Off Subject--Anyone have the Acid Reflux Surgery?

[Sleeping With The Enemy]

I know this has nothing to do with OSA.

However, I'm wondering if any of you have had this surgery and would be willing to share your experience.

I am considering it as I have horrible GERD.

Thanks

Heidi

[kathic]

I had the surgery 4 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. It was an easy surgery with a quick recovery and I feel like it saved my life. The worst part of the recovery is the limited diet afterwards but I only had to stick to it for a couple of weeks. I can now eat whatever I like.

[rock and roll]

I have Gerd but surgery was not an option because of other health problemsm but my brother did and it worked quite well for him. He would do it again in a minute he says even with the recovery time. But it does come back in over half the patients that get it done. Usually after a year or two.

[Sleeping With The Enemy]

Just want to keep this near the top.

Heidi

[GoodKnight]

My doctor told me there was a connection between CPAP therapy and acid reflux and he said it was very, very important that I keep taking PrilosecOTC to avoid the esophageal spasm that I had caused by acid reflux. Boy, was that ever painful.

I can't remember his explanation: something about the extra force the diaphragm makes to overcome the air pressure causes the acid to back up into the esophagus.

[Goldpawn]

One week before getting my machine, I had a esophageal diallation done, my wife said I didn't snore afterwards. The dilation was great, swallowing was better, breathing seems better, but after 3 weeks of trying to use the hose, I think it is either a coincidence or a temporary thing. If you can get a dilation done, do it!!
Steve

[Goldpawn]

Stay on the hose!! This a addition to a previous post

[Sleeping With The Enemy]

I'm not giving up my CPAP. Its just that my GERD is so bad that it is causing many, many rotten days and nights. The meds just are not working anymore and actually I'm sick of taking them and having to be careful of what I eat.

I like onions and spicy food. I love my coffee, etc. I don't smoke or drink so I have to have some kind of a gig going on...

Would love to hear more from those of you who suffer with GERD or have had the anti-reflux procedure.

Heidi

[FL andy]

I'm not giving up my CPAP. Its just that my GERD is so bad that it is causing many, many rotten days and nights. The meds just are not working anymore and actually I'm sick of taking them and having to be careful of what I eat.

I like onions and spicy food. I love my coffee, etc. I don't smoke or drink so I have to have some kind of a gig going on...

Hi Sleeping,

Since you are at the point of contemplating surgery I assume you have already had the EGD test - an endoscopy of your esophagus, gastric (stomach) and duodenum. If you did, what were the results? If you didn't, you really should.

I very strongly suggest you get that done first. You get sedated into twilght sleep and in 20 minutes it's all over. A tube is put down your esophagus and the entire upper GI area is visually examined, and snips of questionable lining are taken (biopsy) for microsopic examination.

The EGD exam is a whole lot easier than ANY surgery. If you have the surgery first, they should discover if you have Barretts, but why on earth get cut open if not needed?

The fact that an OTC proton pump inhibitor (Prilosec) isn't working doesn't mean that you need surgery - in it self. All you may need is one of the several next generation PPI's. And if one a day is not enough, the doctor can prescribe two.

I am not a doctor but I have had decades of GERD before any doctor suggested an EGD. The result was a very serious (cancerous) condition called High-grade Barretts.

The treatment for Barretts is called fulguration of the esophagus. It's one step more than the EGD test. While the tube is in your esophagus they put in a combination of gasses and ignite them with a spark. What it does is burn the bad lining away and in two to four weeks new, pink, baby-like lining grows in. The fulguration usually is repeated in six weeks but you never feel a thing. You are NEVER under total general anesthetic. You ARE NOT cut open. And you will know what else must be done before you are forced to make a decision about any surgery.

If you haven't yet gone to an Upper GI doctor, GO NOW. I don't know what kind of doctor you have been seeing, but I have a hard time thinking a Gastroenterologist would recommend any kind of GERD surgery without FIRST having an EGD!!!

Good luck Sleeping, and let us know how your treatment is going,

Your friend,
FL andy

[Sleeping With The Enemy]

I first went to primary MD and had barium x-ray, upper GI endoscopy and a manometry test. The manometry indicated I had Achalasia, so I was referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Went down there and they did another barium x-ray (a little more in-depth), blood work, chest x-ray and ECG. I go back this Monday to have another upper GI endoscopy and Manometry test done and they will place a Bravo for two days then I go back and get Bravo (reads acid) out and meet with the "gas man" MD and surgeon to talk about everything.

