Acid reflux/ Heart burn

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Question for the nurses please. Unfortunately my Mum has incredibly painful heart burn/ acid reflux following a round of EC on Wednesday. We’re unable to get through to the nurse helpline at the unit. Mum is concerned re. drug interactions and wondered if gaviscon and rennies are suitable or may worsen other side effects? Are they safe to take?

She is currently spitting up a lot of mucous/ acid and has severe pain at the base of throat and upper chest.

She has type 2 diabetes so any other meds that are high in sugar/ flavourings may not be suitable.

Would it be advised to request a prescription for medication that can alleviate symptoms instead of using gaviscon regularly?

Many thanks

2

Does your mums hospital have an inpatient ward she could call for advice/possible review? Should be able to call switchboard for connection.
Was she given a 24 hour number?
Do you have a local walk in centre?
I was given omeprazole after severe sickness which led to acid/pain/feeling something stuck in my throat which helped me, also used gaviscon short term but with mums diabetes, and possibly first time this has happened, could do with at least speaking to someone?
Hope she feels better soon

3

Thanks so much for your reply Laura. Appreciate all the guidance. Unable to get through to the hospital out of hours line or local pharmacy so will head to another pharmacy shortly.

4

I am also a type 2 diabetic and also developed heartburn following my first EC treatment. I took rennies and gaviscon which helped though didn’t relieve it completely. I was prescribed Lanzoprazole 30mgs once a day which totally relieved my symptoms within 36 hours.

I suggest that you see if a pharmacist will prescibe this, or Omeprazole, for your mother if you can’t get hold of anyone on the emergency phone number. Does your GP have an emergency number you could ring - they should do!! Or possibly 111?

Failing all this it’s ok for her to take rennies or antacids until she can get a prescription for something more longterm.

5

Hi
The nurses dont respond at weekends so please try 111 or your chemo hotline or a pharmacy

6

Omeprazol from sainsburys pharmacy (or any pharmacy) worked wonders for me and was fine to take with chemo. Hope she gets some relief. Rennies and gaviscon did nothing for me x

7

Hi Becsy_00

Thank you for posting. It sounds as though your mum is having a difficult time with acid reflux following her chemotherapy last week.

It looks like you posted your question over the weekend, so you may have spoken to either the chemotherapy hotline or a pharmacist by now. If not, your mum should have been given a 24- hour chemotherapy hotline number to call if she is worried about the side effects of chemotherapy as @LauraR mentions. The hotline can take some time to answer at weekends. If she is still in severe pain and you are unable to get through on this number then it is important that she contact NHS111 or attend A&E for an assessment as @pat and @Curlywurly1 suggest.

As @pat and @andreag say a pharmacist may also be able to offer advice on over-the-counter medication.

We would suggest that you also contact your mum’s treatment team or chemotherapy unit today to explain the symptoms she experienced over the weekend and the difficulties you encountered in accessing advice and support, so that they can advise you who to contact out of hours in the future, should you need to.

We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which your mum may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.

For more details about all of these services, please see the information on the link, or call our free helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).

If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. To do this complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.

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Best wishes

Katy

Breast Care Nurse

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