Anti Reflux and HH repair surgery next week
Posted , 16 users are following.
Hi all ,
Its nearly here , my op is on Wednesday 8th June , Im still a bit nervous about it , but reading all the posts on this forum over the past year it has eased my worries a tiny tad ...
My symptoms I would say are livable with but in the long term I am PPI dependant , at the moment Esomeprazole 40mg Ranitadine when required which is most days and Gaviscon .
My symtoms include,
Phlegm 24/7
Sneezing most days
Runny nose
Itchy ears
Slight chest pain
Nausea if I eat a little too much , most days
Bloated burping and flatulance
Burning sensation in my belly and when stressed burning in my throat
Horrible smell in my nose all the time
Some foods tasteless
I can feel nautiuos one minute then shaking with hunger next
I dont know if this is so but Im putting my lack of wanting to be intamit with my partner down on my symtoms list too whether due to feeling yuck most of the time or due to effects of long term on PPI , I have been taking PPI for about 15 years .
I still get all these symptoms while on the meds so I guess they are not 100% helping my Reflux .
I am 46 years old , Not overweight , Dont smoke , Drink a little .
I have had symtoms since I was a child , when I was a baby I would burp after my bottle feed and bring it all back up , then as i got a bit older I rember sitting up most nights believing I was going to vomit , i never did , into teenage and 20's I discovered Bicarbonated Soda , I used to make up a bottle of it every day and drink it thro the day mostly at night in bed.
Then about 15 years ago I got some chest pain and went to GP , they prescribed PPI , I tried Pantaprazole , Lantaprazole then Omeaprazole which I was on about 10 years , I had and endoscopy about 10 years ago which saw the sphinctor not closing properly and gastritus with tiny ulcers , last year I got fed up taking Omeprazole and went to GP , I asked for Nexium she said they were expensive so at the same time we discussed surgery , I got both Nexium on perscription and referral for surgery , The Nexium does work a little better than the Omeprazole but I still have symtoms .
I had to have endoscopy again which now has found the Hiatus Hernia as well as reflux , I also had 24hr PH test and Manomertry tests , which the hospital ( Royal Berkshire Reading) insist on having before considering surgery . All tests came back conclusive that I am a good candidate for the repair surgery , which happens wednesday next week ...
I will of course keep this forum up to date with proceedings after my op .
Regards to all and thank you everyone who has posted on here and helped me with my decision to have the op .
Margaret.
1 like, 128 replies
william97075 mag2
Posted
Have mercy. I have been living with Gerd for 10 years now. I rarely eat spicy food anymore when i do i pay the price. I have been on pph for 10 years. The generic types of meds did not work I am on prevacid 30 mg. I have had my gallbladder removed. I have went to er at least 3 thimes thinking i was having a heart attack but it was bad gallbladder. I tell you acid reflux is no joke. If you are on meds use them regularly. I have a hiatal hernias as well. Losing weight has helped. I read some of these posts and in some cases the patients seem to be suffering from esophagitis. I am currently going through a minor case. I tried to eat a spicy dinner and took medicines with to little water. The burning in my chest is pretty intense. The feeling of something stuck in my throat makes me cough. Gerd has many bizarre symptoms. You can get headaches, cough,, belch, bloat, upper sinus burning, stomach ache. The worst part is the chest burning. People on ppi need to take a multi viatamin, eat more veggies. PPI's reduce the stomaches abiltiy to absorbed vitamins and minerals. Also need to drink more water especially with a meal. Caffeine, Chocolate, Hot taco sauce, spaghettis sauce, vinegar dressings, alcohol, smoking, chewing tobacco, and eating while sitting down can all make symptoms worse. So can anxiety. I am 39 and have changed my diet, drink alcohol very rarely and cut down spicey foods to maybe once a month. Really i should cut it out completely, because, spicy foods usually cause a relapse, even when meds are take. I would also recommend a pro biotic, it really helps. Trust me coughing up a small piece of food a week after eating it is not fun. When food works it way back up esophagus, and a little piece of food comes out is really uncomfortable. In my case this is what happened i have a mild heartburn for a week. I almost went to hospital again but when i eat smaller meals and take my PPI the burning sensation subsides. I am really close to coughing out a piece of food. I can feel it near my glottis. This is gross. When treating gerd followm what your gastro says it works. I eat standing up, smaller meals, almost avoid caffeine, Eat spicy foods once a month, take my meds, do not eat hour before bed, and lose weight. It stinks that italian food and me do not get along but it is not worth a week of agony. Avoid foods that make your gerd worse. Your stomach and esophagus are your bodies first defense against disease take care of it
zena75822 mag2
Posted
I hope you appointment went okay.
