Posted , 12 users are following.
Hi - has anyone in the UK had via NHS or paid privately for Stretta therapy. How do you qualify on the NHS or how do you go about it privately? what are the costs involved and how successful is it?any complications. thanks Jo x
1 like, 22 replies
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Gillian1956 joed1977
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joed1977 Gillian1956
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Stretta is a safe and effective outpatient procedure for patients who prefer a less invasive therapy. Stretta is a non-surgical treatment which treats the underlying cause of GORD, a weak muscle between the stomach and the oesophagus, filling the gap between medications and surgery.
45-minute procedure
Outpatient treatment, no hospital stay
No alteration to anatomy
1-2 days back to work
For patients who suffer from chronic heartburn, acid reflux and are considering a surgical intervention, Stretta may be an optimal and less invasive option which improves the quality of life.
Gillian1956 joed1977
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Well That sounds like a good option I've been told stress is the reason I get so much heartburn and acid reflux so I don't now if this would be the right option for me but for you maybe
joed1977 Gillian1956
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Gillian1956 joed1977
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Hi there I've had two endoscopy done and biopsy done and 3 barium swallows done and because I have a lot of stress in my life in making to much acid and it's not donting I can change in my life style I have to look after my adult daughter she as very bad Epilepsy she can have multiple seizures a day so I can't take my eyes of her for a minute
joed1977 Gillian1956
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sim__00335 joed1977
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I’ve been looking into the stretta myself as don’t fancy the Nissen and ppis just not working, there’s hardly any information from people on web about op and success stories so i am unsure what to do. I know north England have it as nhs op in Liverpool and teeside I think but living in wales I know they don’t do it, Spire in Bristol do but it’s £7000 and research I’ve done says success rate is 41% people get off meds which isn’t great really, would love to hear off people who’ve had it done aswell
ann55375 sim__00335
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why is this not being rolled out in uk?
Is it another cost cutting job.
can you tell me if you have followed up who the surgeons are who do it and if they are reputable?
sim__00335 ann55375
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janej1960 joed1977
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Since procedure symptoms of reflux much worse and painful when it occurs. Have only been able to eat small amounts, about half what I would normally eat otherwise if over do it can be sick which leaves me feeling sick for days after eating and in pain from my oesophagus. Week 7 now should have come off PPIs but not ready yet as still having reflux and still need to stick to a restricted diet or symptoms worse. Found first 2 weeks difficult on fluids as couldn’t drink much, very uncomfortable/ painful. Information tells me 6-12 months for full effect of procedure so hoping things improve. I’m sure not everyone has my experience . I did expect to feel ok after a couple of days as this was indicated in info but not true in my case. There should be more post procedure information given as I’m pretty fed up now not expecting these problems.
miracola janej1960
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Thanks
stuee6 janej1960
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Hi Jane, Sorry to hear that your Stretta didn't work. I have also had it done and was fine for about 3 months but unfortunately the symptoms came back after this period. Now I feel the symptoms are worse and have made me quite unwell. No medication helps and take Gaviscon very regularly, eating small amounts when I eat. What makes it slightly worse is I have had 3 Fundoplications which have also failed, so now I am stuck as my Private health won't pay for for a re-do of the Stretta. I have known of very good results from Fundoplications but think I was just unlucky.
sim__00335 janej1960
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janej1960 sim__00335
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Not being sick but still on PPIs morning and evening plus gavison. Only way I could reduce meds is if stopped drinking wine and eating biscuits. Main symptoms coughing. So no real improvement at all. Just the same. My consultant said it can take a year to get full effect, sobstill time yet but not convinced.
Did you decide to go for stretto therapy, it seems to work for a lot of people?
sim__00335 janej1960
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Thinking about it but although the stats seem good can’t find any decent proof it works and for £7000 it’s a big gamble as I’m from wales and not on nhs. Glad your feeling bit better now, I’m just looking for any other option than the Nissen just not sure what to do
janej1960 sim__00335
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The Royal Liverpool Hosp is now offering stretta. Can you travel there? It would be worth it if it works for you. I had to go outside my region to get it and they offered it to me when I requested. Theres no reason why you can’t. See your GP, mine had never heard of stretta and didn’t know if I’d get it, but I did. Good luck, give it a try.
sim__00335 janej1960
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janej1960 sim__00335
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It’s worth exploring the idea, if you look it up online it tells you about the surgeon who does the stretta at the Royal Liverpool. I don’t see why you couldn’t be referred, after all if you had an accident while in England they couldn’t refuse to treat you because you’re from Wales. Good luck though, let me know how you are doing.
sim__00335 janej1960
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