Gamma Knife and heartburn/reflux

[Janey]

I am almost three weeks post gamma knife and for the most part, doing well.  However during
this entire past week I have experienced some very miserable heatburn and reflux.  Never in
my life has this been a problem for me.  Just wondering if this could be related to the radiation.
I'm thinking no, but I've been surprised by the various ailments an AN and it's treatment
can cause. 

[PaulW]

Maybe changed eating habits..lying down more..cant think of anything else

[Kristena]

I had acid reflux following my retrosigmoid surgery. I didn’t have the heartburn (I am familiar with that), but a sore throat and cough. I had my throat “scoped” by my ENT, because I was sure I had something growing in my there. Well, there was nothing to be seen (except one of my focal cords was smaller due to my facial paralysis, I think), but he diagnosed acid reflux. I was skeptical. But over the following year it worsened. I would wake up in the middle of the night several times choking (drowning really), and I had to sleep with two pillows for quite a while. I tried cutting out coffee and alcohol, but to no avail. Prilosec definitely helped, but you can only take that in short bursts. I definitely think it was all stress-related, because I was going through some other medical issues at the time. And now it’s been over two years, and I rarely have any issues—maybe waking up with a burning throat every couple of months or so. Hopefully it’s temporary for you! Keep us posted.

[PaulW]

Checked Dr Google, a really dangerous thing in the hands of a novice like me...
If the tumour was larger like over 2.5cm and lower in the skull than normal it maybe touching/near the Vagus nerve. So there is a possibility in my uneducated view that your problems maybe caused by GK... I guess next time you see your doctor ask him to show you where the vagus nerve is on the MRI and if your AN is touching it. If this is the case that maybe your answer.

[Janey]

Thank you, PaulW and Kristena for your responses.  My tumor was only 1 cm, but the vagus
nerve in relation to it is something I will definitely ask my doctor about.  I started on some
prilosec and the symptoms are not nearly as bad.  Thanks for the google search - I appreciate
the info!

[rupert]

I've had swallowing and heartburn issues going on 20 years now.  Many doctors were just perplexed as to the cause.  Who knew I had an AN    I think the AN was causing issues with the Vagus nerve,  or maybe some other nerves that affect swallowing  most of that time.  I've seen several specialists and have been on Achipex for over 10 years now.  They are telling me that I can take this long term with no issues.  20 mg pill once a day and it completely takes away the problem.  I haven't had any side effects that I'm aware of so I'll just keep taking it.  The insurance gives me grief every couple years but, my doc just writes them a letter saying it is a needed medication so they cover it.  If I quit taking it, in about 3 days  the heartburn starts up again.

[lilith]

Hi,

Five weeks ago I had radiosurgery for my 33mm AN. And yes, I am 43 years olds and I had never had heartburn until now.

Hope you improve, Janey.

Lilith

[mac84]

I'll give a different spin on this: I had such bad reflux and heartburn that I had a Nissen Fundoplication (reflux surgery) about 15 years ago. Solved my reflux problems.

Then, was diagnosed w/ the AN 2 yrs ago. Coincidence? 

[Janey]

Mac84, lilith and rupert - thank you for your interesting feed-back. After a 14 day course of
prilosec, I've only had some mild heartburn.  Hope it stays that way!  Best to each of you.

[AholicGlory]

I had acid reflux following my retrosigmoid surgery. I didn’t have the heartburn (I am familiar with that), but a sore throat and cough. I had my throat “scoped” by my ENT, because I was sure I had something growing in my there. Well, there was nothing to be seen (except one of my focal cords was smaller due to my facial paralysis, I think), but he diagnosed acid reflux. I was skeptical. But over the following year it worsened. I would wake up in the middle of the night several times choking (drowning really), and I had to sleep with two pillows for quite a while. I tried cutting out coffee and alcohol, but to no avail. Prilosec definitely helped, but you can only take that in short bursts. I definitely think it was all stress-related, because I was going through some other medical issues at the time. And now it’s been over two years, and I rarely have any issues—maybe waking up with a burning throat every couple of months or so. Hopefully it’s temporary for you! Keep us posted.

I was wondering what you usually do when you feel a burning throat for every couple months. I have a family member who is suffering the same.