LES surgery for chronic heartburn
Discussion
There was another thread on heartburn that I intended to add this too but can't find it.
Anyone had this?
Interested in knowing more about the procedure. Success rates, risk etc.
I've had pretty much constant heartburn for decades. Never had much luck discussing the matter with GP's. Their advice is usually to avoid the things that set it off. But the list is long and growing. I've been prescribed meds in the past which worked like a charm. Zantac before it was discontinued, and Omeprazole which I came off after a year because of concern about long-term side effects.
Gave up smoking many years ago. Gave up drinking for a year to see if that helped, no difference.
So I just kind of suffer, and gobble up Rennies all the time to manage the pain. The only way to guarantee no heartburn is to not eat, but some foods are really bad for setting it off. Bread especially. It kind of feels like there's no lid on my stomach, and some food causes more acid which then rises up my gullet causing pain, especially when bending down.
I had a particularly miserable day with it on Saturday when I'd had a piece of toast in the morning and went to the gym in the afternoon. Which was a total waste of time due to the pain and uncomfortable bloating of the heartburn. I just gave up and went and bought some Esomeprazole from Tesco. Because of this, the last few days have been pain-free, total bliss.
So I'm determined to finally do something about this as I can't go on with the status quo. It seems I have three options: 1, dramatically restrictive diet. 2, PPI's for life. Or 3, LES surgery.
Whilst it's great to eat healthy, I'm not sure I'm ready to cut out all the things I like to eat just yet. And as for PPI's, I'd happily take these forever as they're so effective, but I worry about the long-term side effects. Indeed, the Esomaprazole I bought says to only take for two weeks which is not much help. So that leaves me considering the surgery. And over the years I've also tried everything the internet suggest, to no avail.
Anyone had the surgery? Did it work, how was the recovery? How did you get your GP to consider nominating you for it?
Anyone had this?
Interested in knowing more about the procedure. Success rates, risk etc.
I've had pretty much constant heartburn for decades. Never had much luck discussing the matter with GP's. Their advice is usually to avoid the things that set it off. But the list is long and growing. I've been prescribed meds in the past which worked like a charm. Zantac before it was discontinued, and Omeprazole which I came off after a year because of concern about long-term side effects.
Gave up smoking many years ago. Gave up drinking for a year to see if that helped, no difference.
So I just kind of suffer, and gobble up Rennies all the time to manage the pain. The only way to guarantee no heartburn is to not eat, but some foods are really bad for setting it off. Bread especially. It kind of feels like there's no lid on my stomach, and some food causes more acid which then rises up my gullet causing pain, especially when bending down.
I had a particularly miserable day with it on Saturday when I'd had a piece of toast in the morning and went to the gym in the afternoon. Which was a total waste of time due to the pain and uncomfortable bloating of the heartburn. I just gave up and went and bought some Esomeprazole from Tesco. Because of this, the last few days have been pain-free, total bliss.
So I'm determined to finally do something about this as I can't go on with the status quo. It seems I have three options: 1, dramatically restrictive diet. 2, PPI's for life. Or 3, LES surgery.
Whilst it's great to eat healthy, I'm not sure I'm ready to cut out all the things I like to eat just yet. And as for PPI's, I'd happily take these forever as they're so effective, but I worry about the long-term side effects. Indeed, the Esomaprazole I bought says to only take for two weeks which is not much help. So that leaves me considering the surgery. And over the years I've also tried everything the internet suggest, to no avail.
Anyone had the surgery? Did it work, how was the recovery? How did you get your GP to consider nominating you for it?
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