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Linx procedure for severe GERD, Is it beneficial?

Posted by montgomery41 @montgomery41, May 4, 2018

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is feeling well. I've posted once before regarding Botox injections to the Pyloric Sphincter. Today I would like to hear from those that have either heard about or have had the Linx procedure for severe GERD. I'm going to raise the topic at my next appointment with my GI specialist. When I went in to get the Botox injections about a month and a half ago my GI specialist stated that my GERD was severe and that she could visually see the acid/reflux free flowing back up into my esophagus, like it was something she stated she hasn't seen very often. Since being diagnosed with GP and Vagus Nerve Dysfunction my GERD has become a nightmare! Currently I take Zantac syrup twice daily and Prevacid ODT twice daily and these medications just aren't helping anymore. I have to sleep upright in a recliner to sleep and am unable to lay next to my husband in bed because if I do he is waking me up because I'm literally choking on the reflux. I avoid the foods and drinks I'm suppose to and I quit smoking. Does anyone know if the Linx procedure is minimally invasive or a noninvasive procedure? I thought maybe it could be done by endoscopy. Any ideas, information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your responses!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

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dannyl | @dannyl | Jul 17, 2021
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @dannyl and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll see that I moved your post to..." + (show)
Profile picture for Amanda Burnett @amandaa

Hi @dannyl and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll see that I moved your post to a discussion that was talking about the issues you are dealing with so that you could connect with people here and members like @cim37343, @astaingegerdm, @kimh, @franduffy, and @sylviasparks

Video appointments are definitely available right now. Have you reached out to Mayo at all to try to obtain an appointment?

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I will check out comments from the members you have provided. I haven't reached out to try to obtain an appointment yet, as I will need to work through my primary care physician and gastroenterologist. Thank you so much for your prompt reply!

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saucy | @saucy | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @dannyl "I have been having severe esophageal spasms and acid reflux for a couple of years. In..." + (show)
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I have been having severe esophageal spasms and acid reflux for a couple of years. In June 2020, I had the Toupet Fundoplication surgery, which helped for only a while. I am now having multiple spasms every day which feel like I am having a heart attack and being stabbed at the same time. I also lose my voice when these occur. I have tried numerous medications to prevent the spasms but none have worked. I am using muscle relaxers, pain killers, Nitroglycerin and a GI cocktail every day just to try to control the pain. A recent endoscopy shows that the Fundoplication has come loose in one area and acid & bile are coming back into my esophagus. I have seen several gastroenterologists and my current one has stated if my newest medicine does not work, he will be referring me to the Mayo clinic. I will likely have a battle with my insurance company in Oklahoma since that is out of network.

Having explained all this, my questions are: If someone is referred to the Mayo clinic, does that start by the current physician sending their medical records to the appropriate specialist (at the Mayo clinic) for review? And then the specialist determines if it is something that they can try to treat? Are video visits a possibility or would we have to drive across the country for an in-person office visit, without knowing if treatment is even an option? Any information about this process would be greatly appreciated.

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I had Linx surgery at Mayo in 2014 and follow up scopes. I realized I hadn't had a recent scope so since I've been a patient at Mayo for years I could get an appointment. Was told since it has been 3 years I am no longer considered a patient and they are not taking new patients!

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ken82 | @ken82 | Jul 19, 2021
In reply to @dannyl "I have been having severe esophageal spasms and acid reflux for a couple of years. In..." + (show)
Profile picture for dannyl @dannyl

I have been having severe esophageal spasms and acid reflux for a couple of years. In June 2020, I had the Toupet Fundoplication surgery, which helped for only a while. I am now having multiple spasms every day which feel like I am having a heart attack and being stabbed at the same time. I also lose my voice when these occur. I have tried numerous medications to prevent the spasms but none have worked. I am using muscle relaxers, pain killers, Nitroglycerin and a GI cocktail every day just to try to control the pain. A recent endoscopy shows that the Fundoplication has come loose in one area and acid & bile are coming back into my esophagus. I have seen several gastroenterologists and my current one has stated if my newest medicine does not work, he will be referring me to the Mayo clinic. I will likely have a battle with my insurance company in Oklahoma since that is out of network.

