Husband Said "This Is It!"

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CharBerry

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After being sick for 3 weeks, missing my whole long holiday, husband say's "this is it." He's making me an appt with surgeon in the WoodlanRAB (close to Houston) to see if they can do "something" other than give me the same advice and medicines I've been getting for 10 yrs. I have missed work so much this year and I get 6 weeks vacation! Have not had a single day off that I wasn't sick or had some kind of appt. I can't put up with it any longer. Even on the days I feel half way decent it still takes me forever in the mornings to get all this crud up, I'm often sick at my stomach, get SOB and have this constant PND and cough. No matter what I eat or drink, I must cough afterward. Friday was awful. I got very SOB, mucus was so thick I had to stay in shower for hrs trying to thin it out. did saline rinses over and over, coughed until I think I did do some damage, finally had to take a Xanax and go to bed. This just can't go on and even knowing a lot is my own fault, I'm never going to be perfect, eat just right and timed. Besides, doesn't seem to matter anyway. I want my life back (hell, I can barely remeraber what a normal life is!)

I'm done. Stick a fork in me. Wish me luck.

CharBerry
 
My appt. isn't until Oct 10th, 2008. I read all the litature following the ad and they go into what can or may happen. It's not so rosey when you read the whole thing. After my boss's smart comment today, I'm ready to just say "I'm fine" every day. Afraid he wouldn't believe that with the sniffling and hacking I do. Does he think I do this on purpose or that I like doing it? He say's seems you have an array of problems but what he doesn't understand is that they are all related! Ok. Maybe me following off the roof wasn't reflux related. LOL. Don't you get tired of people acting like you are "sick all the time" or that you're not really "sick all the time."
 
hi char

you have to remeraber that ALL operations have a huge list of POSSIBLE side effects, complications etc, just like when you read the never ending list of side effects of PPI,s I dont have one of those side effects. but having said that you do need to no the ins and outs and what can go wrong,,,,,,,,,,you will be fine,,,,,,,,,,,hay is the 10th the appointment with the surgeon wow thats not long, seeing my GP on monday to work out the next step for me, I will prob try the only PPI left losec (proselic) while i wait to see a surgeon or undergo more tests. however if i do gdt the operation the question for me will be do i wait till after i have a baby or get it before? im freaking out that if i get it before a baby then maybe the preganacy and the presure it puts on your tummy organs might damage the nission wrap!!
cheers ness
 
hi
MR

im not sure what the test will be but i imagine just the stadard lower one, i will find out once i get my sugerion appointment as theyu make you do all the standarrd tests before they operate, will let you no also once i see my GP on monday.......hoping for a small miracle form my osteopath thou lol...
ness
 
Thanks a lot for all the support and understanding. That means a whole lot just having people know what it's like. I'm going come hell or high water but I'm not sure what the outcome will be. It just seems from everything I've read and studied that surgery doesn't help with the symptoms I suffer. My husband also thinks they just "should do something about it." He doesn't blame me except when I over do but feels like the Dr's should have gotten me well by now. Today before he left I gave him an article on LPR, which he really doesn't understand and fooRAB to avoid to which he buys everything bad on the list. I know I could not eat it but it's so hard when everyone else around is eating and drinking normal. I was so bad this last go round that even the good food was coming back up and choking me! I'm going to add zantac and galvison to my double dose of Nexium and see if I get any better results. I'm hoarse and sure I'll sound awful at work. I'm really getting depressed over this and it's making me anxious, which sure doesn't help. I can't keep myself knocked out forever but seems it's the only way to stop the hacking. Hopefully, it won't take long to get an appt with this surgeon and he operated on my husband's 95 yr old mother several times while she was alive and came out fine. The thing I dread the most is I know they will want me to have all the test over again.......Every time I go to a new Dr. they always do. I need to do "something" while I still have insurance because I know when my boss goes (He just turned 81!) that I won't be able to find a job or if I do, can't keep it.

Thanks, once again, for your support and hopefully someone will reply with some good news. I wish you all the best and that you have a good day tomorrow and the next and the next and the next.....

