I vor lewis

[JML62]

Hello, i had the ivor lewis 12 years ago, i get bad bouts ofacid relux despite taking ppi's 2 a day also gaviscon after meals

And at bed time. Doe's any body no if there is a reverse procedure

To replace the sphincter vave which is removed during procedure.

Thanks JML62

[hunsdon]

hi I am exactly the same as yourself so I am wondering what reply’s your going to get hopefully some useful responses x

[JML62 in reply to hunsdon]

hi hundsdon, i have not heard of anybody on this forum who has had a reversal, i am open to try any think, if i end lying horizontal on the bed thats when the reflux occurs. good luck .

[Cosmobabe]

Hi there!I am 6 years post the op and I eat omeprazole, famotidine and gaviscon.

Every three months I have an endoscopy where botox is put into the sphincter to help with my problem of reflux.

There are operations that could be done to sort out the sphincter but due to the surgery that I had, I would not be a suitable candidate for this. Mainly because the remaining stomach would be used to strengthen this sphincter and I don't have much stomach left.

I ate Lansoprazole previously and now it has been changed to Omeprazole x2 tablets twice a day. Famotidine has been doubled too.

I had botox in August- I suffered a month trying different meds combinations and this did not work and I got botox again in September . I have reduced the Omeprazole and the famotidine to 1 tablet.

My reflux issues are significantly reduced after the botox.

I do find that after the endoscopy I am now taking longer to jump back to my normal self as time passes and I am in my mid fifties.

Depending where you are in the world, I would go to your gp to refer you on to the hospital etc

I was lucky to say that I have been in contact with my surgeon from the start of my op as I was experiencing these issues from the beginning. Just as the 3 months after the endoscopy begin to end, my reflux issues come back with an avengeance. Then I know it is time to call up for another endoscopy. At the moment my endoscopy appointments are automatically booked and I don't need to chase these.

I hope this helps.

Cosmobabe

[JML62 in reply to Cosmobabe]

thanks Cosmobabe, the information is useful i will try and speak to my gp to see if they can get some more information.

[Molly14]

Hi there - I’m on lansoprazole 30 at bedtime then gaviscon advance through the day - I sleep pretty much upright on the sofa as found it’s the only way I don’t slip down - tried everything under the sun - I was fed up waking up coughing all night and not getting a good sleep - all the best

[Cosmobabe]

I also wanted to let you all know that if your stomach is empty during the day even though you may feel full then this also produces acid in your stomach . This also happens to me. I have now began noticing the signs and I tend to eat something small - just a bit or two and the acid tends disappear. If it doesn't then I would reach for the gaviscon. My main aim is to reduce the amount of meds I am eating 😊

[hunsdon in reply to Cosmobabe]

Great information cosmobabe , I think like most of us we just wish we didn’t have too much acid and then courses us so much discomfort but every little tip helps x

[LondonMan]

I had an Ivor Lewis almost 3 years ago and, now, very rarely suffer from acid reflux. I'm on omeprazole x 4, famotidine and gaviscon daily. I also prop my shoulders/head up at night with 3 pillows and an upside down "V" shaped pillow which usually keeps me asleep on my back. If by "sphincter" you are referring to the pyloric sphincter I have not heard of a reversal and as mine keeps shrinking the medics propose to cut it as part of strightening out my stomach conduit.

[Magicwands in reply to LondonMan]

The pyloric sphincter is at the other end of your stomach - the end which joins the intestine. Sometimes this is cut to help with emptying the stomach.

[grandylynda]

As I understand it, Ivor Lewis surgery leaves us with no upper stomach valve and it is not replaceabl p p I l helps but best way to avoid reflux is to sleep in a near sitting position. If you can afford it, an adjustable bed helps a lot as you can raise feet too which means you don't slide down over timee

[Magicwands]

I have found that sleeping on a wedge pillow (recommended for acid reflux) is really helpful. I also put a pillow or bolster under my knees to stop me sliding down the bed. It took some getting used to as I don’t like sleeping on my back but definitely works. So does not eating or drinking for 3-4 hours before bed and keeping the portions small. Hope you find a solution.

[PDM2021]

I kept getting bad acid reflux at night as I’d tend to slide down my first wedge pillow. I found this one which works very well. I’ve not had any more occurrences after using it. It’s a bit pricey but worth it to be able to sleep through the night.

medcline.co.uk/products/med...

Phil

[JML62 in reply to PDM2021]

thanks for that info, i will look into that.

[Robfromwales]

hi all and happy Xmas

with your reflux symptoms, to what extent is retrosternal pain / discomfort ( behind the sternum) a significant symptom as opposed to others like coughing , , actual acid in throat, horseness et?

[JML62 in reply to Robfromwales]

Happy Xmas In my case it is not so much pain, it is the acid in throat causing coughing and wretching to clear it out.

[AnonymouslyNoted]

I had that issue the first 3 years after my Ivor Lewis, when I slept at a roughly 150 degree angle (see graph where your feet are at zero degrees). In that time I developed severe ulcers which were very concerning for my care team. When the ulcers were discovered, I bought a split motorized bed (so my wife can sleep flat) and I increased my angle to about 120 degrees. I also raise the lower portion of the bed so my legs are elevated. This keeps me from sliding down in the bed.

In addition, I don't eat past 6PM. And I try to eat according to the attached chart.

12 months later the ulcers were drastically reduced. I still take Rabeprozole twice daily. Very occasionally I do have a reflux event, but not nearly as often as I did during my first 3 years. I assume it was something I ate that day.

As a side bonus, not eating after 6PM helps me maintain a healthy weight.

Sleeping in that position takes time to adapt. But give it time. You will adapt.

Angles and what to eat

[JML62 in reply to AnonymouslyNoted]

Hi thanks for your reply. Ist stomach ulcers you had caused by reflux?. I have noted your food map which makes sense. I am looking at ordering an electric bed which i have viewed. Good luck with your recovery.

[Bards]

I’m 1yr+ post Op and am fortunate. Have been off all PPIs for a while and now only have occasional minor episodes at night. I do however well remember it being out of control even when on Lanzap and attempting sleeping contortions…!

I found (and still use) the longer, slimmer wedge pillow from Putnams a good compromise for me. It was also suggested that a handful of porridge oats or Ready Brek at bedtime would help soak up the acid overnight however I was still having too much trouble swallowing full stop… Might be worth a go though if you can manage it?

[JML62 in reply to Bards]

hi thanks for your reply, i will give the porridge oats a try it sounds like it will be a good idea.