May be you were overdoing it too soon .
Hope you are feeling better soon.
Glad you managed some of you ale shame about hangover.
I'm sure you will mange more soon and hopefully not have the hangover after.
I'm going for my pre med on Friday 29th
so surgery date of 13 August getting closer .
Think realty is getting here as felt quite sick after getting dates and paper work through post.
Sure if will be fine just nervous getting better of me.
Let you know how went hoping your feeling better. .
Zena. ..
hilary66829 zena75822
Posted
Good luck for the 29th.
When you are feeling a little better can you write us a description of you op and recovery. It really helps those of us who face this op this year. Im waiting for my letter. Ive already had my pre op appointment so should be seen within the next 5 months. It cant come soon enough
Hx
zena75822 hilary66829
Posted
Hi Hillary
Hope you get you date soon.
When I saw my surgeon back 28thApril 2016 he told me I was on his waiting list for surgery.
He said it would roughly be 3 months or so .
I got a call from hospital to ask if I agreed to my notes being passed on to private care
funded by NHS.
They said the do this to get waiting lists down and i met the criteria.
So I baubles like a fool as nervous got better of me and agreed.
I was told would get call back with in two weeks to tell me which hospital had fist available slot.
Was out Runnymead hospital and Nuffield in Woking as the area i live.
I'm sure they are both great hospitals.
But Runnymead came through
which was good as my daughter will be picking me up after surgery when aloud home.
Which is better for her as she know we're that one is but do sent know Woking.
Got date first from surgeon security which is 13 Aug.
Then got sent trough post my pre med appointment which I'd this Friday.
I hadn't got paperwork for surgical date so chased that up and received that in post yesterday
Getting bit nervous as this morning
could find my glass that knew I put in my bag
then could find my car keys.
So drove to work with window open to calm down lol.
Probably be bag nervous on Friday morning when going for pre med.
So got to fill out my information on their forms before I go.
I'll be fine just get nervous about anything like this.
But reading Margaret and others experience has helped me too.
I will keep you informed of progress as I know how much has helped me.
if I can help others too that be Great.
Good luck and hope you get your date soon.
And also let us know your experience and recovery.
Not sure what area you are in
I suppose some have to wait bit longer than others
depending on your surgeon and area you live.
but think the waiting list supposed 19 weeks for NHS and 18 for private care
or that's what I was told. So hope you don't have to wait too long.
Shouldn't think you would if you already had you pre op appointment.
Got to state liver shrinking diet this week
as my surgeon said i have to do for 14 days before surgery .
Not looking foward to that as very restricted so glad only 14 days think will be hard
But just have to grin and bear it as they say..
soon be all done and on road to recovery.
Hope the good weather holds out
as at last brought my self some zero gravity garden chairs
so hopefully while off work after op can at least sit in garden for bit
And chill out so days don't drag.
Rambling on a bit so better go.
Keep you updated
Zena...
mag2 zena75822
Posted
Hi Zena,
I wouldn't worry too much about the pre op assessment, it will be blood test, blood pressure and weight, and they will tell you what you need to know about checking in on the morning fasting etc.
