Surgery?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Surgery?
4
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 9:59pm

I take 40 mg of Prilosec and 150 mg of Zantac a day. I used to take Reglin (2 pills, but I forgot the dosage) but my dr (GE) took me off of it because I started having tremors. I have a hiatal hernia. I constantly have breakthrough reflux.

In June I had a Plicator procedure. My dr warned me that the success rate was only 60% but I really hoped it would help me. Unfortunately it made things worse. For example, I used to be able to drink decaf coffee without a problem and now I can only drink low acid decaf. My dr said he never heard of that happening before and can't figure out why that would happen to me.

I just read an article that says studies have found that meds like Prilosec make people more prone to broken hips. Osteoporosis is a problem in my family so this has me worried. The study suggested that meds not be taken for more than a year (I've been on them for 5 years) and women over 50 not take them (I'm 48).

The last time I saw my dr (in July) he said that I should consider a fundoplication. I'm concerned though since the Plicator procedure made my symptoms worse. Do any of you have any experience with a fundoplication? Any stories, comments, etc would be helpful because I will be seeing my dr again next month and would like to be more educated when we have the discussion. TIA.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
In reply to: msfz
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 10:20pm

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Here is some info that explains what fundoplication entails, for anyone wanting to know more about it...


http://www.medicinenet.com/fundoplication/article.htm


I personally do not have any knowledge about this procedure, but just heard about the connection between proton pump inhibitors and calcium absorption. You have every reason to be concerned, since no one seems to know if taking calcium supplements will help or reverse the problem.


Please feel free to visit often and hopefully some of our members will have personal experiences to share with you.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2002
In reply to: msfz
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 6:30pm

I don't have personal experience of Nissan Fundiplication surgeries but do see professionally many people who have had this procedure done. A few points to keep in mind....first of all this is major surgery so you have to be able to finanically and emotionally be ready for this and the recovery time after same. There is also the risk that your wrap can be too tight or alternately too loose both which will cause problems with swallowing and regurgitation or the complete inability to burp which leaves you with a distended abdomen as air gets trapped. Often these surgeries are not a permanent fix....a high percentage loosen with time and cause the symptoms to return. Saying that we see many happy patients who have found it to be wonderful.


Mostly the Gastroenterologists I work with recommend this to young people who don't want to stick with daily PPI medications(like

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: msfz
Tue, 01-02-2007 - 7:19pm

I had a long detailed response written to you this morning and then the board when on the fritz. I'm now trying to get three kids ready for bed, so I'll have to be brief.

First I want to thank you for taking the time to reply to me. It was nice of you to take so much time.

With the exception of one thing I have been doing everything on the list your provided. That one thing is that I know I have to lose more weight. I'm sure if I weighed less I wouldn't have reflux so often, but I am sure I would still have it. I've had it since jr high (30 years ago) and I was stick thin back then. My dad has reflux so bad that he has a ring in his throat (I forgot the medical name for it) that has to be stretched regularly. My 9 year old DD is taking 150 mg of ranitidine a day. Believe it or not, my grandfather (father's father) had reflux so bad that he didn't even realize he had stomach cancer. He thought it was just his usual reflux so he didnt' even see a dr. He passed out on the street and was rushed to the hospital. They diagnosed him with stomach cancer and he died three days later. My father, DD and I all have hiatal hernias (I'm assuming my grandfather had one too, but I may be wrong). So this is hereditary, not merely lifestyle.

Do any of the drs in your practice do a Plicator Procedure? My GE had warned me that the procedure might not work, but I was never told that it could make things worse. I did a lot of research before deciding to have the procedure and didn't find anything that said that either. The one thing that has improved though is that I can bend over without acid coming into my throat.

I am aware of the side effects of the fundoplication. That's one of the reasons I'm not running out and having it done. Seeing a surgeon for a consult is a great idea - thank you for suggesting that. I want to find out if I would be a candidate for having it done laproscopically which would make the recovery easier. I've already had my appendix removed (in teh 70s when it was "real" surgery) and had a c-section and I know I don't want to go through something like that again if I can help it.

Once again - thank you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2002
In reply to: msfz
Tue, 01-02-2007 - 7:57pm

You are most welcome. I'm glad I was able to share some of my knowledge with you. No the Plicator procedure is not performed at our facility yet....Canada is often slower at bringing in some new technologies as we do not have a pay per service health care system. Being senior at my job I attended with several of our doctors a demonstration and talk on the procedure as when it is brought in I will be assisting primarily. No where in that talk did they mention that it could make the symptoms worst but keep in mind it really hasn't been around that long....2003 I believe so long term success, complications and such are really just being seen. All the initial feedback was written from studies by the actual company so often you don't see much negative feedback. I think though it was probably the right choice for you to have tried...I'm sorry it hasn't turned out the way you had hoped. The reduction in weight will help but as you say you have a very strong family history to contend with so you have to keep a close watch on this. Yes for sure book a surgical assessment to see what they can offer you....it doesn't hurt to talk with them and at least then you can make a fully informed decision. Good luck. Let us know what you do decide.


Sandra

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