Hi Beth
So sorry to hear your husband is struggling. The description of what he is struggling with sounds almost identical to my Alex. However, my Alex did not have a suction machine so it was not due to any suction.

He was bullied by the oncologists who told him to "try harder". If this happens to you, ignore them, they don't realise it is not a question of will. Like Tracey, my Alex complained of feeling bloated after literally 3 mouthfuls of food and the 4th would cause him to throw up. This of course, was to be avoided at all costs because it meant the struggle for the first 3 mouthfuls was for naught. Mornings were worst.

Wallyswife has suggested metaclopromide which Alex takes. Alex takes it 30 minutes before he "eats" (Alex is still on almost total liquid diet of EnsurePlus)which helps with both nausea and the bloated feeling. Usual dose of metoclopromide 4 times a day (30 minutes before eating and then before bed) but Alex takes only when he thinks he will get nauseaous which is usually in the mornings. He also takes Somac (pantprazole) before bed to stop the gastric reflux. The plan is to stop the metoclopromide one day (goodness knows when) and keep going with the Somac for the rest of his life.

We don't know what causes it and the oncologists have been mute in their opinions other than to suggest it sometimes happens and will go away in time(thanks guys - very helpful).

Alex also complained of no appetite and bad or wrong taste which also put him off. After 6 months of this, his GP tried a baby dose of an anti-depressant to assist with appetite. This worked quite well too.


Karen
Love of Life to Alex T4N2M0 SCC Tonsil, BOT, R lymph nodes
Dx March 2010 51yrs. Unresectable. HPV+ve
Tx Chemo x 3+1 cycles(cisplatin,docetaxel,5FU)- complete May 31
Chemoradiation (IMRTx35 + weekly cisplatin)
Finish Aug 27
Return to work 2 years on
3 years out Aug 27 2013 NED smile
Still underweight