posted
Can't get the heartburn under control, so dr wants to do a couple more tests then consider surgery.
Looks like there's the Nissen where they wrap your stomach around your esophagus or the linx system which places a ring of titanium magnetic beads around the esophagus. just wondering if anyone has had either of these done and how you're doing.
Wonder how magnetic titanium beads would do in a a person with emf sensitivities and heavy metal issues.
Sounds unpleasant either way but I guess so is acid eroding my esophagus/mouth/teeth etc.
Posts: 857 | From northern california | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Excitotoxins; MSG; Aspartame; & "Natural" Flavors (that are not likely natural at all);
GMO foods that destroy the GI Tract; Gluten; Dairy.
See here: "HIDDEN SOURCES OF GLUTEN" -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Have you been assessed for H. Pylori? -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Have you been able to see a naturopathic physician? (Best if they are LL ND)?
They can help assess the particulars and suggest certain safe options. Among those might be:
DGL
Slippery Elm
Marshmallow Root
a tiny dose of L-Glutamine can help heal GI tissue (too much can be excitatory for someone with neurological conditions, detail in the first link above about that, in the Amino acid thread).
Others
In addition to avoiding gluten, dairy and GMO foods.
A healing diet can be discussed, and may include detail that is not commonly known regarding which foods are foes, which are friends.
Lastly, be sure your LLMD is in the loop as lyme, itself (and other TBD, parasites) can be the cause. Surgery would not help in that case, until and unless all factors along these lines are treated and that can take time).
Your LLMD should be able to suggest the right kinds of other options to consider with those who may be more open to understanding the various influences.
Again, H. PYLORI is the place to start. Ask your LLMD as most are in tune with this. It can take a while to treat and not all tests are accurate. It must be a combination approach with very specific antibiotics (and herbal support will help a great deal along with the Rx -- a LL ND would know more). -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If you consider surgery, be sure to figure in possible steroid use:
Topic: Minor surgery and steriods - complications from steroids that were not supposed to be administered.
and
Epinephrine is in many anesthetics (not sure about anesthesia, though). Some discussion on why epinephrine (EPI) can be a rough ride for someone with lyme (especially if they have adrenal issues):
Acetaminophen also has to be considered as it's very common in hospital. It can block glutathione in ALL cells (not just the liver) so toxic buildup can be worse. And that impedes healing in ALL cells of the body.
Of course, other pain relievers such as NSAIDS can really rip the stomach and whole GI tract, so that would have to be considered so that a workable pain relief protocol would be in place beforehand. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I know this did not answer your questions - hope others will have some specifics on that. Search the web, high and low, for all you can find from others who have gone through this procedure.
Even if you decide to this, first, a consult with a ND could help you set up support methods for before and after . . . and ways to possibly avoid scar tissue from the surgery. Do ask that question of the surgeon, too. Certain WAYS they do things can make a huge difference in the degree of surgical scarring.
And, somehow, find patients who have gone through this with the surgeon you are considering.
Go back over all RX taken to be sure of any connections here, too. Some may cause GI distress, in round a bout ways.
I hope that, maybe, something has been overlooked that can help you in far less intrusive ways. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- As it's a double edge sword saying that lyme can cause GI upset and that it also must be treated when the very Rx can be so rough. Another way to address lyme, et.al:
posted
I am gathering information on a procedure called the Stretta procedure which merely uses non-invasive procedure of radio frequencies. Here is the the company http://www.mederitherapeutics.com/
More importantly here is the results of a new 10 year study on the procedure that looks very encouraging.
posted
I have been checked for h. pylori, and was negative. I think the hernia plays a role in the problem and would guess that I may have gastroparesis too. If I have a migraine, and get sick, there is too much food still there many hours after I eat for it to be normal.
I have tried those supplements but it hasn't been able to stop it. I do have a llnd and will make an appt to see her before any surgery. I'd really like to avoid it as I've read many people who had trouble after surgery.
