Is burping a side effect of chemo?

Posted by jannz @jannz, May 22 9:44pm

Hi,

My husband was recently diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma lung cancer metastasized to the brain. They removed one of the masses from his brain, did targeted radiation on the brain and on Monday he had his initial chemotherapy session. We noticed he is burping a lot since the chemo. Is this a common side effect? Tonight he said he feels "a bit like I'm about to vomit" so he just took the anti-nausea medication he was given "as needed" and we hope it helps. Is the burping also a side effect of the chemo? If so, what can we do for that? Any advice is appreciated.

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denzie | @denzie | May 23 11:14am

It most certainly can be a side effect of the chemo. Chemo can cause reflux. If he's not taking a medication like omeprazole daily he should contact the weekend on call doctor and report this. If an Rx is written some insurance plans will pay for the reflux med.

Don't be surprised if he develops hiccups too.

lycisca | @lycisca | May 24 3:04pm

In reply to @denzie "It most certainly can be a side effect of the chemo. Chemo can cause reflux. If..." + (show)

@denzie Thank you for your response because I, too, get burps from my chemos, and was not aware that omeprzole, which I've taken before, stopped them.

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | May 26 1:22pm

Welcome @jannz, It sounds like the two of you have already been through quite a bit. Even after dealing with lung cancer for 6 years, I'm still amazed at some of the treatments. I'm glad they were able to remove one of the masses from his brain. Hopefully he's recovered from surgery.
How is your husband feeling now, after his first week of chemo? Did you have a chance to talk to his team about the burping? How are you dealing with the seriousness of the diagnosis? Do you have the support that you need?

bdurel | @bdurel | 1 day ago

In reply to @lls8000 "Welcome @jannz, It sounds like the two of you have already been through quite a bit...." + (show)

@lls8000 Lisa, I had lobectomy end of March. Then radiation and chemo simultaneously. Radiation ended June 17. Last chemo infusion July 6. I have been reporting a gasp that happens suddenly, once causing me to aspirate some oatmeal. Dr just blew it off. Likely due to my poor description. Maybe it’s like a hiccup. That didn’t occur to me because I’ve never had a hiccup that didn’t continue more than a single gasp. I’m also having some gurgling and burping. It seems to be getting more frequent not less. I’ve been taking Pepcid for a week. Is there something that works better? Will it go away? Is this acid reflux? Never had this before.

peterhall66 | @peterhall66 | 9 hours ago

In reply to @bdurel "@lls8000 Lisa, I had lobectomy end of March. Then radiation and chemo simultaneously. Radiation ended June..." + (show)

@bdurel
I had hiccups apparently from the steroid they give during chemo. They would last for days until the steroid was out of my system. My Dr. prescribed baclafel? for hiccups and it solved it. My next three chemo sessions I would take the baclafel? as soon as the injected the steroid and I could sleep without hiccups.

fightingbluehen69 | @fightingbluehen69 | 1 hour ago

Yes Baclafen for hiccups.
My husband gets the hiccups as well from Dexamethasone.
But steroids are necessary for chemo infusion in case of reaction. He takes the Baclofen as soon as he takes the pre-meds and we bring the bottle with us to infusion. If he forgets the nurse can provide.

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