[suzette]

I have gerd and everytime I belch, have acid reflux or eat it makes my heart race and/or have heart palpitations. I do not have any damage to my esophagus which surprises the doctors, but I know that may come. I do have severe coughing spells where my air passage closes up momentarily and have been told this is from an irritated esophagus.

I have had lone atrial fib off and on for four years. Most of the time it was brought on by indigestion. Whenever I have acid reflux the heart palpitation causes me to think I may be going into afib. If any of you has had afib you know the fear that it causes.

I am seriously considering having nissen fundoplication to relieve this fear more than the discomfort of the acid reflux (which can be really bad). I ask myself if it would not be easier to have an ablation of the heart. This actually seems to have less side effects than nissen fundoplication

The acid reflux comes in waves. I may have it for 6 or 7 weeks after every meal....food coming back up into my mouth so bad that I projectile vomit. Then it may subside for several weeks. It is worse when I get up and move around. If I stay very still it doesn't cause my heart to do weird things; however, the reflux is still the same.

I guess what I am asking of anyone reading this, is if you have similar experiences and can you ease my fear of having nissen fundoplication I have read so many horror stories about the side effects. However, living in this fear of afib and the discomfort of acid reflux is no fun either. I am 61 years old and am very active and in good health except for high cholesterol and BP which both are under control. Would it be better for me to have the surgery now than older. My gastro really want me to have it

Thanks.