I have recently been diagnosed with Gastroparesis, GERD, Pancreatitis, Barrett's Esophagus, Many Ulcers of esophagus, This all came up suddenly when I started throwing up acid all night several nights a week.
I already knew I had Hypothyroidism.
My GI is highly recommending the Nissan surgery and I am worried that my stomach has so much acid that I will by so uncomfortable because I will not be able to throw up. I am currently taking Reglan...
I went to a dietitian this week after getting out of the hospital for the pancreatitis and am hoping her diet will help. Otherwise I don't know what I will do.
He says either surgery or I will get cancer. Not many options.
My test for the gastroparesis showed I digested 6% of my food.
Any suggestions or comments??? Any idea's on what caused this? I am currently on a full liquid diet for the next month - I guess I will see how that works..
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Overwhelmed with Conditions - GERD +
- By murreyb
- Posted October 23, 2009 at 11:14 pm · 9 replies
- In Coping with chronic illness
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Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Surgery Barrett's esophagus Nexium Tube feeding Zantac Prevacid Gastroparesis Pneumonia Carafate Hernia Lupus Scleroderma Post polio syndrome Reglan Hiatal hernia Autoimmune diseases Aspirin GERD Anemia Pain Hypothyroidism
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- By spiritlove
- Posted October 24, 2009 at 4:56 am
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No comment or suggestions. I'm not familiar with the surgery you mention.
However, I understand how you feel. It's 2:45 and I've been up vomiting again. Explosive and painful. I have GERD, esophagitis, systemic Scleroderma which has pretty well damaged my gastro intestinal tract and Post Polio Syndrome which effects my swallowing reflex, along with a host of other autoimmune diseases and symptoms. Have you read any of the Reglan comments. After learning of the side effects I'm afraid of it. There's even a class action law suit trying to get it off the market. Please look at some of the postings and ask your dr. about it.
Know you're not alone and we all care. Whatever decision you make be sure you understand what you're getting into. Have you thought of asking for a second opinion? I avoided tube feeding and spending months in a rehab unit when another dr. did an andoscopy and said I didn't need it yet.
Good luck and keep us informed.
spiritlove
- By gaa
- Posted October 24, 2009 at 8:22 am
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murreyb, I agree with spiritlove - get a second opinion. After various health problems which were initially misdiagnosed, I always get a second opinion from a doctor in a different health group or hospital. If the second doctor gives the same diagnosis then I would go ahead. You don't need to have the tests done again but have the records sent from the first doctor to the second. A good doctor never minds you going for another opinion, so you don't need to do it secretively. Good luck!
- By NancyL
- Posted October 24, 2009 at 8:31 am
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Welcome to the group! I am sorry you are suffering from so many health problems. It does sound like you need the nissen proceedure. I had it as part of a much larger surgery. I was not able to swallow food for a few months after the surgery. In the begining I was throwing up suddenly without warning and it was rough. The way it was explained to me was the stomach was flipped upside down and tied around the esophagus. When you ate the stomach would fill up and shut off the esophagus blocking acid from backing up into the esophagus. The problem was when the stomach got full it closed suddenly and anything else on the way down came up fast and violently! I had not been able to eat for about 6 months before the surgery and my stomach was quite small in the begining. So I might swallow a couple of spoons of pudding and then suddenly I was puking my guts out. When I was finally able to get food down and over ate (could be just 1/4 cup of something)- I could not throw up at all and that was the pits.
Also I had the sensation of my stomach being upside down for about a week or so after the surgery. It was weird and unsettling. But it did pass. I am a surviver and doing the best I can to make myself as healthy as possible.
It helps so much to have people here who understand what it is to have major health issues and still try to have a good life anyway.
Nancy
- By katbrow
- Posted October 24, 2009 at 9:07 am
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It sounds like you have a boatload of troubles going on. I agree with getting a second opinion. The Nissan Fundoplication has helped me save my esophagus, at least from getting esophagitis and ulcers in it. If you have Barretts I would have the surgery to prevent the cancer. I believe the surgery along with proton pump inhibitors has saved me from developing Barretts. I have taken Zantac capsules for years. The pill does not work as well as the capsule does. It is the only one I will take. All of the others cause polyps to form in the stomach and it is the safest one on the market and has been around for years. My doctors have tried to get me to take the newer ones but I tried once and had three polyps removed from my stomach. They say they won't turn into cancer, but why take that chance if you don't need to. Get your second opinion and make a decision regarding the Nissan. You really need to get the esophagus cleared up. Mine has quit working and is dilated because I did not know it was not working and was filling it with food which takes a while to go down, not because of the surgery I think as much as part of the GP.
