Wow..Three years!! It has been a journey of many ups and downs, but I would not trade a day of the ups and downs for life before my Nissen Fundplication. This surgery has given me the ability to live again.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
GUT Health & Our Immune System
Let's talk about GUT Health & Our Immune System...
You are what you Eat and what Lives in your GUT..
It is said that up to 80% of our immune health lives in our GUT (intestinal tract) flora, which plays an crucial role in our overall health. Which is predominantly made up of bacteria meant to aid in digestion, the absorption of nutrients and the ability to fight off diseases. So it goes without saying that if your GUT is out of wack you could run the risk of compromising your health.
One of the first indications of a leaky gut is the rise of food intolerance's. If left unhealed, this can lead to immune abnormalities and eventually autoimmune conditions and other health issues. Some of these include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, depression, migraine headaches, muscle pain and fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, type 1 diabetes, Graves’ disease, colitis, thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, scleroderma, Crohn’s disease and Addison’s disease to name a few.
So what can cause issues in your GUT? are you or have you been antibiotics, do you have a poor diet, eat processed foods, take medications such as NSAID's, do you have stress (don't we all), pollutants & toxins in our environment (out of our control) or this one that I didn't know - drink chlorinated water ??
How can you fix (replace the bad with good) in your GUT?
- Remove the poor quality foods from your diet
- Eat right
- Taking a good ProBiotic (I use ProBio5 with BioCleanse)
- Replace with good supplements multi-vitamin. To better allow the absorption of B12, magnesium and iron
For without a Healthy GUT your immune system can not do it's job properly and your body can be left defenseless. Let's get healthy together!!
Friday, April 3, 2015
Gas Bloat Post Nissen Fundoplication
What is Gas Bloat Syndrome? and how does it Effect me?? and how can I change my diet to help relieve the symptoms???
Gas Bloat Syndrome is an range of complaints due to the inability to vent gas from the stomach to the esophagus post Nissen Fundoplication. The main complaint is bloating but not limited to, it also can include distension, early satiety, nausea, upper abdominal pain, flatulence, inability to belch and the inability to vomit. The cause of this condition is unknown but it has been stated that the following could effect/set off the condition - the inability of the LES to relax (not allowing your body to release the trapped gas in your stomach), Aerophagia, a common habit among patients that suffer(ed) from GERD - which can cause a problem post op as you are no longer able to vent gas, Mouth breathing, Dumping Syndrome and surgical injury to your Vagus Nerve.
To understand what this means, I'm going to break it down for myself and try and figure out how lifestyle changes can help this condition.
Bloating with or with out distension - Here is a good link that explains the condition http://www.iffgd.org/site/manage-your-health/symptoms-causes/bloating-distension
As always check with your doctor as the condition could be caused by something other them just post op complications. Better safe then sorry!!
Satiety - Feeling Full after a meal. Remember the function of your Fundus is to store undigested food and gas released during digestion. See a pattern yet?
Nausea - the excess gas trapped in your stomach can cause nausea
Upper Abdominal Pain - This pain can be the worst..mine sits right on my breast bone and sometimes mimics heartburn.
Flatulence - if you have had a Nissen Fundoplication you know all about this...probably much more then you will ever want to admit.
Inability to belch - I do not suffer from this so I am not able to commit on this topic. Have been able to belch since the procedure. My boys actually taught me how to belch when I was suffering from GERD. Gotta love having three teenage boys!!
Inability to vomit - the number of people who are like what?!? you can't vomit that doesn't make sense. Then the short version of what a NF is and how it works is sure to follow. Have been blessed that this has not been an issue..(knock on wood) I have not had the urge or when i did I relaxed to the best of my ability and the urge passed.
Understanding the Causes:
LES not relaxing the is a given since the surgery is designed to prevent gas stomach acid from backing up into your esophagus..So this one is a given.
Aerophagia/Mouth Breathing - Once this air is in your GI tract any that is not absorbed into the small intestines has to go somewhere. After a NF this generally leads to bloat/abdominal pain.
