For the first year after my operation I suffered extreme "dumping syndrome and after liasing with the hospital dietician giving several diary submissions of food & drink intake and outgoings was advised to stop using "sweeteners". , apparently the contents of which can have a detrimental effect upon the "good bacteria" within the gut. This done I found a vast improvement with occasion blips but now much more manageable.
After about 18months after my operation I started to experience a cough , believing this to be a virus was not overly concerned, over time the cough developed into severe coughing bouts with phlegm discharge, keeping me awake at nights and more importantly causing my wife loss of sleep. I purchased a "mattress balloon" that raises the mattress head and assists sleeping at night. The phlegm developed into a mucus discharge [sticky slime] that causes "gagging". and concerns regarding choking, not unsimilar to pneumonia , which I had experienced post operation. After several visits to my GP and X-rays, blood tests, antibiotics and now more recently steroids I look forward to resolving the problems.
A very good friend recently sent me an extract from the Oesophageal Support Group that indicated others that have had, or are having, similar experiences has given me hope that this latest problem, were not unusual and may be resolved may soon be resolved. Now into my second post operative year I welcome any comments and support. Forever optimistic.
Regards Alan [81 years]
Hi Alan/Pop2025 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community.
The online community is divided into different support groups so I'm going to recommend that you join the oesophageal cancer group, which is a great place to ask questions, share experiences and get support.
To join, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
