Many of us have problems with indigestion during chemo and as I have a history of it that predates my chemo and take meds regularly for it, I thought I’d post my top tips for coping:
- Ask your doctor for drugs to help - Omeprazole, Lanzoprazole to name two. Both helpful and effective.
- Keep Gaviscon tablets (avaible on prescription) to hand as can be used with other drugs.
- avoid fatty food, especially butter - dietary fat can slow down gastrointestinal muscles
- melons (especially watermelon) and coconut water are fabulous for soothing that horrid acid feeling. Fruit is generally acidic but these are not. Aparently bananas are also good but I hate them so can’t speak from experience!
- Carbohydrate snacks like bread, crackers, oatcakes are good.
- avoid fizzy drinks - even water. The bubbles ‘burp’ the acid back into the oesphagus.
- go to bed at least 2 to 3 hours after eating, that way your stomach is empty. If lying down still causes problems, consider raising the head of the bed or using extra pillows to wedge yourself more upright.
- tea and coffee are gastric irritants so limit or avoid them. Herbal ‘teas’ are better, especially camomille and fennel. Ginger or peppermint are great but don’t drink them to excess otherwise they will cause the problem.
- Milk can be helpful but I haven’t found it so
- Ask for help as it is a miserable thing and so painful and much can be done to alleviate it.
This is not an exhaustive list and I’m sure (and hope that) others will add to it.
Hope that helps
B x