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Linx procedure for severe GERD, Is it beneficial?
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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I also had the surgery and it is absolutely the worse decision i have ever made. I have had nothing but problems with it. I'm having problems eating and am just measurable with it. I have lost 34 pounds in a months and for sure didn't need to. I am now a size 4..
I had laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia repair and Toupet 270 degree fundoplication surgery in May of 2020. It was life changing for me! I wish I had been able to do it sooner. First of all the hernia repair corrected a large hernia that was causing a great deal of random pain by allowing my stomach to enter my diaphragm. Secondly the Toupet fundoplication resolved all of my acid reflux problem so that I no longer must take Omeprazole or any type of antacid I can eat normally. I have no issues swallowing or burping which can be a problem with a traditional 365 degree wrap. I am very grateful to Dr. Cobb for the time he took to explain everything and answer my questions and for his skillful intervention. https://www.clemson.edu/health-research/faculty/clinical-professors/cobb.html
Try. LINX
Hello, with the Toupet Fundoplication were your results immediate? Did your reflux get resolved immediately after the surgery or was it a gradual change?
It was immediate. Initially I was on easy to swallow soft foods then gradually added more substantial foods. Swallowing normally was a gradual process over a few weeks but elimination of acid reflux was immediate. I never took another ant acid from the day day before surgery through the present
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2 ReactionsI’ve had Chronic Gastritis and Esphogitis and Class B GERD , 1000’s of belches a day and night , small hiatal hernia . I saw a surgeon about this since a friend had it done ✅. When I found out I could no longer get all these 1000’s of deep wet belches out from a non stop churning gut daily . I was scared . I also heard you can’t throw up ( which I rarely do ), but that scared me too .
I think it’s a personal choice . It’s not for everyone as you read .
I finally after 5 Gastro Dr’s and so many tests in 8 years and living a crappy life since this started will have televisit w/ Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Dr on Sept 5 th .
I’m sure they will want to re so many tests up there but this is the end of the road for me . Best of luck, keep us posted what you wind up doing @aliceorangebike !
I am considering the same thing.
I had a Nissen surgery at a local hospital in Central Iowa that was supposed to fix my GERD problem.. It was botched.. the GERD got worse. 1 in 6 Nissens fail.. my Mayo GI doc told me.. I had post operative Gastroparesis... Mayo gave me the way to cope with this NON fixable proplem.. See a really good surgeon who has done hundreds.. Do your homework or you will be afflicted the rest of your life.. Ken
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.
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?