Fundoplication surgery lasted 16.5 years

I had fundoplication 16 and a half years ago.  I was 38yrs.  Now the symptoms first returned as waking up with morning burning in my throat for a month.  Then I got up three weeks ago and all the symptoms:  burning, chest pain and pressure, difficulty breathing, panic attacks, all came back.  I had an upper GI barium swallow that showed wrap still in place.  I have also had chest and adominal (abdominal) xrays.  Nothing.  I am taking Nortripteline  but am only at 30 mg and need to reach 50 mg to see it it the old phantom syndrome know as neurological pain.  the Nortripteline will block the pain pathway in brain if this it the cause.  
Can anyone tell me what other tests would help to show if the wrap is just loose and leaking?  What are my options as the high dosages of Nexium are causing more chest tighting and the previcaid isnt getting rid of sympotms.  Prilosec does nothing.  What are my surgery options, risks, and percent chance of success.  My first surgery was at Dartmouth hospital, NH.
Thanks!

[Flycaster305]

Sorry for your troubles.  I've had the nissen F.  procedure and know the relief it can and does bring.

I'm not a health professional, so keep that in mind, but have you had an event such as flu, etc causing vomiting or something that would break open the wrap?

I'm also a heart patient, and have had quite a few stents inserted, a pacemaker, and finally bypass.  You used the word chest tightening, that's certainly a symptom of angina.  Some Gerd symptoms are difficult to sort out compared to angina.  I'd urge you to have your heart checked by a Cardiologist, perhaps a stress test would be in order.  If I were in your situation, that's what I'd do to stay in control of my health care.

I don't want to give you a new worry point, but options often open doors to knowledge and control of our health.  An EKG gives just a broad overview of the heart function, but a stress test would probably tell you if your heart had any arterial blockages, causing pressure and discomfort.  

Best wishes.  Keep us informed.

[Red_Star]

My mother suffered severely from Gastric Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) for 5 years. She now suffers neither. Throwing away PPI nexium and antacid gaviscon and taking digestive enzyme supplements (helps break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) and betaine HCI with pepsin supplements (helps with the stomach's production of hydrochloric acid), GERD and LPR were gone in a few weeks!  After a year of these supplements, my mother's gastritis improved 95% (suffered for 25 years)!!

"The popular belief is that acid reflux is due to an excessive amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. New science has revealed that this is not the case. GERD is most often caused by too little hydrochloric acid being secreted by the stomach.

During digestion the stomach secretes acid to lower its pH to around 1.5-2.5 range. More protein in the meal results in a greater need for stomach acid. Individuals with non-obstructive acid reflux are often not able to get their pH low enough. The LES is known to be a pH sensitive valve that initiates closure when pH drops under 3.0. When the stomach does not have enough acid, the LES remains open and acid can spill into the esophageal region and damage the tissue."

[Flycaster305]

RedStar, if her wrap is has come loose, there is no LES that is working at all.  I would get both an Endoscopy as well as have a heart stress test before taking any medications at all.  When one has possible cardiac symptoms, that should be checked out asap.  GERD and Angina symtoms (symptoms) are best sorted out by a health professional from my experience before popping OTC medications.  

[ladypearl]

Thank you so much for the good ideas.  I immediately went to my doctor office on the day I called with symptoms for EKG.  I will make sure to get a stress test too, especially if I need surgery.  I will also look into the health meds as I might feel better on them than the Prevacid.  I've got 2 weeks more to go to on the Nortriptiline to find out if this is Neurological pathway pain.  Although it doesn't feel like it.  I will keep you posted.  My best to everyone!

[ladypearl]

I forgot to let you know that I didn't have sickness or flu.  I felt great the day before the symptoms came on.  Also, I have a lot of burning from the acid.  After the EKG my doctor put me on the Prevacid.  I agree that these problems need experienced medical attention.  I will have been waiting for the GI appt. for about 2 months before seeing him.  We must have a shortage of professionals here.  I did put my name on the cancellation list too.  Three weeks later no call.  I have four weeks left before my apt.  My general doctor orded a upper GI Barium swallow and chest xray to see if anything showed up to try to get me into the GI doctor sooner.  Upper GI came back fine and I will check on xray tomorrow.  If you have any other ideas let me know.  Its so hard to wait with this level of discomfort.  
Thanks again