Dumping Syndrome - please have this checked out - better safe then sorry!!
Vagus Nerve Damage - This is something that I just started researching. Some feel the positioning of the surgeon during the procedure can make a difference if the nerve can be damaged during surgery. Will post on this later when I have more data. SAGES has a lot of information related to vagus nerve injuries and how to prevent.
I believe that increased gas bloat needs to be addressed through a healthy Gut First: How to achieve a Healthy Gut? A good ProBiotic is the first step to healthy gut, exercise and eating vitamin enriched foods.
Good ProBiotics can be found in foods such as: Yogurts, Miso Soup, Sauerkraut (juice), Kefir, Kombucha, Microalgea, pickles, tempeh, kimchi, Poi
The following is a link to products that I have started taking and selling..If you choose please check out this site as my overall Gut health has thanked me. Personally, I am taking the TriPlex Combo & X Factor Vitamin- this includes a good ProBiotic, A cleanse, multi-vitamins and slim to regulate my blood sugar levels.
Pink Mom and Her Three Sons - Click on the link Facebook Page
Pink Mom and Her Three Sons - Click on the link Plexus Page
Please check out my website as it truly has changed my life. Let's get Healthy Together!!
Gas Bloat Syndrome is an range of complaints due to the inability to vent gas from the stomach to the esophagus post Nissen Fundoplication. The main complaint is bloating but not limited to, it also can include distension, early satiety, nausea, upper abdominal pain, flatulence, inability to belch and the inability to vomit. The cause of this condition is unknown but it has been stated that the following could effect/set off the condition - the inability of the LES to relax (not allowing your body to release the trapped gas in your stomach), Aerophagia, a common habit among patients that suffer(ed) from GERD - which can cause a problem post op as you are no longer able to vent gas, Mouth breathing, Dumping Syndrome and surgical injury to your Vagus Nerve.
To understand what this means, I'm going to break it down for myself and try and figure out how lifestyle changes can help this condition.
Bloating with or with out distension - Here is a good link that explains the condition http://www.iffgd.org/site/manage-your-health/symptoms-causes/bloating-distension
As always check with your doctor as the condition could be caused by something other them just post op complications. Better safe then sorry!!
Satiety - Feeling Full after a meal. Remember the function of your Fundus is to store undigested food and gas released during digestion. See a pattern yet?
Nausea - the excess gas trapped in your stomach can cause nausea
Upper Abdominal Pain - This pain can be the worst..mine sits right on my breast bone and sometimes mimics heartburn.
Flatulence - if you have had a Nissen Fundoplication you know all about this...probably much more then you will ever want to admit.
Inability to belch - I do not suffer from this so I am not able to commit on this topic. Have been able to belch since the procedure. My boys actually taught me how to belch when I was suffering from GERD. Gotta love having three teenage boys!!
Inability to vomit - the number of people who are like what?!? you can't vomit that doesn't make sense. Then the short version of what a NF is and how it works is sure to follow. Have been blessed that this has not been an issue..(knock on wood) I have not had the urge or when i did I relaxed to the best of my ability and the urge passed.
Understanding the Causes:
LES not relaxing the is a given since the surgery is designed to prevent gas stomach acid from backing up into your esophagus..So this one is a given.
Aerophagia/Mouth Breathing - Once this air is in your GI tract any that is not absorbed into the small intestines has to go somewhere. After a NF this generally leads to bloat/abdominal pain.
Dumping Syndrome - please have this checked out - better safe then sorry!!
Vagus Nerve Damage - This is something that I just started researching. Some feel the positioning of the surgeon during the procedure can make a difference if the nerve can be damaged during surgery. Will post on this later when I have more data. SAGES has a lot of information related to vagus nerve injuries and how to prevent.
I believe that increased gas bloat needs to be addressed through a healthy Gut First: How to achieve a Healthy Gut? A good ProBiotic is the first step to healthy gut, exercise and eating vitamin enriched foods.
