18 months post op. Can fatigue cause hoarseness and increased difficulty swallowing.

[azura]

[yorkshirerose]

Hi Azura, I think your fatigue is a natural part of this surgery, but I doubt very much it would cause hoarseness and difficulty swallowing. I think you should speak to your surgical team as it sounds as if you may need to have your oesophagus stretched. I had similar problems and have had this procedure 8 times, it is quite painless and certainly will increase your comfort

Best wishes

Edwina x

[azura in reply to yorkshirerose]

Hi yorkshirerose thanks for your comments have had 5 stretches but probably need another.best wishes Linda.

[jay2908]

Hi Azura,

That is an interesting question. I would say that fatigue can potentially make swallowing difficult, if for example you're not sitting up straight when eating. I'm not certain whether it would cause hoarseness.

In relation to the fatigue, I have found that b12 sublingual + a daily multi vitamin including omega have helped significantly. As well as eating regular small meals to prevent sleepiness after eating. Jay

[azura in reply to jay2908]

Hi Jay Thanks for your advice, will take this up with my Upper G I Nurse. Regards Linda.

[Hidden]

I think you should get checked out - the fatigue might be loss of iron and vitamin B, leading to feeling anaemic. So this is a check up of mineral and vitamin levels and par for the course for your stage after surgery.

The hoarseness might be caused by reflux (acid or bile) but that again need to be checked properly. The answer might be adjustment to medication.

The difficulty in swallowing might be a number of things, including the scar tissue of the surgical joint. Difficulty in swallowing is also one of the alarm symptoms and definitely needs checking as soon as you can. This does not mean that there is definitely a serious problem, but your medical team would want to check it out as soon as possible.

[azura in reply to Hidden]

Alan Hi. Thanks for your very sensible advice, will contact my upper G I Nurse soonest. Regards Linda

[bmwhatchback]

Hi there - I have also found that fatigue causes hoarseness and problems swallowing but does usually right itself with more rest - my husband is also 18 months post op - he does have reflux but does not take any medication. He has an appt. to see surgeon in December and based on what AlanM has said, I will raise this with surgeon.

[azura in reply to bmwhatchback]

Hi bmwhatchback. Its good to know I am not the only one with this problem. I too will take Alans advice and contact my upper G I nurse soonest. Regards Linda (Azura)

[bmwhatchback in reply to azura]

Hello again - find your comment about an upper g i nurse interesting, we have been left alone completely. I will contact hospital to see whether there is one available. All my knowledge has been taken from this OPA site. Cheers Lyn (bmwhatchback)

[Thorno]

I find hoarseness particularly, comes and goes with fatigue. I'm three years on from surgery and it still happens when I get tired, plus a bit of soreness when swallowing. My surgery was very high up and my throat does get affected by tiredness quite a lot which my surgeon says is not unexpected. I also suffer from absolutely everything to do with surgery (throat, ribs, scars etc.) aching when I'm very tired or have struggled to sleep (usually due to our old friend reflux).

Peter

[azura in reply to Thorno]

Hi Thorno. thanks for your response,it helps to know others suffer the same problems.Evenif I wishnone of us had to.

[strangetimes]

I find that my swallowing is very significantly affected by tiredness and stress ,especially the latter .

Can those of you who have had a " stretch" tell me more about the procedure - it sounds horrid and I hate and struggle with endoscopies . Is one sedated for a stretch ?

Thorno do you take anything for the reflux ? Does it not work ? Could it be bile rather than acid ,I get this sometimes - foul taste ,burning and vomiting - and it's always at night .

[Thorno]

I've had many 'stretches' and have always been sedated - they've always been fine, absolutely no problem but I'm sure it varies depending on who performs the procedure.

In terms of reflux, I really can't work it out - I take Omeprazole but it comes and goes without warning and with no particular pattern. I've tried to note down my food intake, types of meal etc. but it seems to have no pattern or regularity - even after three years!

The only thing that seems to help is to be as upright as possible at night - I have a v-shaped pillow that does the trick as long as I stay on my back.

I have to say, reflux is horrid and I would be grateful for anything that would be of help.

Peter

[azura in reply to Thorno]

the most helpful thing I have found for reflux is an electrical adjustable bed, its been my saviour, well worth the cost.

[strangetimes]

I wonder then if it could be bile ? I believe there is something /possibly a med .that can help with this .

I think mine happens when I've had something with a high fat content .Though I can eat the same thing twice and only get it once . But maybe it depends on what else I've eaten .,

Quite hard work the eating with no pain malarky isn't it ?