LINX procedure

Posted by Drroberts @drrobertsmsmft, Jul 18, 2017

Has anyone had the Linz procedure and what was your experience?

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@danybegood1

@drrobertsmsmft, Hi doc, can you tell me what are the harmful side effects of. ppis that everyone is so afraid of? Ive been taking them for about 10 years and without them i would have been miserable indeed. Although, i do have trouble swallowing, and gastroparesis. Plus i used to be able to sing and now i cant. I sound like a frog.
Any info would be appreciated, thanks, Dany

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I have chosen not to take PPIs because of the negative consequences I have read about. I have take omeprezole and Nexium in the past but took myself off them and started taking tums and ranitidine (Zantac) instead. Now, the combination was not working. My doctor just increased my ranitidine prescription and I've only been on it for two days so...... I have still had to take Tums, but fewer. I am now looking at the LINX procedure, which you cannot choose with Barrett's esophagus, I understand.

I would work closely with my doctor and tell him you do not want to take PPIs. Dementia, bone breaks and kidney problems/failure are not acceptable results to me.

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@danybegood1

@drrobertsmsmft, Hi doc, can you tell me what are the harmful side effects of. ppis that everyone is so afraid of? Ive been taking them for about 10 years and without them i would have been miserable indeed. Although, i do have trouble swallowing, and gastroparesis. Plus i used to be able to sing and now i cant. I sound like a frog.
Any info would be appreciated, thanks, Dany

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@drrobertsmsmft I had one GI doctor suggest that I switch off between Zantac and Pepcid (neither are PPIs) and to use them on alternate months - that way you don't develop a tolerance for either of them - just a thought - but it helps me. Teresa

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My 21 year old son was born with a problem of his sphincter valve from his stomach and esophagus. At the age of 11 Months he had a Nissen Fundoliplication. Junior year in high school he began vomiting almost on a daily basis. In 2014 he had a redo Nissen Fundoliplication. Which was done incorrectly too high on his esophagus and too tight. After well over 30 pounds of weight loss and numerous problems. We found his surgeon at the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville. Dr. Steven Bowers has a viedo on Youtube regarding the Linxs device. Dr. Bowers undid the too tight wrap and put in the magnetic Linxs. My son was able to eat a hamburger the night of surgery! He has since had more problems including a rare SMA syndrome pain and Dr. Bowers will be performing a bowel reconstruction on my son next month. My son does have a feeding tube now. However, before considering a NF wrap.....I would highly encourage everyone to look for a doctor to preform the augmentation of the Linxs device.

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@kanaazpereira

Hi @drrobertsmsmft,

We're so glad you've joined us with your questions on Connect. I'm tagging @carolynlivingjaks and Mentor @kdubois as they may also have more information and insight about the LINX procedure.

I would like to invite @dandl48, @brie87144 @ryman, @lizwhite80 @jafd who all have discussed esophageal issues. While they may not share the same condition as you, they may have some similar experiences with regard to esophageal diagnoses.

Drroberts, may I ask what symptoms led to the diagnosis of esophagitis? Did you have trouble swallowing food?

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I also am not a candidate for the wrap since I had Barrett's with high grade dysplasia. I am going to Mayo in Rochester in a few weeks for my 6 month visit (first time I went 6 mo.between visits). Have plans to ask my Dr.about the LINX procedure, but I think my hernia is too large. I've been on 80 MG of Nexium along with taking a Zantac at bedtime for a couple of years. Dr is watching my calcium levels since these meds can deplete calcium in my body. I do take D3 to help with this.

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@danybegood1

@drrobertsmsmft, Hi doc, can you tell me what are the harmful side effects of. ppis that everyone is so afraid of? Ive been taking them for about 10 years and without them i would have been miserable indeed. Although, i do have trouble swallowing, and gastroparesis. Plus i used to be able to sing and now i cant. I sound like a frog.
Any info would be appreciated, thanks, Dany

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Does anyone know why with Barretts esphogus the linx procedure can not be done? I have Barretts, Gerds with esophagitis. The flap from the esphogus to stomach does close, so constant back up. Been on 40 mg of Omemprazole for 5 years. I thought the linx would solve that problem . Hate to think of the side effects of the PPI'S. but my doctor says not taking them would be more harmful.

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Hello @carolynlivingjaks

We so appreciate your sharing your son's experience with the LINX procedure. It appears as if the surgeon's experience has a lot to do with the success of the procedure. I am sorry to hear of his rare SMA syndrome. We all wish him well as he has the bowel reconstruction surgery. Will you keep us posted as to how he does after the surgery?

Teresa

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@hopeful33250

Hello @carolynlivingjaks

We so appreciate your sharing your son's experience with the LINX procedure. It appears as if the surgeon's experience has a lot to do with the success of the procedure. I am sorry to hear of his rare SMA syndrome. We all wish him well as he has the bowel reconstruction surgery. Will you keep us posted as to how he does after the surgery?

Teresa

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Teresa, thank you.. Yes surgeon experience is key. We found a wonderful surgeon with Dr. Bowers at the Mayo Jax's. As he has done continued care for my son since Dec 1 2015......Not many surgeons would do that nor would they want to try all other non surgical paths before finally deciding on doing yet another surgery. He is a wonderful doctor. So much so we moved from Tampa FL, 240 miles to Jacksonville so my son can be near him and the Mayo!

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@kanaazpereira

Hi @drrobertsmsmft,

We're so glad you've joined us with your questions on Connect. I'm tagging @carolynlivingjaks and Mentor @kdubois as they may also have more information and insight about the LINX procedure.

I would like to invite @dandl48, @brie87144 @ryman, @lizwhite80 @jafd who all have discussed esophageal issues. While they may not share the same condition as you, they may have some similar experiences with regard to esophageal diagnoses.

Drroberts, may I ask what symptoms led to the diagnosis of esophagitis? Did you have trouble swallowing food?

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Hello @dandl48 I am glad to hear that you are taking the Vitamin D3 - that is a good measure given that you take Nexium, a PPI. We look forward to hearing from you after your appointment, we will be interested to hear if your doctor suggests any other treatments for you.

Teresa

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I had the linx done last August and got no relief . I'm now being told "it slipped ". My doctor said it could possibly be tightened, a second option is saying take it out ..i see the surgeon on the Sept 12th ...

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No but I’m interested too. I have Barrett’s esophagus and I’m tired of coughing and choking. Meds don’t work well

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