Good ProBiotics can be found in foods such as: Yogurts, Miso Soup, Sauerkraut (juice), Kefir, Kombucha, Microalgea, pickles, tempeh, kimchi, Poi
The following is a link to products that I have started taking and selling..If you choose please check out this site as my overall Gut health has thanked me. Personally, I am taking the TriPlex Combo & X Factor Vitamin- this includes a good ProBiotic, A cleanse, multi-vitamins and slim to regulate my blood sugar levels.
Pink Mom and Her Three Sons - Click on the link Facebook Page
Pink Mom and Her Three Sons - Click on the link Plexus Page
Please check out my website as it truly has changed my life. Let's get Healthy Together!!
Year Two ~ Health, Diet & Exercise
February 2014 ~ Marks Two Years Post Nissen Fundoplication
Let me start off by saying..I should have stayed on smaller portions!!
Personally, I have gained back all the weight that I lost over the past two years. Pretty much like at year one eat and drink what I want..I added soda back into my diet (not recommended - the bloat is not worth it) Went back to work and that was the only thing to drink one day, didn't feel like water I was feeling sluggish and needed caffeine. So soda it was Cherry Coke wish that I had never taken that sip. After adding soda the weight increased and increased, back to my original weight. It wouldn't have been so bad but over the years I had not been putting pressure on my wrap and I was healing fine. Which leads me to my dilation. With the weight gain (almost 35 lbs) and my poor eating habits..I went in for my yearly check up and EGD. My EGD showed that my wrap was intact but to relieve the pressure my GI did a dilation - lower esophageal dilation (LED). This helped in the moment but I worried about the long term effects it could have on my wrap. Never have been one of those people who worry about the integrity of my wrap, having faith that my surgeon knew what he was doing and that he gave my wrap the best chance of surviving. What I've come to realize is that I need to take care of myself in order for my wrap to have the best chance of staying intact.
Notes: No heartburn, No reflux and Gas Bloat still an issue.
Diet: Normal, Eating regular meals
Exercise: Normal could/should do more (fractured my patella so this has been a bit of a setback)
All in All I am so happy to have had this procedure and look forward to my continued health.
Let me start off by saying..I should have stayed on smaller portions!!
Personally, I have gained back all the weight that I lost over the past two years. Pretty much like at year one eat and drink what I want..I added soda back into my diet (not recommended - the bloat is not worth it) Went back to work and that was the only thing to drink one day, didn't feel like water I was feeling sluggish and needed caffeine. So soda it was Cherry Coke wish that I had never taken that sip. After adding soda the weight increased and increased, back to my original weight. It wouldn't have been so bad but over the years I had not been putting pressure on my wrap and I was healing fine. Which leads me to my dilation. With the weight gain (almost 35 lbs) and my poor eating habits..I went in for my yearly check up and EGD. My EGD showed that my wrap was intact but to relieve the pressure my GI did a dilation - lower esophageal dilation (LED). This helped in the moment but I worried about the long term effects it could have on my wrap. Never have been one of those people who worry about the integrity of my wrap, having faith that my surgeon knew what he was doing and that he gave my wrap the best chance of surviving. What I've come to realize is that I need to take care of myself in order for my wrap to have the best chance of staying intact.
Notes: No heartburn, No reflux and Gas Bloat still an issue.
Diet: Normal, Eating regular meals
Exercise: Normal could/should do more (fractured my patella so this has been a bit of a setback)
All in All I am so happy to have had this procedure and look forward to my continued health.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Year One ~ Health, Diet & Exercise
February 24, 2013 ~ Marks one year post op Nissen Fundoplication
As you can see from my previous post there is no need for me to have an EGD as it was completed earlier this month, while in the Hospital. The Results: NO BE (Barrett's Esophagus), my esophagus looks good, my wrap is intact, my stomach issues are slowly going away and my life is returning to normal.
