Hi,
I have recently spent two months in hospital post the Ivor Lewis surgery. Lots of complications and way too much time in ICU.
Since coming home I am nauseous all the time, have tried all of the doctors prescriptions and advice but still not helping.
Anyone have any words of wisdom or experience the same post your surgery? Please tell me it goes away.
Cheers Pam
Hi I'm 9 years on nearly and yes mine did go away. I was just really sick after surgery couldn't keep water down sometimes. I had various anti sickness meds in liquid format, they taste absolutely yuk but I did at least get some relief from the sick and dizzy feeling. Also I could get some food down which in turn helped me to feel better
For a while all my meds were in liquid format as tablets were either thrown up or they felt like they were burning. That helped lots.
It took a while and some adhesions and a u bend in my gut didn't help. It's a slow process getting better but lots of tiny snacks and rest eventually worked.
Good luck hugs Lizzy
Hi my friends boyfriend brother had the ivor Lewis five years ago he is sick still at least five times a day he is OK though everyone is different I am sure you will get good advice on this site
I had all your problems. The ubend is the main cause of the sickness, as it prevents the stomach from emptying properly. Food remains and ferments. I still suffer from this after 5 years. My solution is to drink as many cups of coffee as I can, then make myself sick. This flushes my stomach. I can then eat my next meal. I do this before bed also, it prevents reflux choking me when asleep. I have also found that, contrary to advice, I am better eating curry. This helps with bile reflux. I hope you feel better soon.
Hi Alan,
I'm just one year out of surgery. But I have these problems digesting food as well. I avoid lentils, beans, green salad, mushrooms. Even before my operation I felt them lying in my stomach for quite some time. Now I avoid to eat them and other food I sometimes crave for. (Cheese at night will result in bile reflux, it's the fat.)
I don't drink coffee that much, but a glass of water might have the same effect. But I'm always scared that something could damage the scar. Or produce a new tumour next by.
Monika
Hi Monika have you tried metaclopromide. It speeds up the transit of food through the new arrangement. Works really well for me. I take at least 45 mins before eating in the morning and dinner. I now manage with two a day. I took three a day for almost a year and I’m now trying to wean myself off them. I try missing one of my
two doses. But when digestion gets sluggish again I increase the number of doses again .
Paul.
Hi Paul,
Yes, I used metaclopromide for a while after surgery. Three per day. Then I thought they could be the reason for feeling tired and I stopped taking them. But I felt tired all the same especially after lunch.
Reading your advice I've decided to give it another try and started with half a tablet three times a day. In addition I take enzyme capsules (bromelain, papain, amylase, lipase, protease), which should also help digestion. And for about a week now I've tried alcaline balance tablets, these obviously help me with reflux and I could reduce pantoprazol to 20 mg. Trial and error ...
It seems somehow like a vicious circle: PPI's reduce acid and prevent heartburn and inflammation (or even something worse), but then acid is necessary for digestion to prevent food from sticking in the stomach and getting nauseous.
Best wishes,
Monika
Have you tried promethazine suppository instead of or in addition to pills? I find that it is very fast acting and works much better than the pills. I had surgery to help prevent acid literally pouring from a hole the size of a pingpong ball all the way up unto my sinuses burning my eyes, throat, larynx, esophagus, holes in my lungs with crushing chest pain and nonstop continual coughing and was told for the rest of my life I cannot vomit or it will destroy the surgery they did in my stomach making the same problems that were killing me happen all over. Problem now is that same surgery causes frequent nausea.
Oh my goodness, that is terrible. I have not tired the suppository but will ask my doctor about it. I’m over being nauseous but does not compare to what you are going through with your situation. I wish you all the best.
hI i TO WAS FEELING SICKLY AFTER IVOR LEWIS OP, EVENTUALLY THE ANTI SICKNESS MEDICINE STARTED TO WORK ,PLEASE PERCEVERE AND YOU WILL BE OK , GOOD LUCK
From a Carer’s Perspective 
Survival rate of esophageal cancer. 
Diabetes and oesophagectomy 
Swallowing difficulties 5 months post-op
GERD and nightly heartburn 