The stretta procedure sounds good but don't think it will address the hernia. I wonder if separate surgery to fix the hernia, without the wrap, and then using stretta is an option?
think i'll avoid the linx system,, can't imagine I could tolerate that in my body, I can barely handle dental cement.
thank for the replies, who knew acid reflux could affect the quality of life so much...
Posts: 857 | From northern california | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Upledger Institute - Visceral Manipulation might also be something to ask about. You can find a practitioner through their website. Often covered by insurance, too. Just a thought. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- H. Pylori tests can be false negative. There are several ways to check, but I would not rule it out just because of test results. I'm not sure of the best source to find information to explore but I know that I've read the tests are not accurate enough.
A good LLMD would likely know more about this.
Not sure if you avoid all GMO foods. If not, be sure to get the DVD "Genetic Roulette" in the "Excitotoxin" thread above. They show what happens to the inside of the digestive tract. It's amazing. I will never eat anything GMO again after seeing that documentary (even meat from animals fed GMO feed), it matters that much. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
"Can't get the heartburn under control, so dr wants to do a couple more tests then consider surgery."
Are you taking any meds that cause gastritis? Heartburn, pain and belching are symptoms of stomach irritation and inflammation. If so, you'll need to stop those meds.
If you have symptoms of gastroparesis, or paralysis of the stomach/intestines, that may be due to nerve damage from the Lyme. Some people have been helped by a med called Domperidone, prescribed by a specialist.
You need to find out if gastroparesis is part of your diagnosis, and if the surgery helped others who have it.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Prompted by Carol's excellent suggestion, from my file notes:
posted
I had a hiatal hernia and was taking nexium on a daily basis. That did not control the reflux and I periodically would wake up choking. When I got diagnosed with hypothyroid I was told that taking nexium was increasing risk of osteoporosis now (or at least that's what I think they said.) I agreed to have surgery... Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF). To make the long complicated story short.... After surgery was begun they found that my hernia was too large, so they decided to do a more traditional nissen procedure. My spleen was ruptured in this surgery and had to be removed. That wound got infected and I had to have a second surgery after which I had to wear a wound vacuum for a number of weeks. Now, a year later, I need a new surgery because I have developed an incisional hernia right below my breastbone as a result of the 2 previous surgeries. While I no longer need nexium and the reflux is gone, I nearly died in the first surgery, missed many months from work, and now have an impaired immune system. I would caution you to be careful if you go for surgery, but wish you the best.
Posts: 758 | From now TX | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
Mjb-that sounds awful...hope you feel better soon
I have been wondering about surgery for thistoo
I have hiatal hernia that is getting bigger and also reflux is getting worse
When i stop the ibu it gets a lot better but then i cant walk
Fish oil ,curcumin and a 1/4 apple after each meal have helped the reflux and allowed me to cut ibu in half
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
"I have been checked for h. pylori, and was negative."
How did you check for h. pylori?
I had two tests in the same week, one was a stool test and the other was a blood test.
Stool was negative, but my blood test had crazy high positive titers.
A lot of my issues went away after treating for h. pylori.
Breath test is suppose to be very accurate.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If you are taking (or have within a certain time period prior to test) any antibiotics, though, it might interfere with the accuracy of an h.pylori test. Some other kinds of drugs may, too. Just something to consider. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
I have had lots of acid reflux as well, and treating lyme helped a lot, but also very important is avoiding the wireless signals. It comes back whenever I try to sleep in a place with a wireless router, even a very cheap one with low levels of signals.
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
| IP: Logged |
Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
I have it very bad, but giving up gluten really helped. I didn't think it would, but it did.
But, I have to avoid all the triggers, which is really, really, hard to do.
And the surgery scares me.
I am hoping that losing some weight might help the hiatal hernia.
posted
Dogmom, I'm sorry to hear this. I have GERD too, and my former doctor also suggested surgery. I'm so glad to learn about other options!
I've had a really bad cough--chronic bronchitis really--for about 24 years. People come running to help me when I start coughing. Had x rays & allergy tests. Tried every inhaler imaginable. Then 10 years ago, a doctor diagnosed GERD.
Going on an elimination diet helped. But then just about everything made me cough again when I reintroduced foods. I'm still gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and organic, though.
