Lack of protein: Hello again folks, I... - Oesophageal & Gas...

Oesophageal & Gastric Cancer

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Lack of protein

Johrene profile image
30 Replies

Hello again folks, I am now 3.5 years down the line from the I L op, and although I am pretty healthy and can put in a reasonable day's work, I am finding it increasingly difficult finding food that doesn't cause first and second stage dumping. You would think by this time that I would have cracked it, but I find my way of coping is avoidance (once bitten - twice shy!) and consequently my list of acceptable foods is diminishing at an alarming rate.

Because of my reaction to dairy and read meat, I am really concerned that I must be lacking a proper amount of protein. My question today is have any of you folks found a protein powder that has been taken without any nasty effects.

Thanks for you help which I have found most useful in the past.

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Johrene profile image
Johrene
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30 Replies
Pepita933 profile image
Pepita933

Have you tried grits? I’d say cheese grits but dairy is off the table for you. Corn has a lot of protein for me easy to eat. I haven’t had the surgery to remove my esophagus, although recently diagnosed with esophageal failing, if that’s what it’s called. What causes dumping for you?

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toPepita933

Thanks for replying. Coincidentally I manage to eat tortilla wraps without any problem. I will try to get maize locally. Thanks for you help.

Pepita933 profile image
Pepita933 in reply toJohrene

For me, I have trouble with lots of wheat products, bread, flour tortillas, but corn I can handle. Grits are also about the same as polenta. I’d suggest cooking it, adding a fat you like and coconut milk. Heavy cream lightens grits and gives it a wonderful texture. I’d bet coconut milk would do the same.

Janashlin profile image
Janashlin

I am 20 months post amd I have dumping at least once a day. No rhyme or reason with what causes it.

Good luck in your hunt for suitable protein powder. I find sometimes protein shakes are fine and other days they aren’t. So annoying but right side of the ground.

Molly14 profile image
Molly14

Hi - I’m 5yrs on and had terrible dumping for years - I decided to not let the food win - I kept trying foods that reacted with time between - it took me 2yrs to win the battle with croissants and garlic bread - longer with some other foods - I can now eat mostly anything - I do still occasionally dump - Something I think we have to live with - I can dump out the blue if I’m really tired with no food involved - all the best - sorry no help with protein powder.

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toMolly14

Thanks Molly, my wife keeps telling me to try to persevere, but I take the coward’s way out! I might have to try ‘n change my attitude . I appreciate your response.

Mick profile image
Mick

Hi, I'm nearly 9 years plus and for a long time had trouble finding a suitable bread. By chance I found Tescos did a high protein seeded bread. Didn't have any problems with dumping eating sandwiches etc. That was until about a month ago when they stopped selling it. Now its back to experimenting with different types. At the moment I'm trying their multiseeded loaf. Protien rate is3.3 g per slice.

It's just a case of looking/trying different things. Good luck stay safe and keep well. Mick

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toMick

Thanks Mick. Looks like I’ve got a long way to go to catch up with you guys. Thanks for the info, will give it a try.

Mick profile image
Mick in reply toJohrene

Whether you have gone through the op or treatment we are all in the same `rocky` boat to start with. We learn from each other what may or may not work, with different foods and situations. Take each day as it comes, even more so with the `covid` that everybody has to deal with. At a local meeting we had before the lockdown we were talking about food/dumping and I said to that I love `fish & chips` but I know that soon after I will feel `off` but I won`t stop eating them as I now look on them as a treat and only have them now and again. The journey as I say is a `rocky` boat to start but over time the boat steadies but we do get the `odd swell` along the way. To all on this site take care now we are in another lockdown, lets hope for a good `family` Christmas.

Notknowmuch profile image
Notknowmuch in reply toMick

Yes it is good to indulge in your fav foods occasionally.

Pepita933 profile image
Pepita933 in reply toMick

I have achalasia and had the surgery to open the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus. I’ve had trouble eating bread. I can eat limited amounts of oat nut bread, I think for me it’s how bread breaks down in your stomach. The oat nut falls apart where the regular bread had stringy parts that cause me to bring up the stuff in my stomach. Cornbread, corn tortillas, polenta/grits are all good.

052517 profile image
052517

eggs and fish work for me.

Popsic profile image
Popsic

Hi, my son is a fitness coach, with a degree in nutrition, he put me on a protein shake called Skinny Minny, I found it fab, nice tasting too, but atm I'm trying a vegan protein shake, so far so good.

