Burning in esophagus, throat, stomach from 5FU

Barbaraek
Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

My husband just started 5FU with a pump via port for 4 days. At day 2 the burning in esophagus, throat and stomach seems unbearable. He is 100% PEG dependent at this point, inability to swallow due to intense pain. Any one else find a way to counter this side effect? Oncologist recommended over the counter Prilosec. We had a pill version, crushed and dissolved it, and put it through the tube this morning. She is ordering a liquid form for us later today to pick up. 

Barb

Comments

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #2
    barb, i never had chemo so i

    barb, i never had chemo so i can't help but wanted to say i will be praying for your husband.  i am currently having severe burning in my chest also so i know how bad he must feel.  we're still trying to find out what is causing mine.  i pray the liquid with help aliviate the burning and your hubby feels a little better soon.

    God be with you both.

    dj

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    Prilosec might just work

    the burning is being caused by acid.  Hate to suggest things like Milk of Magnesia or something that might stop him up....that's another can of worms....I think it takes a few days for Prolosec to kick in, doesn't it?

    p

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #4
    Prilosec

    Thanks everyone...the Prilosec seems to be helping a bit, and the 3 hour nap after the ativan dose this morning was a blessing. So far, we've still kept the nausea at bay...though last time it hit several days after the chemo. We go in Monday morning for Neulasta (growth factors) to help avoid the neutropenia he had last time that landed us in the hospital for 4 days.

    Bless you all for being here,

    Barb

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #5
    Barbaraek said:

    Prilosec

    Thanks everyone...the Prilosec seems to be helping a bit, and the 3 hour nap after the ativan dose this morning was a blessing. So far, we've still kept the nausea at bay...though last time it hit several days after the chemo. We go in Monday morning for Neulasta (growth factors) to help avoid the neutropenia he had last time that landed us in the hospital for 4 days.

    Bless you all for being here,

    Barb

    It was during this adjuvant chemo...

    that I got a shot of Nupegin often (I think it's the same as Neulasta)....there was also some drug they gave me to boost the red blood cells.  I ended up with 3 blood transfusions during the last two chemo's.  The main things....stay hydrated!!  Get what he can in for nutrition.....and swallow, swallow, swallow....I know that the weight loss is dramatic and scary.....I got down to 77 lbs, but that was short lived once treatment is over.  Right now, it's one day at a time.....just get through today, tomorrow iwll be here soon enough...he's in the home stretch....

    p

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #6
    phrannie51 said:

    It was during this adjuvant chemo...

    that I got a shot of Nupegin often (I think it's the same as Neulasta)....there was also some drug they gave me to boost the red blood cells.  I ended up with 3 blood transfusions during the last two chemo's.  The main things....stay hydrated!!  Get what he can in for nutrition.....and swallow, swallow, swallow....I know that the weight loss is dramatic and scary.....I got down to 77 lbs, but that was short lived once treatment is over.  Right now, it's one day at a time.....just get through today, tomorrow iwll be here soon enough...he's in the home stretch....

    p

    Neulasta

    Phrannie,

    We are already scheduled to receive Neulasta on Monday, pre-emptively since the Cisplatin he had during radiation caused neutropenia. Good news is we are five minutes from the cancer center where we are treated, husband is the chief medical officer there, and knows how to read bloodwork! On top of that we have a lot of faith and confidence in the medical oncologist working with us. Home health will also come and hook fluids right up to port at home if needed for hyration. We are in a great system here. Will try to coax him into swallowing more.

     

    Barb

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    Barbaraek said:

    Neulasta

    Phrannie,

    We are already scheduled to receive Neulasta on Monday, pre-emptively since the Cisplatin he had during radiation caused neutropenia. Good news is we are five minutes from the cancer center where we are treated, husband is the chief medical officer there, and knows how to read bloodwork! On top of that we have a lot of faith and confidence in the medical oncologist working with us. Home health will also come and hook fluids right up to port at home if needed for hyration. We are in a great system here. Will try to coax him into swallowing more.

     

    Barb

    Neulasta

    Just a heads up...

    My first dose of Neulasta, after about a day or so it felt like I had a bad flu or something..., all my major bones ached.. But it didn't last long, a day or two.. Next few times I received it, less pain..

    I never really had issues with the 5FU..

    But as a reslt of the chemo, I was Rx Protonix, for acid reflux.., which I still take..

    My chemo was three cycles (nine weeks) of Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5FU, then seven weeks of concurrent weekly Carboplatin, and 35 daily rads sessions.., each preceeded with an injection of Amifostine in the belly...

    Clean and clear.. six years post STGIII SCC Tonsils HPV+..

    Best,
    John

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    Hi Barb

     

    I had some problems with the burring but was lucky because I was able to use Tums or Pepto Bismol and helped my problems. With him having a PEG tube the Pepto might work better

     

    Tim

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