Have GERD, had surgery, not cured! - Digestive Disorders Message Board

guyfromcalif · 01-10-2003, 03:24 AM

Hi all, new guy here...maybe someone can give me a little advice. Here's the short version of the story.

I have been having heartburn for about two years now. I tried all the meds my doctor prescribed(about 6 of them) and none of them did anything. I had a test where they stuck a sensor thing down down my throat with a recording device that recorded acid levels in my throat for 24 hours...of course that was the one good day out of the last 2 years. They said the acid was 'slightly elevated' but not enough for them to care. The gastroenterologist I was seeing never diagnosed me because of the results of the test, and insurance won't pay to do it again. Either way, I saw a surgeon and decided to do surgery...laproscopic nissen fundoplication...where they take the fundus of the stomach and wrap it around the esophagus. That was in July. I still have symptoms almost every day...it is a little better though. The moment ANYTHING but water hits my stomach I get the symptoms. Is there anything else I can do? By the way I have absolutely zero of the risk factors that would normally cause this(bad diet, stress, smoking, etc.) I also had an endoscopy, the doc said my esophagus looked fine. I AM CONFUSED.

[This message has been edited by guyfromcalif (edited 01-10-2003).]

Katie G · 01-10-2003, 07:38 AM

Hi guy. Sorry for your troubles. I had Nissan fundo surgery in June '01 and except for difficulty swallowing solids for quite awhile afterwards (I had dilatation about a year later), and trouble expelling gas (difficult to burp), I've had no return of reflux. However, when gas is trapped in my stomach and trying to come up, I can get terrible chest pains until I pass it one way or another. Do you think it could just be trapped gas? If so, maybe something like Gas-X would help. Mine only happens if I try to eat too fast or drink too much carbonation.

Hopefully someone on this board can give you some good advice.

Good luck to you,
Katie G

kim32 · 01-10-2003, 10:47 PM

Hi, have you had your gallbladder checked? I was having terrible heartburn (along with other symptoms) and they had me on nexium, etc.. and none of them worked. then they finally discovered that i had gallstones so i had my gb taken out. But now since the surgery my burning pain has gotton worse, my upper stomach and back burns 24/7! :-( the gastro doctor and my primary doctor doesn't know what's going on. I am scheduled to have a 24 hr ph study done on the 27th of this month. Did you have the single probe or the double probe when you had yours done? i'm going to have the single probe. Was it really uncomfortable having that tube down your nose and down your throat? I'm really nervous about having it done. Maybe you should tho just have them check out your gallbladder, it wouldn't hurt! :-) Kim

guyfromcalif · 01-10-2003, 11:11 PM

I had the single probe...don't be worried. When they put it in they use a ton of lube and they have you drink water so you basically swallow it...not completely of course. It was pretty uncomfortable, but not painful. Having it in for the 24 hours is a little wierd, but you should get used to it pretty much and it just feels a little uncomfortable swallowing. I also had a motility test done that day...it's where they take a probe thing like the ph tester, but way bigger, and insert it...then you drink water and it makes sure your muscles are strong enough to push food down through your esophagus once the surgery makes the opening smaller. Let's hope you don't have to go that far though.

I have been considering going back to the gastroenterologist, but before I even had the surgery he was stumped. I think I want to try and find a doctor somewhere around here or in the Los Angeles area who can figure out what's up with me. The only prob with that is my insurance is horrible, they didn't even want to pay for my surgery even though it was neccesary.

That is interesting news about the gallbladder thing...I'm going to be looking into that...thanks.