Let me start off with Diet ~ One Year Mark (via my journal - daily intake log)
I'm still eating several small meals a day (breakfast, snack, lunch, shake, dinner and the occasional dessert). I'm pretty much able to eat and drink what I want in moderation.
Example of a daily meal:
Breakfast ~ Fresh Fruit, greek yogurt, granola or english muffin (I've re-introduced bread into my diet - and with this addition I have seen an increase in my gas, bloat and gaining weight) or I have two eggs, fruit and toast.
Snack ~ one of the following: greek yogurt, nuts, fresh fruit (apple, orange - this causes issues sometimes but I live in Indian River County, FL the home of citrus, peaches or fresh berries - pretty much whatever is in season)
Lunch ~ Pretty much whatever my heart tells me I want - well my stomach anyways!
I can eat sandwiches (even Publix Subs), I've tried fast food - my stomach wants it but doesn't thank me after I eat it and Sushi - owe how I've missed you old friend. Probably, my favorite part of healing was being able to each sushi again.
Snack ~ Protein Shake - generally or just a yogurt (I eat lots of greek yogurt -it seems to help my gut)
Dinner ~ "my long lost friend" I cook, love to cook for my boys & husband and this was probably one of the hardest parts of healing. I ate items maybe before I was supposed to.. Well, at a year I can eat pretty much what ever I want. I've enjoyed steak (remember to chew), chicken, pork, fish, pasta, take out - not a fan.
Dessert ~ This is a hard one for me - it appears that sugar is a trigger (it burns my throat at times and makes my ears hurt). I can eat ice cream with a little bit of milk added to the top..yum yum!!
Triggers: I still have issues with tomatoes, onions (raw), foods associated with gas production, sugar
Health: Having trouble regulating my blood sugar - it is always very low, iron deficiency - it is very low even after the transfusion and my energy level declines as the day goes on.
Exercise: I still walk miles a day - love my daily walks along the river what a beautiful sight, I do minimal weight training - less then 10lbs and yoga.
Overall I am so happy that I decided to have this surgery. The side effects are worth the return to Normal and no longer living with GERD.
As you can see from my previous post there is no need for me to have an EGD as it was completed earlier this month, while in the Hospital. The Results: NO BE (Barrett's Esophagus), my esophagus looks good, my wrap is intact, my stomach issues are slowly going away and my life is returning to normal.
Let me start off with Diet ~ One Year Mark (via my journal - daily intake log)
I'm still eating several small meals a day (breakfast, snack, lunch, shake, dinner and the occasional dessert). I'm pretty much able to eat and drink what I want in moderation.
Example of a daily meal:
Breakfast ~ Fresh Fruit, greek yogurt, granola or english muffin (I've re-introduced bread into my diet - and with this addition I have seen an increase in my gas, bloat and gaining weight) or I have two eggs, fruit and toast.
Snack ~ one of the following: greek yogurt, nuts, fresh fruit (apple, orange - this causes issues sometimes but I live in Indian River County, FL the home of citrus, peaches or fresh berries - pretty much whatever is in season)
Lunch ~ Pretty much whatever my heart tells me I want - well my stomach anyways!
I can eat sandwiches (even Publix Subs), I've tried fast food - my stomach wants it but doesn't thank me after I eat it and Sushi - owe how I've missed you old friend. Probably, my favorite part of healing was being able to each sushi again.
Snack ~ Protein Shake - generally or just a yogurt (I eat lots of greek yogurt -it seems to help my gut)
Dinner ~ "my long lost friend" I cook, love to cook for my boys & husband and this was probably one of the hardest parts of healing. I ate items maybe before I was supposed to.. Well, at a year I can eat pretty much what ever I want. I've enjoyed steak (remember to chew), chicken, pork, fish, pasta, take out - not a fan.
Dessert ~ This is a hard one for me - it appears that sugar is a trigger (it burns my throat at times and makes my ears hurt). I can eat ice cream with a little bit of milk added to the top..yum yum!!
