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!

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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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In 2012 my husband went to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and had the Linx surgery for acid reflux and gerd. It has been very successful. He takes no medicine and had no problems from the procedure. They place a titanium braclet around the lower esophagus that opens to let food in, but won't let food come back out. There was some initial adjustment to what to eat first to get the device working, but no other issues. However, while at the Mayo he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. So, sadly we are dealing with that now. We are just trying to enjoy each day as a gift. But the Linx system is the way to go if you have acid reflux. And there is the possibility that the acid aspirated into his lungs and contributed to his pulmonary fibrosis. So don't play around if you have serious acid reflux.

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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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Please look into the Linx procedure first. It has a very high success rate and usually requires no medication afterwards. My husband had the Linx surgery eight years ago and has done beautifully. No problems with gerd since then.

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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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aliceorangebike, please investigate thiamine's role in the GI system and with the vagus nerve and a thiamine deficiency connection to GERD. Benfotiamine is a fat soluble form of thiamine that passes through the blood/brain barrier more effectively and longer lasting than water soluble forms requiring magnesium activation.There are good youtube thiamine videos concening the digestive system in addition the body in general.
https://www.eonutrition.co.uk/post/thiamine-deficiency-a-major-cause-of-sibo

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Profile picture for aliceorangebike @aliceorangebike

Yes! For the past 3 years I’ve followed the GERD diet strictly.

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Have you had an EGD to see if there is Barrett's? I got Barrett's from acid reflux. Here is what I did for it and no longer have any sign Barrett's. Raise the head of your bed 6". Stop eating 3-4 hrs before bedtime. No fried foods or fatty foods. Limit processed meats and food. No eating out. No smoking. No vinegar based products. No fruit juices. The only drinks I have are water, unsweetened almond milk which is alkaline, decaffeinated green tea, low acid healthwise coffee with almond milk as a creamer. I use no pepper or spices.No chocolate or mint. Pink himalayan salt is ok. Baked fish is good and chicken breast no skin. Steamed broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, cauliflower are good. I have a fruit smoothie everyday which is a banana, blueberries, raspberries, and almond milk which neutralizes the acid of the berries.
Mixed melon chunks are good too. I bought the book "The acid watcher diet" which has a 28 day reflux prevention and healing program.
I would try it before having surgery. Good luck trying to prevent reflux.

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Profile picture for riflemanz64 @riflemanz64

Have you had an EGD to see if there is Barrett's? I got Barrett's from acid reflux. Here is what I did for it and no longer have any sign Barrett's. Raise the head of your bed 6". Stop eating 3-4 hrs before bedtime. No fried foods or fatty foods. Limit processed meats and food. No eating out. No smoking. No vinegar based products. No fruit juices. The only drinks I have are water, unsweetened almond milk which is alkaline, decaffeinated green tea, low acid healthwise coffee with almond milk as a creamer. I use no pepper or spices.No chocolate or mint. Pink himalayan salt is ok. Baked fish is good and chicken breast no skin. Steamed broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, cauliflower are good. I have a fruit smoothie everyday which is a banana, blueberries, raspberries, and almond milk which neutralizes the acid of the berries.
Mixed melon chunks are good too. I bought the book "The acid watcher diet" which has a 28 day reflux prevention and healing program.
I would try it before having surgery. Good luck trying to prevent reflux.

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New to this forum. My husband suffers from Achalasia and along with it the tremendous chest pain. I read your post about diet and have a question. Did you suffer from the chest pain in addition to the reflux/GERD? If yes, did this change in your diet also relieve the chest pains which are a result of the spasming?

For any others on this forum, do you experience the tremendous chest pains and have you found any therapy/lifestyle change that has lessened or alleviated the pain? Possibly accupuncture? Thank you for your response!

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Profile picture for riflemanz64 @riflemanz64

Are you strict with your diet? No soda, No booze!

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@riflemanz64 Not sure who you were asking the question, but I certainly am very strict with that part of my diet... that is No carbonated beverages ... and booze only on extremely rare occasions... I can usually get away with no effects when only 1...diluted ..

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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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Don't do it! My life has been miserable since having the Nissen in 2013, then the Toupet in 2015. I was better off before. I can't eat much (one bite too many is pure Hell), can't swallow well (dysphagia), can't throw up (dry heaves only), positional pains (cannot be on hands & knees to where stomach hangs... sooo much pain). Now I have another hernia that pops out under my ribs, both sides. Surgeon now refuses to "go in there where so many other surgeons have been." They took too much fundus. Also too full of adhesions. Sometimes I wish I would just die. Very sorry I listened to general surgeon instead of a gastric specialist.

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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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Listen to your comments don’t do it. I had that surgery and 3 more surgery now waiting to have revisions of then total gastrectomy mesh removal and gosh only know what else. This has been a nightmare for over twenty years. Wish you nothing but the best..

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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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@aliceorangebike It was 2015 when I had a botched Nissen at my local clinic/hospital... 2 months later I had lost 50 pounds .. had been in hospital 9 days.. and countless tests.. a disaster.. My primary care physician referred me to Mayo MN.. they figured out in a day what was wrong... post operative gastroparesis ... Not fixable.. Nerves in the hairnet like system around the stomach were damaged.. Mayo GI told me 1 in 6 Nissens fail.. .. Having a general surgeon is a invitation to misery..... Get a second opinion from a credible GI surgeon.. Ken

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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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I have Gerd also. Never would I allow surgery. I have not heard of it going well. Yes there are restrictions or habit changes one must follow, and there are more things you can find on your own. Everyone is different, for me ,what helps is I make sure I take gas x when I eat a meal,I use a good probiotic when I go to bed at night and what I just started taking is O Mega XL. It really helps. OMega XL has good fatty acids which neutralizes the acid in your body. Of course I take prescription propranonolol to relax chest mucels. Whatcha what you eat and drink,do not smoke and your life will be better so much better. My Gerd started from a hernia patch placed in my stomach. Everyone stay positive!

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