My post op appointment yesterday went well, consultant was happy with my progress and said I'm ok to go back to work as long as I don't lift anything heavy.
I'm trying to cut down portion sizes of my meals again as I think I overate on Tuesday. And trying to eat main evening meal earlier. Even 7 weeks in and it's still trail and error.
Margaret
mag2
Posted
Morning all.
I've not updated for a few days but all is going fine still.
I'm still on child portion size meals, I've never been adventurous with my food so my days are mostly the same, my evening meal is just pasta with lots of grated cheese but a small child portion size. Last night I had a change and had 1 slice of pizza and garlic bread yum. I did try my Ale again and drank slowly about a third of a can took all evening to drink and I feel fine this morning. It's been over a week since I've felt nausea, but I won't have any larger portions of food yet.
Also one bad side effect is the tiredness so in the last week I've been taking Metatone Tonic, it's a big boost of vitamins and minerals for after illness and it really works I'm feeling a lot more human the last few days, my belly is still a bit sore but I'm guessing that is just the scar tissue underneath pulling and will pass in time.
Medication side all I'm taking is ibuprofen and paracetamol also Deflatine for the wind down south which there is a fair amount of.
I have got a tiny bit of phlegm and sneezing although it may be hayfever it's quite sore sneezing.
I'm glad now I've had the surgery and look forward to eating more with no acid reflux.
Margaret.
hilary66829 mag2
Posted
So glad you are progressing well.
Is it 8 weeks post op?
Didnt like reading that you are suffering with tiredess tho... I have Fibro so am almost constantly exhausted, which will be fun if thats worse for me post op... but Im sure it will be worth it in the end.
I too suffer from south bound wind so heaven help my husband and cats if it gets worse after my op.
I still havent got a date and am worsening slowly so eagerly wait for my appointment.
I hope you continue to get better - keep us up to date.
Hx
mag2 hilary66829
Posted
Hi Hilary,
The tiredness is just due to not eating as much as I'm used to the Metatone Tonic is really helping, I'm sorry I didn't get it weeks ago, thankfully appart from the reflux and Hiatus Hernia ad far as I know I haven't got any other health issues, oh a bit of scoliosis in my back which developed as a child as I was growing which doctors assured me won't get any more of a hump, just bouts of sciatica every now and again when I overdo it.. it doesn't of course help me when I'm trying to sit up straight to eat.
Margaret :-)
louise7292 mag2
Posted
I have had all the same tests as yourself and symptoms and have my pre-op on 16th August after being told I was a good candidate for surgery. This is the last resort for me now as I have also had a cough which they have said is also caused by my reflux and it the main reason for the surgery. Did you suffer with a cough at all?
I am really nervous now about how I will feel after the operation as I had hoped to be going back to work after 2/3 weeks.
Louise
zena75822 louise7292
Posted
Hi Louise
I'm in the same boat as you my surgery is on 13th August 2016.
Getting realy nervous now. Have my pre med on 10th August Had to go to cositation 0n 29th July 2016 They have upgraded me from NHS to Private funded by NHS due to getting the list down.
I did suffer with a cough and hors voice and losing or very strained voice. I also get mouth ulser a lot to and my teeth and gums get sensitive from time to time. As like your self I have found Mag updates very helpful and reassuring. This has helped me emencly. Good luck and hopefully all work out for you. Even though problem under different surgon and hospital im sure both of us will be fine .don't know what type work you do but think depending on what type job you do as to how quickly you can get back. But my surgon estimated 10 days or so depending on work and pain and healing time stich every one is different. But will askeep again Wednesday at my pre opportunity. Hope all works out for you and would also love to hear you updates on how you are getting on.
I will also updated my progress on here to help others . Good luck again..
Zena
mag2 louise7292
Posted
Hi Louise,
Yes I had a very annoying cough, I could never seem to shift the phlegm just at the back of my throat.
