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Post-Nissen Fundoplication Problems: What helps?
Digestive Health | Last Active: Aug 18 11:19am | Replies (139)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "I am posting my story to see if anyone else is experiencing the same symptoms that..."
First get a referral from your local Primary care physician.. check out the schedule of various GI physicians who may be at the Jacksonville, FL during the winter... It's a wonderful campus of buildings.. make a first appointment and make sure your local records are available to Mayo JAX. Mayo records are on an Epic system as are most leading Hospitals and Clinics..
Your narrative is so similar to my experience... But 40 pounds is too much.. your choice your health take control and get the best help available.
I had Nissen Fundoplication & Hiatal Hernia surgery 6 months ago . I've had nothing but problems ! Been in and out of hospital, seen surgeon 2 times and said it takes up to a year for everything to settle down , ugh . Ridiculous, ,, I have another appt coming up in week . My primary doc thinks I have dumping syndrome, I have allot stomach pain all the time , bloating, nausea, diarrhea, hot sweats, cramping and feels like I want to vomit all the time pretty much. When i do eat it basically runs straight thru me within 10 minutes ? Since the surgery 6 months ago I've lost 40 pounds. My primary doc has me back on liquid diet again ????? I wished I hadn't had it done, I suffered with acid reflux and allot stomach issues and the surgery was supposed to fix allot of it ? My Doc thinks I'm going to need gastric bypass ! Really don't want it . Guess I'll wait and see what Surgeon has to say ?
I’m like @nms22 — very pleased with my Nissen fundiplication. And I know several other people who have also had great results following their Nissen procedure. One of my friends no longer has to take medication! I on the other hand will be taking prevacid forever because I have Barrett’s esophagus. Oh well.
I’m so so sorry for all of you who have had so much trouble following Nissen fundiplication.
I had a Nissen in 2015 in Iowa...had all sorts of GI problems, Lost 50 pounds from 195, 5'10" male... Iowa could not figure out what was wrong...went to Mayo Minnesota..they diagnosed it in 3 tests over a few hours. Gastropaneisis...doc said my Nissen could not be undone as the problems would get worse.. He noted that 1 in 6 Nissens FAIL.. so living with it is the key..Gas, bloating, yes... vomiting. Occasionally... feeling as if food is caught somewhere and must be thrown up, sleeping tilted up so gravity does the stomach emptying...My friends say I am always grazing..eating small portions, no soft breads, no leafy greens unless chopped fine or blended.. no big pieces of anything except ice cream . I'm 82. It is a life changing event.. and few understand what you are going through ..I take the Nexium genaric, and Mirazapine.. to help me think I want to eat... feeling the best when the stomach is empty, like when you awaken, is not sustainable...Ken
Hi there,
I had two laparoscopic nissen fundoplications in 2015 due to chronic GERD.
I am experiencing all of the same symptoms as you described.
Been dilated quarterly due to chronic dysphasia and extreme gas bloat.
Have you spoke with a thoracic surgeon to see if the wrap can be undone?
This is something I am considering.
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?
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/
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?
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I live in a small town in North Dakota and I was wondering how you go about finding the functional medicine doctor that your talking about?