Disappointing Update on Nissan Fundoplication

If you read back, I had a Nissan Fundoplication done almost 3 years ago to address GERD/acid reflux, as well as regurgitation of food and drink.  It's an irreversible procedure where they tighten your lower esophageal sphincter (where your esophagus and stomach meet) to prevent acid and anything else from backing up into your esophagus.  Well, I had a endoscopy last November that showed inflammation in my esophagus and was told to take 2 weeks worth of OTC Prilosec and not to worry, I wouldn't need to keep taking it.  Unfortunately, since then, I've begun to notice regular heartburn/reflux and have started taking it daily.  :::sigh:::

5 week Post-Botox Follow-up

Those that know my plight with migraines keep asking me "so how's that Botox working out?" and if you follow this blog, you're probably wondering the same thing.  So, I'll fill you in. ;)

The first couple of weeks following the Botox I didn't really notice any improvement and was a little discouraged to say the least.  I was still having almost daily migraines (my average has been 3-5 days of migraine per week, sometimes 7 days) and I not only didn't feel well, but I also didn't feel like posting such a grim update.  But, the third week started out with 2 days of migraine and then, lo and behold, I made it 5 days before the next bout.  Week 4 was the same...2 days of migraine (coincidentally the same days of the week) and then 5 days of no migraine.  And now, as of today, I've made it 6 days!

I had my 1 month follow-up with my Neuro on Monday and he said he has seen Botox have a cumulative effect with his patients.  Now, I haven't read anything of the sort, but he swears he has many patients who notice better and better results with each subsequent series of injections (which you get every 3 months) and says he even has a patient who I believe he said has been through 6 series and is not getting any migraines, nor has she returned for the 7th series!  So, we shall see where this leads, but 6 series of injections is about a year and a half away!

48 hrs Post-Botox...

Ok...Botox injections were a little over 48 hrs ago.  The toxin has further spread through the injected muscles...I know this because I can feel the difference when I raise my eyebrows or try to make an "angry face."

Observe "Angry Face."  Notice my forehead barely wrinkles, especially between the brows.

It can take approx. 4 days to notice an effect, so I'm not shaking my angry fist too hard at the fact that I currently have a migraine.  It's not a horrid, go hide in a dark room and try not to puke up your dinner migraine, but it's uncomfortable nonetheless.  I can most likely attribute this one to hormones, as the sky seems to be clear and no storms are on the immediate horizon.  I think I may have a regular headache on top of it, because my forehead kind of hurts and I can feel a little temple pain on the opposite side.  If it gets much worse, I'll pop a Maxalt and suffer the side effects.  Let's hope this is one of my last migraines for a long time!  ::fingers crossed::

Botox for Migraines...

Yes, yes...it's another medical journey for me!  Today, I got injections of Botox in an attempt to reduce my migraines.

Here you can see my pincushion forehead

I received approx 20 injections total (I could be missing a couple).  8 to the forehead, 2 on either side of my head (4 total), and (here's where the numbers get fuzzy) I believe 4 to the base of my skull, and then 4 more down the sides of my neck (2 each side).  I'll admit it...they hurt.  I mean, what did I expect...he was forcing liquid (toxic liquid at that) into my muscles.  Think back to the last time you got a vaccination...maybe Tetanus   Yeah..it hurts.  My forehead seems to have calmed down a bit (got the shots 4 1/2 hrs ago), but my neck muscles are rather sore when I move my head side to side.

There hasn't been any immediate effect.  I can still make an "angry face" and cause plenty of wrinkles between my brows, but the Dr did tell me it would take a few days for the toxin (or did he try to call it medicine? :P) to spread out into the muscles.  As you can see by the photo, when I left his office, I had several swollen bumps...he was sure to tell me not to try to massage the injection sites...just wait.

I am to continue my current med routine for migraines, which includes Gabapentin (1200mg/day in three divided doses), which is an anticonvulsant, and Maxalt 10mg as a rescue drug.  Neither are fabulous helpers, thus the Botox.  At some point, I'll get into my migraine history with you so you can either relate to me and we can hold a pity party or you can just sit on the outskirts of the pity party and feel sorry for me. lol  But, just for reference on WHY I'm doing Botox...I'm a 3-5 days of migraine per week sufferer...or maybe I should change that to *was* ;)

Long time, no update...

So...now that I am about to venture into another medical journey, it dawned on me that I never gave an update post-endoscopy from my surgery last year!  Gasp!  So, here's my update in a nutshell:


I am still off antacids/proton pump inhibitors, both OTC and Rx!


I think we got to the bottom of the horrid stomach aches (and diarrhea)- at my post-endoscopy visit with the APRN, she reviewed my file from my previous Gastro Doc...turns out, I have Lymphocytic Colitis, which for all intents and purposes causes those symptoms.  It's a life long disease and though the cause is not known, some experts believe it to be an autoimmune disorder.  It's something that normally only happens to adults 60+ yrs old...and I'm essentially half that age.  After my last colonoscopy, my Gastro Doc had reported to me over the phone that I had "a little colitis."  She failed to mention the full diagnosis AND it's lifelong implications.  So, now I'm more aware.  Thankfully, I don't suffer daily like many LC sufferers do...I tend to have "flare-ups" instead.  But, thankfully, I did NOT have any serious side effect from the surgery.  So, if you happen to be reading my blog because you're researching Nissen Fundoplication surgery, I encourage you to disregard my complaints of severe stomach pain. ;)


And yes, the intense shoulder pain from the CO2 did eventually go away....though I will admit, it took a very long time.  I am thankful that we can only have memories of having pain, but not actually relive it when we recall it.


