Hi everybody,
I haven't been on the board lately due to travel and then illness. My docs have suggested that a laparoscopic procedure called NISSEN Fundlopication to repair my hiatal hernia would help me. The GERD is persistent and only mildly helped with pantoprazole.
The constant acid is giving me sore throat most days, and it is making me cough and triggering asthma.
I am leaning toward having the surgery, but I'd love to chat with someone who has had this procedure.
Thanks, coopwall
Hi Coopwall
It's good to see you :D
I've no had that surgery, but if it helps with the sore throat and asthma, it sounds worthwhile.
Good luck.
Kathyx
My DIL's BIL had this done about 12 years ago. He had very bad GERD and was starting to get the cellular changes in the esophagus. He also has some autoimmune issues and the neuropathy in the esophagus was probably causing part of the problems.
He was so young---not even 30 when he had it done. I have not heard anything about that since so I am assuming that he has had improvement in that area. It is a very old procedure that has probably been updated as far as technique goes. They did it when I was in nurses training back in the early 60's. It was a rough surgery in those days, but I would bet that you might stay a night or two in the hospital and probably have a whole lot less pain than they did years ago.
Sounds like you need to have it done. But, I was going to ask if you have tried any other medications. I was on a whole lot of them and the Prevacid strong dose didn't take care of it. My insurance didn't pay for that either. Finally I got mad and went on the omeprazole (my own decision) and low and behold I did much better. I take the 40 mgm at bedtime.
I was on the Propulsid at one time for one week and it darn near killed me off. Made me soooo sick. Good luck with this--whatever you decide. Irish
Irish, Thank you so much for your reply! Yes, although this procedure requires general anesthesia, only a one night stay is needed, and about a week off work. A soft diet is prescribed for one month after the procedure.
Yes, I've tried Ranitidine, Omperazole, Pepcid, and I'm now on Pantoprazole 40. However, I am told to take it before breakfast. Maybe I will try it before bed.
I also have a Zenker's diverticulum in my throat (a pocket that catches food.) I've been advised to have that repaired--a simpler, but separate procedure.
I'm in the information gathering stage, but hope I might have these taken care of by the end of the year. At age 65, I believe I should act now and not later!!!
Always great to hear from you! Thanks for your info and support!
Coopwall
After using many meds for GERD, I recently started a newer one called Dexilant. So far so good and I heard many others on here have good luck with it as well. Type in Dexilant on the search feature in upper right corner to see others responses to me when I asked about it....may be worth a shot before going to surgery as they are always coming out with new and better drugs for this condition.
Good luck to you and please keep us posted.
I haven't had the procedure, but many of the kids I work with (long term, sometimes for years) have had it due to GERD and they all seem to do fine with it and it makes them so much more comfortable. I know of a couple that had to have it redone because they vomited so much the "undid" it, but they had major issues to start with so I am not sure if the procedure didn't work, or their condition was so bad that it couldn't be fully controlled. I would say 95% didn't have any issues with it and their symptoms improved alot.
Nancy
I just had a thought. I wonder if you had the Zenkers diverticulum fixed first if you would find that your issues would decrease. It would be a shame if the Zenkers is causing more problems than is realized. They can cause the "storage and drainage" of food with resultant issues. Plus, they can also cause some infection at times.
I guess if it was me I would ask about having it fixed first and assess the Hiatal hernia then afterwards and see if things are better. Complex symptoms that could be aggravating each other. Good luck. Irish
Lynnmarie, Nancy and Irish:
:)
Thank you so much for your messages. All good ideas that I will consider. Irish, tending to the throat first makes a lot of sense! I will be talking all this over with my internist by the end of June.
Thanks!!!! Coopwall
I had the NF about 15 years ago for hiatal hernia and gerds.....sadly it worked for like 6 months without medication.....I am back on perscription meds for GERDS. Hopefully, it will work better for you than it did for me. Before the NF I used to have an ulcerated esphogas all the time....very very painful....luckily I haven't had that but unfortunately still have to put up with the GERD issue on a daily basis. Good Luck! Before the surgery I was on perscription Prilosec and Propulsid 3 times a day. I think they may have taken Propulsid off the market now not sure.
Dear friends,
I consulted with my internist about these surgeries this week. He and the NISSEN surgeon agree the Zenker's diverticulum must be repaired first. We are searching for a surgeon in Albuquerqe who does this. There appears to be one at UNIV. of New Mexico Hospital. I'm waiting for his nurse to call me back.
If anyone knows of any surgeon who is experienced with Zenker's repair, please send me the name even if they are not in my state. My understanding is that this surgery is rare, and I want someone who is experienced. I'm willing to go out of my state, if the insurance will cover their facilities. Who knows?
Thanks for you ideas and support
Coopwall 8)