Char
 
I'm right there with you. Been officially diagnosed for 6 years, though I now know I have had it longer. My latest "flare-up" with the acid has lasted since the beginning of June--that's three months of chronic coughing. I can relate with your coughing side effects as well--lots of sore muscles, but I figure my abs are getting a workout. I have had all the usual tests, and then some, done again--had them done three years ago--and they all showed that my reflux has gotten worse despite medication, diet, lifestyle change, etc... My GI doc said I must have a cast iron stomach to not have more damage from the all the reflux. I have a local surgical consult on the 9th. I tried to schedule an appointment with a local university hospital, but the soonest I can get in to even see a PA is Sept 30th. It would have been the end of Nov. to see the doctor. At at this point, I am seriously considering skipping the second appt and just going ahead with a local surgeon because I don't want to wait that long--especially if they make me re-do all the testing. From what I have read on the internet, I have gone through all the usually steps that need to be taken before surgery is considered. This surgeon is one that this local GI practice uses a lot. My asthma problems really kick in with the cold weather in the winter. I'm not sure I can handle this acid cough along with the bad winter asthma cough at the same time right now. It is scaring me. I just want a whole day with regular breathing and no cough.
 
I go in for a surgical consult on Sept. 9. I spoke to the GI doc yesterday and he basically said to stop the PPI's, or I could take my pick, until surgery because they weren't really working and I have been getting some major side effects from them. I ran out of new one's to try. Been on Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid, Nexium, Aciphex, Zegrid...and OTC stuff, lots of Gaviscon supplementation this summer.

I have a second opinion consultation on Septeraber 30, but I am tempted to skip it and just go ahead with the surgery. EVERYTHING I have read on the internet is showing that my doc has followed all standard protocol first and my symptoms fit with the surgical consultation recommendation.

I have read up on many of the side effects of the surgery. I'm at the point that being able to breathe well is outweighing those possibilities. Ask me again 6 months after the surgery and I might say something else, but right now, it is the ONLY option I have been left with by my GI doc...that or just live with it. Not sure the second is a real option since it has flared my asthma so bad on occasions this year. Even my Pulmonologist recommended the surgery back in April.

I have been contemplating getting a doctor's note just to have on hand with the HR department at work even though my boss hasn't said anything. I have had alot of days I was late because things were so bad. I also am constantly coughing through everything at work. I work in a public service organization though, so I am sure people probably think I am putting them at risk from being contagious. I do think wearing the tube down my nose while being hooked up to a computer to work on the day of my 24 hr pH might have been a hint that I had a problem though. I even took in a copy of a TB test to work just to prove that wasn't my problem because I work with a high risk population. Luckly, I am in an exempt management position so I do have a bit of flexibility.
 
Charla,

I am sorry you are being driven to take such drastic action. I can understand it perfectly though and feel sorry for your husband. Like yours, mine has to put up with a bunch of stuff. It is so tough on them!!! In my opinion, WE should be the ones to complain, not them!!!!! Mine yelled on several occassions, when I was choking or couging uncontrollably. It must have scared him a lot. He demanded that I and my doctors do something about it! Yeah, like what???!!! He acts as if everything is MY fault for allowing it to go on. I guess, in a way it is. I still think it's unfair of them to demand that we do something about it.
I think my stomach symptoms are getting worse, not better. At least my nausea is gone by taking two medications instead of one. That helps a lot. So, I have found a little bit of relief from one of my symptoms. I hope the extra medication does not create new symptoms, also requiring a medication to treat. It is a vicious cycle. Have you thought of corabining the various stomach and decongestant medications? You have nothing to lose by experimenting. I have a feeling you would have tried EVERYTHING you could think of over the years.