Well...that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!  My next medical adventure?  Botox for migraines...

The 4 Week Mark, Post-Nissen

So, tomorrow will mark 4 weeks post-Nissen Fundoplication and I will be having an urgent endoscopy done.  Such fun.

Those random stomach aches I referred to my last post...well, they increased in frequency and are now a daily, debilitating occurrence coupled with nausea.  In fact, this morning I found myself hugging the porcelain bowl for a few minutes while I dry heaved over it (the joy of surgery- can't vomit!).  The only thing that seems to lessen the pain (which is a dull, achy pain) is a shot of PeptoBismol.  Of course, I can't take that everyday for the rest of my life, so something's gotta give.  I was so sick this morning, I missed class.

So, I called my surgeon's office to ask about my 3 weeks of increasing stomach issues and they didn't seem to think it was their problem and referred me to my Gastro doc.  Of course, my gastro doc has left the state, so they made me an appt with the APRN on staff.  I asked if someone could at least call me back with some suggestions for coping strategies (I have to work all weekend) and they said they would.  When they did, I was told the doctor wanted me to have an endoscopy sooner rather than later (but never told me what they're going to look for or what they suspect). 

Soooo...tomorrow, at 11:15 am, I will be getting all set up for my lovely scoping.  Joy.

As for an update on how eating is going....aside from being forced back to clear liquids today for the procedure tomorrow, I have been eating mush.  Things still get stuck if not chewed into minute bits or if I swallow too much, so I am not venturing past mushy stuff yet.  Instant mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, pudding, apple sauce, and the occasional bits of a cheese burger (no bun or pickles) have been my diet.  I don't eat much and I don't eat often....I'm pretty sure my body is upset by this and is craving more nutrients, but the stomach aches and nausea have NOT helped in that department.

I'll update after I know more from the GI doc.

15 Days Post-Nissen...

I seem to be healing up nicely.  If you were to look at my belly, you'd probably think my cat attacked me rather than that I had surgery.  At this point, I still feel no hunger (not complaining) and I'm eating soft stuff.  Last night we went out for dinner as a family to Outback Steakhouse...I ordered fish and a glass of water...oh, and a side salad to share with my youngest.  I didn't eat much, but what I did eat went down ok.  I usually don't know things are "stuck" until I take a sip of my beverage...then I get this enormous pressure in my chest.  It eventually goes down, but for a minute or two is very uncomfortable.

My bowels still haven't returned to normal, but luckily my original 6-7 visits to the bathroom have reduced to 1 every day or every 2 days.  It's getting better.

I go back to work in 1 week, which is a week earlier than I was supposed to.  I read online that many people return to work in a week, but I think I was told longer due to my occupation (CNA).  Thankfully, I should still be able to avoid heavy lifting, which will remain off limits for a while longer.

I've also been having random stomachaches...they feel like gastritis. I'm hoping they pass.

Follow-up with the Dr at the end of September!

Diet clarification...good news!

So, after my "cheating" yesterday, I figured I'd call the doc and see if I was officially able to upgrade my diet.  He said I can upgrade to soft foods now!  Yay!  So things like applesauce, pudding, baked potatoes, tiny pasta, eggs...all a GO!

My throat is very confused though...I am getting that lump in my throat that I was complaining about before surgery...it was one of my top symptoms.  I'm not sure what's going on here.  I am still taking my reflux meds (Dexilant) and am not feeling any 'regurgitation' or anything.  I don't feel like the food isn't getting through...this lump usually appears about 1/2 hr to an hr after I've eaten.  Last night I felt nauseous again, so I took some Reglan...when I woke up, I felt fine and the lump was gone...but it reappeared shortly after being awake.  I've had it all day now.  It went away for a bit when I tried eating a scrambled egg (yum), but is back again.  Ugh.

I'll just keep taking it very slow with the food (and avoiding dairy in anything more than tiny doses!) and I'll ask the doc on Monday about this globus sensation.

Revenge of the thwarted diet...

So...I admit it....I cheated twice yesterday on my "clear liquids"....and I paid for it! First I had about 1/2-3/4 of a snack sized McFlurry (oreo cookie..mmmm). It was all soft and mushy, and my tightened LES tolerated it well. However, hours later, I realized that my intestines did not. :o

Before the revenge started, I also sneaked some delicious french fries from my husbands Popeye's dinner (those are the best darn fries ever!). I was sure to chew them very well and take sips of liquid with them. I felt I was tolerating them well too. However, a couple hours later I felt that all familiar lump in my throat. Not sure if I actually had fries stuck or what. And then the "revenge" set it.

I guess from what I've read, it's normal for some people to have diarrhea when resuming dairy products, so it was probably the ice cream that did it. But, on the other hand, I needed it. I still had so much CO2 built up from the surgery and hadn't passed gas in 5 days, so I feel a little less bloated today.

Still feeling sharp, stabbing pains in my shoulders. I was hoping that would have been gone by now. And I have to say that mornings are probably the worst, belly pain-wise...the shifting from laying down to sitting up just kind of tugs on everything differently and makes it ache. But, I've cut my Rx pain meds down to two when i wake and two when i go to bed...then throughout the day, I try to space them out and take only one if i need it.