Acid reflux

Lee Christensen
Lee Christensen Member Posts: 49 Member
in Esophageal Cancer #1
I have had quite a bit of acid reflux in the morning lately, does anyone else have this and if so what do you take to help?

Comments

  • Josie60
    Josie60 Member Posts: 80
    #2
    Omeprizole
    I don't know if is the same situation, but after my surgery I was still having having a problem with dry heaves and spitting up bile and mucus when I first got up. From what I understand during the esophgetomy and gastric pull up, the vagus (Vargas?) nerve that controls the acid production in the stomach is cut so the amount of acid produced is greatly reduced. But bile production can still cause issues.

    It was suggested that I resume taking the omeprizol at night. That seemed to help. if I take it I don't spit up bile in the morning.
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #3
    I haven't had the problem in
    I haven't had the problem in the morning. My problems with reflux is overnite-mainly if I come off the wedge. My doctors have me on omeprozole in the morning and a extra strength Zantac at night.It is under control most of the time.
    Sandra
  • Lee Christensen
    Lee Christensen Member Posts: 49 Member
    #4
    sandy1943 said:

    I haven't had the problem in
    I haven't had the problem in the morning. My problems with reflux is overnite-mainly if I come off the wedge. My doctors have me on omeprozole in the morning and a extra strength Zantac at night.It is under control most of the time.
    Sandra

    Mine is always at 6 in the
    Mine is always at 6 in the morning for some reason. I take protonix in the morning. I'm almost 2 years post surgery.
  • dennis318
    dennis318 Member Posts: 349 Member
    #5
    Lee Christensen said:

    Mine is always at 6 in the
    Mine is always at 6 in the morning for some reason. I take protonix in the morning. I'm almost 2 years post surgery.

    night time is worst
    half of larynx i deal if i over eat or the wrong gassy food, this pormotes the reflux at night, I suffer also through alot of gas, not to be off colored....the gas is worst than the reflux.....any suggestions on this issue....belching and gas problems is the worst...please chime in, anti acids or tums is not the answer...thanks dennis
  • jimapril
    jimapril Member Posts: 15
    #6
    dennis318 said:

    night time is worst
    half of larynx i deal if i over eat or the wrong gassy food, this pormotes the reflux at night, I suffer also through alot of gas, not to be off colored....the gas is worst than the reflux.....any suggestions on this issue....belching and gas problems is the worst...please chime in, anti acids or tums is not the answer...thanks dennis

    same issues
    Sorry, no suggestions. My husband has the same problems. Once he spits up, he is better. The gas is amazing!! :-) Tums does seem to help a little. Expensive antacids don't help.
  • jimapril
    jimapril Member Posts: 15
    #7
    acid problems
    My husband has dry heaves, mucus, bile every morning. It is almost a ritual. He waits a couple of hours before trying to eat.
  • GerryS
    GerryS Member Posts: 227 Member
    #8
    dennis318 said:

    night time is worst
    half of larynx i deal if i over eat or the wrong gassy food, this pormotes the reflux at night, I suffer also through alot of gas, not to be off colored....the gas is worst than the reflux.....any suggestions on this issue....belching and gas problems is the worst...please chime in, anti acids or tums is not the answer...thanks dennis

    me too...........
    I agree with Dennis,, I have gas issues and lots of belching. I have not narrowed down the kinds of food but like Dennis, if I overeat it is worse. Sometimes even in the middle of the night. I am almost three years post surgery so I guess this is the way it will be.

    Gerry

    Thanks for addrssing this, I was too chicken to bring this up!
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #9
    jimapril said:

    acid problems
    My husband has dry heaves, mucus, bile every morning. It is almost a ritual. He waits a couple of hours before trying to eat.

    For those of us who have had an esophagectomy, reflux and gas are a common issue. I think the fact that our digestive system has been compromised causes us to have more significant issues in this area. I have discussed this with my doctor and he just shrugs and says "reflux is a common issue with this kind of surgery".

    I do take omeprazole before going to bed and in the morning when I get up. It does seem to help some. I have heard of other people taking a combination of Zantac, and omeprazole. I think most of us have just learned to get out of bed when it occurs, (mine tends to occur about 4 AM) and take some tums and wait for it to get better.

    When I look back at my recovery from surgery, for the first year abdominal discomfort and pain on the right side of my chest and back were fairly common. Abdominal discomfort was particularly pronounced if I ate foods that were spicy, or contained a higher fat content.

    The second year things improved a bit and the pain and numbness in my right chest area improved, and dumping improved substantially. By then I have learned what to eat and what not to eat and how much I could eat without discomfort.

    The third year is much improved. The pain in my right chest and back area has improved a lot. The exception is, I am a great weather forecaster. When it is cool and damp my incisions in my back and upper abdomen tighten up and ache at bit. I had Ivor Lewis surgery so I had a large incision in my abdomen and across my back in the right side.

