I wish you luck with your tests! So do you think it's non-acid reflux or do you feel like it's acid? I know mine always felt like burning acid right up in my breastbone. What medicine are you on? It sounds like it's no fun :( But just keep remembering how these tests are going to make things clearer so you get the right type of surgery!

I understand about the hypochondriac thing... it's hard not to be worried or scared when it's health and unknown! And it's hard to keep a positive attitude when you are not feeling well :(

Keep us updated and good luck with it!!

Time for me to take some DayQuil because I don't feel well (Stupid sinus'). I hate the feeling of the pills getting stuck right above the LINX. I have noticed if I take about 10 sips of water and just keep swallowing it will pass... so that's at least good... annoying but good!

Oh yay! Another Cincinnati person!!

I had Dr. Howard Deckter first and I can't stress enough how unfriendly he is. I can't stand him at all. I really don't like to be hateful or anything but he's always just blown me off and been rude. He just kept pushing pills. He did do an endoscopy but it had to be redone later since he didn't seem to care about notes or helping. He's from GI Consultants over on Montgomery Rd. I changed to another guy in the practice, Dr. Allan Peck. He was a lot nicer but obsessed with thinking it was my gallbladder and had me go through lots of NOT FUN testing. It wasn't my gallbladder!!! He then just kept pushing pills (all PPI's) on me. I remember begging for a pH test and starting to cry in his office and him saying he's doing the best he can. He wasted a lot of my time.

I can say Dr. Paul Taiganides has been great. I know I sound like a broken record praising him but after what I've been through I am so glad I found him. He wasn't trying to push anything on me. He listened, answered every question I had and gave me facts. He wanted to do the pH test, endoscopy and manometry ASAP and find out exactly what was going on. After the facts he then presented me options. He seriously cares about his patients and their health, not just getting you in and out the door for more money. So even though he's 3 hours away - we are lucky to have the best LINX surgeon and such a caring doctor around somewhat close to us!

I'm still a walking poster child of happiness for it LOL

When I first had the surgery I could feel it when I would breath heavy or woke up in the morning. It was just a pressure, nothing painful just weird because I could feel it. I can't feel it anymore or at least can't remember feeling it - so that's a good sign :)

The foods/pills getting stuck is the biggest complaint... but it should go away.

Hey NDL, How you doing. Im 7 weeks now and the food stuck problem is nearly gone. If you are still struggling, have a small bowl of soup first to get the Linx working or the best solution I have found is a glass of wine or 2 before eating, the food flys down although im sure this is not the best advice You stop fealing the Linx after about 4 weeks as the growth starts to form around the bracelet.

dany1982 - I had to prop my bed up and always sleep on my left side before LINX. I'd wake up all night with heartburn and reflux. OMG I don't miss that! I've been sleeping so much better. I haven't taken my bed down from being propped up - not because of the reflux but because I'm lazy LOL I haven't woke up from heartburn or indigestion at all since the surgery :)

charlieboy - Did you have issues with pills getting stuck at the LINX and it hurting... then it being very painful for it to pass the LINX? This is driving me nuts. It happens with food if I'm not chewing nonstop beforehand. It feels like swallowing an air bubble and it hurts so bad going down. I gotta say, this is my BIGGEST complaint.. but will go away so I'm not too worried. I do need to try soup first, kinda loosen things up. Wine would be a good idea LOL Hell, wine is ALWAYS a good idea ;) I'm wondering if my scar tissue is already starting to grow around the LINX and that's why the swallowing is so messed up?

shrtcak81 - The "burns, burns, burns" part made me think of Johnny Cash and Ring Of Fire... which Ring Of Fire can describe the heartburn for sure! Let us know what your pH test comes back, because if you are feeling that burning it should show on that Bravo monitor.

It's kinda sad you have to take so much medicine just for this issue, you know? Like the PPI's, antidepressant, xanax just to get some relief! Surgery could change your whole world!

You are going to have a manometry also right? They have to check your swallowing and see if you are a candidate for LINX. If you had problems swallowing pills before I'm wondering if that is going to be an issue? I wish these LINX surgeons would come answer stuff on the forum lol

This sinus cold can SHOVE IT!!

NDL. I know which Incisions is hurting you. You have one dead centre, one to the right, one above cnetre and 2 to the left of centre. the one that hurts you is directly left of centre. this is where the Linx was passed through and has the deepest cuts. I also after 7 weeks have a crease at this point. Back to the soup, even just a few spoons will help and this is when I took my pills and they go down well.

charlieboy - yes! it's that exact incision. thanks for telling me that! this forum is great :) it's good to know why and that i'm not alone. i'll need to try the soup before the pills then. i don't usually have a lot of soup, that's why i haven't tried it yet.

gastricman - i took a sudafed and that got stuck, that thing is tiny! i drink more water right after and it went down fine. if it's a bigger pill, like dayquil, then it gets stuck and i have to drink a lot of small sips then it goes down and is painful. foods were getting stuck but since i've been chewing chewing chewing before i swallow, it's gotten a lot better!

i'm glad we all can talk on here because if i didn't have reassurance or advice on some things i'd freak out! LOL so thank you everyone :)

Hi NDL,

Yep, three weeks!

Try this for the pill swallowing... (this is the way I take my pills)...

Place one on your tounge and fill your mouth with cool water most of the way.

Then tilt your head back slightly and swallow hard in one big gulp.

Does this make it better?

Gastricman

Gastricman - I was going to try that with the advil. I took a few sips of water before even putting the pill in my mouth and go figure, an air bubble and then water felt stuck lol. BUT on the good side when I took my benedryl that didn't get stuck. So it's helping a bit! :D

gerd_hater - My surgeon said it's usually 3-6 weeks with the stuck issue. I'm sure hoping it's not going to get worse at 6 weeks!! I'll freak out LOL But it's slowly getting better. Chewing my food A LOT before swallowing is making a world of difference.

BILLING/INSURANCE UPDATE
I called the hospital to pay my bill for the testing I had done. I asked her if she knew about the LINX and if it went through insurance yet. She did say she sees it has been submitted but takes up to 6 weeks. She said they submitted $21,000 bill to insurance. I didn't think to ask if that's the ENTIRE total (including surgeon, anesthesia, etc) but so far that's what I know. Insurance better cover it!! I'll let everyone know more when I know more.

FOOD
I had lasagna today, OMG how I missed that!! And NOTHING, no heartburn. I can't say it enough: LINX IS AMAZING ME SO FAR!!

Hi JPT,

How long have you had your LINX implant and what are the things, pro and con, I should expect after surgery?

Best to be prepared in advance, I guess.

Thanks,

Gastricman

NoDoubtLove Great to hear you are so happy :) Did you get an operative note (if not, you can ask for one; always good to have it handy) and if so, does it mention anything about EndoFlip ?

Gastricman JPT is the guru of Linx recovery around here.

Does anyone have any theories on how suddenly swallowing gets easier around 12 weeks ? I've only heard about the esophageal waves getting stronger in response to the Linx (from JPT) although I am yet to see any data. If true, it would be better than Linx loosening up for any reason although it seems unlikely.

GH

My journal has some more details, NDL. I don't know if Endoflip is standard procedure with the Linx or only USC Keck hospital uses Endoflip.

Right after I read my post I went to yours and saw it. That's pretty interesting, I don't recall seeing that with my stuff. I will call when possible and ask. Thanks :)