Tuesday 27 August 2013

Week 9 Update

Well, week 8 came and went -- not much to report anyway!

Had a follow up with the surgeon today which was helpful to put things into perspective. I was reminded of my main symptoms prior to implant: regurgitation, dyspepsia, coughing, and belching. The good news is that three of those are basically resolved post-LINX. The first and the last are most noticeable in their absence, which has significantly improved my quality of life.

The dyspepsia is still outstanding, though it is much better now that I'm back on 20mg omeprazole.

The healing process is still ongoing, and I may ultimately never get quite as stellar results as others due to my esophagus being hypersensitive to acidity. Who knows. Maybe it needs longer to calm down and heal post-implant, and post-four years of acid reflux. Maybe the vagus nerve is irritated and needs time to adjust as well. Or maybe this is as good as it gets. If so, I'd still do it all over again and have the LINX implanted.

I will continue to try to kick my PPI habit over the coming months, but I'm going to be taking it slowly. And ultimately, I'm deciding to be okay with 20mg a day into the future, if I'm not able to come off then. There are new procedures in the works for reflux and more will develop in coming years. By no means is this the end of the road.

For those of you out there who are at the beginning of your LINX recovery and struggling with dysphagia: chin up! I have a theory that those who have significant dysphagia have a better outcome ultimately due to a better tightening of the sphincter. I had nearly none and still have mild discomfort with burning in my upper esophagus daily. So think of the pain as a good indicator of success if it's getting you down!

11 comments:

  1. Sarah
    Could you give another update on how you are doing? It has been quite a while since you posted.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, I had LINX fitted early August, and I am now 15 weeks on. I am fortunate that I have no reflux issues, and I am completely off of all medication (I stopped when I had the operation, I only went back on it for 1 week towards the end of August).
    My only outstanding issue is mild dysphagia which seems to happen 2-3 times a week, but it doesn't last too long, and it is getting better/becoming less frequent week by week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be great to find out how this linxter is doing now - well i hope!

      Delete
  3. What would to hear an update on how you are doing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello, your last update was last year I just wondering how you are doing now? Hope everything is going well. I'm having tests with the hope that I am eligible for the LINX. Can you say where you had your LINX procedure performed? Best regards.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi can you comment how the linx is working for you . I am not sure whether to have the fundoplication or linx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great blog by the way. Very informative

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi, thanks for the blog, really useful to know about how people get on after surgery. I'm currently looking into it myself. Was just wondering how you are getting on now, since its been 14 months since your surgery.

    All the best,
    Philip

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi - I'd be interested to know how you are getting on now. I had the linx implanted a few weeks ago - it's definitely a rocky road for me!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, I'm 5 days post surgery and just wanted to let you know that I have felt that your blog has really guided me and has been a God sent. My recovery so far has been very similar to yours. I really hope you get this message as I was wondering how your are doing now, you must be 2 years out now. Perhaps do a quick blog update? Thanks again for your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, I'm 5 days post linx surgery and I've felt that your blog has been a God sent. It's kept me motivated. My recovery has been very similar to yours so far. I was wondering how you doing now, you must be 2 years out. Could I tempt you to do another update? :) thanks again for the blog.

    ReplyDelete