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Swallowing issues 1 year after Hiatal hernia surgery & Lap Nissen.
So I made a trip to the ER a couple days ago because of severe cramping and problems swallowing ! 1 year ago I had Hiatal hernia surgery and Nissen Fundoplication, Have had on and off problems since the surgery. Last couple months the abdominal pain and swallowing been getting worse ! I double over in pain and even sips of water is difficult ! The hospital did an ex ray chest and CT scan of my stomach but couldn’t say really what was causing so much pain ? I have pain from throat to stomach, Even swallowing anything is painful. Abdominal pain all the time ! And yes diarrhea, ugh..And ridiculous amount of gas .. My surgeon like I said in a prior post is trying to get me in for an upper endoscopy to check my esophagus ? Has anyone had issues later on after this kind of surgery ? Thank You. ( Male , 56 years young )
So my CT scan shows my Hernia is back ! Ugh . Still waiting on Upper Endoscopy.
I’m having heartburn still two months after my nissen fundoplication. My dysphagia problem still there because I got 360 wrap. it’s not as bad as it was in the first two months , it’s starting to show improvement in the last couple days where I don’t need to drink water as much while I’m eating but, I still have a ways to go. I read that post operatively it takes about three months for symptoms to really resolve I’m praying that that’s true because my heartburn was just bad before I went in and now it feels like it didn’t help at all. I had Hiatal hernia 2 cm, some Barrett’s esophagus and gastritis from what the endoscopy revealed and I had my Nissan fundoplication on February 26, 2020 so it’s still fresh. I hope you get better I feel your pain and agony I know it’s it’s very frustrating and messes with our quality of life it’s unfortunate I’ll pray us both.
Welcome to Connect @faithincrisis. Sorry that you are still experiencing issues, but I am glad that they are beginning to clear up. I know @marianna1968jt had her Nissen Fundoplication in January. It sounds as though this surgery is causing a lot of problems for people. What is your biggest hurdle right now?
@faithann64 I am so sorry to hear of the return of the hernia. I hope you are able to find some help.
Have you considered a second opinion at a Mayo facility or another multi-disciplinary medical center (like a university medical school)?
My scans are normal except for a small stable lesion on my pancreas and extra air. The pain in my left side is off and on but always sore. If I eat 3 regular meals, not big portions, my left shoulder throbs and so does my left side. That's the hurdle trying to overcome. No heartburn.
Hi @faithann64, I would love to know if you have any updates since we last spoke. Are your symptoms still consistent?
After 1 year I haven't really had heartburn ?? My problem is problems swallowing and constant abdominal pains with diarrhea .Ugh. Hopefully after tomorrow's upper endoscopy my surgeon can find out what's going on ? Prayers to you …
Will find out tomorrow 5/08/20. Having upper endoscopy . Hopefully will find out for sure whats going on . And yes symptoms still consistent !
Sending good vibes and prayers your way! Let us know the outcome.
It almost sounds like you had a failed nissen fundoplication ??? You shouldn't be feeling any heartburn ??? My surgeon suggested to me not to drink 1/2 hour before and after eating ?? I had both ( Nissen Fundoplication & And Wrap ) I haven't had any heartburn but allot of other problems !! Definitely contact you surgeon . Hope all works out for you, definitely no easy road !
Yes, considering Mayo ??? Thank You
Thank you for your reply’s @faithann64 and @amandaburnett . I had a follow up with my surgeon on March 7th a week after my fundoplication and had a ct scan the same day. my wrap was fine no slipped hernia or wrap being loose. My surgeon said that it’s most likely phrenic nerve irritation from the laparoscopic surgery it can mimic heartburn, pain in the chest, and also referred pain in the shoulder from the gas left from the surgery. He told I should not have to take my ppi medications anymore so I stopped taking them. About two weeks later the heartburn, chest pain started returning not as bad in pain terms but enough to make me feel uncomfortable again. maybe 3-4 times a week In cycles. I contacted my surgeon again and he sent me to do a barium swallow on April 8th. The results were no acid was coming up into my esophagus to cause the heartburn and my wrap was tight and intact. I told the doctor administrating the test I have what feels like heartburn still. He believed me that I have pain and discomfort, but that it wasn’t because of acid coming up from my stomach because the wrap was blocking it. My surgeon has referred to another GI doctor to find out if we can get to the bottom of this. I have my appointment on 5/12/2020 in a couple days. Sorry for the long reply I hope my punctuation is good. Some better news is my swallowing has gotten way better in the last week, I can eat better. Still not 100% but it’s improved. I hope they fix your hernia quick @faithann64 I haven’t lifted or done anything strenuous since feb 26 2020 for fear of hurting my wrap or having slipped hernia.