just noticed in another thread, someone mentioned they suffered heartburn during their chemo. Since my second cycle on Monday, I have noticed at bedtime that I feel like there is too much acid sitting on my stomach, and I also do the occasional hiccup that comes out of nowhere, almost like a reflux action, but it is just the one it doesn’t turn into those infuriating hiccups that take ages to talk or shock yourself out of!
I am loathe to take any kind of pills of remedies if I can avoid it because i figure there is enough shite going round my system as it is. Does anyone have any tips for making this better? It is only last thing at night, so a few hours after my last meal.
The food I am eating is not great but where I am normally a good eater and favour healthier choices, at the moment I feel so sick at the mere thought of so many things I normally enjoy I have to stick to the few things I feel I can stomach, and sadly these tend to be stodgy and carbs.
Hi Clarabel I was given Pariet, double dose whist on chemo than cut back when nausea was more bearable and I had hiccups they were quite p-ainful at times , so maybe you may have to give in and see Gp . My diet is much the same as yours and my friemds kep asking me out for meals and the thought makes me pewke. ONc gave me Pariet and I have a lot of faith in him.
Love Bobbie
Hi clarabel,
i was given omeprazole for the horrible heartburn by the chemo nurses, took 1 a day, it was fantastic. I started off thinking like you about yet more medication, but ended up with omeprazole for the heartburn, senokot for the constipation & paracetamol for the headaches, thought what the heck its only for a few months and if it helps go for it!! take care,
rivergirl xx
I’ve suffered with acid reflux/heartburn for years and have found that moderating my diet has helped a lot. I notice though that you’re having difficulty with some foods. Alcohol, fats and high carb foods will exacerbate problems unfortunately.
I dislike taking tablets for heartburn and will only do so if I can’t control it. What I tend to do is to eat carefully, making sure I don’t eat too close to bedtime. The remedies that work best for me are peppermint tea after each meal (the best cure I’ve found), natural yoghurt and if out and about and it hits, some extra strong mints. I think bicarbanate of soda mixed in water should help too although I’ve not tried it. Likewise Alka Seltzer.
So far since starting my chemo I’ve not had a bad time with acid … my second chemo is on Monday so I shall see if it kicks in badly then or not.
I suffered heartburn for years and took extra strong mints. Hubby also suffered for years and took Rennies. A few months ago, I vomited blood one night, didn’t panic but monitored myself for a couple of days before going to the GP. He sent me for a gastroscopy and it turns out I have a hiatus hernia. I persuaded hubby to go and he’s also got a hiatus hernia. I now won’t take anything that will mask symptoms. Fortunately I don’t have much pain so can manage on 2 or 4 paracetamol a day, plus one lanzoparole for the hiatus hernia.
Hubby told his colleagues at work and a few of them have now been diagnosed with hiatus hernias also, and they’d been taking heartburn remedies for years.
Don’t want to panic anyone and yours are probably chemo related, as you say, but just thought I’d tell you of our experience.