Symptoms

[Alfie12]

Had a tumor removed from my oesophagus 5yrs ago been good till now seem to get acid,sick,no appetite and feel as if I have no energy

[rayw55]

I am now almost 7 years post op Ivor Lewis and still eat small amounts every couple of hours during the day and night. I consume huge amounts of chocolate as that melts in your mouth and much of my food is soft such as trifles etc. I get used to sleeping in naps during the night and every now and then I too get very fatigued and feel like doing nothing at all, when this happens normally I just take it very easy for a few days and then start to feel better. I still get very bad acid in my mouth when I slip down the bed at night almost choking at times so sometimes prefer to sleep in my reclining chair I bought before my op anticipating difficulty as I had been advised that sleeping sat up took a lot of getting send to . Each of us needs to find what works for us but I would also recommend asking your doctor to refer you back to the surgeon if you are worried and do not see him annually as I still see mine every year . My wife now accepts that I eat what I can to keep to my now normal weight and if that means chocolate and cream rather than roast beef dinner then so be it. I know it's easy to say but I don't 'worry' about being tired or not wanting to eat I just accept that's the way it is now and considering the alternative it's a pretty good life. There are some foods which definitely cause me issues and those I avoid, strangely bacon which used to cause me real issues before my op is now fine? But try removing things like coffee as this really caused me issues and it was only when my surgeon suggested cutting it out completely that massive improvement took place we are all different so try to identify then'triggers' for you and avoid them I hope you feel better soon, Ray

[kierank in reply to rayw55]

Hello Ray I am a year and half post IL . Almost immediately I put my bed on a slope so slipping down off pillows is not possible - (if thats what you mean). Also I can lie on either side more easily because the re is not a kink as is the case with pillows or the hospital bed . Since my operation I have only had bed time reflux 6 or 7 times . Over the period of sleep I may gradually slip down so that my feet are over the end of the bed but this is easily rectified . My bed is raised 8 inches (20cm). It is not a big job . For a timber base , 4 pieces of 2cm ply, two at top and two at centre can be fixed direct by screws to timber of the base . It may be that I am just a lucky one but I sleep as normal . Best luck Kieran

[rayw55 in reply to kierank]

Thanks certainly worth a try now, I did this not long after my op and still found I slipped almost flat. If I am flat I get acid in my throat maybe as I have no valve on my stomach as this was faulty back on the 80's when they tried a laproscopic fundoplication which didn't seem to work.

[kierank in reply to rayw55]

If the bed is on a slope it is not possible to slip into a flat position as the bed is on a slope top to bottom . As I understand the mechanics I dont have any stomach valve nor do those who have had the IL operation .

[rayw55 in reply to kierank]

Thanks I will try again

Best regards ray

[worthbanner in reply to rayw55]

I would second rayw55's suggestions about sleeping. I have been more fortunate on the range of foods I can eat without indigestion but i still can only eat perhaps 2/3 normal pre-op meals. My most efficacious remedy for reflux and somewhat for digestion as well is chewing gum. I do it most of the day but find it most useful right after meals. I am a bit past one year from my Ivor lewis.

[Hidden]

It would be worth getting your vitamin / mineral levels checked as these can slowly deteriorate without you noticing.

Do you feel that the food that you do eat goes through your system OK? I think I would let the specialist nurse know so that they can check out what is happening. It sounds like something is upsetting your system.

[Spikey]

Dear Alfie, I think what you describe is not uncommon. Like you, I was OK for several years and then started having periodic bouts of acid reflux, diarrhoea and fatigue. It could be due to several factors. It could be vitamin/mineral deficiency, as Alan suggests. Or, it could be a reaction to long term medication. Or, it could be that you've picked up a bug, as a result of a weakened immune system. All I can suggest is that you go to your GP and get them to run some tests.