Losing weight helped. Then I gained some of the weight back during a stressful time, and the cough got worse again. I lost weight again last year, but no improvement in the cough.
I'm thinking of taking the ALCAT food sensitivity test. It seems to identify more sensitivities than are revealed by the elimination diet. I'm so congested that I'm sure there's some source of inflammation.
Although I regarded this as a trivial health problem for years, it's scary when I catch a cold or flu that adds a 2nd layer of coughing. Thank you, everyone, for giving me ideas to research!
Posts: 431 | From New England | Registered: Dec 2011
| IP: Logged |
Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
I've heard about this. And I would certainly prefer this over the traditional surger.
The trouble is, Medicare only covers the traditional surgery, so for those of us who are retired or receiving disability benefits, this isn't an option now.
But, the way insurance companies are wanting to save money, they will hopefully find this procedure much easier and cheaper to do.
posted
My sister in law had a nissen done. It has worked really well for her and she has been able to stop all antacid pills.
Posts: 803 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2013
| IP: Logged |
Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
quote:Originally posted by dogmom2: Can't get the heartburn under control, so dr wants to do a couple more tests then consider surgery.
Looks like there's the Nissen where they wrap your stomach around your esophagus or the linx system which places a ring of titanium magnetic beads around the esophagus. just wondering if anyone has had either of these done and how you're doing.
Wonder how magnetic titanium beads would do in a a person with emf sensitivities and heavy metal issues.
Sounds unpleasant either way but I guess so is acid eroding my esophagus/mouth/teeth etc.
If you're EMF-sensitive, I'd avoid any metal implanted in your body.
Reflux/heartburn for me is a symptom of sulfite sensitivity...
Treatment is molybdenum, Vitamin B12, avoiding sulfites (low sulfur diet, low protein diet - especially animal proteins (meat, dairy, eggs)), and making sure I have enough zinc, magnesium and iron in my diet/supplements.
During an acute sulfite reaction, Vitamin B12 and an antihistamine like Benadryl can be very helpful (my sulfite reactions are very severe).
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Another consideration: metal implants are often coated with some kind of petroleum "teflon" which is helpful to keep "gunk" from sticking to it but it is a foreign plastic (along with the metal bits) in the body. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Still wish I new somebody that had Stretta as I am told it takes about 45 minutes with no incisions and if it does not work you can still do the Nissan.
posted
thanks everyone for your replies. Sorry I've been slow to respond, just lack of sleeping from all of this makes it hard to think and put my thoughts together.
Stretta sounds the least invasive but won't address a hernia. Wonder if hernia repair followed by stretta would work?
Linx for me is probably out. I am very chemical and emf sensitive . Plus I have ms/brain lesions so need access to mris which would be out if the linx was put in.
Leaves the old nissen procedure but so fraught with complications. Worried about stomach surgery with probable poor live/gallbladder function. hx of sibo, etc.
Plus have migraines with throwing up which can't be stopped by meds and sounds like some people can't even burp, little long throw up with a nissen wrap. Maybe i'd just explode(sorry, sarcasm...)
I'm starting to sound like a sad country song so better stop for now.
thanks again for the replies.
Posts: 857 | From northern california | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
My heartburn and gastroparesis got better with h pylori treatment (no positive test) and other treatments.
I took melatonin, betaine, digestive enzymes, miralax to keep things moving. I took antacids between meals, betain and digestive enzymes with meals. Melatonin (which has antacid and anti-nitric oxide effects) and benedryl at night.
Gastroparesis can be constipation. Heartburn can be eosinophilic esophagitis even if it doesn't show up on an endoscopy. I was able to know it down with the benedyrl.
My doctor also gave me erythromycin (or maybe it was zithromax). They are antibiotics and they both improve motility as a side effect.
-------------------- Son, 26, Dx Lyme 4/10, Babs 8/10 Had serious arthritis, all gone. Currently on Valtrex Daughter, 26,bullseye 7/11 arthritis in knees, cured and off all meds. . Self:Lyme, bart, sxs gone, no longer treating. Posts: 496 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jul 2010
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic