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From: Chris Baxter on 9 Jun 2008 13:12

"tj1" <tjohnson01(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2863511b-b3bd-4b40-a43c-a49239dc9684(a)27g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> On Jun 2, 5:35 pm, christophe <chris_p...(a)optusnet.com.au> wrote:
>> On May 30, 5:45 pm, tj1 <tjohnso...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Christophe, how are you doing now?
>>
>> > I had the operation over a year ago, and by far the thing that works
>> > best for me to avoid reflux is to eat small meals. I can drink
>> > coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and just about anything else without
>> > getting reflux. However, if I over-eat, then I will have problems.
>> > Eating small meals keeps my stomach from getting too stretched out,
>> > and keeps pressure off of my LES. Plus, the meal digests quicker and
>> > then there's nothing to reflux. It's taken me awhile to learn this,
>> > as before I would eat a big meal, or a series of big meals over a
>> > period of time and and my stomach would get all stretched out, and I'd
>> > start to get reflux. Then I'd worry that my wrap had come undone.
>> > But then after a 7 day course of reglan and small meals I'd be fine.
>>
>> I have some good days, some bad days. The surgeon thinks that swelling
>> might still be causing me some irritation. I have an endoscopy booked
>> for another 3 months and that should be more conclusive.
>> I agree with you about the hazards of big meals - not just for reflux,
>> but for health in general. I am not drinking beer, but have 3 to 4
>> glasses of shiraz most nights. I also have two coffees a day and drink
>> Japanese green tea and water to keep my fluids up. I return to the gym
>> this week.
>> Post fundo, gas is quite a problem. I also get a little constipated. I
>> might not be refluxing at all, although some of the symptoms seem to
>> mimic reflux.
>> Thanks for sharing sure experiences. Your feedback is both very
>> positive and very useful. I was curious about your use of reglan.
>> Isn't that drug used for bile reflux? What tests have you had post op
>> to ensure the wrap is ok?
>> Best wishes,
>> chris
>
> I had good and bad days also after the surgery, and it took about 6
> weeks for everything to calm down. I didn't eat anything solid for
> about a month, then when I did, it would sometimes get stuck on the
> way down and take a while to go through the wrap. Very painful. it's
> like I would eat, and my esophagus would get full but my LES wouldn't
> open to let the food down. So my esophagus would spasm, which was
> painful, but, after a few minutes it would go down. Another thing to
> realize is that it will take your esophagus a long time to heal from
> years of chronic reflux. At first, I thought I was having symptoms
> after the surgery but it was just irritation from food passing because
> my throat was so irritated. It's still hyper-sensitive but I realize
> it's not reflux.
>
> The tests I had post-op were a barium swallow and that alkaline/acid
> PH test (not bravo, the other one that measures alkaline also) about 3
> months after the surgery. One thing I would be VERY careful of is
> going to the gym too early. I did alot of walking and stuff post op,
> but didn't go to the gym for about 8 weeks. Then when I did return,
> it was very slow. The surgeon said working out wouldn't hurt the
> wrap, but in the past I would get reflux from bench press or situps or
> anything that was strenuous. So make sure you take things easy. I
> still don't lift anything over 60 pounds and had to give up rock
> climbing because it made the surgery area (right below my solar
> plexus) hurt like hell.
>
> I'm about a year out from surgery and still my worst day post-op is
> about a million times better than my best day pre-op, so I consider it
> a success. I'm sure you'll be fine.
>

Are you regularly lifting 60 pounds? Has your surgical repair tolerated
this on an ongoing basis? I didn't know the fundoplication repair surgery
could tolerate lifting weights of that amount.

I also don't know if it makes a difference what your body weight or size is
when it comes to how much weight lifting the surgical repair can tolerate.
I could make 60 pounds the heaviest I would life and still be able to
maintain my fitness but I am a female who is fairly small. I don't know if
a surgical repair could tolerate that amount of intrabdominal pressures in a
smaller framed person. -Chris


From: tj1 on 10 Jun 2008 01:23
On Jun 9, 11:12 am, "Chris Baxter" <cgbax...(a)cableone.net> wrote:
> "tj1" <tjohnso...(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:2863511b-b3bd-4b40-a43c-a49239dc9684(a)27g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > On Jun 2, 5:35 pm, christophe <chris_p...(a)optusnet.com.au> wrote:
> >> On May 30, 5:45 pm, tj1 <tjohnso...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >> > Christophe, how are you doing now?
>
> >> > I had the operation over a year ago, and by far the thing that works
> >> > best for me to avoid reflux is to eat small meals. I can drink
> >> > coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and just about anything else without
> >> > getting reflux. However, if I over-eat, then I will have problems.
> >> > Eating small meals keeps my stomach from getting too stretched out,
> >> > and keeps pressure off of my LES. Plus, the meal digests quicker and
> >> > then there's nothing to reflux. It's taken me awhile to learn this,
> >> > as before I would eat a big meal, or a series of big meals over a
> >> > period of time and and my stomach would get all stretched out, and I'd
> >> > start to get reflux. Then I'd worry that my wrap had come undone.
> >> > But then after a 7 day course of reglan and small meals I'd be fine.
>
> >> I have some good days, some bad days. The surgeon thinks that swelling
> >> might still be causing me some irritation. I have an endoscopy booked
> >> for another 3 months and that should be more conclusive.
> >> I agree with you about the hazards of big meals - not just for reflux,
> >> but for health in general. I am not drinking beer, but have 3 to 4
> >> glasses of shiraz most nights. I also have two coffees a day and drink
> >> Japanese green tea and water to keep my fluids up. I return to the gym
> >> this week.
> >> Post fundo, gas is quite a problem. I also get a little constipated. I
> >> might not be refluxing at all, although some of the symptoms seem to
> >> mimic reflux.
> >> Thanks for sharing sure experiences. Your feedback is both very
> >> positive and very useful. I was curious about your use of reglan.
> >> Isn't that drug used for bile reflux? What tests have you had post op
> >> to ensure the wrap is ok?
> >> Best wishes,
> >> chris
>
> > I had good and bad days also after the surgery, and it took about 6
> > weeks for everything to calm down. I didn't eat anything solid for
> > about a month, then when I did, it would sometimes get stuck on the
> > way down and take a while to go through the wrap. Very painful. it's
> > like I would eat, and my esophagus would get full but my LES wouldn't
> > open to let the food down. So my esophagus would spasm, which was
> > painful, but, after a few minutes it would go down. Another thing to
> > realize is that it will take your esophagus a long time to heal from
> > years of chronic reflux. At first, I thought I was having symptoms
> > after the surgery but it was just irritation from food passing because
> > my throat was so irritated. It's still hyper-sensitive but I realize
> > it's not reflux.
>
> > The tests I had post-op were a barium swallow and that alkaline/acid
> > PH test (not bravo, the other one that measures alkaline also) about 3
> > months after the surgery. One thing I would be VERY careful of is
> > going to the gym too early. I did alot of walking and stuff post op,
> > but didn't go to the gym for about 8 weeks. Then when I did return,
> > it was very slow. The surgeon said working out wouldn't hurt the
> > wrap, but in the past I would get reflux from bench press or situps or
> > anything that was strenuous. So make sure you take things easy. I
> > still don't lift anything over 60 pounds and had to give up rock
> > climbing because it made the surgery area (right below my solar
> > plexus) hurt like hell.
>
> > I'm about a year out from surgery and still my worst day post-op is
> > about a million times better than my best day pre-op, so I consider it
> > a success. I'm sure you'll be fine.
>
> Are you regularly lifting 60 pounds? Has your surgical repair tolerated
> this on an ongoing basis? I didn't know the fundoplication repair surgery
> could tolerate lifting weights of that amount.
>
> I also don't know if it makes a difference what your body weight or size is
> when it comes to how much weight lifting the surgical repair can tolerate.
> I could make 60 pounds the heaviest I would life and still be able to
> maintain my fitness but I am a female who is fairly small. I don't know if
> a surgical repair could tolerate that amount of intrabdominal pressures in a
> smaller framed person. -Chris

Yes. I weigh about 190lbs and today I was doing curls with 40lb
dumbbells. But I can lift a little more in that exercise because the
ab muscles basically just stabilize. But if I were to do incline/
regular/decline bench press I wouldn't use more than 30's. Also, any
sort of overhead pulldown's or pullups are out of the question.
Anything that causes me to strain my abs, like leg press, or just
straining with too heavy a weight can irritate the surgery area. I've
also done some pretty strenuous swimming without any problems. The
surgeon also said that the stitches used for the hernia repair are
very strong.
From: christophe on 10 Jun 2008 19:02
On Jun 9, 8:15 am, "Vanny" <Vannyss2...(a)antispam.com> wrote:
> Crohn's disease doesn't necessarily mean that one can't have a
> fundoplication. It depends on the location of the Crohn's - it can occur
> anywhere between the mouth and anus.
>
> I discussed fundoplication with my surgeon in May 2006 where a key issue is
> not being able to (easily) vomit thereafter. I had to be admitted for gall
> bladder removal, which was causing me a great deal of pain every time I ate.
> One feature of my Crohn's is that I keep on having subileus (serious almost
> complete closure of the small intestine) and the usual means of this
> resolving itself is involuntary vomiting. My surgeon agreed that, in my
> particular case, a fundoplication would perhaps not be such a good idea
> because a subileus in the future might develop into a full ileus or lead to
> intestinal perforation if I was not able to vomit. This would mean a
> laparoscopic operation and the loss of part of my intestine or my life. I
> have already been operated on 9 times, including 5 lapararoscopies and have
> lost over 2 metres of my gut - colon, rectum, terminal ileum and 30 cm of
> the midsection of the ileum. I can't afford to lose anymore intestine
> because I already have intestinal failure (aka short bowel syndrome), which
> makes me very weak and incapable.
>
> At the moment PPIs are not just good for my GERD, but are also good for my
> intestinal failure. Basically, I am missing the sphincters and feedback
> mechanisms in my gut, which leads to due to the malabsorbtion and
> malnutrition. As a result the stomach produces excess acid (perpetual
> starvation), as food is dumped into the duodenum and the transit time
> through the intestine is so high. Hence, I have to be injected with the
> fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and folic acid, and I take sublingual
> vitamin B12 because I had an anaphylactic shock at the third injection. I
> also drink astronaut drinks and I have had a couple of short spells of TPN
> (total parenteral nutrition).
>
> My Crohn's is a smouldering form of Crohn's, which is present all the time.
> I have not really had a period of remission and have been sick since I was a
> child, but it only went fulminant in my late 20's. I am on chemotherapy, but
> my liver is being damaged and we will probably have to change the treatment
> soon. The signs of inflammation have also been increasing steadily over the
> past couple of years.
>
> There are patients who only have one bout of Crohn's and then it goes into
> remission. However, these are generally far and few between. The majority of
> Crohn's patients will be operated on at sometime in their lives and have
> other problems as the disease can indirectly affect most organs, including
> skin, joints, eyes, brain, liver, pancreas, kidneys, etc., as the
> inflammation spreads around the body.
>
> Vanny
>
>
>
> > Thanks, Bob. I continue to improve and hope that gerd has become a
> > disease of the past. I am able to eat most things except for very soft
> > bread. Of course, I still have to eat slowly - which is not a bad
> > thing when you think about it. All of the sacrifices seem worthwhile.
> > I can even cope with the gas!
>
> > Vanny, I'm sorry that you had such a bad time with your ex partner. I
> > agree with you - alcohol often contributes to poor relationships. My
> > students usually keep me on the straight and narrow, though. I have
> > two groups of students on Saturday and Sunday and I return to full
> > time work in early July. In other words, I'll be working 7 days a week
> > again pretty soon. There will be less time for alcohol then.
>
> > Just on your situation, Vanny, I know you have Chrohn's disease, but
> > is a fundo (partial or full) completely out of the question. I also
> > remember reading about surgical intervention for Chrohn's as well. Is
> > it possible for your symptoms to go into remission? Also, how do the
> > PPIs affect your other gastro problems?
> > chris

If the reflux is controlled with the PPIs, I suppose that there is no
need for surgery in your case. I have never heard of the use of PPIs
for intestinal failure. I'm glad they're useful for something :) How
often do you vomit, Vanny? I vomit very rarely. At the hospital, I was
slightly nauseas. One anti nausea wafer and the discomfort was over in
seconds. I also know one person who definitely can vomit after the
surgery! Everyone is so different and not all wraps are the same.

Your chrohns' sounds like the most debilitating of all long term
diseases. I don't think I could face it as bravely as you do, nor for
so long. Your intelligence obviously helps you to get through as does
your very through research. From afar, I wish you the very best.


Many thanks also to Chris B and tj. The only exercise I do at the gym
is cardio. I used to use the tread for 20 minutes (at a pretty good
speed), bike 20 minutes and 20 minutes of various cross trainers.
When I go back, I'll probably go very lightly on the bike, but I think
the other cardio should be alright. I also have to make sure that I
have no abdominal strain during the warm down. However, I never lift
weights.

On food after the fundo, I'm eating almost anything I want.
Occasionally, I suffer after eating too quickly or having very soft
bread in which case I stand up and walk about a bit. Oddly enough,
washing it down with any kind of liquid only seems to make it worse.
Anyway, I'm getting this problem less frequently now. What I am still
getting is a build up of saliva (not everyday) in my throat. My throat
is also slightly sore on occasions and I seem to be able to taste some
food or the menthol lozenges I use hours after consumption. How long
will continue for? I'm over 6 weeks post op now. I also still feel a
little sore on or around the incisions. However, overall, I'm both
busy and happy and my life is a hell of a lot better than it was
before.




From: Bob Noble on 11 Jun 2008 01:59
> little sore on or around the incisions. However, overall, I'm both
> busy and happy and my life is a hell of a lot better than it was
> before.
Big smile when I read this Chris................. :O)
I had gerd long enough and bad enough that getting rid of it was, like,
fantastic. :O)
Good luck to you.

--
Bob Noble
http://www.sonic.net/bnoble
>
> On food after the fundo, I'm eating almost anything I want.
> Occasionally, I suffer after eating too quickly or having very soft
> bread in which case I stand up and walk about a bit. Oddly enough,
> washing it down with any kind of liquid only seems to make it worse.
> Anyway, I'm getting this problem less frequently now. What I am still
> getting is a build up of saliva (not everyday) in my throat. My throat
> is also slightly sore on occasions and I seem to be able to taste some
> food or the menthol lozenges I use hours after consumption. How long
> will continue for? I'm over 6 weeks post op now. I also still feel a
>
>
>
>

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