Don't worry about pre op assessment it's just a blood test and blood pressure test with the nurse.
As my work is quite physical I gave myself 7 weeks off post op to recover and I still have to be careful about not lifting anything heavy.
In the first few days after op you won't feel much like eating, but I found little pots of Devon custard, chicken cuppa soup with whole milk to coll it down a little , mash potato with grated cheese ( I bought ready mashed pats as you can microwave a spoonful a time) scrambled egg with grated cheese, also I was having Readybrek with sugar and branflakes with warm milk to soften them,. all nice small portions throughout the day, for pain I got neurofen melts and dispersible paracetamol making sure fizz has gone before drinking it, and Deflatine for the trapped wind, post op also you will have a lot of pain across the front area of your shoulders, don't worry it's just leftover gas from the op and it will disappear in a few days.
My plasters were water proof so I got in the shower after about 3 days which was lovely, you will need help dressing in the first couple of weeks and drying your feet as bending down can be sore.
I know I've said all this before but I'm sure it's reassuring for yourself and Zena to be reminded as your big day gets closer.
I was expecting the worst and was a nervous wreak on the morning of op, I was luckily second on the morning list so was off to anesthetic room by 10am and in the ward sipping on water and tea by 2pm and home next day by 5pm. I made sure I came away with anti sickness tabs cyclizine.
I will be thinking of you both on the 13 and 16th..
Regards Margaret :-)
louise7292 mag2
Posted
mag2 louise7292
Posted
Hi Louise,
It is a big relief when you finally know the date although very anxious it's like a whole new beginning.
I wish you all the best for the day, I hope it comes around quickly for you.
I'm 11 weeks today and feeling what I would gage as 80% which I think is great..
No more ppi, eating is getting easier since op, still a little discomfort from scar tissue, but the pain is nearly gone, I haven't felt any nausea for about 2 weeks and can eat supper without feeling bloated and nauseous like before op, I'm laying almost flat in bed at night. Still on my back though as gravity makes my belly feel odd when I roll over.
I have a tiny bit of cough in the morning after breakfast but nothing on the scale before op. I've been having half a can of ale in the evening with soda water and no after effects.
I'm still having child portion of dinners but Sooooo glad I was brave and had the op :-)
Margaret x
zena75822 louise7292
Posted
His louse so Glad you have now got you Date.
The 23rd September will be here before you know it.
I'm sure the cough will go .
I got a bit cough for a bit one two days after surgery
but gone now was just little bit phlegm.
You will be fine... I was really scared before my surgery but now feeling so much better.
I'm in my second week after surgery. Even though did not have good first week
but that was cos I had relation to anisetc not operation
so I got bad sick feeling on two three days.
And rash but today feeling so so much better.
The rash is still very annoying but sure will go soon.
Went back to see my surgeon on 23rd Aug he was very happy with me
He had called me when I was feeling really sick to see if I was OK.
He signed me back to my Dr He was concerned when I was sick.
he said he had done quit tight as I had very bad reflux before.
He said it should pass and I told him I had got some anti sickness tabs
and he said if not get back to him and he would have to remember think. But all fine now.
He told me I could try lasangue spaghetti boglaise stuff like that now as had managed
Scrambled egg and mash potatoes with mashed carrots.
Yester day I tried a convenient meal of spaghetti boglaise and managed 3/4 of it.
It was really nice . I did chop the spaghetti up small and made sure chewed well.
Feel so much better now got some proper food inside me
. Still have to watch to let side as not nice first time so makes
sure you have something in house before in case you need
and for bloating as Margaret said good tips.
Sure you will be fine..
I was just unlucky with anithatic have a reaction but
sure you will be fine.
Just make sure ask for some anti sickness tables in case.
Good luck and keep us informed of you progress.
Take care
Zena
mag2 zena75822
Posted
Hi Zena
I'm glad you are feeling better now after your first few days of sickness.
I've got no nausea now, just lots and lots of wind.. And tender scar tissue..
