Heartburn and indigestion

[Mopsie]

Hi lovely ladies

Is heartburn etc a condition left by chemo? I have been suffering since last October finished chemo in January 2014. Had a scan in March 2015 showed nothing but ca125 up from 16 to 45 in a fortnight. Not seeing consultant again until July.

Any advice welcome.

Thank you

Mopsie

[Alikay]

Hello Mopsie.

Have you mentioned the indigestion to your consultant or specialist nurse?

I've also had problems with indigestion both with and after chemo. I did ask my team about it as I convinced myself that something else was going on, but apparently its quite common. They recommended Omeprazole, either once or twice a day depending on what works best for you, topped up with gaviscon if needed after meals and before bed.

It certainly seems to do the trick for me and hopefully you would benefit too. For your own peace of mind though, check it out with your hosipal team or GP.

Hope all goes well and that you can get some relief. Xx

[Mopsie in reply to Alikay]

Hi

Yes my GP gave me that medication and I told the consultant on two occasions but they did not seem concerned. Had a scan in March as a large lymph node appeared just above my collar bone but as I said nothing showed up on the scan anywhere else. My GP has now taken me off that as he wants to test for a bacterial infection and that test will not work with that medication. I am now on Zantac which is helping but I suppose the worry is as always could it be the beast rearing its ugly head again. Breath test on Monday so no drinks for me at the weekend!

Mopsie xx

[Alikay in reply to Mopsie]

Hi Mopsie

Try not to worry too much (if that's possible) and put your faith in your team. I know what its like though as I was also concerned that it was more activity occurring, but like your team, mine weren't at all concerned - I think it must be a common side effect.

The breath test is nothing to worry about, and if they do decide that your problem is infection, they can put that right with antibiotics. In the meantime, I hope you continue to get relief from the zantac.

Take care. Ali xx

[babsclunn]

Hi mopsie I was getting both badly and also a feeling of something stuck in my throat go sent me for endoscopy I have gastritis which can be caused by stress or chronic illness and hiatus hernia which is causing heartburn and indigestion I am taking omaprozole as eased it off hope u get it sorted soon x

[Mopsie in reply to babsclunn]

Hi

Thank you for your response I thought that after chemo and TAH this would disappear but obviously not. GP has given me Lasanzopole? And now Zantac which seems to be helping. Always a worry that something is going on. Having a breath test for bacterial infection in Monday and then possibly an endoscopy after that.

Love Mopsie xx

[Alex53]

Indigestion and heart burn were signs for me of the disease so I'd mention it to your doctor/nurse. But I can definitely recommend omeprazole. A life saver for me and gp can prescribe. Xx

[Mopsie in reply to Alex53]

Hi

Thanks for your response GP has given Zantac now which seems to be helping a bit as omeprazole will cause adverse result to breath test for bacterial infection which I am having next week. I naively thought heartburn etc would disappear after chemo and TAH over a year ago but obviously not. Keep well!

Love Mopsie

[SandyL]

Hi Mopsie,

When I had chemo 16 years ago, I also suffered from mild heartburn and so was prescribed Zantac by my Dr. I changed my diet quite a bit, ate only good fats (in moderation) and avoided high fat animal products. Eventually, I stopped taking Zantac and have never had heartburn since.

I'm happy that your scan in March was clear, but if it was me in your shoes, with a Ca 125 that has more than doubled in 2 weeks, I'd ask for a pelvic exam to rule out further cancer activity - just to err on the side of caution. If your Dr has already done that and found everything to 'feel' OK , then I'd be quite content with that July appointment.

It is true that a jump in Ca 125 can be indicative of inflammatory conditions, even a flu shot can cause that number to rise, so there can certainly be other reasons for the rise in numbers. For some people, the Ca 125 is not a good indicator for them, it doesn't flag progress or disease stability. A friend of mine is monitored by CT scans and pelvic exams after over 20 years of having the disease. We are all different. Even after 16 years I have my Ca 125 taken every 3 months because my thoughts are (regardless of all the study results one hears about), that if the cancer returned I'd want to start treatment right away.

So, that's something to think about - hope it helps you decide what to do.

Sandy.

[Mopsie in reply to SandyL]

Hi

Wow 16 years with this disease! I was diagnosed stage 4. My CA was 4100 when first tested by GP. Then 8000 after 3 weeks when tested at local hospital and up to 11000 when referred to specialist unit at Oxford hospital so it was galloping up but came down to 19.5 following chemo and surgery and then to 6. Now on the way up again but as I said nothing on the scan or felt when examined. Consultant not worried with a reading of 45 but will test again before next appointment. GP doing breath test for bacterial infection and then possibly endoscopy to see if there is an ulcer. What next I wonder! Trying to keep positive and watching what I eat.

Thank you for your response

Love Mopsie

[SandyL]

Hi Mopsie,

It's certainly more reassuring to know you had the pelvic exam besides the scan. After finishing treatment, I took part in the Ovarex study (vaccine) for 2 years and my progress was monitored by pelvic exams and CT scans only. No Ca 125's were taken at all. It turned out that I was on the placebo, not the real stuff. My Ca 125 at diagnosis was 9800 and was also Stage 4 along with massive pulmonary embolisms. I've been clear since initial treatment.

Try to keep positive - filling you life doing what you love to do with people you care for.

Take good care of yourself,

Sandy.