Fundo five weeks ago, positive Peptest today. Need advice

Hello Gewarn,

First, I'm sorry that you're feeling the way you are. Sometimes that "heartburn" feeling is actually your esophagus transmitting pain or discomfort. However, I would say that at 5 weeks post-op that I would be very surprised that you're feeling this type of pain right now.

I would certainly wait for your test results to come back before making assumptions. The 24-hour monitoring will give you a good idea of how often you're feeling true reflux and to what degree. A barium swallow would also be good right now as it would outline the anatomical structures at the wrap site and you'd be able to get a good idea as to how intact the wrap really is.

Typically a Nissen wrap is constructed around a size 56 bougie...I would inquire as to whether your surgeon used one and if so, what size was used.

Fundoplications are rarely redone, this is true. However if the wrap was constructed poorly, there would be good cause to have it redone, by a more competent surgeon.

Ask more questions as they arise.

Be well and take care,
-TonyG-

Hi I am in the same boat as you. I'm by no means saying your surgery hadn't been a success because only a surgeon can determine that.

I've had nissen perforned in May which I knew very early on had failed. My les had only increased from 6-7 and still experience reflux. Have been discharged by initial surgeon after having "normal" reflux results on standard ph and have had to request further testing with a new surgeon. Bravo came back "normal" barium swallow showed wrap in tact and this surgeon was about to discharge me when I begged him to perform impedance. He poo poo the idea and like your doc questioned the validity of the test and only agreed I think to humour me. I had an email 3 days later to say I still had "significant pathological reflux of non acid and acid" and that I would likely benefit from revisonal surgery. Ivthink impedance is the best test to indicate any form of airway reflux. I also have positive peptest. I'm wary about going through surgery again but I feel like Even thoug I know surgery to fix airway reflux is only 50/50 I've got to give it another shot. I really hope somehow you get some relief and get answers. If you really are certain of its failure, you have to keep pushing for the right test to diagnose airway reflux. Take good care

Post Edited (Trotters) : 2/9/2015 2:54:34 PM (GMT-7)

Hi I don't mind at all and don't apologise, I have felt EXACTLY the same way you do. It's quite lonely and sad to feel like the only one feeling the way you do. I totally understand. I have at times felt really angry when I look at others without a care in the world, not having to worry that what they are eating is going to cause trouble, how late they are eating, how they sleep etc. Its horrible, but then you start to realise that everyone has their cross to bear somewhere in their life.

I'm 37 single working mom of 2 and find it hard sometimes to deal with the fact that my once very happy, contended, albeit busy life has been overshadowed by this rubbish. I have, I think suffered reflux all of my life which I have only really just realised. My symptoms came on very suddenly following a very mild cold but I think it wasn't helped by me taking ibuprofen for an unrelated medical problem.

I had chest pain when this all started, quite bad and was admitted to a&E twice. I was told I had COPD despite being a non smoker which freaked me out big time. I still don't know why I was given that diagnosis but my chest x ray didn't look right. I suffer with minimal heartburn to be honest and most of my symptoms are respiratory/LPR. I had ear problems for 18 months prior to the chest pain/a&e, horrific sore throat, headaches, terrible taste in my mouth etc and chronic cough which I know now were all related but nobody picked up on it. 3 separate GP told me there was no way reflux could affect lungs! I'm so glad I stuck to my guns and have insisted on further testing.

I had slight discomfort for about a week and half swallowing but I think that was down to swelling. I was able to burp straight away and can actually do louder burps than prior to surgery! I don't think being able to swallow though is a sign your wrap has failed though as lots of people on here have been able to swallow well and burp very early on following surgery and they have successful wraps.

I could/can actually feel the reflux come back up particularly when I lie down. I still have regular occasions when I wake up choking and have had reflux come down my nose recently. Despite me describing all this, the initial surgeon discharged me and has actually told me in no uncertain terms there is nothing wrong with my wrap. The initial surgeon is one of the best in the area with lots of experience ... think I've just been very, very unlucky. I have paid privately to see another reportedly very good surgeon in another part of the country but even he has been very wary due to me having negative barium swallow, negative bravo and negative standard PH its only been the impedance test that has shown how far up the reflux has been reaching and the fact that some of it is non acidic which can be just as damaging. The nurse the who performed my impedance test told me that up to 30% of people who have standard ph testing actually need impedance.

I took the peptest a couple of weeks ago and think mine were 50. Wished I had taken before.

So, I am waiting for a date for redo surgery but have been told again, there is every chance that it may not help or could possibly make the situation worse.

Please keep an open mind though and I hope I haven't made you feel worse, I've just tried to be honest about my situation. There is nothing to say that your fate will be the same. I'm hoping for you that you will continue to see improvement in your situation, you are so young to be suffering. Stay hopeful, give it a bit of time to see if you do see any relief. I do recommend impedance though in the future if you continue to have the feeling of reflux at least it will give you answers one way or another. Hope in some small way I have helped and not made you feel worse. Its just been a long road for me and if you are unlucky enough to have had an unsuccessful wrap I hope that my experience can possibly help. Take care.