Triggers: I still have issues with tomatoes, onions (raw), foods associated with gas production, sugar
Health: Having trouble regulating my blood sugar - it is always very low, iron deficiency - it is very low even after the transfusion and my energy level declines as the day goes on.
Exercise: I still walk miles a day - love my daily walks along the river what a beautiful sight, I do minimal weight training - less then 10lbs and yoga.
Overall I am so happy that I decided to have this surgery. The side effects are worth the return to Normal and no longer living with GERD.
January/February 2013 ~ Almost A Year
January/February 2013, were not friendly months..
Went to the ER extremely dehydrated and suffering from pain in my lower abdomen. The pain scared me as I have read all the horror stories about "Wrap Failures or Slipped Wraps". Sorry for the next couple of sentences - I was having trouble with dumping syndrome, yes this actually a condition and side effect from this operation. It got so bad that I started having pains and became really weak.
Per my journal note: The day was like any other day. I started off eating my normal breakfast of fresh fruits, greek yogurt, granola and a little drizzle of honey - followed by a trip to the restroom. Lunch normal ovengold turkey breast slices, cheese and a bannana - followed by a trip to the restroom. Afternoon snack was normal..you get the point every time I ate or drank anything I had to run to the restroom. This wasn't normal for me, I could eat the foods that I enjoyed, relax after and be normal. My husband said maybe you have the stomach bug. So, I gave it time and after a week of the same routine over & over again and my body feeling like my body had been hit by a Mack Truck I decided to drive myself to the ER. I had never felt so tired, never felt the pain that my stomach was feeling or use the restroom so many times in my life. When I arrived at the ER and explained that I had had a Nissen Fundoplication and Cholecystectomy. Was prepared to once again explain what a Nissen Fundoplication was and why I had the procedure..not this time the doctor that came in the room actually had the procedure as a child (loved picking his brain once the pain mediation kicked in). I was amazed that he had gone so many years with no trouble - this gave me hope!! The ER doctor admitted me because he felt that my pain and symptoms were coming from somewhere, where we had to find out. So the tests began..
CT w/contrast - dislike, ultrasound - easy peasy, blood work bloodwork bloodwork - was very anemic and ended up getting an iron infusion, EGD - showed no Barret's which was amazing news, Colonoscopy - so dislike, was not able to drink everything needed - started causing additional pain - My tests showed no reason for me to be suffering from my symptoms. My spirit was down as I began to believe that it was all in my head..Until the specialist from Miami appeared - he explained that for years I suffered from Silent Reflux and then GERD I'd taken medications not meant for long term use (PPi's), that these medications, the surgeries, the side effects and my overall health were suffering. So at that moment I decided that I was going to eat better and start exercising again..well once I started feeling a little better. I underwent a series of iron infusions which seemed to help once the sickness was gone - not a pleasant experience. He said "It will take over a year to undo the damage your body has caused you over the passed years - Have Faith that you will Be Normal Soon!!"
So After a week in the hospital I was finally home and started to feel this "Normal he spoke of Again"
Went to the ER extremely dehydrated and suffering from pain in my lower abdomen. The pain scared me as I have read all the horror stories about "Wrap Failures or Slipped Wraps". Sorry for the next couple of sentences - I was having trouble with dumping syndrome, yes this actually a condition and side effect from this operation. It got so bad that I started having pains and became really weak.
