Silent Reflux after Lung Surgery for Early Cancer

[Mauranne]

I had a right lower lobectomy in February. My consultant is pleased with my recovery and I am now just being monitored. However after this surgery I had symptoms develop that lead me to now believe I have silent reflux or LPR. I've had an endoscopy that found only mild gastritis.

I take Esomeprazole daily and Gaviscon Advance but still have the symptoms ie rasping breathing, sometimes becoming breathless, cough, sore throat, very occasional heartburn. I have given up my glass of wine with my evening meal, tea, coffee, spicy and acidic food having read that these can make LPR worse.

Am still waiting for appointment with ENT specialist on NHS but not hopeful of much help.

My lung cancer was found by chance during routine scan/monitoring of anal carcinoma for which I still have to undergo mapping and examination under general anaesthetic. I had no symptoms of lung cancer and I know I am lucky it was caught early. But the LPR symptoms get me down and I now have to have respiratory tests to see if I am fit enough to have anaesthesia in two weeks time for my routine monitoring after anal cancer which incidentally was also found by chance after undergoing a haemerrhoidectomy in 2017.

I am fairly fit and active for my age (74) and have many interests including being president of a local WI. I am not old and doddery (yet!)

Has anyone else had this happen after lung surgery? If so have you any advice?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Mauranne,

It is good to hear that your surgeon is pleased with your recovery. Sorry to hear about your postoperative symptoms. In addition to your tea, coffee and spicy foods it is recommended that you avoid fried or fatty foods, onions peppers, citrus foods, chocolate and carbonated drinks. They cause the lower oesophageal sphincter(which is at the end of the oesophagus) to relax. This allows a bolus of refluxate(for example stomach acid) to move from the stomach into the oesophagus.

Other advice:

•If you smoke try to stop

•Don’t wear clothing that is to tight(bras and belts)

•Do not lie down after eating and do not eat anything within 3 hours of bedtime

•Elevate the head of the bed if you are a nightime refluxer(if your symptoms of hoarseness, sore throat and cough are in the morning)

Best for reflux foods are:

Bananas (Strangely a trigger food for 5% of people)melons, rice and whole grains, ginger tea and ginger jam, baked or grilled chicken or turkey(never fried)all fish and seafood.

I hope it is not to long before you see the specialist.

Kind regards,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline

[Danni54]

Hi Mauranne. I cannot believe that I am reading your post! We have and are going through such similar and horrible health problems. I won't go into it all again but if you read my profile and posts you will see some of what I have been through which is 4 year's of hell! I had to phone the Dr. yesterday because on Sunday night, I was up for hours wheezing, crackling and whistling and the coughing would not stop and after about an hour I started to be sick with fluid and then a huge gush of fluid. My throat was in agony and my lung's hurt as did my gut and everything else and of course, I got the niggle that the lung cancer is back. The only thing that helps is Oramorph.

I rang our Surgery yesterday, spoke to a Dr. who came up. I have had reflux for over 20 year's and have been taking Losec and Gaviscon Advance but the Dr. is changing that to another similar medication plus another pill which helps the collection of fluid to go through the gut because she thinks that the acid and fluid is going into the lungs. I have a 5cm hernia as well.

I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. I had an upper right Lobectomy last September and it was found for the 2nd time after I had pneumonia....that was awful! The first Xray was 2 year's previously but the hospital omitted to tell anybody that a tumour was there so I walked about with cancer for over 2 year's, not knowing and with no treatment which has left me with a few other problems. I am getting my new medication today so I will let you know whether that helps.

Have they found a hernia with you? You are quite right in stopping your wine and definitely no spicy food, raise the head of your bed and I have 4 pillows. I don't eat after 6.30 - 7.00 , no alcohol ever! I am 66 and like you, I am definitely a young 66 and used to walk my dog every day twice a day until 4 year's ago and love my garden and painting but now barely have the energy so I am hoping that the new medication will work because I want my life back. I still push myself to do thing's but when I get the bad bouts of wheezing etc. and being sick I don't have the energy. Have you been tested for Helicobactor....hope that's how it's spelt. I have morphine brain today! It causes acid reflux but they can get rid of it with antibiotics except that didn't work for me! It might be worth asking. I am sorry I can't help more but I will let you know what happens and maybe if this works for me it will help you.

Take care and good luck.

Wishing you all the very best in everything,

Danni x