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toPopsic

Many thanks, I will try to find it. Really need something

Popsic profile image
Popsic

Got the vegan one from amazon, £14.99a bag, if that's any help

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toPopsic

👍👍👍

Notknowmuch profile image
Notknowmuch

Hi, would you be able to get Clif Bar which is good for a high protein and calorie bar. If you can buy this, then give it a try.

My husband takes this for one of his 6 small meals.

Hope you are able to get some products or recipes here.

All the best.

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toNotknowmuch

Many thanks for the reply, l will try to find this bar. Stay safe 👍

liz_crisp profile image
liz_crisp

Hi I'm 10 years on and still get dumping, normally when I change routines, don't forget as time passes your gut and the vagus nerve recover and change. Foods that once were taboo are fine and foods you found fine can be a problem. It's an ever changing thing, initially for me dairy was a problem but 9 months on from the op I started reintroducing and now have a lot of dairy in my diet, spicy foods have become more and more of a problem as time has gone on.. I have had periods when apples, or a sandwich would cause dumping but you learn to recognise it and always carry dextrose or your favourite cure with you, I have just a few rules now mainly I try to eat a sauce with any dish, I avoid meats that can be dry ie pork and chicken dumping when I was working was a hazard so I grazed rather than ate at work and had dextrose available for when dumping did occur normally 15 mins sitting quietly eating sugar would put me back on the right track. The one thing that I know causes problems is eating too much at one go, very easy to do when it tastes good. Good luck keep experimenting.

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toliz_crisp

Thanks for the reply, it seems no way round the dumping issue. I think catching C diff in hospital after the op didn’t help the situation.

Mauser1905 profile image
Mauser1905 in reply toJohrene

I had the c diff as well.

liz_crisp profile image
liz_crisp

Hi honest it does improve and change over the years, mainly as you learn to recognise the symptoms and take dextrose or whatever you find works for you to combat it. And your gut deals with food much better as time goes on. Everyone's different I take about half a packet of dextrose and then some more 20 mins later. Friends take a packet or just a couple of tablets, we are all different. I got a blood sugar monitor from my doctor which helped immensely in working out what symptoms were blood sugar related and when Its just me eating too much at one time and stressing out the gut.

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toliz_crisp

Thanks again for your reply, have just been issued with a monitor so I just need to start and get to grips with it.👌

Mauser1905 profile image
Mauser1905 in reply toJohrene

Is that a finger prick blood glucose monitor?

Low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia) is more dangerous in its symptoms in comparison to the high (hyperglycaemia).

With experience you will notice if you see blurred vision, shaky hands and legs, weak in the knees feeling, feeling like passing out. Dextrose is your friend, always carry in your all jackets, bags, car etc. The lows happen when gone hungry for longer in between the meals or exhausting yourself. The body tries to shut down the functions to protect itself, however this may mean a sudden fall while at any activity and could result in dangerous situation.

Hyper situation also you can pass out, but this happens rather but slowly as compare dagainst hypo. I have experienced both and continue to fluctuate between the two regularly.

DavidP profile image
DavidP

Another shake (powder) alternative in the UK (not sure elsewhere) is Huel -my son is a triathlete and uses this regularly. It a complete nutrition package.

Mauser1905 profile image
Mauser1905

Protein supplement used to give me diarrhoea dumping so I stopped it. It worked counterproductive for me.

Also protein excess can be utilised for the muscle busing with the combination of strenuous muscle exercise workout.

This brings the chicken and egg situation for most of the survivors. I call it the Battle of 2000KCal on day to day basis, my personal analogy.

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toMauser1905

Many many thanks for all the info, we all become experts in this area before long or give up👍 Cdiff is one hell of a thing to cope with on top don’t know what is causing what

JDMC16 profile image
JDMC16

I have used Chocolate flavour shakes that are Whey protein powder that you mix in a shaker & made with Water in order to ensure I am getting enough protein ! They seem to agree with me ok !

Johrene profile image
Johrene in reply toJDMC16

👍👍

jay2908 profile image
jay2908

I take Pulsin Whey Protein Power Isolate, unflavoured. I take about 2 heaped spoons and a dilute more than recommended. You can get it on Amazon.

You could also try medication like amytriptyline , which encourages appetite. I take 25mg per night.

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