ACID REFLUX
Most esophageal cancer patients have experienced acid reflux either as an initial cause of this disease or because of the esophagectomy surgery that they have gone through. The five questions that we have asked patients to respond to will provide a summary of this very common issue. The questions are:
1. HOW OFTEN DID YOU EXPERIENCE ACID REFLUX PRE-SURGERY AND WHEN?
2. HOW OFTEN DID YOU EXPERIENCE ACID REFLUX PRE-SURGERY AND WHEN?
3. DO YOU STILL EXPERIENCE ACID REFLUX POST-SURGERY AND IF SO, WHEN?
4. HOW DO YOU TREAT YOUR ACID REFLUX NOW?
5. WHAT SUGGESTIONS WOULD YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE EXPERIENCING FREQUENT ACID REFLUX?
Janice
It felt I had reflux almost daily for two years, gradually becoming more intense. I now experience acid reflux every few months when I slide off the pillow at night. I do take a Proton Pump Inhibitor twice a day and Gaviscon when acid reflux hits. Make sure you stay elevated when you sleep.
Joe
Two or three times a year usually in the early morning (3 AM – 5 AM) I now experience acid reflux more frequently once a month if not using medication. I useOmeprazole 20mg, originally daily each morning, and are backing off to every other day beginning this year. Everyone is unique and what might work for one person may not for another. Try different remedies and do whatever works for you and consult your doctor.
Jeff
I used to suffer every night from Acid reflux, especially when I laid flat. It stopped a couple of years before my diagnosis and do not take any medication for acid reflux now. My suggestion would be not to lay flat when you sleep.
Stephen
I did not experience acid reflux very often pre-surgery, but I do experience it post-surgery but can’t tell if it is acid or bile reflux. It will occur if I eat too much or eat chocolate Ice cream or candy. I take Omeprazole 20 mg. twice a day and Sulcrafate for a month post-surgery. I recommend keeping a food diary of everything you eat. Eating slowly and chewing your food very well is a must. Stop eating about 2-3 hours before going to bed and do not eat sweet desserts as they could be hard to digest.
Debbie
I had severe heartburn daily and frequent acid reflux from a young age, and I took Prilosec. I rarely have acid reflux post-surgery as I take Omeprazole. I avoid eating 3 hours before going to bed and I sleep on a 30degree incline. My recommendation is if you have significant aide reflux you should have an endoscope and your doctor should recommend a Proton Pimp Inhibitor for relief of your acid reflux.
Bob
I rarely had acid reflux before the surgery. If I had spicy food late at night, I would experience it and I would take TUMS or a glass of milk. My acid reflux post-surgery got worse, and I kept a food diary to determine what was causing my acid reflux. I experienced it quite often and at times so severe that I had to spend the rest of the night in a recliner. I take 20 mg of Pantoprazole twice a day for the last 4 years. In January, I started eating a small bowl of plain popcorn about 30 minutes before going to bed and I haven’t had a problem with acid reflux ever since.
Chuck
I had no symptoms pre-diagnosis and do not have any symptoms post-surgery although I do take Pantoprazole 40Mg. twice a day. Occasional acid reflux I treat with Mylanta-type products maybe 3 times in the last 2.5 years. Keep track of the food you eat with a food diary so if you experience acid reflux you can look back and see what you ate that may have caused it.
Naomi
I did not have acid reflux before my surgery. I did have acid reflux after surgery and was put on Pepcid and Omeprazole. About one and a half years post-surgery I stopped using Pepcid and only used TUMS. I eat my last meal of the day 4 hours before going to sleep and used a medical wedge and two pillows to keep me elevated. I am now weaning off Omeprazole and TUMS. My recommendation would be to consult with the hospital nutritionist to get a balanced diet that can work with esophageal cancer patients. Keep a food diary daily, exercise daily walk about 1 mile 3 times a week, eat smaller balanced meals. I recommend Herbal tea with slippery elm in it.
Andrew
I experienced acid reflux quite often pre-surgery and the condition still exists for the 5 months post-surgery. I take over-the-counter medication for my acid reflux. I am still trying to find a cure for this, so I don’t have any suggestions as to how to treat this.
Gillian
I didn’t have any noticeable acid reflux pre-surgery. I am taking Pepcid 20 mg post- surgery every day and have had no symptoms. Talk to your doctor and ask him about Pepcid as a drug to take for acid reflux.