My reflux is severe. I have taken Protonix 2 times a day. The pills are very expensive and even after taking them that often, I can bend over and reflux. Its terrible. I have been on almost every GERD drug there is and I need a fix.

When I had the barium x-ray, I reflux very high. My first endoscopy didn't show any damage to my E, but I do have a small hiatal hernia.

I'll know more after Monday. Right now Mayo took me off all of my medication for GERD so they can do the tests without the medication, I'M DYING!!!!

Thanks for replying.

Heidi

[FL andy]

[quote=

When I had the barium x-ray, I reflux very high. My first endoscopy didn't show any damage to my E, but I do have a small hiatal hernia.

I'll know more after Monday. Right now Mayo took me off all of my medication for GERD so they can do the tests without the medication, I'M DYING!!!!

Thanks for replying.

Heidi[/quote]


Oh my, Heidi

You have a bad situation. The good thing about all this is being examined and treated by the Rochester Mayo Clinic. You sure are in very good hands.

I started praying for you as soon as I read your post.

Don't know much about Achalasia other than it is not good. I consider myself extremely fortunate in that four fulgurations got rid of the cancerous lining and two Aciphex pills daily takes care of the reflux, or at least the painful part.

Others reading this thread should be aware of how very dangerous unexamined and untreated GERD can become. GERD could be a lot more serious than a simple annoyance. It could become disabling or cause death.

Blessings to you Heidi.

Andy

[GERD Too!]

Heidi, be sure to sleep with your head and torso elevated if your LES closure is as poor as you describe. Some people use coffee cans under the head of their bed, others use a wedge pillow, and yet others use an adjustable bed. In my opinion the electric adjustable bed is the best solution, but it is also the most expensive solution. You can even build a slight wedge out of plywood and place it between your box spring and mattress. Finally, there is a new and relatively inexpensive product out called the Mattress Genie. I have seen them at either Bed, Bath, & Beyond or Linens and Things (always mix up those two stores).


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[Mikesus]

I know this has nothing to do with OSA.

However, I'm wondering if any of you have had this surgery and would be willing to share your experience.

I am considering it as I have horrible GERD.

Thanks

Heidi

Heidi

I disagree, there is a connection between OSA and GERD.

Link to study

Both OSA and GERD can cause some of the same symptoms

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux commonly report poor sleep, waking at night because of acid reflux. Some individuals who have respiratory problems exacerbated by acid reflux may frequently be without symptoms of heartburn. In a study of 81 patients with documented sleep complaints at least three nights per week who underwent polysomnographic sleep evaluations, 26 percent had acid reflux. Of those who suffered with reflux, 94 percent of the recorded reflux events were associated with arousal from sleep or awakening.

"These are patients without significant heartburn symptoms, who are experiencing acid reflux during sleep," explained William C. Orr, Ph.D. of Lynn Health Science Institute in Oklahoma City, OK. "'Silent reflux' may be the cause of sleep disturbances in patients with unexplained sleep disorders."

The worst test is the PH probe, (which I had done) but it is a necessary evil. The test measures the PH in your throat (and some measure it in 2 places) I scored very high and was immediately put on Prevacid twice a day, and it only helped, didn't stop the reflux for the same reasons that you are suspecting, LES was not closing sufficiently.

Currently the best surgical option is the Nissin Fundoplication. It has a success rate as good as the surgeon performing it. So you want to find someone that does a ton of em, and has a great track record. You definitely want someone that is not just a general surgeon.

The most promising non-surgical solution was called Enteryx, but is no longer available due to a number of docs not doing the procedure correctly and one patient died. (I had it done in January, and have been off Prevacid) Unfortunately, I was supposed to be reevaluated to see if they needed to inject more Enteryx, but now I would have to go with the Nissin if I did need more Enteryx...

You are already doing the best thing, getting it fully diagnosed and getting it treated.

[WAFlowers]

I used to (past tense) have nocturnal GERD 4 or 5 times a week.

The last time I had that problem was the night before I started CPAP therapy. Coincidence? I don't think so.