Post-Nissen Fundoplication Problems: What helps?
<p>I had a nissen wrap operation in 1999. I still have problems at night after about 4 hours of sleep. I've tried all kinds of drugs to help relieve the gas. Right now I am on 40 mg of pantoprazole in the morning before breakfast. Most of the time days are fine. I have problems being regular on bowl movements, so I have a high amt of gas from the meds I take to go number 2. At night is when I have real problems. Any kindred spirits out there?</p>
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Hi,
I'm sorry you are experiencing so much trouble with your wrap. I got my wrap in 2000 and yes I have been experiencing some of the same symptoms that you are having right now. After I got my wrap the symptoms weren't bad. My GI doctor would prescribe meds that would address the symptoms but not the root cause of the problem which they still have not defined. I had one endoscopic dilation in 2017 because the wrap had gotten too tight and was causing bloating, constipation, and nausea and other issues. The dilation worked for 7 months and then my symptoms returned. Because my system gets overwhelmed with gas, I changed my diet to remove certain vegetables and sweets that were adding to the bloating. I also did some research to find herbal remedies that address my specific symptoms so that I can have some kind of relief until I get the wrap undone. I found one, DGL (licorice) that helps with bloating. I take citrucel and miralax for constipation. I wish you the best in resolving your problem. Have a blessed day.
I am posting my story to see if anyone else is experiencing the same symptoms that I have been experiencing after having a Nissen fundoplication.
In 1998, I had a hysterectomy. Three weeks after I started to vomit after eating a meal and had terrible migraines. I went to my doctor and he ordered blood work and I was told that I had h-pylori bacteria. I was put on high antibiotics. After taking the antibiotics the migraines stopped but the heaving continued off and on. In 1999, I had my gallbladder removed because I had a functional test that revealed that my gallbladder was not operating correctly and probably was the source of my vomiting. About six months after the gallbladder surgery, the vomiting returned. I went back to my doctor and he referred me to a surgeon who told me that I had classic GERD. In 2000, I had a Nissen fundoplication. Since then, I still would experience nausea but could not heave because of the wrap. During those times of nausea, I would have to ice myself down to reduce the dry heaves until my brain would tell my system to try the other way. I also was having an acidic stomach. To minimize the acid in my stomach, I was but on Zantac.
As the years progressed I have had episodes of extreme bloating and constipation, nausea, mind fogginess, acid reflux, extreme hot flashes, and rashes. Over almost 2 decades, I have seen numerous gastroenterologists and alternative medicine doctors. I have been put on acid reducers and medications to help with the constipation. One gastroenterologist even diagnosed me with gastroparesis. In 2017, I had a 4 hour stomach emptying test that revealed that I did not have gastroparesis. But from 2013 to 2017, I changed my diet to adjust my eating based on the diagnosis.
In 2016, I started getting colonics because I was experiencing constipation, fogginess, extreme hot flashes, fatigue, and weight gain. I stopped getting the colonics after a year. It was too much of a strain on my system.
In 2017, I had an endoscopic dilation. I had been experiencing constant bloating and extreme hot flashes. To me, my hot flashes were coming from the laboring of my digestive system to digest the food and also when I would get stressed. After the dilation, I had to cut out a lot of foods that were high fiber and gaseous. I used to be able to drink tea, but tea gases my system. I cannot eat chips or anything that has a high salt content because at times it upsets my stomach and makes my face feel like it is crawling and I would break out. I eat small meals these days because it takes too long for my system to digest a meal. I have to take MiraLax and Citrucel every night to keep my system running. I try to monitor my weight to make sure that I am not putting on weight because for me it signals that the food is not passing and is sitting in my colon.
As I am getting older, the Nissen is causing more problems for me. I saw my most recent Gastro doctor last week and told him that I wanted to get the wrap undone. I would appreciate it if anyone has had a similar experience as I have and share with me what they have done or are doing to remedy their situation.
