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Problems Eating due to foamy re-gurgitation

ThriveQuest
Posts: 1
Joined: Mar 2004
Mar 22, 2004 - 12:57 am

Hi,
I'm new to this site but have seen some wonderful responses and hope someone may be able to help me. My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV esopageal cancer at the end of Sept. His surgury was cancelled when they found it also in his liver and he has undegone radical radiation (Nov./03) and chemo (Dec./03, Jan/04). From the start he's had trouble with what may be excess saliva coming back up. They refer to it as 'vomiting', however it's not the same. It happens when he's trying to eat and it just wells up and out - closest I can describe is like very foamy spit, and lots of it.

Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, what is the best way to reduce/control it. we've tried anti-nausea pills, eating really small quanities and eating really bland foods (this does seem to help), but it is still a problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as it is really making it difficult for him eat and he needs to get some weight back. Thanks
bke's picture
bke
Posts: 42
 Joined: May 2003
Mar 31, 2004 - 10:00 am
Re: Problems Eating due to foamy re-gurgitation

I hope someone else replies with more helpful infomation. I had alot of foamy regurgitation following surgery and during radiation. I have no idea what caused it and did nothing for it. I recall thinking that I thought it was related to the surgical healing process so never asked about it. In my case it simply got better over time. By about two months following the radiation it was no longer a problem. I know that is no help to you. I have heard other people talk about it on the ACOR esophageal cancer list group, so it is not an uncommon problem. Hope you find something that helps so eating will be improved.
78MAPLE
Posts: 8
 Joined: Mar 2004
Apr 05, 2004 - 2:56 pm
Re: Problems Eating due to foamy re-gurgitation

my husband had the exact same problem. our dr. said the radiation inflames the saliva glands and this is what caused it. he carried around a cup for 3+1/2 months after surgery. just this past week has it gotten to the point he doesn't need it. so, nothing we did helped, but know that it will pass