Esophageal Spasm following Nissan Lap Fundiplication

[Whiteiris]

Three weeks ago, I underwent a Nissan Lap Fundiplication for relief of severe and chronic reflux.  I have been on a liquid/soft diet since the surgery.  Two nights ago, I experienced severe spasms of the esophagus which mimiced cardiac pain up into the jaw and back areas, and went to the Emergency Room.  No cardiac problem could be found, thus I note my suspicion of esophageal spasms.  I had got the spasms after eating mashed potatos.

How common are these spasms after fundiplication surgery?  Is there something wrong with my surgery that needs correction?  Do these spasms go away over the healing process?

Thanks for your input.

[mewse]

Hi,

I had a Lap Nissen in February.  I had esophageal spasms before the surgery and still have them.  They are quite painful but I gulp cool water until the pain subsides. Lying down seems to make them worse for me, so I stretch and walk around.  I also try to regulate my breathing and not get overly anxious about the pain.


Hope this helps.

[Whiteiris]

I saw my surgeon Monday and they put me back on Reglan for a month to help regulate the movements of the esophagus.  So far it seems to be working!

It has been 3 weeks to the day since my surgery and at lunch I was able to eat one piece of fish (without breading) and a cup of clam chowder!  Will miracles never cease!

[emotions327]

heyy ive undergone 2 nissan's both came undone and am getting ready to go in for a 3rd. Spasms are really really common after the surgery, i felt like i was having a heart attack i ate to large of a piece of bread and my esophugus wasnt large enough to take it so it went in spasms until it could finally drag iut down i felt like i was swallowing a huge knife! but be careful it happens a lot any type of really starchy food ie bread potatoes etc u have a risk of having a spasm i would recommend taking VERY small bites until the wrap loosens a bit and over time the spasms will lessen or atleast wont last as long. soda and eating at the same time is an absolute no no your just asking for a spasm! muscle relaxers can help also reglan can but it has some nasty effects on some. i personally cant take it it makes me wicked depressed and paranoid but for others it makes them tired its all how your body reacts to it.

[Bionic Granny]

I had a nissan done in May 2000 and have had no problems with spasms. I have talked with several people and if the nissan is too tight it can cause spasms and needs to be redone--that is why the motility test is so important. Also before they did my surgery, I had my esophagus dialated and the tube size determined the wrap-  full or partial wrap. You did not say if you had a partial wrap or a full wrap. It does make a difference. My only drawback from my surgery was the fact that during detachment of the arteries connecting the funda to the spleen, my spleen ruptured and had to be removed. My nissan has been a God-send, because I no longer have reflux and can eat alot of things I had given up eating. I stay away from red meat as we are not carnervours. Our teeth do not resemble any other animal and were not made to tear and chew meat. I have had to have nine incisonal hernias repaired and just had to have alot of adhesions removed which resulted in my intestines not functioning and had to go back in to have an NG tube placed to removed the bile out of my stomach. Nothing but problems in other areas since. I could use a little advice on why this is happening to me. Just can't seem to heal.

[JP113]

A related discussion, Same here was started.