Addressing GERD / hiatal hernia

[McSleepy]

I know the generally negative attitude against polls in this forum, but there is plenty of literature about hiatal hernia (HH) and GERD, I'd just like to get the personal experiences of the members here. You don't have to select an option; if you'd rather take the time to share your thoughts about this, it'd be even better, but if you don't have the time to do that and rather just click an option, that'd be better than nothing.

I'll be seeing a surgeon for a different condition and I'd like to gather some perspective from the patient's point of view. My HH was diagnosed 15 years ago and none of my gastroenterologists have said that I needed to address anything beyond the related GERD symptoms. Of course, if the success rate of HH surgery was as high as literature suggests (70-90%, depending on how you view long-term recurrence), and the adverse effects - as negligible as advertised, there would still be a strong incentive to go for it. The pluses and minuses theoretically are quite clear. I'd just like to hear about some personal experiences. I'd be particularly thrilled if someone has had endoluminal/TIF fundoplication and could share their experience with it. I generally dislike any intervention into the human body and ensuing modifications, but it can't hurt being informed.

Thank you for participating!

McSleepy

[Doug_Nightmare]

HH is common >50% in Western seniors >50 years of age. GERD less so, <20% in the same population.

I suspect that it is likely that I have HH but it has not been diagnosed. I have suffered GERD with dysphagia, and am on a Proton Pump Inhibitor - PPI - Omeprazole for life. I hate it and its side effects, but if I miss a dose then I will pay for that error shortly. Occasionally I get caught even when current on my dose, usually with ethanol, excitement or anxiety involved. In anticipation of a party, I may preempt an extra dose.

A neighbor has had the LYNX device installed and seems quite satisfied.

[Janknitz]

Two books you might find helpful:

Heartburn - Fast Tract Digestion: LPR, Acid Reflux & GERD Diet Cure Without Drugs https://www.amazon.com/Heartburn-Digest ... 007WZHCWK

Why Stomach Acid is Good for You by Jonathan V. Wright
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Stomach-Acid ... omach+acid

[greatunclebill]

I've had HH w/reflux since 1970 when the only recourse was lots of rolaids. The meds have developed and gotten better over the years. at this point i take prilosec morning and night and i'm well controlled. morning and night is because prilosec is a 12 hr medicine which is good enough for most, but not me. I've never considered the surgery. there are no options in your poll for medicine. strange.

[jnk...]

Serious polls on serious matters are not frowned upon. It is preferred by some forum members that polls be for a finite time period rather than being perpetual. I have no preference myself. And I, in fact, enjoy making silly polls just to be jokingly irritating to a few of the old-timers.

I believe that successfully treating OSA can sometimes allow some healing of the LES, once the violent negative pressures during obstructive apneas no longer occur that formerly pumped stomach contents up into the esophagus repeatedly every night.

I also believe that having nothing but water within hours of bed can help to heal the same area.

I further believe that modifying the acidity of stomach contents may make the issue less noticeable to the patient but doesn't address the larger issue of stomach contents ending up where it ought not.

Obviously none of what I just said relates directly to your poll. But the symptoms of distantly related conditions can sometimes get confused and make a doc or patient want to jump to what might not be a necessary surgery, IMO.

[LSAT]

Had the fundoplication surgery in 2002...haven't thought about it since.

[knothead]

I've had Gerd and a HH for 30 years. been on omeprazole for 15 years until recently, my Dr said a new study said it could lead to loss of memory so he put me on ranitidine. Not as good as omeprazole but it gets the job done. Never thought about surgery.

[Doug_Nightmare]

... my Dr said a new study said it could lead to loss of memory so he put me on ranitidine. ...

Will you please get a citation to this study. Omeprazole is on the WHO List of Essential Medicines, and in use since about 1980, 38 years.

Ranitidine is Zantac evolved from Tagamet.

[knothead]

... my Dr said a new study said it could lead to loss of memory so he put me on ranitidine. ...

Will you please get a citation to this study. Omeprazole is on the WHO List of Essential Medicines, and in use since about 1980, 38 years.

Ranitidine is Zantac evolved from Tagamet.

Hi Doug, I found this article that he may have been referencing and he may have jumped the gun taking me off, but.....I go back in couple months, gonna try to get Omep again, works great...

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/heartburn- ... -dementia/

[Muse-Inc]

When we had a local meetup of forum members, I mentioned that ginger is recommended as a natural approach to stomach distress. ON member tried it and ti worked like magic for him. He tool the supplement (extract) form about 30 mins before maskup (if I remember correctly). Might give that a try.

[McSleepy]

[...] there are no options in your poll for medicine. strange.

Medicine (medications, drugs) is one way of "managing a condition"; so, option 3.
McSleepy

[McSleepy]

Had the fundoplication surgery in 2002...haven't thought about it since.

Thank you for your input! Would you share more details, such as: where did you have the surgery, what kind of methodology (open, laparoscopic, incision-less), how was the post-operative recovery, was there any reoccurrence of the symptoms, and maybe your approximate age and physical condition?

McSleepy