Margaret
zena75822 mag2
Posted
His Margaret
just catching up and updating my improvement.
Today feeling 100 times better
even though rash is still driving me mad.
Went back to see surgeon on 23rd Aug at St Peters my daughter took me
as still not attempted to drive car.
He said he was happy with the surgery all seams to have gone well.
Sorry that had bad reaction and hopefully it will soon go.
Asked me what been able to eat.
Told him I had managed mash potatoes and also mashed carrot .
Has also managed scrambled egg but first time cold mange but could now.
He said you should be OK to try lasagna, spaghetti Bolognese, shepherds pie and suff like that.
So had Spaghetti Bolognese a conveyance onemail not home made and managed 3/4 of it
( late lunch well about 3pm yesterday )
as walked up to Ashford Hospital walk in centre about 12 as thought be less busy
to get nurse to look at sutures
as had taken dressing off as surgeon had told me to in early morning
as rash was itching so much could sleep thought might help but wasn't sure about taking suture off.
One or two looked little marked so was bit scared in case not OK.
She did them ready dressed them said leave 48 then should be OK.
So just popped into Tesco right next door to get some apple juice and couple light bits strolled home by then was 3pm
Today going to try convince meal chicken bacon pie see how that is if can eat
If ok can make fresh ones up properly.
Got some minced steak so will get him to do shapers pie as grandson like that as well
Surgeon said tell Dr should writ off for another two weeks said he could do then as other
sick note runs till sat/Sunday but Dr should do one for you.
I pre booked Dr appointment on line before when in to hospital as myDr hard to get appointments with.
Dr appointment not till 30th Wed as first one she had .
Called surgery they sideven she can back date from were other finished so be OK.
So have another two weeks off as he told me to rest.
Feel much better today. Plan to try and eat healthy and try get fruit veg stuff I diet
so should feel stronger and get energies back as felt like run marathon not walked a few miles yesterday.
So should be back driving before work.
Take care nice to see you enjoyed your ale
nice also Louise has a date now too.
All have to stay in touch.
Zena
zena75822 mag2
Posted
Hi
I know what you mean about feeling funny if try to lie on side .
Still lie on back mind coz itching can't get sleep till after 5-6am
probably when not so humid.
Received my letter back from my surgeon today.
said I had 360 degree floppy Nissan fundoplication.
And that could come off my proton pump inhibitors .
It the one written to my Doctor
doesn't say on there that been back to him as was written on 21st I saw him 23rd
So i can show to work if need be and they wont know about the
Dr appointment not being till 31st Aug .... so nice to feel human again
Did feel a bit what the he'll done this for when was feeling so sick and felt like could cope
But now so glad I had done.
Little Steps as they say.
Hope you still continue to get back to normal lol what ever normal is ..
Take care catch up later as my food ready
( see how this goes down ..)
Zena
mag2 zena75822
Posted
Hi Zena
I didn't drive for a few weeks and it was only short trips like to the shop.
I got a 2 week sick note from hospital but after that got another 4 weeks one from GP no problem, they don't mind giving them to you when they see you have had surgery and intended going back to work, being self employed I got ESA from social welfare. Only £73 a week but I should get national insurance rebate etc in April when I do my tax thingy..
I actually found minced beef very filling when I had it last so not had it since, having sausage ( first time) egg and chips tonight looking forward to it..
Catch up again soon :-)
Margaret x
louise7292 mag2
Posted
Hi Margaret
I am nervous and also keeping everything crossed that it works. I am so glad I found this forum as people around me don't understand how bad it is and I have even been asked if my cough is a habit as I have been doing it for that long!
I had my gallbladder out a couple of years ago now due to an infection and never suffered any issues with the gas they put in my stomach then so hoping this time will be the same.
I have read so many positive comments on here after having the operation that I had to take them up on the last option.
