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We are patients rather than health care professionals and these tips have been found to be useful by many oesophageal patients, in the UK and elsewhere. However, oesophageal patients are all different.
Taking these facts into consideration, we advise checking with your doctor before trying any of our tips.
Antacids
If you are taking Gaviscon or other antacids more than three times a week regularly, (and are not post oesosphagectomy), then be sure to consult your GP. You may need further investigation.
Acid Reflux Problems and Post Oesophagectomy
Have your bed head raised about 4 - 6 inches. Planks of wood or even piles of old magazines have been used for this purpose. If you are away from home, ask for extra pillows and put them underneath the mattress to raise your head. If you can afford it, an adjustable bed is a wonderful solution. It is also possible to buy a wedge shaped pillow. The most effective have 'egg box' construction. This helps to prevent you slipping down.
WARNING
Most of us suffer occasionally from very bad night time reflux that leaves the throat burning for up to an hour afterwards. It is very important to try to avoid this. Acid can be aspirated into the lungs, causing serious damage .
When, in spite of your efforts to avoid it, you do suffer from this, we have found that the only things to relieve the throat pain are a warm cuppa, and/or a sore throat pastille.
An adjustable bed seems the best solution, or see the DIY bed frame designed by a member of the EC group on our Acid Management leaflet. Please be sure to make some sort of adjustment, even if it is only to raise your bed head on blocks.
Some of us have found that the shaped pillows designed to keep the spine in correct alignment, also keep the head from 'lolling over' to the side during sleep.
Other Tips
Alka Seltzer can often cure those awful abdominal cramps.
If you have had an oesophagectomy, you may find that you suffer from occasional hypoglycaemia (dizzy spells). These are caused by food rushing too quickly through your digestive system. Take two Dextrose/Glucose ‘sweets’ (available at the well-known High Street chemists). These will shorten the attack and lessen the symptoms.
Natural bio (live) yoghurt replaces the natural bacteria in your stomach (which you’ve lost during treatment) and helps with digestion and acid problems.
Add ‘Build Up’ to Angel Delight or other whips.
Don’t eat anything for about four hours before bedtime.
Post Op: A snack can consist of as little as one banana. You don’t have to eat five meals a day - small snacks will suffice. Try to eat quite often - 'graze' throughout the day. As soon as you can, (and your doctor says you can!) extend your diet and try to eat 'solid' foods. You have to re-train your digestive system after an oesophagectomy. This is rather like feeding a baby - gradually getting used to different foods. Most find that they make great improvements in time. Some of us are almost 'normal' after a year or so. (Perhaps sooner- everyone varies in this- it may be two years.) You will probably never be able to eat large meals again, but can do justice to a meal out.
Soft Foods Only?
Popcorn is really easy to eat and swallow, but avoid the very sugary types as sugar promotes acid. You can make your own using a lidded pan, or there are now special microwave packs available in most supermarkets.
Toast is easier to eat than bread, which tends to stick. However, some may find that French bread is easier than English.
If you should find that some food is ‘stuck fast’ in your oesophagus, simply drink a small glass of any fizzy drink (e.g. lemonade or beer) as quickly as you can. This can be uncomfortable, but the resulting enormous burp will clear the blockage. (You need to be somewhere private to do this!) Also do practise this with caution and certainly don’t do it within eight weeks of surgery, and check with the hospital or your doctor first.
After eating, sit up straight, use cushions if necessary, for an hour or so. If you are experiencing great difficulties it might help to stand up or walk slowly around the room. Try to relax when eating - use soft music or a small glass of wine. Never eat when you are agitated.
Remember to chew, chew, chew. Much more so than most people. Use the built in food processor in your mouth! (teeth) This makes you a slow eater, but at least you will be able to eat more of what you like.
Post oesophagectomy your eating ability gradually improves until you find you can eat many more things. Most people find that they can attain a near normal situation eventually.
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