Advice wanted please - PPI, Nissen etc
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi,
I am new to the forum and would appreciate some advice.
?I am 35 years old and have been on PPI's for 10 years non stop. My dose has gradually been creeping up from 15mg to now 60mg. The 60mg helps the acid reflux symptoms to the point where I don't feel any actual burning. I do however suffer from side effects - I have recently been diagnosed with sinusitis (which my doctor believes is linked to the acid reflux), I vomit occasionally, I wake up with coughing and acid in my throat, I get a croaking noise in my throat at bed at night and the odd headache.
?I am beginning to think it might be time to try coming off them, I really don't want to be on them for the rest of my life. I have had an endoscopy in the past which confirmed my valve is shot! I know even with lifestyle and diet changes my heartburn would be severe if I stopped the PPI.
?My GP seems really reluctant to go down the path of having surgery, should I push it more? I have never really questioned it too much. How do I convince my doctor to refer me and then convince them I need surgery? Or am I totally wrong and should just listen to him and live with the side effects?
?Also, another option is doing the nissen fundoplication privately. Is this something I should look at?
?Apologies if these topics have been covered in the past, any advice would be greatly appreciated! 
0 likes, 13 replies
jason_02625 jeastham
Posted
Hey buddy, im 32 and 2 years ago i had the Linx procedure done. If your not sure what that is look it up. I was like you being on meds since i was 17. It was awful and didnt want to be on meds the rest of my life. I started doing my own research and thats when i told myself i have to get off these meds because long term use is gonna be hard on my body. I didnt need my doctor to give me a referral to go see a specialist. I read an artical in the paper about a new procedure called the Linx and only a few DRs here in the states perform the surgery. Im not sure where your located but in Pittsburgh PA at West Penn Hospital Dr. Blair Jobe and the surgery and pretesting was done at no charge because they are still in the beginning stages to see if insurance companies will cover it so they follow up with patients to see if the device is still working. It has been about 18 months since I've had the surgery and i have been 18 months with no meds. Maybe a Tum here or there but no PPI meds. Free and clear of it. I will say the worst part of the surgery is when they fill you with air, you will be sore for a few days in your shoulders and chest area when you breath but the device works on day one. Do your self a favor and look into the surgery. All drs want to do is put a band aid on the issue and keep feeding you meds. They dont fix the issue. My valve was shot as well. Hope this all helps. Any questions please message me.
sue33331 jeastham
Posted
It really seems to depend on where you live in the UK as to what your GP suggests. Mine was happy to refer me and I very quickly got sucked into the NHS system and all the tests were done. Referral was September last year, so 5 months from referral to surgery.
I had my first glass of wine for years on Friday night and no acid at all
kate65092 sue33331
Posted
How did you find the surgery, are you back on normal food?
sue33331 kate65092
Posted
Hi Kate,
?Surgery was pretty straightforward and I got home the following morning. The incisions are very small and I didn't stay in bed at all. I worked from home last week and was back to work today.
?
The surgeon said to go straight onto a soft diet, so had a couple of days of yoghurt, soup, custard, rice pudding, etc, but then moved onto whatever everyone else was having and just blendered it. Pasta is brilliant and I could eat small portions of lasagne, etc with no problem. Haven't tried bread yet, but toast is fine.
I did roast beef yesterday and had some of that with roast potatoes - lots of gravy, eat slowly and chew!
You just need to remember to eat slowly and chew well!
kate65092 sue33331
Posted
Hi Sue
Thank you so much for your reply, I can't understand why doctors in Ireland are so hesitant to offer the operation, I would definitely try it if I could, I spend most days feeling like I'm choking and can't breathe, continuing good health to you
jeastham
Posted
I think the time has come to basically tell him what I want to do.
kate65092 jeastham
Posted
Hi
Sorry to hear your suffering so long, Im two years the same way, when you say ten years on ppi do you mean every day or only if you have a flare up? I'm on 20mg twice a day but getting very little relief, I would take an operation if I could have one, I now suffer bad sinus type headaches which I believe is from the ppi tablets, when was your last endoscopy? I really feel people with reflux should be monitored at least once a year
jason_02625 kate65092
Posted
jason_02625 kate65092
Posted
jeastham kate65092
Posted
I need to take PPI's every day, have done for 10 years. If I don't I know about it straight away.
My last endoscopy was around 3 years ago. He will probably make me do another one before any operation, I am going to go for it I think. 10 years is too long and as I get older the dose will just get more and more.
?If the NHS won't let me have one (which they absolutely should) I am going to go private.
kate65092 jeastham
Posted
jeastham kate65092
Posted
Since my dosage has gone up I have noticed side effects - occasional vomiting. Headaches etc.
kate65092 jeastham
Posted