Bloating and Dumping

[Joannewal20]

Dumping, bloating and bile

My partner is coming up to 4 years post op and he has hit a bad spot.

His weight had stabilised at 70kg but over the last few months it has gone down to 56kg

He suffers from constant dumping and bringing up bile. Its very worrying to watch.

He has been left with a fistula from the ivor lewis so eating is a problem.

It just gets hard to deal with the constant worry of it all and the feeling it will never end.

I have found this group so helpful over the years as you realise you are not alone.

I'm not really sure what my question is, I just feel I need to be in contact with people that know what we are all going through.

[kiddy]

Hi there yes I am five years and get bad times where get bile dumping and bloating. Think it is the norm. I still eat small meals and snack a lot. Has he been for a check up if weight dropping too much? Does he have croon? Best Wishes

Debbie

[Joannewal20 in reply to kiddy]

Hi DebbieWhat is croon?

[kiddy in reply to Joannewal20]

Sorry Creon tablets help

[hunsdon]

Hi I am nearly 10 years post op Ivor Lewis and still suffer from dumping and the hellish reflux and the dreaded yellowish bile and the bloating , I am now going to have a camera check and also a CT scan just to be on the safe side. I will let you know what happens but in the mean time any concerns ask your hospital as they are the best people to help you, I wish you well

[Beena45]

I experience dumping once in a while. Though I am pretty careful about the food I eat amd quantity, once in a while I fall off the track and indulge in something - and I experience dumping and bloating. Trying to keep myself in the safe zone as much and stay with good diet. Wish you well

[Beena45 in reply to Beena45]

FYI. Am 9 months post Ivor

[Brett77]

Has he tried to consume sustagen type products to help with extra calories?

[Mauser1905]

Hello and good morning Joanne,

Sorry to know of your issues.

I hope you have made contact with CNS and surgical team and made them aware of the latest weight loss. So is GP.

I read Diarrhoea Dumping is current one kf the issue apart from bloating and TBF causing eating issues.( for me his weight loss asspcited weakened immunity and TBF induced complications may be cause of concern)

As far as I am concerned his case is complex and the continued weight loss is a red flag, requiring immediate attention from the surgical team.

You can try metoclopramide or domperidone for boating. If that doesn't help try mint, ginger or traditional nausea remedies.

Also give a try using probitiocs to see if that helps with his bowel stabilisation. Has GP done H pylori test? If not suggest asking for it ASAP.

Physically seems to be both of you need a bit of fresh air and some change if scenery may boost morales. Could be just a local freshening walk or social.

For yourself advise joining a local patient support group either face to face which have started at my place.

opa.org.uk/opa-a-guide-to-l...

I hope you both have acquainted with the post surgery life and management thereof. Please have a read into the website above if not already. You could also ask for Patient Buddy support from OPA office.

Please don't feel alone in the journey and good on you for coming to forum. There are good days and then there are otherwise. Life goes on. Hang on the optimistic theme.

Please update when time permits.

[Joannewal20]

I managed to contact the Specialist Nurse and he has a CT scan booked for Monday. As he was left with a broncal fistula after the IL eating has never been easy for him.

It is always at the back of your mind as to weather there is something lurking so I am finding myself lying awake reading these pages trying to find some hope that all will be OK.

Mick likes to be completely in the dark about his condition, as he feels the less he knows the better he will be.

So he is currently soundly sleeping and I am currently soundly stressing.

[Notknowmuch]

Hi Joannewal20Yes, it does get a little overwhelming at times supporting our partners through their recovery journey. I totally empathise with your emotions.

However, we are not alone. We are so blessed to have this community here where their shared experiences and information can help us either to seek professional advice or to further understand options to consider.

Through my experience there are no issues we are going through is too big or insignificant that we can’t share here.

Besides this forum, our GP and my husband's specialist doctor, I don’t have anyone that I could share my concerns over my husband’s health issues nor share the caring of my husband. My anxiety and stress levels have increased and my GP has referred me to a psychologist.

So don’t hesitate to speak with your GP if you are feeling overwhelmed.

[Mauser1905 in reply to Notknowmuch]

Its mental fatigue from the continuous care.

Do you have patient support/network groups near your location?

These are rally great and wonderful in making you as a carer and patient feel relaxed seeing, knowing, understanding other humans going through same or similar journeys in their lives. I myself have benefited a great deal.

opa.org.uk/support/ This page wil guide for the OPA's support however much of it will be UK based and I believe you are in Australia. You can beenfit from what is digital and email.

OPA also provided one to one support using zoom, opa.org.uk/meetings/

"Our next virtual meeting will be held on Saturday 16th October 2021 at 10:00am. This meeting will be taking place on Zoom.

Agenda

10:00am - Welcome, and opening talk, update re OPA and introduction of guest speaker (Dr Zainab Noor) by John Campolini, Chair, OPA

10:15am – 10:45am - Guest speaker Dr Zainab Noor, Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist in Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery based at St Thomas Hospital, London, will be talking about

Oesophageal Anxiety

General Anxiety Management

10:45am – 11:00am - Questions and answers re Zainab’s talk

11:00am – 11:45am - Floor open to Zoom participants

11:45am – 12:00pm - Farewell and closedown of Zoom meeting by John Campolini, OPA Chairman

If you would like to attend this meeting, please reserve your place via Eventbrite -

eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-a... "

Please reach out to help each others. We are not alone.

Edit: There is a function on the OPA website to subscribe to the newsletter (UK post or email) and the emails from the OPA.

[Notknowmuch in reply to Mauser1905]

Thanks Mauser, yes there isn’t similar support programs here in Melbourne, Australia for oesophageal patients and carers.

Time difference also makes it difficult for me to attend the zoom meetings but I'll try to make it for the one on 16/10 as the topic is very relevant for what I need most now.