Thank you for the update and the information. Other then asking the surgeon, do you know of another way to find out exactly how many they have done and the outcomes? I'd like to be able to independently verify the information. I agree with you about the Nissen and permanently altering things; I feel the same way after continuing to look into it. I have a constant sour taste in my mouth and more mild burning in my chest; sleeping is awful. I'm signficantly elevated and sleep is generally poor as a result. I'm not sure what people mean when they refer to regurgitation as I don't feel food coming up. I just have a flood of liquid always going all the way into my mouth. It doesn't matter if I eat or not. Sorry for the detail but it's nice to be able to express this to people who can relate.
It was fairly new when I had it done and I used the surgeon at Phoenix Mayo who wrote the reports on it, that's how I found her. Yes I always had bad breath especially in the morning but gone now! I still can't sleep on my right side, it causes reflux, other than that sleep well! The only downside its you can't have a MRI and I used to get them for breast cancer risk.
Wondering how you are doing now, 2.5 years after Linx? I just met with surgeon today who recommended it for me. Starting my research now and some of the post op effects seem a little scary. Is it still working for you?
I did have to take Ranitidine after surgery until I changed my diet, didn't know I had a fructose malabsorption, fruit stays in my small intestine and ferments causing gas to push on the Linx causing pain. Once I cut it out and many vegetables that are really fruit I do good. Maybe if cut it out before the surgery may have not needed it but feel better it's preventing esophagitis.
I did have to take Ranitidine after surgery until I changed my diet, didn't know I had a fructose malabsorption, fruit stays in my small intestine and ferments causing gas to push on the Linx causing pain. Once I cut it out and many vegetables that are really fruit I do good. Maybe if cut it out before the surgery may have not needed it but feel better it's preventing esophagitis.
Insurance, yeah I forgot about that. They didn't deem it "experimental" but they tried to deny the entire surgery at first. I hope that is not a problem now. The recall was specific to a certain batch of implants from mid-2015 relating to the clasp on the device potentially coming loose. That would result in obvious symptoms and show up on x-ray. Thus far, nothing has changed with mine and I'm hoping that makes it unlikely it ever will, now that it's surrounded by scar tissue.
I was having actual regurgitation. I would feel my food coming coming back up my esophagus after every meal, and I had to take PPIs twice a day so I had no acid in my stomach.
You will probably have to call a surgeon's office to find out how many procedures they've done unless you can find someone who has already seen that surgeon. I worked with Dr. Brian Louie in Seattle who used to do a blog about the LINX. He's probably done hundreds of them now. When I moved, I saw Dr. Bell in Denver, who is a surgeon who also has the LINX implant himself. There is a LINX website that will show LINX surgeons near your zip code.
Yes I believe so, even after the surgery I was on prescription Ranitidine twice a day until I cut out the fruit and after 1 day of no fruit I never took another med for reflux! I had a fructose test prior to surgery and it was negative. I had been on PPI"S for 20 years twice a day prior to surgery. Also when coming off PPI"s there is a rebound effect that is often worse than the reflux itself!
Yes I believe it was the fruit as I stated I was still on Ranitidine twice a day after surgery until I cut out fruit. I have recently gone on the carnivore diet and eliminated all fruit and vegetables and it has really helped my stomach!! I cannot digest fiber without gas and bloating but at least the Linx keeps the acid out of my esophagus.
Yes I believe it was the fruit as I stated I was still on Ranitidine twice a day after surgery until I cut out fruit. I have recently gone on the carnivore diet and eliminated all fruit and vegetables and it has really helped my stomach!! I cannot digest fiber without gas and bloating but at least the Linx keeps the acid out of my esophagus.
Would an integrative medicine doctor or nutritionist be able to help you gradually incorporate at least a small amount of some low fiber fruits and vegetables into your diet? The “carnivore diet” would not seem healthy over time. I sometimes worry about effects the restrictive Low FODMAP diet I am using along with restrictions for GERD. But as you said, at least your LINX device is controlling the acid in your esophagus. I suspect I will be looking at surgical options in the near future so I am interested in seeing input pros and cons for LINX. Where did you have the procedure done?
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It was fairly new when I had it done and I used the surgeon at Phoenix Mayo who wrote the reports on it, that's how I found her. Yes I always had bad breath especially in the morning but gone now! I still can't sleep on my right side, it causes reflux, other than that sleep well! The only downside its you can't have a MRI and I used to get them for breast cancer risk.
I have done very well since my surgery. I no longer take any medicine. Worried about using ranitidine but I would highly recommend the LINX procedure.
I did have to take Ranitidine after surgery until I changed my diet, didn't know I had a fructose malabsorption, fruit stays in my small intestine and ferments causing gas to push on the Linx causing pain. Once I cut it out and many vegetables that are really fruit I do good. Maybe if cut it out before the surgery may have not needed it but feel better it's preventing esophagitis.
Why are you using ranitidine?
The fruit may have been the source of the whole problem?
I’m not currently using ranitidine but I used it from about 2016 until my LINX procedure in 2018. Not on any meds.
Insurance, yeah I forgot about that. They didn't deem it "experimental" but they tried to deny the entire surgery at first. I hope that is not a problem now. The recall was specific to a certain batch of implants from mid-2015 relating to the clasp on the device potentially coming loose. That would result in obvious symptoms and show up on x-ray. Thus far, nothing has changed with mine and I'm hoping that makes it unlikely it ever will, now that it's surrounded by scar tissue.
I was having actual regurgitation. I would feel my food coming coming back up my esophagus after every meal, and I had to take PPIs twice a day so I had no acid in my stomach.
You will probably have to call a surgeon's office to find out how many procedures they've done unless you can find someone who has already seen that surgeon. I worked with Dr. Brian Louie in Seattle who used to do a blog about the LINX. He's probably done hundreds of them now. When I moved, I saw Dr. Bell in Denver, who is a surgeon who also has the LINX implant himself. There is a LINX website that will show LINX surgeons near your zip code.
Yes I believe so, even after the surgery I was on prescription Ranitidine twice a day until I cut out the fruit and after 1 day of no fruit I never took another med for reflux! I had a fructose test prior to surgery and it was negative. I had been on PPI"S for 20 years twice a day prior to surgery. Also when coming off PPI"s there is a rebound effect that is often worse than the reflux itself!
Yes I believe it was the fruit as I stated I was still on Ranitidine twice a day after surgery until I cut out fruit. I have recently gone on the carnivore diet and eliminated all fruit and vegetables and it has really helped my stomach!! I cannot digest fiber without gas and bloating but at least the Linx keeps the acid out of my esophagus.
Would an integrative medicine doctor or nutritionist be able to help you gradually incorporate at least a small amount of some low fiber fruits and vegetables into your diet? The “carnivore diet” would not seem healthy over time. I sometimes worry about effects the restrictive Low FODMAP diet I am using along with restrictions for GERD. But as you said, at least your LINX device is controlling the acid in your esophagus. I suspect I will be looking at surgical options in the near future so I am interested in seeing input pros and cons for LINX. Where did you have the procedure done?