Having explained all this, my questions are: If someone is referred to the Mayo clinic, does that start by the current physician sending their medical records to the appropriate specialist (at the Mayo clinic) for review? And then the specialist determines if it is something that they can try to treat? Are video visits a possibility or would we have to drive across the country for an in-person office visit, without knowing if treatment is even an option? Any information about this process would be greatly appreciated.

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@dannyl I lived in OK for 20 yrs.... now in central IA.. I had a botched Nissen fundoplication here in IA that the locals could not figure out what they had done wrong.. after losing 50 # I got a referral to Mayo MN.. The Mayo GI figured it out that first day ... post operative gastroparesis ... they gave me a way to cope.. eating small portions often.. chewing very well .. etc.. the surgery could not be undone.. nor could they fix the damaged hairnet like network of nerves that makes the stomach empty..
The first thing you should do is see if your clinic or hospital is on the EPIC medical records network.. as Mayo and hundreds of other leading hospitals are.. that way Mayo only needs your approval to look at your OK medical records... I found it was helpful to have a referral as it worked for me the first shot..... even from your Primary Care Physician ... I am on Medicare and a gap insurance partially funded by the OK Universities Group.. Good Luck..

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bevlynn54 | @bevlynn54 | Sep 20, 2021
In reply to @aliceorangebike "I am considering having surgery to resolve my terrible GERD problems. Toupet fundoplication has been recommended..." + (show)
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I am considering having surgery to resolve my terrible GERD problems. Toupet fundoplication has been recommended for me but it wraps around only 75% of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Has anyone had this surgery? Did it resolve your severe GERD problems? Do you still need to take Proton Pump Inhibitor medication? Thanks for your input!

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Has anyone had it done? Results?

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3 replies
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saucy | @saucy | Sep 21, 2021
In reply to @bevlynn54 "Has anyone had it done? Results?" + (show)
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Has anyone had it done? Results?

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Are you talking about the Linx. Yes I have it

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1 reply
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bevlynn54 | @bevlynn54 | Sep 21, 2021
In reply to @bevlynn54 "Has anyone had it done? Results?" + (show)
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Has anyone had it done? Results?

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Male/female? Age?

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bevlynn54 | @bevlynn54 | Sep 21, 2021
In reply to @bevlynn54 "Has anyone had it done? Results?" + (show)
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Has anyone had it done? Results?

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How long ago?

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bevlynn54 | @bevlynn54 | Sep 22, 2021
In reply to @saucy "Are you talking about the Linx. Yes I have it" + (show)
Profile picture for saucy @saucy

Are you talking about the Linx. Yes I have it

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Male/female? Age? How long ago?

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2 replies
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Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Sep 22, 2021
In reply to @bevlynn54 "Male/female? Age? How long ago?" + (show)
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Male/female? Age? How long ago?

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Hi @bevlynn54 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that I moved your post to a conversation about surgery for GERD it discusses multiple different surgeries.

Here is some info you may be interested in. Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for Gastroesophageal Reflux at 5 Years: Final Results of a Pilot Study Show Long-Term Acid Reduction and Symptom Improvement: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4624249/ -----------------
A Modern Magnetic Implant for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28025156/ ------------------
2012 - Mayo Clinic Offers Newly Approved Treatment for Acid Reflux: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-offers-newly-approved-treatment-for-acid-reflux-disease/ ------------------TUESDAY Q & A: New treatment may be option for those with GERD: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tuesday-q-a-new-treatment-may-be-option-for-those-with-gerd/

Would you be willing to share more of your story and what is going on with you? You tend to get a better response the more detail you provide about your situation.

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bevlynn54 | @bevlynn54 | Sep 22, 2021
In reply to @aliceorangebike "I am considering having surgery to resolve my terrible GERD problems. Toupet fundoplication has been recommended..." + (show)
Profile picture for aliceorangebike @aliceorangebike

I am considering having surgery to resolve my terrible GERD problems. Toupet fundoplication has been recommended for me but it wraps around only 75% of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Has anyone had this surgery? Did it resolve your severe GERD problems? Do you still need to take Proton Pump Inhibitor medication? Thanks for your input!

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Just in the beginning phase of looking into it - the doctor here has not done any, although he has been trained. Just a little nervous about the process, and healing. I’ve had reflux issues for years. I’m 67 years old. Tired of taking pills.

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