I hope that you will be helped by this procedure. If anyone deserves to find relief after so many years of suffering, it is you. My only advice is to do a lot of research about your options. You don't want to jump in uninformed.

flowergirl
 
hi mountreader

yes cant say im looking forward to the 24hr probe test either, i no i will have to get one of these but i will not be going to work thats for sure, i teach kindergarten so that would freak the kiRAB right out lol.......good luck with your appointment, im sure that the operation is the right choice, i had my osteopathy appointment today first one and it was so interesting she went on about how the diagpham if its tight that it bascally means the slpincer is wide open, today she just did this gentle like cant even feel it manipualtion to help the energy flow in my body, she said that you have to do things in stages, anyway everything is worth a try, i do no that she specilises in child reflux so hay it may help.......anything is worth a chot while im waiting for tests, surgery etc

takecare ness:angel:

let us no about you appointment and how it all goes etc
take care
ness
 
char and MR

hi well i have a refereal to see a surgeon on the 17th (next weRAB), its just a appointment to discuss what i should do, ie my GP still thinks i should get my gallbladder out as its not working properly, anyway will present all my symptoms and ask him about the fundo operation and what tests will i need etc. bit freaked out now!!!!!!!, i no i have gerd and LPR but what to do!!!
anyway has also got a script for the last PPI to try here in NZ called losec which is preoselic, is this the closest to nexium?, anyway we dont have any others to try have done protonix and prevacid, the prevacid is better than protonix thou....so will see how i go on losec now....anyway thats me, scarey lol.....
ness:angel:
 
From what I have read, the Nissen Fundoplication actually has around an 80% effectiveness rate when performed for people who have coughing or respiratory acid symptoms. It looks like the results aren't always as immediate as for 'typical' reflux symptoms. It looks like it could take up to a couple months to see the results and for the areas currently inflamed to heal. Still, in my eyes, it is some cause for hope.
 
Nessie,
I understand what you mean about not wanting the kindergarten children to see you with the pH probe. I manage a large nuraber of preschool classes. I had mine done before the kiRAB started back to school though. While it isn't pleasant, it isn't the worst thing I have done either. I think I was just resigned to it. At least this time I knew what to expect since I had done it before. I was glad they didn't nurab my throat this time--that stuff they used last time tasted like a mix of bananas and gasoline--no kidding. Are you having just the probe for your LES or will you also be getting one for your UES? My GI doc just did the one for the UES. My ENT would do the UES if I requested but the one for my LES gave me the results I needed to proceed.

I have a wellness center I go to for chiropractic, they have a person who does acupuncture that is supposed to help help with both asthma and digestive issues. I also have a friend who has done NAET therapy (energy manipulation) and found it effective too. I've considered trying it, but I haven't had the money to go though. Neither is covered by insurance. If I had lost of money available, I would have tried a Naturopathic doctor. I even found one that was both a Naturopathic and MD doctor, but insurance didn't cover that either.

I'll post an update on my appointment next week.
 
Our daughter just had this recently and we were wondering of the cinnamon as well. Seriously hopefully it goes through for you as expected. I also think it could be her allergies to certain fooRAB.
 
I met with the surgeon today. He frequently performs this procedure. He went through the general spiel about trying non-surgical things first. He also reviewed all my test results. Basically, he then said it looked like I had severe reflux-which I could have just told him. He confirmed that my GI doc worked with me to try all other non-surgical options. He then pulled out a booklet that explained the surgery and went through it with me. Actually, I found a lot more on the internet searches than was there. He was willing to answer my questions though. He did make it clear that by having this surgery it will make a permanent life change for me. He repeatedly stressed that I couldn't gain any weight or it could pull the stitches loose. He also stressed that I would have to be very aware of chewing things really small so they don't get stuck. He will have me on a liquid only diet for two weeks, then I will get to start in on soft fooRAB.

