Pain when swallows

[Shelly Dixon]

I have had an operation to remove part of my esophagus and reattacted to my stomach, due to stage 3 cancer.  My surgery was four months ago. chemo and radiation prior to surgery. Since my surgury I have had to have my esophagus dialated six times, the last two times they removed stitches and scar tissue. Within two weeks it starts to hurt when I swallow. They say they can't dialate until I can no longer get food or water down, but I go weeks in sever pain each time I swallow, even with just liquids. In talking to others cancer patients, they don't seem to have the pain after surgery. Any ideas on what would cause the pain or any ideas on what I can do to help. Since my illness began  I have lost 40lbs and can't afford to lose any more.  Is this a comon problem with cancer patients? Other problems are a lot of gas pain and often feel bloated and always have a bowel movement right after I eat. Also I am tired and weak, and shaky.  all the time. I spend a lot of time in bed, is there anything I should check on. Last item on  the list is I often have dry heave none of my doctors understand why. Most important is the first question. Thanks for your help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Radiation can lead to the symptoms you are describing (odynophagia - or pain when swallowing).  It doesn't happen in everyone, but it is certainly possible.

Testing the upper GI tract with an upper GI series or upper endoscopy can be considered to look for any further anatomical obstruction.  

Delayed gastric emptying is also a more uncommon disorder that can lead to these symptoms - a gastric emptying scan can be ordered.

Other causes would be liver or gallbladder disease - which can be evaluated with an ultrasound.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[yoshi]

radiation treatment can upset the flora system in your digestive tract,causing yeast overgrowth,digestive problem and diarhea (diarrhea).

[Eme's Girl]

I had my nissin done almost 4 years ago, and last year I had problems with "dumping" and so the doctors went did another mobility test and found a polyp and a adhesion in my esophogas. I had surgery and things seem to get better for a while. No more pain in my chest or going to the bathroom right after I was done eating. I had pain in my side all the time and they figured it would go away now. Well, the pain in my side that I had got worse.  I had been tested for gallbladder problems for about 3 years and they always said it looked ok.  Well, my internalist asked for a new gallbladder test and found out that it was not working at all.  I had surgery last year in July and thought I would get better again.  Well I did for a while but now I was having really bad bowel problems.  Since the nissin I found it better to eat standing up and that helped but I would be in the bathroom within 15 minutes.  Low and behold I ended up going in for a colonoscopy and I had 9 polyps removed and now I also had hemmoroids (hemorrhoids). Yee ha.  Lately I have been having chest pains that wake me up every night sometimes more than 2 or 3 times.  They started happening during the day now.  I had a bad one yesterday that I had to leave work.  I got really light headed and couldn't breathe.  My arms and legs were tingling so bad I thought I was going to fall down.  Then I got the shakes and the cold sweats. I feel like someone was standing on my chest.  It actually hurts to touch it on my bra line between my breasts. They are going to do another mobility test on  me next Wed.  I think the beer thing is true.  I can have a couple beers and then I sleep better.  I guess I am a little scared to go back in again.  Is it possible they can repair my esophogas a third time?  Any help?