sickness post Ivor Lewis op

[kiddy]

Hi had Ivor Lewis op 5 weeks ago. Had reflux a few times. Last night couldn't eat much and have had 3 bouts of severe sickness just bringing up brown liquid is this just bile? any one else suffered this please?

[brucemillar]

Congratulations on getting through the surgery.  Three weeks is to soon for tings to have settled down.  I went through various phases of sickness (both ends) which was just liquid.  Not pleasant at all.  For me drinking lots of still water (several liters a day) did the trick.  I am now eighteen months post op and have found a routine that works for me.

I would certainly mention this to your doctor and get it checked out.  At three weeks you are open to all sorts of nasty infections and tummy bugs.  I have now realised tat I get all the same things that everybody else does.  It's just that in us! it sometimes gets amplified.

Get it checked out.  It may be wort keeping a small sample in a sealed jar.  They usually ask for this and it may save you a trip.

Good luck.

Bruce

[haward in reply to brucemillar]

I agree 100% with Bruce. Talk to your doctor and to the CNS or the dietician. I was lucky. I wasn't sick at all, except once in intensive care, but whenever I had a problem the CNS or the dietician was able to advise and reassure me

[kiddy in reply to haward]

cleared up after 3 bouts of sickness. Now back to normal but yes i would have contacted or gone to the hospital if it carried on. Thank you

[haward in reply to kiddy]

very pleased to hear that. These things really trouble you in the weeks and months after the operation and getting advice here and from the medics is the right thing to do. I wish I'd known about Health Unlocked just after my op

[Kentishred in reply to brucemillar]

Can I ask how you managed that much liquid I can only manage a litre a day if I want to eat. I would love a few tips on managing more liquid. I'm 6 months on from having an Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy.

Thanks. Loraine

[Hidden]

Something has upset your system and caused the vomiting, which can be quite frightening at times, and your system does go through a lot of upheaval, and you are bound to feel very vulnerable because of the recent surgery.   But if you feel OK and your system is settling down again comfortably then it will probably right itself OK.  

If you are vomiting black material there may be an issue that could conceivably be Mallory-Weiss tears in your stomach, but if it was as bad as that you would be automatically going straight down to your doctor or to the hospital because you would be feeling so ill.   Have you got a high temperature?

If you are worried, or if it continues, ask the specialist nurse for advice and do it before the weekend kicks in.

[kiddy]

Hi glad to say after 3 bouts it has cleared so guess it was a bug. I didn't have a temperature and was able to eat again. Yes just scary because you automatically think something has gone wrong. Thank you for your reply.

[Mikey2711]

Hi, firstly may i say congratulations on undergoing your operation; (the worst part is now over) I concure totally with the advice given in the previous comments. It is  very early days yet,  your body needs time to re-adjust, and so do you. One thing to remember is that whilst we all have similar symptoms, but our recovery is slightly different from everyone else. I am 2 years post op and had all of the usuals effects, except for the fact that i have never once vomited, not even directly following the operation. this surprises the consultant however Idid had everything else going..! Given time you will begin to feel better, whilst at the same time grow accustomed to minor see-backsalong the way. I do hope this is a small help..best of luck to you and yours...Take care...Mike 

[Magpuss]

This was an ongoing problem after my op. I had to be re admitted to hospital seven weeks after my op because I'd become dehydrated. I returned home after nine days but continued to be sick and bring up bile until the jej tube was removed, four weeks later. Somewhat ironically, because I kept being sick and was eating very little the jej 'meal supplements' were considered to be essential, and it was only removed after the stitches holding it in place came out. In trying to replace the stitches the tube was accidentally pierced so had to be removed. Best day ever!  The sickness and bile had been really debilitating and horrible, so occassional dumping bouts and/or reflux seemed far more tolerable. I'm now four years post op, 76 years old, eating almost as normal and thankfully, enjoying life.

[kiddy]

Do you have to have jej tube til after chemo post op? I am eating enough to maintain my weight. It feels like it wants to come out.

[pegcburke in reply to kiddy]

My surgeon removed my j-tube 4 weeks post op but warned me to eat enough to maintain my weight. It was a relief to no longer be tethered to it!

[kiddy]

Hopefully i will get mine out on tuesday then!

[kiddy]

Got to keep jej until after chemo. Why do they say chemo is worse post op?  also they wanted me to have a central line this time with 5fu. I said no i will have IV and tablets. 

[Jforgh]

I am seven months post op and I have never been sick.

Contact your upper GI nurse.