hello all, i am grateful my treatment has gone pretty well enough that surgery may not be necessary for me but I am struggling now with a lot of bloating after meals.
i have used beano- a digestive enzyme to help but it seems to be ineffective at times. My radiation oncologist has suggested this did not happen in treatment and has referred me back to my family doctor. My family doctor has referred me to my RO- you get the message - this is very discouraging-i had a number of complications going through treatment. I am afraid to push for answers -
I am back to work but drink little water because of sour taste in my mouth /dryness i have no appetite and do not want to drink much water
has anyone experienced these types of side effects- if so what seems to work for you-
my diet is lean protein-whole grain cereals-fruits -veggies-salads-no sugar or flour at all -no fried foods at all - i do salt food-
Just returning to this website after being away for months and after reading some posts will be calling whoever i have to call to get some help-
thank you all- i am without a partner and no one seems to get how difficult a path this is at times-
on a very positive note- i have never been happier :-) in spite of it all it has awoken me to living life to the fullest-now .

My mother is suffering with the same side effects. She completed 35 RADS but no Chemo yet. Her Oncologist has recommended she take Prilosec. It seems to be helping some.

Marcopolo, You really have a few things working against each other. You cannot exist comfortably without sufficient water. After treatment we all swallow a lot of extra air because of swallowing differences caused by radiation. The main nerves that control all the digestion process run through the area where we're radiated so it takes a while for the nerves to function better as they heal. Our digestion system consists of muscles, too, and can get weaker from radiation issues, but usually later than where you are now. On top of that, for many, the effects of narcotics adds to the problems and the small intestine slows down, causing bloating and in some cases actual diverticulum and distension in the upper right abdominal area.

Assuming you are eating sufficient fiber for your digestive system needs water to adequately process that so things will sit and not be pushed along, if you will. That just creates more gas and bloating. It's been a very difficult road for me because I had a procedure to help the esophageal sphincter close better so I don't burp. That gas is like a snowball rolling down a mountain and the end result isn't fun. My wife has asked more than one of my doctors if they could install a blow off valve.

There are drugs to help things move along but the diet and water should be evaluated.

I can't imagine going through this without a partner. That is hard for me to wrap my mind around,mother big baby I was. I'm glad you're doing well, other wise, and especially that things are better than before cancer. I believe the same thing myself and hear that often.

I see you do not mention your medical oncologist or a problem from chemo, except unable to have the 3rd Cisplatin. Chemo has just about the same side effects as radiation, plus it can damage the mucosal lining in the mouth, esphogus, stomach, bowel, and interfere with the digestion, and elimination process, and getting adequate nutrition, in addition to others. Most my problems initially, even still, are chemo related, and were worse than radiation to some extent, and am still recovering some effects almost 5 years later.

Maybe see about getting a full blood work-up. Certain deficiencies can alter taste, and appetite, besides being damaging, and see a Nutrionist who can delve deeper into your diet and eating habits. Although yours sounds healthy and well balanced, posture, eating speed, food combinations, in what order, et. can have an effect, and smaller, more frequent meals like 6, and adequate hydration from liquids and food may help. Drinking water 20 minutes before eating may help digestion, limit water with meal if that can be helped, but I need water to help swallow, just to name a few.

Good luck, but like you said, otherwise everything seems great. Congratulations!

I was thinking of a response and then I read the responses you already have. Pretty good crew we have here at OCF.

The water thing is a no-brainer. You need 48-64 oz of water. There are many alternatives, juices, milk, lightly sparkling mineral water, iced tea. Don't worry about the sugar I suspect you're not getting enough calories in either.

Like Paul my thinking is your diet sounds good on paper, I'm wondering if there are any nutrients you are missing out on. Are there any foods you are avoiding? At the moment no calories are bad calories. Oils, fats, sugars, are not the taboo they normally are. 2500 calories, thats the minimum daily requirement to avoid Christine B's lecture on the subject!

Of course you should have your diet reviewed by a dietitian (I presume a nutritionist is the same thing) but I found them pretty much useless. They suggest a whole list of things for you to try, but at the end of the day you just need to eat more! Thanks for coming, are you paying by cash or card?

So before you spend any more cash I'd be getting more fluids down, trying a broader range of foods and be sure to get enough calories in. I'd also talk to a pharmacist about what they can give you to help the digestion, but the main focus should be on your intake.

Good luck and let us know how you go.

I use the term Nutritonist loosely, meaning the one associated with your oncology team or hospital as part of the multidisciplinary team, who may be a registered dietician, have other certifications, and the only ones I have experience with. They met with you before starting treatment, during, and sometimes after.

Thank you sweetpe, will investigate

I am 4 months out from rads/cisplatin now and had sig digestive issues up until about a month ago. I saw a GI, had a ton of studies, tried different meds, different diets and finally it all just went away w time. I think now that it was an effect of the cisplatin on the intestinal lining. Hope yours resolves like mine. I did high protein smoothies only until I was feeling better and now I can eat almost everything (except things that don't work w the dry mouth of course :)). Good luck!