He asked me when I wanted to have the surgery. I said soon because winter is approaching and I am worried about the cold air triggering my asthma cough while I am healing. I was expecting him to schedule me a month or two out. Instead, he apologized that the surgical center was closed this Thursday (the only day he does surgery at the hospital that takes my insurance), but said I could have the surgery next week. That was a surprise to me. Unfortunately, I have another close relative in the hospital right now and the person who was coming to be with me for the procedure is with that relative right now. I took the next available date after that so I will have my surgery on October 2. I will keep you posted.
 
hi char

im right behind you. go girl!!!, the coughing is exactly what im expereinceing at the moment its chronic and everyone at work is like you are so sick (like with the flu not), dont no how to tell them that its not the flu and it may not improve for a while (if at all)...........i get up in the morn like you and hack away to i get some nice green flem!!!! this is insane, anyway we have nothing to lose with the operation, i want my life back to...........im currently emailing somone who has had the ******** for *** and is dong great,

make sure you post all the details from your doc visit etc
take care

ness ((((((hugs)))))
 
MountainReader, the surgical team I'm checking out does mention that reflux can cause a variety of symptoms including breathing difficulty and voice problems. Say's patients resume normal activity in a few days and research over the years indicates a 95% success rate. I was really interested in the "pleat surgery" but I guess it's so new. The lady that had that was out in a day and eating chocolate a week later! SounRAB good to me!
 
Hey All,

I had my appt with surgeon today (on my BD of all days) and he seemed confident that he could help me even after I explained that I had the LPR stuff going on. Gave about same info as MountainReader got but acted like I could eat anything after 2 weeks. Overnight surgery, back at work in 4 to 7 days and do what I want after 2 weeks. Will be on liquid diet for first 2 weeks but maybe I'll lose a few. I can handle that. No sodas for 2 weeks.....that will be hard. I don't work on Wed so have appts set up for next few wed to get checked by gastro for upper GI, see ENT spec (he said the knot was not supposed to be there and it wasn't my hypoid bone or whatever) After looking at meRAB I was taking he asked did I know what they did. Of course, I knew! I read this board. LOL. I told him they reduced the acid in my stomach that was refluxed. Got an A! He told that was exactly right and that Nexium or nothing else would ever cure me. All the meRAB did was control symptoms of heartburn, which I do not have and offer protection to the esphogus, which LPR goes higher than my esphogus. So, just like I thought, meRAB are not helping me in the least. Spending money for nothing.

I'm still not just ready to jump right in there and I do have to go back several times for more test but he said 95% patients he's operated on have had very good response and improved their quality of life. I did ask about the pleat but he said they thought it was to new and no real results to compare with on if it will last so they were not using that procedure. I was glad to know he was up to date on it anyway! Also, that he understood my problems were different from typical GERD. He even knew the correct word for LPR! I'm going to go ahead and follow thru with all the procedures and test he wants and would be very disappointed if he didn't ask me to. Then......we'll see. I would be happy to be 95% better and EVEN STILL HAVE TO TAKE MERAB at this point. He assured me that I would not need meRAB (guess since they're not doing any good to begin with) and be able to eat what I want without all the gagging, choking, SOB, voice problems and PND. I will be checking his track record out throughly, believe me. I won't go on "just because he was cute." LOL. He was surprised that my GP and others haven't pushed surgery and I told him that they haven't encouraged it at all.

SounRAB almost to good to be true and I would love to get any information on others that had the nissan to cure LPR symptoms.

CharBerry
 
oh my gosh MR thats so cool only a few weeks, quick question is the weight gain thing only while you are healing, because of the stiches, or does he mean no xtra weight gain for life??, im justg thinking pregnancy for me, hence why i will prob try and get preggi then have the fundo after!, i guess i ccan ask my surgeon next week, i still have to undergo other txts first thou, as i no i will have to have a 24 hr prob before the surgeon will operate...........anyway all good for you, i have read heaps of posts where people eat normal ammounts of food after they have healed, so i dont get that life style change thing? i understand not to pig out or such but i thought you could go back to normal size meals after six motnhs or so. oh well keep us informed cheers ness
 
wow 95%, thats very cool. wow wish i get it done tomorrow lol, im ready to go!!!, oh well seeing my gp on monday for refereal and advice regarding a surgen..........

anyway its all good then!!!, whats the waiting list like for you over there char?

cheers ness
 
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