Time to toss the Tums
UF Health Jacksonville patient finds relief after suffering with acid reflux for more than 20 years.
Sandra Pompey, a retired veterinary technician, has always led an active lifestyle. She eats healthy, exercises and travels the world participating in animal rescue projects. Throughout most of her adult life, though, she has lived with severe acid reflux, a disease that imposes on her daily routine.
Acid reflux occurs when acid from the stomach goes up into the esophagus. This manifests as burning in the chest, or heartburn. Many people may experience acid reflux after eating a spicy meal. This type of acid reflux is temporary and usually goes away on its own, or with the help of an antacid.
People who experience persistent acid reflux more than two days per week are often diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Typical symptoms of GERD are heartburn and regurgitation, which can happen when you’re standing, but more frequently when lying down.
Pompey was diagnosed with GERD more than 20 years ago. To help alleviate her symptoms, she was taking proton pump inhibitors, medications that reduce stomach acid production. In addition to the medication, Pompey would frequently use antacid chews to soothe the heartburn she experienced.
Ruchir Puri, MD, a UF Health surgeon, specializes in minimally invasive foregut surgery, particularly for patients diagnosed with GERD, says most patients suffer silently and adapt their lifestyles to cope with acid reflux.
“Ms. Pompey had acid reflux all the time,” Puri said. “She was suffering to the point where she was completely incapacitated by the inability to eat or drink.”
For most people, proton pump inhibitors and antacids are good for managing acid reflux and making them feel better. However, a subset of people find that this medication is not enough, as in Pompey’s case, and they require corrective surgery to stop the acid reflux.
Pompey underwent an acid-reducing operation called laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and a partial fundoplication, in which the stomach is wrapped around the lower part of the esophagus. This acts like a new valve to stop acid reflux while allowing the patient to eat and drink normally.
Ruchir Puri, MD is a UF Health Jacksonville surgeon, specializing in minimally invasive foregut surgery.
Pompey’s symptoms were gone immediately after the surgery — she had no more acid reflux, no more heartburn and no more pain.
She says her experience at UF Health Jacksonville was positive because of the people.
“All the staff and doctors at UF Health Jacksonville care about you as a person,” Pompey said. “They are so friendly and knowledgeable. I felt very well cared for.”
Apart from the typical symptoms associated with GERD, Puri recommends looking out for atypical symptoms. These include chest pain, chronic cough, constantly clearing the throat, dental cavities, raspy voice, recurring pneumonia and shortness of breath.
“If you have a known history of GERD, and you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, surgery can help, especially if medications are not working,” Puri said. “These symptoms may also be due to hiatal hernias, a condition where a portion of your stomach migrates into your chest. Hiatal hernias are commonly associated with GERD and can only be reversed by an operation.”
Pompey suffered from GERD for more than 20 years before finding a solution at UF Health.
Pompey wishes she’d had the GERD surgery many years ago, and encourages people who might be undecided to see their doctor.
“If you’ve suffered like I have, I would not hesitate to go through with the surgery. It will change your life,” she said.
Four months after the operation, Pompey is living life to the fullest. She’s enjoying one of her favorite activities again — eating. She no longer worries about GERD affecting her daily activities. And she can travel overseas without packing her medications.
