Suggestions for Heartburn

Welcome to the reflux ride
Your doctor will likely approve simple antacids, like Tums, or Gaviscon (the latter has a nice coating action that some feel protect the esophagus better) for a day or so. However, many H&NC patients seem to develop long-term heartburn. The only drug Doug is still taking is Prilosec - he tried stopping and got bad heartburn, so we're looking at trying to taper off. You may be looking at taking some Prilosec regularly also - not the worst thing in the world.

Some of the basics for avoiding heartburn: lots of water between meals; don't lie down within an hour of eating and try to have your last meal of the day at least 3 hours before bed-time; if you get heartburn while lying down, try to elevate your head (wedges, blocks under the legs of your bed, sleep/nap in a recliner, or rent a hospital bed). Avoid fat in the last meal of the day (brown rice is better than french fries, for example). Exercise lightly (a walk or such) an hour before bedtime. Avoid caffeine and other irritants after noon or so. (Most of this are very old-school - my step-father followed these with a fair amount of success back in the late 70s.)

Hope you feel better soon - every day is indeed an adventure!

Protonix
I had the heartburn also.....

They gave me Protonix for the acid reflux...that you'll more than likely get especially during the periods of not much solid food going in.

I believe you can take Tums...best always to communicate with your MD's. They'll either have something for you or at least let you know what is or isn't OK to take.

I think they gave me or said to use PepCid....

Best,
John

osmotar said:

another question
When I woke up this am I was feeling fine, the longer it took me to get ready, the more I began to sweat , to the point by the time I reached the car my head was wringing wet and I knew I wasn't going to be able to drive to work. I came back in the house sat down and started to relax, cool down. I called the docs office and they said the 5FU shouldn't have had any type of effect like that. Has this happened to anyone else?

Yes...
Just as I had to go to rads everyday or chemo, LOL..... (sorry couldn't resist).

Didn't really have anything like that specifically. But with all of the things your body (and mind) are getting hit with right now. A lot of things are different and out of the norm. It could be something as simple as some anxiety going on that you aren't even aware of.

Main thing you did the right thing..you called and communicated with your MD's. Stay in touch with what's going on and if something isn't right, let them know.

Hoping you feel better tomorrow....

Best,
John

osmotar said:

Luckily I can work at home.

Luckily I can work at home.

Work from Home
I do computer work (Database Modeling)... I worked from home, connecting to my work computers all of 2009 until the week after Labor Day in September.

I'm sure glad I have my IT Degree..... If I would have still been at the Power Plant I would have had to use all of my saved sick time....

A major advantage of me working from home was that it allowed me flexibility. The days I had large doses of chemo, I might be up until 4 in the morning and all jacked up doing work. Then I'd sleep most of the next day.

I did manage to get all reports and forecasts done on time, never missed one. It was great staying home working...my two chocolate lab sisters (Kali and Jasmine) took good care of me..and the best ever, I could work in my PJ's....

Best,
John

Pam M said:

Been There,Done That, Too
My doc (MO) put me on GERD meds. I was able to go off them later in treatment.
Some other tips would be to watch your intake of caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes, peppermint (or maybe another mint - having memory issues) and acidic foods. Have heard aloe juice does wonders - but I'd check with docs before starting on it. Hope the burn fizzles soon.

I have been using
I have been using omaprazole. At first, took tums. When I told my doctor, he gave me the prescription. It works for me, but my friend did not have the same luck. I do not know if there are permanent side effects. I continue to have the prescription renewed.

prilosec powder form
My husband had terrible hiccups and heartburn and at the time he couldn't swallow pills. So, just wanted to let you know that prilosec is available as a powder that you can mix in water. He could just put it through his PEG tube.
But, that natural papaya extract Hondo mentioned sure sounds worth a try. If your counter top looks like ours, the last thing you want is another bottle of medication!
BTW...his heartburn is at bay now so I wish you the same!
Robinleigh

sweetblood22 said:

Robinleigh
Where do you get the Prilosec powder? Is it prescription or OTC?

Zegerid
The only powder for suspension I found was Zegerid, which is a formulation of omeprazole (Priolosec) and sodium bicarbonate, and it seems to be prescription. They also make the same formulation in an OTC capsule, but say specifically to not crush or open the capsules.

Doug has been trying to stop taking his omeprazole, but the heartburn comes back - some folks say that once you start a PPI, you are on it for life. I'm hoping not, but if that's the only pill he ends up having to take for the rest of his life, that's not really that bad.