Hope you get to feeling better soon. The panceatitis is a rough thing too. Are you on aspirin a day or anything to help prevent blood clots from forming? I will put you in my prayers that God will give you wisdom regarding these many issues. God bless.
- By bell
- Posted October 24, 2009 at 9:09 am
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Hi Murreyb,
I am so sorry for all of the problems you are having. I am familiar with the Nissan surgery that your dr is talking about although I have not had it yet myself. I have some (but not all) of the same problems as you. My GI has me on Reglan as well as a list of other drugs to help me. Have they put you on a drug to stop your stomach from producing acid (proton-pump inhibiter)? That helps me a lot as does Reglan. I am on a low dose of Reglan - just 5 mg 2-3 times a day and have been for a year and a half and I have had no problems from it. I know a lot of people worry about Reglan but my doc says at low doses it is pretty safe and to just stop taking it at the first signs of any shakiness. As for the surgery, my doc is considering it but wants me to go back to the Mayo clinic in Rochester or Cleveland clinic (he says they are the top 2 GI hospitals) for a second opinion before proceeding. I think in a decision this big that it is worth a good second opinion. Interestingly enough my Mom had the Nissan surgery years ago and it saved her life. Well, good luck. Are you able to eat? If you can't keep anything down for too long it is worth getting a feeding tube - I have had one and it really kept me from losing too much weight. Best of luck.
- By Sammieh
- Posted October 24, 2009 at 11:54 am
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I am so sorry to hear of all your problems. I agree about the Reglan, it causes a lot of problems. I went off that a couple years ago and now take Domperidone, it is not available in the U.S. It was taken off the market here because it can cause lactation and enlargement of breasts, especially mens.
I also vomit up acid and it gets aspirated into my lungs and I develop pneumonia. I am receiving IVIGs to help that problem. I also have auto-immune diseases lupus scleroderma and raynauds.
Suregery was suggested for my stomach to stop the vomiting. But it is contraindicated with sclero. I have GP, hiatal hernia, IBS, bleeding stomach and twisted esphogas which causes severe esophagual spasms. I presently take Zegerid 40 mg 2 x a day, domperidone 10 mg 3 x a day, phenagren for nausea, 300 mg of zantac at bedtime. And I am currently taking Carafate for the stomach lining.
I will have to start getting iron infusions for the bleeding and anemia. I was put on iron tablets, and my anemia actually got worse. I am not absorbing the iron.
Do you have any auto-immune diseases?
And I also want to mention that I had Barett's and after several years on Nexium type drugs it has healed. The same thing happened to a friend of mine.
I agree that a second opinion for you would be a good idea.
Take Care!
- By murreyb
- Posted October 24, 2009 at 1:12 pm
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Hi all,
Thanks for your responses, they are so helpful. I have heard about the side affects of Reglan and am proceeding with caution. My doctor said if I notice any of the side affects to stop taking it.
I just recently had iron defiency show up and just got put on iron. I will have to keep an eye on that.
My doctor is actually sending me for a 2nd opinion and my family doctor is giving me his advice along the way as well.
I am praying that diet and exercise changes will help with all this...I will keep everyone posted.
Thanks again,
Terri
- By DigmundFreud
- Posted October 24, 2009 at 4:09 pm
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I had barretts and it cleared up on prevacid. Unfortunately my sphincter is not closing and I have bile coming up (not acid, it is controlled by meds). I am very uncomfortable with constant chest pain and spasms, and the nissen has been rec to me. I am having the nuclear scan on tues. I eat small amounts but do get hungry, so If I have gp at all I am sure it is mild. My doc says I will try reglan first if I have gp. I discussed it with a nurse in the office and she has seen many people benefit from it. Currently there are only 2 people who have developed tardive dyskensia, so I think that the benefits may outweigh the risks for many people. Sorry about all of your problems, I didn't have any esophagitis I guess because the prevacid/kapedix is controlling the acid. DF
- By macbeth719
- Posted October 25, 2009 at 8:42 am
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I, too, have GP, Chronic Pancreatitis, GERD, and had Barretts. I had a Nissen procedure in 2002. My esophagus is now "pristine". Not being able to throw up with the GP is an issue but I do occasionally get stuff to come up. I also happen to have a PEG-J tube and can drain my stomach through the G portion of the tube. Keep in mind, a Nissen will probably only last about 10 years max but it could save your esophagus. My stomach doesn't look as pristine as my esophagus but I do take 2 PPIs a day plus an H2 blocker and Carafate. If you want to talk more, e-mail me at tbrown719@sbcglobal.net.
Good luck
Teresa
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