    I am not sure what to suggest about the pain in the throat area. I wonder if it could be related to gas or bile reflux. If it is bile reflux I have heard that people say that drinking pickle juice or eating sauerkraut helps. That sounds strange I know, but some people say it is like magic.

    I know the first year after surgery these new pains are frightening, wondering if something is seriously wrong, but over time we learn they will subside after an hour or so, or they are just the same pain in that area we have always had.

    We learn to live with the new normal.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Three year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #10
    paul61 said:

    For those of us who have had an esophagectomy, reflux and gas are a common issue. I think the fact that our digestive system has been compromised causes us to have more significant issues in this area. I have discussed this with my doctor and he just shrugs and says "reflux is a common issue with this kind of surgery".

    I do take omeprazole before going to bed and in the morning when I get up. It does seem to help some. I have heard of other people taking a combination of Zantac, and omeprazole. I think most of us have just learned to get out of bed when it occurs, (mine tends to occur about 4 AM) and take some tums and wait for it to get better.

    When I look back at my recovery from surgery, for the first year abdominal discomfort and pain on the right side of my chest and back were fairly common. Abdominal discomfort was particularly pronounced if I ate foods that were spicy, or contained a higher fat content.

    The second year things improved a bit and the pain and numbness in my right chest area improved, and dumping improved substantially. By then I have learned what to eat and what not to eat and how much I could eat without discomfort.

    The third year is much improved. The pain in my right chest and back area has improved a lot. The exception is, I am a great weather forecaster. When it is cool and damp my incisions in my back and upper abdomen tighten up and ache at bit. I had Ivor Lewis surgery so I had a large incision in my abdomen and across my back in the right side.

    I am not sure what to suggest about the pain in the throat area. I wonder if it could be related to gas or bile reflux. If it is bile reflux I have heard that people say that drinking pickle juice or eating sauerkraut helps. That sounds strange I know, but some people say it is like magic.

    I know the first year after surgery these new pains are frightening, wondering if something is seriously wrong, but over time we learn they will subside after an hour or so, or they are just the same pain in that area we have always had.

    We learn to live with the new normal.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Three year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Paul, I am a lot better than
    Paul, I am a lot better than Five years ago. I can eat more and dumping is more controllable. I occasionally have pain in my upper abdomen after eating. This usually is ok after about fifteen minutes.It doesn't have anything to do with overeating.

    I have my reflux problems around 4;00 also. I put a tum in my mouth and let it disolve and often have to spend the rest of night in the recliner. The night time reflux is something we have to learn to deal with. It is a side oeffect of surgery and is not going to go away. I do well if I don't eat anything after three hours before going to bed and if I stay on my wedge.

    Sandra
  • NLMCEM
    NLMCEM Member Posts: 50
    #11
    sandy1943 said:

    Paul, I am a lot better than
    Paul, I am a lot better than Five years ago. I can eat more and dumping is more controllable. I occasionally have pain in my upper abdomen after eating. This usually is ok after about fifteen minutes.It doesn't have anything to do with overeating.

    I have my reflux problems around 4;00 also. I put a tum in my mouth and let it disolve and often have to spend the rest of night in the recliner. The night time reflux is something we have to learn to deal with. It is a side oeffect of surgery and is not going to go away. I do well if I don't eat anything after three hours before going to bed and if I stay on my wedge.

    Sandra

    same problems for Nino
    same problems for Nino, bile, nasty taste, gas, if he can spit it out it helps the gagging but not the burning in throat taste. happens no matter what he eats or doesn't and usually his is 3am. Our new adjustable bed is great so instead of going to the recliner like he use to he can get back in bed just raise his head even more. Still not a nice "normal" but lots better then the alternative. Just wish there was something each of you could find that would help you make it through the night. Nino gets to nap which he does often, but be nice he could get a few good whole night of sleep.

    Thanks all for sharing especially those of you so many years out. Thought maybe you had no night problems, sorry to read you do but now we know its a normal after this type of surgery.

    Nino also has lower stomach pain, crazy to say that cause its not where his stomach is anymore, so should say lower belly pain. Use to be on his side. After they had to open him again because the first surgery wall was not healing correctly he has had the lower belly pain on going.

    EC Fighter caregiver, Carolyn
  • mardigras
    mardigras Member Posts: 215 Member
    #12
    paul61 said:

    For those of us who have had an esophagectomy, reflux and gas are a common issue. I think the fact that our digestive system has been compromised causes us to have more significant issues in this area. I have discussed this with my doctor and he just shrugs and says "reflux is a common issue with this kind of surgery".

    I do take omeprazole before going to bed and in the morning when I get up. It does seem to help some. I have heard of other people taking a combination of Zantac, and omeprazole. I think most of us have just learned to get out of bed when it occurs, (mine tends to occur about 4 AM) and take some tums and wait for it to get better.

