Reflux problems: Hi after a Ivor Lewis... - Oesophageal & Gas...

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Reflux problems

hunsdon profile image
23 Replies

Hi after a Ivor Lewis operation is it still possible to have hiatus hernia ?

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hunsdon profile image
hunsdon
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23 Replies
Mauser1905 profile image
Mauser1905

One will not have hiatus hernia of the stomach for obvious anatomy change. After IL surgery the diaphrgm tissue is nomore binding and controlling the stomach junction. Its free.

However one may experience acquired Diaphragmatic Hernia (ADH), in which case the abdominal organs may be pulled inside the chest cavity and cause serious issues. Requires hospitalinaction and surgical intervention.

Why would you think of HH now, assuming you had surgery?

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toMauser1905

Hi thanks for the reply I am just trying to see as I have the horrible reflux at times , I do take esomeprazole now and wondering if taking acidophilus would also help to battle the acid at the start ?

Mauser1905 profile image
Mauser1905 in reply tohunsdon

When acid excess happens for patients undergone oesophagectomy its going to be worse because of the obvious anatomy and lack of sphincter.

This is the reason I started seeking LINX solution for oesophagectomy survivors.

My acidity is very much controlled by my day to day management. Not specific to acid.

I do not take PPI's anymore. Hving said that once in a while I will get acid issues then will take gaviscon advance to help. But the issue is resolved once I rest, control food drinks and most importantly calm down.

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toMauser1905

I did have surgery Ivory Lewis January 2012 at queens hospital romford

Popsic profile image
Popsic in reply tohunsdon

Hi there, I had IL in 2013, still suffer reflux and I'm on omeprazole, but I'm looking into acidophilus tablets too,

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toPopsic

Hi popsic, I am now taking esomeprazole which has helped a great deal , but also I have got acidophilus as well , early days at the moment I am just hoping things will settled more now as the acid reflux can be so horrible with deep orange colour bile that comes up and also burning sensation hurts a lot. I like to try and help my self as much as I can. I hope this helps you as well.

Popsic profile image
Popsic in reply tohunsdon

Hi hunsdon

I get that bile too, the burning is so bad I cry with the pain.

That's great your on esomeprazole and acidophilus, how much of each do you take?

I'm going to start the acidophilus today, like you I try to help myself as much as I can. I hope it works for you. Keep us updated if you don't mind,

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toPopsic

Hi esomeprazole 1 a day, and now also trying out acidophilus on 2 a day then to reduce it to maybe 1 a day , I bought acidophilus at Holland & Barrett

Popsic profile image
Popsic in reply tohunsdon

Hi

Yes I got mine from Holland and barrett too, wasn't sure if to take 2 or the 1. I really want to come off omeprazole, so hopefully this will help.

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toPopsic

Hi what strength tablets did you get ?

Popsic profile image
Popsic in reply tohunsdon

Hi

I bought the ones with 3 billion friendly bacteria, 100 tablets, 1 or 2 a day.

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toPopsic

Yes that’s the ones same as myself , so I think and hope time will tell if this horrible reflux gets less and less with the help of acidophilus and also for me taking esomeprazole once a day.

Popsic profile image
Popsic in reply tohunsdon

I spoke to my oncologist nurse today and told her my fears and worries and why I want to come off omeprazole, she said that in her 20yrs in this field she's never known anyone to have stomach cancer from ppi's, that was a bit of relief. She also said that I could be one of these that has to be on them for life.! Not happy about that really. She said that acidophilus hasn't been proved to work but it's worth a shot especially if it's bile reflux. I'm still going to take the acidophilus anyway.

Hope this helps you too

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toPopsic

Hi well done in asking more questions regarding any fears you have, I am glad your staying on them tho but still go head and try other things as some of this ones are more from the health shop and could just give you some relief , and not more harsh stuff also are your Omeprazole a low dosage?

Popsic profile image
Popsic in reply tohunsdon

My omeps are 20mg, I’m also on eurthromycin as my stomach has delayed emptying, so she said to try cut down on them as they obviously kill the good bacteria, hopefully with the combination it will work, I’ll keep you posted

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toPopsic

Yes please let me know how things go, my other question is how long you been taking eurthromycin as they are antibiotic is that right ?

Popsic profile image
Popsic in reply tohunsdon

I’ve been on them for about 6yrs, they empty the stomach, yes they are an antibiotic,but I’m allergic to domperidome and metaclopamide, this was the only other option

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toPopsic

Poor you , i have never heard of anybody taking it that long , but thank god you got something to help

Popsic profile image
Popsic in reply tohunsdon

It has taken a while getting to this point, but hopefully these acidophilus will work,

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon in reply toPopsic

Well fingers crossed you get some sort of relief let us know your progress.

Popsic profile image
Popsic in reply tohunsdon

Thank you, I'll keep you updated

Mauser1905 profile image
Mauser1905 in reply toPopsic

The question put to her is wrong and her answer is in-principle correct for obvious reasons.

ppi's on its not necessarily causing carcinoma, if you get me. its the continual use of ppi for an issue which when not treated for its root cause; then goes on to develop carcinoma. [Mostly adenocarcinoma (predominantly acid damage at GE junction) than squamous cell type(predominantly discovered at aggressive stage due to swallowing difficulties without any other symptoms)]

For obvious reasons there maybe no studies confirming the relation; having said that the doctors wont be able to deny either.

Its the persistent acid damage on the body tissues where acid is not meant to be in touch over a longer period of time. same like tobacco kept in mouth and or nicotin damage.

If PPI being required to be used for long periods, means the root issue of acid movement outside the stomach region is not being treated. So in principle the risk of developing further cancer remains high, in my view.

Perhaps there is no surveillance on patients post oesophagectomies en masse to gather and process the data. Secondly and most importantly; adenocarcinoma at the oesophagus is not the only issue in the later years of surgery which can cause concern, tonloads of other ailments can crop up alongside or prop up their head from existing underlying development.

Surgical intervention to fix the root cause after oesophagectomy are almost non-existent. I was looking for nissen fundoplication or linx band. But that was too late in my case. Now no option of Linx band nor surgery.

I manage my life in such a way to minimise the acid build up. Still use gaviscon double action liquid in some nights and tablets when travelling extensively.

Manage sleep routine strictly as well eating in time. I do not take daily acid management medicines.

grandylynda profile image
grandylynda

no its not possible but, as Mauser says you can get a diaphragmatic hernia. If you have doubts, talk to your Gp. I could have died in Nov as most of my guts got into my chest. Fortunately the paramedics and A&E staff didn't waste any time and emergency surgery saved me. I had not been particularly well that week but there were no issues that I hadn't had before since I L surgery. Just more so. My body had been trying to tell me something I think

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