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'Digesting my meals was impossible' | 'Digesting my meals was impossible' |
(1 day later) | |
By Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC News | By Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC News |
Dave is starting to eat again after his operation | Dave is starting to eat again after his operation |
For nearly 20 years Dave Potts could not enjoy a meal without feeling or being sick. | For nearly 20 years Dave Potts could not enjoy a meal without feeling or being sick. |
However careful Dave was with the types and amounts of food he ate, he still had terrible reflux. | However careful Dave was with the types and amounts of food he ate, he still had terrible reflux. |
He could not sleep flat or eat within a couple of hours of waking without being violently sick. | He could not sleep flat or eat within a couple of hours of waking without being violently sick. |
"I tried eating smaller portions and ate healthy food," he said. | "I tried eating smaller portions and ate healthy food," he said. |
Changed diet | Changed diet |
"I stopped eating things like kebabs and I cut down rubbish food by 80%. | "I stopped eating things like kebabs and I cut down rubbish food by 80%. |
"But nothing worked. | "But nothing worked. |
"My valve at the bottom of my oesophagus does not work properly so I could never eat or drink for a good two hours after I got up in the morning." | "My valve at the bottom of my oesophagus does not work properly so I could never eat or drink for a good two hours after I got up in the morning." |
If I had anything like a cup of tea or a bit of toast I would be violently sick Dave Potts | If I had anything like a cup of tea or a bit of toast I would be violently sick Dave Potts |
Doctors gave Dave, 44, various types of medication, but nothing worked. | Doctors gave Dave, 44, various types of medication, but nothing worked. |
They suspected he had chronic heartburn, but were unable to confirm it. His symptoms got worse when he reached his 20s. | They suspected he had chronic heartburn, but were unable to confirm it. His symptoms got worse when he reached his 20s. |
Chronic heartburn, or reflux disease, is a common problem in the UK and the NHS spends approximately £575m a year to treat it. | Chronic heartburn, or reflux disease, is a common problem in the UK and the NHS spends approximately £575m a year to treat it. |
It occurs when acid from the stomach flows back up into the gullet. If this happens regularly it can damage the gullet, or oesophagus, and restrict a patient's daily life. | It occurs when acid from the stomach flows back up into the gullet. If this happens regularly it can damage the gullet, or oesophagus, and restrict a patient's daily life. |
Symptoms include burning pain in the chest and sour-tasting fluids in the mouth and neck. | Symptoms include burning pain in the chest and sour-tasting fluids in the mouth and neck. |
Now thanks to advances in technology, doctors have confirmed Dave's diagnosis and were able to operate on him. | Now thanks to advances in technology, doctors have confirmed Dave's diagnosis and were able to operate on him. |
Smart pill | Smart pill |
Dave's doctor Dr Terry Wong, consultant gastroenterologist at Guy's and St. Thomas', explained that they used the Bravo system - a 'smart pill' that is inserted down the throat and temporarily fixed above the patient's stomach. | |
Without this, a definite diagnosis in Dave's case would have been impossible and he would have been ineligible for surgery. | Without this, a definite diagnosis in Dave's case would have been impossible and he would have been ineligible for surgery. |
Until now patients had to undergo a catheter tube being inserted up their nose and down into the gullet to monitor pH levels. | Until now patients had to undergo a catheter tube being inserted up their nose and down into the gullet to monitor pH levels. |
The test lasted for two days and patients often found the catheter was intrusive, uncomfortable and embarrassing to be seen with. | The test lasted for two days and patients often found the catheter was intrusive, uncomfortable and embarrassing to be seen with. |
The Bravo capsule | The Bravo capsule |
The capsule, currently used by just a small number of hospitals in the UK, transmits pH information wirelessly to a portable receiver worn by the patient on their waistband. | The capsule, currently used by just a small number of hospitals in the UK, transmits pH information wirelessly to a portable receiver worn by the patient on their waistband. |
Placing the capsule only takes a few minutes and patients can eat, sleep, shower and engage in all normal activities over the 24-48 hour testing period. | Placing the capsule only takes a few minutes and patients can eat, sleep, shower and engage in all normal activities over the 24-48 hour testing period. |
After this time the capsule detaches and harmlessly passes out of their body. | After this time the capsule detaches and harmlessly passes out of their body. |
Dr Wong said Dave was a perfect example of someone who benefited. | Dr Wong said Dave was a perfect example of someone who benefited. |
"Before Bravo we would put a tube down through the nose into the oesophagus and leave it for 24 hours. | "Before Bravo we would put a tube down through the nose into the oesophagus and leave it for 24 hours. |
"This is a 40-year-old procedure and it is good, but it is uncomfortable for the patient. They can't eat and exercise normally so it is not representative of real life. | "This is a 40-year-old procedure and it is good, but it is uncomfortable for the patient. They can't eat and exercise normally so it is not representative of real life. |
HEARTBURN A painful and burning sensation in the oesophagus, just below the breastbone usually associated with regurgitation of gastric acidIt is a very common condition with 20% of the population experiencing it at some point in their livesThose at the more severe end of the spectrum can end up taking tablets for the rest of their lives | HEARTBURN A painful and burning sensation in the oesophagus, just below the breastbone usually associated with regurgitation of gastric acidIt is a very common condition with 20% of the population experiencing it at some point in their livesThose at the more severe end of the spectrum can end up taking tablets for the rest of their lives |
"Dave is a classic case of where Bravo can help, as it established 100% that he had acid reflux. | "Dave is a classic case of where Bravo can help, as it established 100% that he had acid reflux. |
"Before Bravo he would not have had the operation, because his reflux could have had other causes such as a hypersensitive oesophagus." | "Before Bravo he would not have had the operation, because his reflux could have had other causes such as a hypersensitive oesophagus." |
Dave, from London, has now had the operation, a laparoscopic fundoplication. | Dave, from London, has now had the operation, a laparoscopic fundoplication. |
The operation involves wrapping a piece of the stomach around the oesophagus to create a new valve to prevent acid backing up from the stomach. | The operation involves wrapping a piece of the stomach around the oesophagus to create a new valve to prevent acid backing up from the stomach. |
Dave says: "The operation has been absolutely fantastic. I'd say I'm 99 per cent there now and if this is how I'll be from now on then that will be great. | Dave says: "The operation has been absolutely fantastic. I'd say I'm 99 per cent there now and if this is how I'll be from now on then that will be great. |
"I was supposed to be off work after the operation for six weeks but was able to come back after two weeks and a day. I've also been able to come off the tablets controlling my acid which is great. | "I was supposed to be off work after the operation for six weeks but was able to come back after two weeks and a day. I've also been able to come off the tablets controlling my acid which is great. |
"For the first two weeks I could only have soup, then for the next two weeks it was blended food with no carbohydrates and now it is normal solids. It is still a bit of struggle with the full solids but I'll get there. | "For the first two weeks I could only have soup, then for the next two weeks it was blended food with no carbohydrates and now it is normal solids. It is still a bit of struggle with the full solids but I'll get there. |
"If someone had said to me six months ago that I'd be where I am now I wouldn't have believed them. I've had this for 20 years, but now feel fine." | "If someone had said to me six months ago that I'd be where I am now I wouldn't have believed them. I've had this for 20 years, but now feel fine." |
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