    When I look back at my recovery from surgery, for the first year abdominal discomfort and pain on the right side of my chest and back were fairly common. Abdominal discomfort was particularly pronounced if I ate foods that were spicy, or contained a higher fat content.

    The second year things improved a bit and the pain and numbness in my right chest area improved, and dumping improved substantially. By then I have learned what to eat and what not to eat and how much I could eat without discomfort.

    The third year is much improved. The pain in my right chest and back area has improved a lot. The exception is, I am a great weather forecaster. When it is cool and damp my incisions in my back and upper abdomen tighten up and ache at bit. I had Ivor Lewis surgery so I had a large incision in my abdomen and across my back in the right side.

    I am not sure what to suggest about the pain in the throat area. I wonder if it could be related to gas or bile reflux. If it is bile reflux I have heard that people say that drinking pickle juice or eating sauerkraut helps. That sounds strange I know, but some people say it is like magic.

    I know the first year after surgery these new pains are frightening, wondering if something is seriously wrong, but over time we learn they will subside after an hour or so, or they are just the same pain in that area we have always had.

    We learn to live with the new normal.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Three year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Thanks again Paul

    Hi Paul,

    I just wanted to thank you for explaining about the discomfort and digestive problems.

    Rob's surgery is almost a year on and he also had the Ivor Lewis, with a scar from his

    back to well across his stomach. He still ocasionally feels a lot of discomfort in the scar

    tissue area and is very tired all the time. We go back to the UK for some blood tests

    and an appointment with the surgeon on Wednesday and I have been worrying about

    the pain that he feels and the tiredness. He had a scan in June and that showed nothing

    unexpected, so with the cutbacks in the health scheme, I think it will rule out further scans.

    I wish you well Paul and all my friends who have been so supportive over the rollercoaster

    of the past eighteen months. I haven't been on here since all the problems with Willaim etc.

    I found it really depressing and saddening. Sorry if I have been neglecting you all, but I was

    finding it difficult to cope. Anyway, may God bless you all.

    Hugs and prayers X

     

     

  • mardigras
    mardigras Member Posts: 215 Member
    #13
    paul61 said:

    For those of us who have had an esophagectomy, reflux and gas are a common issue. I think the fact that our digestive system has been compromised causes us to have more significant issues in this area. I have discussed this with my doctor and he just shrugs and says "reflux is a common issue with this kind of surgery".

    I do take omeprazole before going to bed and in the morning when I get up. It does seem to help some. I have heard of other people taking a combination of Zantac, and omeprazole. I think most of us have just learned to get out of bed when it occurs, (mine tends to occur about 4 AM) and take some tums and wait for it to get better.

    When I look back at my recovery from surgery, for the first year abdominal discomfort and pain on the right side of my chest and back were fairly common. Abdominal discomfort was particularly pronounced if I ate foods that were spicy, or contained a higher fat content.

    The second year things improved a bit and the pain and numbness in my right chest area improved, and dumping improved substantially. By then I have learned what to eat and what not to eat and how much I could eat without discomfort.

    The third year is much improved. The pain in my right chest and back area has improved a lot. The exception is, I am a great weather forecaster. When it is cool and damp my incisions in my back and upper abdomen tighten up and ache at bit. I had Ivor Lewis surgery so I had a large incision in my abdomen and across my back in the right side.

    I am not sure what to suggest about the pain in the throat area. I wonder if it could be related to gas or bile reflux. If it is bile reflux I have heard that people say that drinking pickle juice or eating sauerkraut helps. That sounds strange I know, but some people say it is like magic.

    I know the first year after surgery these new pains are frightening, wondering if something is seriously wrong, but over time we learn they will subside after an hour or so, or they are just the same pain in that area we have always had.

    We learn to live with the new normal.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Three year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Thanks again Paul

    Hi Paul,

    I just wanted to thank you for explaining about the discomfort and digestive problems.

    Rob's surgery is almost a year on and he also had the Ivor Lewis, with a scar from his

    back to well across his stomach. He still ocasionally feels a lot of discomfort in the scar

    tissue area and is very tired all the time. We go back to the UK for some blood tests

    and an appointment with the surgeon on Wednesday and I have been worrying about

    the pain that he feels and the tiredness. He had a scan in June and that showed nothing

    unexpected, so with the cutbacks in the health scheme, I think it will rule out further scans.

    I wish you well Paul and all my friends who have been so supportive over the rollercoaster

    of the past eighteen months. I haven't been on here since all the problems with Willaim etc.

    I found it really depressing and saddening. Sorry if I have been neglecting you all, but I was

    finding it difficult to cope. Anyway, may God bless you all.

    Hugs and prayers X

     

     

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