Per my journal note: The day was like any other day. I started off eating my normal breakfast of fresh fruits, greek yogurt, granola and a little drizzle of honey - followed by a trip to the restroom. Lunch normal ovengold turkey breast slices, cheese and a bannana - followed by a trip to the restroom. Afternoon snack was normal..you get the point every time I ate or drank anything I had to run to the restroom. This wasn't normal for me, I could eat the foods that I enjoyed, relax after and be normal. My husband said maybe you have the stomach bug. So, I gave it time and after a week of the same routine over & over again and my body feeling like my body had been hit by a Mack Truck I decided to drive myself to the ER. I had never felt so tired, never felt the pain that my stomach was feeling or use the restroom so many times in my life. When I arrived at the ER and explained that I had had a Nissen Fundoplication and Cholecystectomy. Was prepared to once again explain what a Nissen Fundoplication was and why I had the procedure..not this time the doctor that came in the room actually had the procedure as a child (loved picking his brain once the pain mediation kicked in). I was amazed that he had gone so many years with no trouble - this gave me hope!! The ER doctor admitted me because he felt that my pain and symptoms were coming from somewhere, where we had to find out. So the tests began..
CT w/contrast - dislike, ultrasound - easy peasy, blood work bloodwork bloodwork - was very anemic and ended up getting an iron infusion, EGD - showed no Barret's which was amazing news, Colonoscopy - so dislike, was not able to drink everything needed - started causing additional pain - My tests showed no reason for me to be suffering from my symptoms. My spirit was down as I began to believe that it was all in my head..Until the specialist from Miami appeared - he explained that for years I suffered from Silent Reflux and then GERD I'd taken medications not meant for long term use (PPi's), that these medications, the surgeries, the side effects and my overall health were suffering. So at that moment I decided that I was going to eat better and start exercising again..well once I started feeling a little better. I underwent a series of iron infusions which seemed to help once the sickness was gone - not a pleasant experience. He said "It will take over a year to undo the damage your body has caused you over the passed years - Have Faith that you will Be Normal Soon!!"
So After a week in the hospital I was finally home and started to feel this "Normal he spoke of Again"
Esophageal Spasms
Esophageal Spasms: What are they and how did I cope with the pain?? (They eventually went away around the one year mark)
What are they - The Mayo Clinic Describes them as painful muscle contractions that affect your esophagus, the hollow tube between your throat and your stomach. Esophageal spasms can feel like sudden, severe chest pain that lasts from a few minutes to hours.
Esophageal spasms usually occur only occasionally. But for some people, the muscle contractions are frequent and can prevent food and liquids from traveling through the esophagus. Esophageal spasms can lead to chronic pain and swallowing problems.
Treatment for occasional esophageal spasms may not be necessary. But if esophageal spasms interfere with your ability to eat or drink, treatments are available.
Well mine did - they interfered with my daily life, the pain was so intense that I eventually went on medication to help control and hopefully prevent the spasms from happening. Help? Yes Prevent? No - well not at first. At around three months post op, I phoned my surgeon and explained that I was experiencing what felt like cotton stuck in my throat, I had sharp radiating pain under my rib cage and I had a hard time catching my breath (He suspected that I was was feel was actually Spasms). So, being the great surgeon that he is he called me in for tests - to be on the safe side..
Diagnosis: Esophageal Spasms and had what appeared to be ulcers on my esophagus
Medications: First we tried Carafate (liquid) this helped with the pain in my esophagus not related to the Spasms but did not help with the Spasms themselves. Next step: Valium, this medication worked to lesson the contractions in my esophagus (let me just say I was so skeptical about taking Valium - when I went to pick the medication up I told the pharmacist "they are for my esophageal spasms" which he replied "yes, that's what it says on the prescription") - I felt so silly!! The Valium really did help..At first I took it regularly as prescribed and then PRN (as needed) when I had a flare up. Tried to lower my stress level, exercise and started drinking Yogi Teas (not selling just stating what worked for me).
Fast Forward to my one year mark: The spasms were all but gone - would occasionally get one if I was extremely tired or over stressed (have only had a handful since my one year mark)
Please check out the following links regarding Esophageal Spasms:
Wendy Ryan's Story - She is a local news anchor who underwent the procedure around the same time I did.
nlm/nih.gov - study Esophageal Spasms
Hope this helps :) and KNOW this to shall pass, as you move forward and heal. A wise person once told me it takes 6 months to year to heal from this surgery & a life time of living.
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