How long did you stay in hospital for and did you take your medication on the day of the operation? Mine is in the afternoon so I can have some light breakfast but wasn't sure about by meds and as usual the call back I was promised by the hospital to answer this query has happened.
Thanks
Louise x
louise7292 zena75822
Posted
I am glad your recovery is going well. How long was you in hospital for after the operation?
I have a juicer, smoothie maker, blender and soup maker on hand. This will make it easier for my 17 year old son to help me out too.
I am nervous about the operation but looking forward to it at the same time as well as keeping my fingers crossed that it works.
I am very independent and always on the go so resting is going to be a challenge...When I had my gallbladder out 2 years ago I went back to work after two weeks and I know that was too early. I am going to give myself three weeks this time but I know it may be different after the op.
I am lucky I have a really supportive manager in work and I do have the option to work from home to wean myself back in - I will actually miss work haha but I know my recovery is important.
Louise x
mag2 louise7292
Posted
Hi Louise,
I was second on the op list in them morning so once 6am came I didn't have anything more but when the nurse was taking blood etc on check in she gave me ibuprofen and an omeprazole, I told her nobody told me to take them ( I was on Esomeprazole but same thing) my mouth was so dry from being nervous it was nice to have the little drop they gave me to wash them down. So yes I would say take your last ever ppi :-) on the morning and ibuprofen like I was told to.. I'm feeling much better now almost 12 weeks, no nausea, very slight almost unnoticeable phlegm, I did have pain across my shoulders from the gas for a few days which was uncomfortable but it didn't worry me as I was expecting it. If you worried about sickness from anesthetic do what I did, every chance I had I badgered nurse and surgeon about giving me anti sickness meds with anastasia and I asked throughout the day and got cyclizine, I felt only slightly yucky after with no sickness, pain killers were just paracetamol ibuprofen and odd codine.
I was so nervous I was shaking like a leaf right up until they put me to sleep, I was almost crying, but when I saw the surgeon and I asked him if he hadn't met me and heard my symptoms would he still do op just reading my test results, he said definitely yes as I had pathological reflux, that scared me into not chickening out of op I have had it so long I had gotten used to the symptoms of which was a fairly long list, and it got longer after I found this forum as some symptoms I didn't even realise were part of my reflux.
Any questions you have no matter how small I will try help you with while it is still relatively fresh in my memory :-).
Margaret x
louise7292 mag2
Posted
Thanks Margaret, your comments have reassured me that I have made the right decision as I can't go in like this.
Was you always tired? Some days I really struggle to keep my eyes open once it gets to about 4pm.
Also how long was you in hospital for?
Thanks
Louise x
mag2 louise7292
Posted
I was quite tired a lot of the time yes, most evenings I would snooze in front of the telly.
I was let go home the next day after I had managed to swallow ok, I could only manage half a cup of tea, some sloppy porridge and some ice-cream but that was enough to go home, they wanted me to get up and try walking around as soon as I could as it helps with any trapped wind.
Margaret x
louise7292 mag2
Posted
Hi
I had a bad weekend this weekend and have never felt pain like it. Ended up being told to go to A&E and I am sure the doctor thought I was lying about the pain in my gastric area. He give me cocodomal which didn't do anything and it was only when the nurse found me crying in pain that they give me morphine. They still sent me home at 2am and I still do t think the doctor believed how bad I was.
I was woke up this morning by my throat feeling like it was on fire and I have never had that before as well as a taste of sick.
Feeling tired and drained now and counting down the days until my op
Lx
mag2 louise7292
Posted
Oh dear that's not good, hope you are feeling a bit better now.
I've never been in pain like that when I had my ref only really uncomfortable nausea but never vomit , I've had a little pain today in my chest and putting it down to trapped wind I'm hoping anyways that its nothing to worry about.
It will be 13 weeks this coming Wednesday since op, my tummy isn't feeling as tender now but I'm still being very careful about portion sizes.
Best wishes.
Margaret x