From the comments on this forum it sounds like almost no one has had much success with this procedure. But It must be quite common. Am wondering why.
I had a nissen done 8-17-18 and felt great for 4 months but then reflux, chest pain and burning returned as it was pre-op. Anyone have problems with nissen? Anyone have it reversed?
Hello- I have had to have 3 Nissen Fundoplication surgeries to fix hiatal hernia. The first two came undone and were too loose. The third one, they also did a combo Wedge Gastroplasty (took a piece of my stomach to use to make my esophogus longer) and did the Nissen redo. I have been having a lot of problems with sharp upper abdominal pain especially when eating, nasuea, bloating. The pain gets so bad sometimes that I can't walk or stand up straight. I am on Zofran as needed for Nausea and now using Protonix (again) in the morning. I have been alternating on Omeprazole and Protonix every so often because it seems I end up getting used to or building a tolerance to these meds. The pain has been increasingly worse the past month. Had a barium swallow and showed no reflux or hiatal hernia. I go next week for an endoscopy. Can a Nissen be too tight? Is that something you would see on the barium test or not? I am nervous I may need another surgery again and I am just trying to see if anyone else out there has had this issue?
Hi @gabigirl26 @lceresi @uvamomb2007 @faithful55 @jackiem95,
You may notice that I combined your discussions with this existing one as I thought it would be beneficial for you to meet each other and share your experiences and insights.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
I’d also encourage you to view these incredibly informative conversations on Connect where @btowngal @pdilly @marychapman @mmax @carolynlivingjaks @kozlo52 @islandgirl61 @tngirl630 @sickvick and many others are discussing their experiences with this procedure:
– Nissen Fundoplication reversal https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nissen-fundoplication-reversal/
– Anyone else had a Nissen slip? (it's been 7 years) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-else-had-a-nissen-slip-its-been-7-years/
– Linx procedure https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/linz-procedure/
I’m sorry to hear that so many people have had trouble with this procedure. My biggest fear right now is that someone is going to think I am crazy. My barium swallow test came back normal so Monday I have an endoscopy scheduled. I’m nervous because it will either show something which is scary. Or it won’t show anything definitive and I then I go back to just wondering what is wrong with my stomach. Meal time is difficult because I feel sick within a short time after eating. More surgery scares me but I have a feeling at some point I’ll be at that decision point
Hi,
God bless you for going through 3 NFs. I really never experienced the sharp pain but my stomach would ache a lot . I do experience the nausea and bloating after I eat; but more so after eating a high fiber meal. The high fiber introduces more gas into my digestive system which makes me nauseated and light headed. I had a endoscopic dilation in 2017 because my wrap was too tight and it did help to reduce my constipation. Since I got my wrap in 2000, I have been having so many digestive problems. I will be getting mine reversed this week. Will keep you posted. Have a blessed day.
@gabigirl26 When I had my Nissen repair the surgeon used mesh in a place he should not have and it caused me a lot of pain. I went to the Mayo in Jacksonville and had the Nissen undone. They removed the mesh with part of my fundus and could not do a redo. They repaired the hernia, but it failed. Had to have a gastric bass to fix the hernia. I had complications and more surgery. Now pain if I eat too much at one time or bend too much.
I hope the cause of your pain is found and there is a fix for it. .. without any complications.
Zaroga
Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It is so frustrating to have gone through all of these surgeries and testing. It sounds like many have had issues after a Nissen. My barium swallow test came back normal and my endoscopy showed an ulcer. I go for gastric emptying next week and then I meet with my doctor again. No idea what will come of all of this. I started ulcer med last week but so far not feeling much difference. Still a lot of bloating and nausea with eating. Random sharp pains and same stuff I’ve been dealing with for a while now. The doc said it looked like my wrap was in tact but still wonder if it is too tight. Another thought I’m having is that maybe I’ve had so much done to my stomach that I’ve messed it up for good. :(. Has anyone else had other testing?