Caroline

[Salford13]

My husband had oesophageal cancer after having surgery he continues to have problems I've join this group to hopefully be able to get advise from others

[Bernadette100]

What are your husbands particular problems.

[Salford13 in reply to Bernadette100]

He is often sick after food he was told to have only soft food but even this makes him sick he suffers from heart burn and has just been put on sucralfate along with gavison he no long has a social life as wont go out for family meals as he chokes on food

[HONORIUS]

Hi Caroline, I'd say this is a great place to glean info but always remember that everyone has their own intrinsically personal experience. What are the main problems?

W

[DaveChuter]

Hi Caroline,

Please do ask about any problems or concerns so we can advise from our many experiences.

Kindest regards,

Dave C

[haward]

Hi Caroline

welcome to the group. You'll find it very helpful

Regards

Haward

[Rsw1fe]

How long ago was the surgery? Some problems take many months to resolve - and then only partially.

You will find such a lot of help on this site. I did, after my husband's op.

[Salford13 in reply to Rsw1fe]

He is just coming up to 3 years after his op I really wish I had found this sit earlier it's been along and lonely rd

[haward in reply to Salford13]

The OPA runs a helpline which you might want to use. We have volunteers able to talk to you. It's 01217049860.

[Magpuss]

I'll be four years post op next month, I still 'occasionally' get dumping syndrome, and bile reflux - but very rarely, and usually only if I've had too much dairy or sugary foods, or - if I've just eaten too much! However, en route to where I am now I suffered with sickness for several months after the op', plus copious amounts of mucus, nausea, erratic bowel movements and extreme tiredness. It took me (or my body) about three years to 'properly accept' the new configuration of my innards but now, unless I overdue dairy,sugar or eating in general I don't really have any on going problems. Hope that helps.

[Bernadette100]

He should not really be choking. Has he ever had a stretch..This procedure di d me the power of good. Stopped the choking. I still have my own problems 7 years down the line but mostly from eating things I know don't suit me.

[Rsw1fe]

I totally agree that choking isn't good. I hesitate to suggest this, it may be nonsense, but is it possible that he really is scared of food, and his throat is responding by rejecting it? Also, I have the impression that most people can eat toast etc. by this time, so I wonder why he'll accept only soft food? Alcohol?? Can be quite relaxing!

Is he getting out and about, even if he won't eat out. This is such a difficult and depressing situation for you. Try and make sure YOU get some fun at least.

[Purdy3]

Like Bernadette, I have had stretches (dilatations) done & they solve the problem of choking. They're quick & painless & done under sedation. I'm 2 1/2 years post surgery & also have other ongoing problems, which are taking time to sort out. It is a lonely road, I live in Ireland where unfortunately, there don't seem to any patient support groups. I can't recommend this forum highly enough & would feel lost without it. Wishing you all the best.

[Salford13 in reply to Purdy3]

Thank you for your message my hubby has had the stretch done twice it did work for a while he also has on going other health problems were in island are you my hubby family is from Portstuwart

Wishing you all the best

[Purdy3 in reply to Salford13]

I've had several stretches (have lost count) & get relief for a bit longer after each one, 4 months since last one & no swallowing difficulties at the moment. I'm in Dublin. Don't ever feel alone, all the members of the forum understand what you & your husband are going through & are always here for you. Regards

[chris_usa]

I'm not sure how long your husband was sick before the cancer diagnosis, if at all. I say this because a person has to swallow differently after this surgery. Chewing food up very well, swallowing in smaller amounts, and eating more slowly is a necessity. Some people eat a whole meal without liquids, which seems so foreign to me as I have had trouble swallowing since my early 20s. Use as much liquid as tolerated, as long as it doesn't worsen the dumping.

I can understand how difficult it can be for someone to go from eating normally one day to the post-esophagectomy after the surgery. For those of us with achalasia, the transition after esophagectomy is probably much easier because of the amount of problems pre-op with food for a long period before the esophagectomy.

I choose foods which I know will break down well before swallowing. I prefer a soft-solid consistency. Too hard is no good, and too much liquid is no good. Is it possible that a change in eating habits could help? Just throwing it out. \wc

[sportsman]

These are such individual issues and one man's meat can be another man's poison. In the first couple of years a sense of choking, especially when dining out, was all too frequent and many times I rushed off to the loo. I had always been told to only drink small amounts of water when eating but, one day, I took my courage in my hands and took a large swig of water. Lo and behold I felt it push the food down and, ever since then, I have followed this practice. Ten years on if anything sticks I can still feel the food descending with a large gulp of water. It works for me. That is all I can say.

[Salford13]

After more test last week it's now been found that my hubby has a inflamed join were they have done his op and his stomach isn't emptying he had a endoscope and they found food in his stomach even though he hadn't eaten since the night before so it's more meds they also are worried as they seem to think the food is coming back and going into his lungs know waiting to see a chest specialist thank you for all the reply s it helps x

[deveretth]

I have this cancer i did NOT get the operation. I did go through Radiation

and Chemotherapy. To begin it was Taxol-Carboplatin. It was not so successful.

This week i begin a different style Taxol-Cryamza. They said i don't need

any more radiation. I hope this works it's a style from Boston MA and the

MA General Hospital.

David

[e-mail]

[deveretth in reply to deveretth]

The only medication i take regularly is called Carafate it is a suspension

to reduce Acid Reflux. And i take Anti Nauseau pills. One is called Ondansetron 8 mg tablet. Another is called Prochlorerazine 10 mg tablet. Generally it works.

I agree it is suffering to choke on food. My situation improved with the

Radiation and Chemotherapy. What color are your stools? If it is BLACK

it might indicated internal bleeding at the turmor site in the esophogus

or the Upper Stomach wherever your problem is located? Radiation and

Chemotherapy put a stop to the internal bleeding. I have good looking

brown stools now.

I had a PET SCAN last week. Generally i am just going along with whatever

the Hospital says.

My recent problem is passing out. I have passed out 6 times in the past 2 months. One obvious problem is you can get hurt falling to the ground uncosciouss. That's what happened last nite. My back now hurts, the back

of my neck and head has a bump.

I don't know why i pass out. Don't sit in the dark. Always turn on the light.

it may be Hydration issues?

David

[e-mail]