GERD & Heartburn Support Group
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.
Has anyone ever considered the surgery? I am already on 40mg of nexium and it has stopped working. I don't want to be on PPIs for the rest of my life as I have been on them for 3 years and they have caused iron deficiency. I also want to be able to have children and you can't take PPIs whilst pregnant. I am only 26 and don't want a lifetime of taking pills. I am going to discuss with my GP (PCP) next week but wanted other people's advice. I don't have a hernia or Barratts or even osephagitis (sp?) when they last did an endoscopy which was August 2010. Doctor doubts I would now. But I don't want to be on these drugs for the rest of my life!
I am considering surgery for GERD. I'm 29 years old. I have a small hiatal hernia (under 3 cm). I'm not a candidate for the Nissen Fundoplication, due to the results of the swallowing test. It showed that 4 out of 10 of my swallows were poor. The surgery I was recommended by a few different doctors/surgeons is LINX. However I'm having issues finding a doctor who will do the surgery for me. That's a long story within itself. Mostly because only a handful of doctors in the US do this surgery (LINX) since it's so knew.
The surgeon I spoke with at a hospital in Ohio wants to do this surgery for me! However he's not in network with my insurance. So I'm trying to work on that, and get that workable before the end of the year. He told me of all the nasty issues of being on PPI's. He can't believe that I'm on 80 MG of Aciphex a day.
I know how you feel, and I hope you have good luck with this! Keep me updated!
If you want more information about what happened, you can always message me- I have a long story but basically the 2nd surgery has worked thus far and I'm very glad I went ahead and had it.