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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/15/2010 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
For the last 2 1/2 years my husband has struggled with abdominal pain and reflux, the was sent to have the light put down his throat and the specialist told him he had IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), so we played with his diet hoping to find a solution to the pain, after months with no change to his symptoms he went back to the Dr and had blood test done, they say they found nothing and started him on Somac for the refulx, but this didn't help with the chest and abdominal pain he was feeling. One of the dr he seen also went a far as calling him a hypochondriac!!
Anyway we changed Dr again, and was sent to another specialist to have the light put down his throat again, this time they found a large tumor that was about 7X8 cm in size, and before we new it he was booked in to have a total gastrectomy, when removing the stomach they also found a 3cm size tumor in his pancreas, we have now done 1 cycle of chemo and had a PET scan which show the tumor in his pancreas is still there and hasn't changed size.
We now have to be careful with what he eats, because the heartburn and reflux are so bad, I'm so worried about the tumor in his pancreas because it is on a major vein which I think is causing most of the probs with the heartburn.
So here we are waiting to do radiation now if anyone has any advice I would be most grateful.
Posted 10/16/2010 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there and welcome. I don't have any advice but just wanted to say hang in there!
Posted 10/16/2010 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and thanks, sometimes just having someone say Hi can be enough :)
Posted 10/16/2010 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cryinginside,
So sorry to hear about your husband's health challenges. I'm sure it's difficult for both of you. The only thing that came to mind is Carafate Suspension. It's a very benign drug that coats the inside of the esopghagus and makes it feel more comfortable. You might ask you husband's doctor if he thinks it would be helpful in this case. It's not absorbed into the system, so won't load on another drug. The only thing is that it requires a two hour waiting period after taking it before taking meds, since it can interfere with absorption.
Just a thought. When I'm in pain, it coats my esophagus and makes me feel much better.
Good luck, and best wishes for a good outcome for your husband.
Denise
Posted 10/16/2010 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise, I should mention that I'm in Australia, and have never heard of that product, does it have any other names?
At the hospital when it gets too bad the docs give him a pink lady (mylanta and Lidocaine mixture) which seems to work but his Gp seems reluctant to prescribe this for him?
Thanks Tammy
Posted 10/16/2010 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Sucralfate (soo-KRAL-fate) is the other name for it.
Posted 10/16/2010 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Joy took the words right out of my mouth! Be sure to ask for the suspension, though, because it coats the esophagus. The pills are for coating the stomach.
Good luck!
Denise
Posted 10/16/2010 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  I ran a search for Carafate or it's equivalent in Australia  and I came up blank.  Perhaps you could ask your Doctor what would be equal to this medication ?  My heart goes out to you and your husband. 

I think I answered your post in another thread.    Reading this post however I am appalled to read your husband had the Upper GI Endoscopy and was dx with IBS.  As the UGI scope is not able to view the small bowel or colon, which is where you would scope if you felt it was a bowel problem. 

I suspect the pancreatic involvement that has been found is causing much of his pain also.  Does he have any pain medication ?

Feel free to email me as my Father had pancreatic cancer so I am here to support you.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

  

Posted 10/16/2010 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your kind words and suport, I am writing down the names of the medications so that John can bring them up with his Dr when he goes back this week. He ate dry toast yesterday which seemed to help, I read some where that it helps to soak up the excess acidic fluid until it passes through the stomach, but its the long road for us I'm thinking.

Once again thank you, I look forward to any more advice.

Tammy

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