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 bet you are! I would like to introduce you to @ken82, @dannyl, and @rozy288 who have also discussed their GERD here.
Personally, given what others have shared, I would steer clear of surgeons who have never done the procedure. The ramifications can be very detrimental.
Have you looked at any other surgery besides Linx?
Female and had surgery in 2014
We talked about what could be done - hiatal hernia, also. I trust this dr. But just want to see what the “residuals” are afterward. I’ve seen a lot about trouble swallowing, and that petrifies me. We are in south MS, and he is with the Memorial Hospital at Gulfport. Dr. Derek Ware.
Has it been a good thing?
I’ve written about his before if you look under the Linx thread. I had problems until I had it enlarged. Food can get stuck and cause bad chest pain and need to bend over to burp to relieve it. It is doing the job of keeping acid down but still had to take anti acid pills after surgery until I finally figured out I had a fructose intolerance. Mayo checked me for that prior to surgery but once I got off all fruit, sugars, and wheat, I never took a med again. It also got rid of many other ailments I had. Acid reflux can be controlled by diet but my esophagus was damaged from having 10 pound babies.
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1 ReactionThis is great advice to everyone even considering a Nissen.
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1 ReactionHave your doctor test you for low acid in your stomach!! It has the same symptoms as GERD and is often over looked. All of the pills that you have been taking could be making things worse. I had a NF 5 years ago and I would never recommend it to any one and I had a great surgeon. Come to find out my sister, mom and niece have low acid and were suffering with acid reflux, until they found out they had low acid and are being treated correctly. I wish I would have known about this 5 years ago.
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1 ReactionI had a hernia repair and LINX in September 2018 and have had no problem since. I do not take any antacids or any medications. Check out Dr. Lipham at USC. I was having acid reflux 84 times a day.
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1 ReactionWhat does NF stand for? I'll be having my first consultation with a specialist surgeon for my diagnosis of achalasia type 111 next week. I have no idea of what he may want to do as far as a specific procedure for this affliction. I just know that I want these uncomfortable symptoms gone. I have lost a tremendous amount of weight over this. The one procedure that stands out for me would to possibly have the (POEM) procedure done. Then you just need to take a pill a day for the rest of my life. This procedure compared to the other two I read about, seems better in the long run. The other two sound rather iffy as far as long term results.
@bevlynn54 .. I have chronic digestive disorders, GERD , Gastritis, Esophagitis, Small hiatal hernia, diverticulosis, and some IBS . The worst is 3000-4000 deep wet horrible belches and non stop churning gut 24/7 .
I’ve seen 5 Gastro Drs in 7 years. Tried everything under the sun . I’m off to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville tomorrow. I have to re do , 2 hr SIBO breath test , Entraogrophy C scan w/ contrast and another endoscopy with endo flip this time . In 2 days of testing . Plus they do a Covid test 1 st day . So 3 days .
Took me 7 months to get televisit. I’m at my last ditch effort.
Cannot eat anything w/ o major suffering. I eat so clean and healthy too .
I’m a mess . I hope you get the answers you need . I pray 🙏 they can figure me out . I live on Ultra Pepto and that’s it for my issues now . Can’t take much more . God Bless you … Rosemary
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