer.
Posted 4/10/2014 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
7Stringer, I would highly suggest joining the Linx group on Facebook. There is an individual on there who has dealt with some very bad esophageal spasms for a rather long period of time. His name is Donnie on there. I would highly suggest that you speak with him. I am no doctor, but I have done thousands of hours of research on GERD/LPR and many other digestive problems in search of a solution to my problems. I am now scheduled to have the Linx procedure on the 25th of this month. Honestly, I think that is the vast majority of cases individuals should be having the Linx over going with the Nissen. There are exceptions to this such as very large HHs and a few other things, but there have been recent studies showing that Linx is as good as a Nissen with a lot less recovery time and side effects. Another thing you may want to get tested for is SIBO. I say this because of your bloated and burping symptoms.
Posted 4/11/2014 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Ok thanks.

My issue is more anxiety, even if I'd have the linx, I would find something to be paranoid about. Such as - what if its an xl size hernia that was never detected by any tests that could bloat up over the linx. I can't continue with this kind of thinking.

Today though I have gotten the anxiety under more better control. I will be following all your advices because its time to put a control on the spasms and bloated chest also. I know its real and not what my doc and GI doc said - anxiety - caused - and you don't need a scope. I beg to differ. Its clearly digestive. Unless anxiety influences digestion.

Anyways my fam doc is still fine referring me to a surgeon. Because other visits to my fam doc and he does grant a hiatal hernia - sliding still possible. I'm glad he doesn't always think I'm crazy. The referral is in process to Credit Valley mississauga. I am going to have to put my trust in human med if I can't even trust god and am helpless in that respect. I have come to the end of the road in holding and resisting trust. I think. (Although not a symptom tonight after meditation).

Post Edited (7Stringer) : 4/10/2014 10:05:35 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/11/2014 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
Gondore, I appreciate the input and considerate caring info and advice... but the reason I say wrap plus linx is because the hernia must be hugh if it is a hernia - from what I have felt , that is no 1 or 2 centimeter hernia. It interferes with the heart, with the lungs... Etc. Unless it is possible for the esophagus to expand like that without a hernia. But that would make no sense.

Will get tested for SIBO.

The good thing is if I overcame my reluctance to do the barium, I can overcome that anxiety about other tests too, and perhaps surgery.

I'm in a really kick ass band and just want to get fixed because if they ever go touring, clearly I cannot go in my current state.

Do you guys think I can be out of bed from surgery within a month of the surgery playing music?

Anyways, assuming my assumptions are accurate, if I do need something, anyone hear of partial wraps to correct large hernias, and then linx after that? (Instead of full wrap alone).

Till next time.
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