Reflux

janet66 · 09-03-2015, 11:26 AM

I am 13 months post chemo TCH I have had terrible reflux for months now. Anyone else?

tricia keegan · 09-03-2015, 12:18 PM

Yes I had it and was finally diagnosed with a hiatal hernia after an endoscopy was done, I was told the strong and toxic chemo drugs and anti nausea meds can cause it and I should have been taking something to help avoid it. I've been taking a daily Nexium ever since and try not to eat greasy foods which keeps it under control for me.

agness · 09-04-2015, 09:45 AM

Getting enough B vitamins, plus having your gut work well, should help address a lot of this.

The pancreas relies on sifficient zinc intake to produce digestive enzymes and many BC patients are low in zinc (with elevated copper which inhibits zinc absorption). Getting your zinc and copper levels tested (zinc and copper serum levels, ceruloplasim level) will give you more information. I was able to improve my zinc status by taking 60 mg zinc daily, plus reducing copper containing foods, over many months and my digestion improved as well. Without adequate digestive enzymes your body goes into a downward spiral, the worse you get the worse you get -- you body absorbs less and less of what it needs to function.

You might try taking plant-based digestive enzymes and see if that helps some, plus taking probiotics to improve your gut microbiota -- chemo is way worse than antibiotics and we have taken those too.

Your liver might be unhappy as well. Have you done anything to help your liver heal from treatment? I worked with a naturopathic oncologist throughout treatment and once chemo stopped I started on coQ10, post-Herceptin he added even more. My thread about natural hormone balancing has more info about the liver. Working with someone trained in integrative medicine would be helpful too.

Chinese Medicine also has been helpful to me. I get targeted herbs, some nutrition advice, snd the acupuncture helps with drifting symptoms. My liver has ached some post chemo (nothing showed on the PET) and he was able to address it head on.

HTH

janet66 · 09-04-2015, 06:58 PM

Thanks, ladies! I see my oncologist in a little over a week and am going in with lots of things to discuss. Thanks so much for your help!

suzan w · 09-04-2015, 08:02 PM

I suffered terribly from reflux and mouth sores from chemo. The mouth sores eventually went away but not the reflux. After years of Tums I am now on prescription Prevacid. Small price to pay for survival!