Off Topic but definitely health related

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I've been in here long enough to know that quite a few Sjoggies suffer from reflux. Been taking Omeprazole for 12 years now and the last two years the dose has been doubled. It feels as though it's prolonged menopause because the hot flashs have never gone away and by process of elimination (meds) I KNOW that in my case Omeprazole is the culprit that gives me hot sweats.

So - I'm going to have surgery on the 12th Feb. A 'nissen fundiplication' I think its called. Keyhole. Been given a liver reducing diet to start on 7 days before surgery. I was talking to someone today who had this surgery and she was told to diet for 2 weeks and her diet sheet was completely different.

Just wondered if any of you had any experience of this op.  It's going to be a weird diet because I don't usually eat that much in a day! Certainly cuts out some stuff I eat but there is plenty left.

Any advice? Thanks - Scottie 

[irish]

My daughter in laws brother in law had this surgery about 15 years ago. I don't know if you remember but i mentioned him a lot for a while as he suffered so much with spinal fluid leaks and they had no life as they went all over the country to find help. He has some type of autoimmune disease I believe and he also had such bad reflux that his Barretts esophagus was getting worse. They did this surgery and he has done well as far I I know. I have seen him a few times and visited with him and he is doing better. They put him on some type of pill that lowers the pressure of the spinal fluid and he doesn't have as many leaks.

I will mention that years ago(like in the dark ages) when I was in nurses training they were doing this surgery and it was considered a long surgery. It was much improved when BIL had it done and I bet, 15 years letter it is probably an overnight or two. Between the surgical techniques and the vastly improved anesthesia surgery is so much different. I wish yoyo lots of luck and hope this helps you feel better. A person can only take so many of those pills for reflux. Thinking of you. Irish

[Maria3667]

Hi Scottie,

Yes that's right, acid reflux could very well be part of the package. I tried omeprazol but I hate it as it gives me terrible depression. Certainly whacks up some neurotransmitters which might explain your hot flashes too.
Regarding the reflux, eventually I discovered taking a low dose calcium tablet on a daily basis does the trick for me. It probably works by neutralizing some of the stomach acid. Wish I'd have known that sooner.

Good luck with your diet and operation!

[Carolina]

Definition with diagrams of Nissen Fundoplication for severe Gastric reflux due to Hiatal Hernia:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplication

Regards, Elaine

[Scottietottie]

Thank you all so much for the answers. I used to take calcium but it made no difference to the reflux. Sometimes it ends up in my mouth when I just bend forward - like to plug something in. (our sockets are low)

When I didn't take Omeprazole and switched to Ranitidine - the acid wasn't controlled and my doc thinks I either inhaled acid - or acidic fumes. Set off a cough that ended up with pneumonia. After that I got a dx of COPD.

About 3 weeks to go now. Op pre-assessment this Friday. Thanks for the encouragement.

Take care - Scottie 

[ohiolady]

Hope all goes well Scottie!  Let us know how you get along.

Anna

[Scottietottie]

Thank you Anna 

[Judie P]

Good luck, Scottie.  Hope all goes well.  Judie P & Sjoggiemama.

[Carolina]

Why do Sjoggies have reflux?

I believe that my gastro-intestinal issues are related to the neurological neuropathy that is the result of my Immune Disorder. 

As you all know, my disorder Immune System mounts an attack on my organs/systems with biochemical cytokines, not auto-antibodies.  Auto immune conditions are caused by autoantibodies which attack our organs/systems.  In my case I have no autoantibodies, but still have the damage.

I do have a hiatal hernia.   Hiatal hernia is caused by a weakness in the diaphragm muscles.  My theory (which is only mine) is that this weakness may be caused (in my case) by neuropathy. 

I also have weakness in the peristalsis of my esophagus, as well as failure of the valve at the bottom of the esophagus to open correctly and allow food into my stomach. (I recently had a procedure to open the valve and inject botox in the surround muscles, to relax them).

Recently I have developed IBS-D, which may be caused by migration of bacteria from my large intestine to my small intestine (where it causes the IBS).  The movement is 'allowed' by neuropathy which allows this backwards flow of bacteria from the Large Intestine to the Small Intestine where it causes IBS.

I am progressively experiencing neuropathies throughout my body. 

My hiatal hernia and esophageal weakness predated, by several years, the onset of the damage to my parasympathetic nervous system (tears, saliva, etc) which is often diagnosed as Sjogren's.  In my case Sjogren's can never be the diagnosis since I don't have the antibodies used to diagnose Sjogren's.   

These are just my thoughts.

Regards, Elaine

[Scottietottie]

I have a theory - that apart from hiatal hernias - a common cause of reflux - is that we have more concentrated stomach acid than 'normals' because we are not diluting it with saliva and there for it burns more.

This is just my pet theory - totally NOT backed up by any medical knowledge or validation.

Just a thought.

Take care - Scottie 

[irish]

Scottie, I think your theory is backed up by medical community. IO have been saying this for quite a while on this site as I found that info in medical research I did. Pat yourself on the back cause you are a smart cookie.

I have to add that some people find that drinking water after meals and when they have heartburn will sort of ease the misery. Diluting the acid should help some I would think. I still have to take the omeprazole though.
Good luck. Irish

[Lah]

Scottie, Will be thinking about you. I hate the wait for any surgery and most tests. It's always been worse than the procedure. Hugs to you, Lah

[SjoGirl]

Scottie I don't bend over much anymore, I tend to crouch down (easy getting down, not so much getting up, but keeps me from getting reflux from bending).

Prayers safe surgery and a full recovery.

[Scottietottie]

Thank you all for the good wishes - and Hi Lah! Good to see you again! 

[genko_b]

Good luck on the surgery! Will be thinking of you.

Genko