Food intolerances

Hi everyone I,m nearly three years post oesphagectomy and having trouble with a lot of foods . Fruit and vegetables give me stomach cramps as do cheese and anything fried. My diet is really poor now I tried some porridge this morning and had to run to the toilet . I,m really struggling with what to eat. I,m living off pasta and toast at the moment just wondering if anyone can help me and if they have suffered in this way .

[Bob111]

Hi Molly ,I'm just over the 3 years timescale as you. Still get dumping syndrome but much less than first year. I struggle to digest the skin of fruit like apples and grapes, gives me an uncomfortable feeling so I avoid them.

All the best

Bob

[kiddy]

Hi Molly can you talk with dietician at hospital or consultant. Sometimes you can suffer from gut bacteria that may need antibiotics. They may do tests. I take a prebiotic and Sucralfate which helped me. I also take creon which helps digest. If it is only just started happening I suggest you speak with consultant.I still suffer dumping syndrome. Full fat , a lot of sweet foods drinking with food all give me dumping still.

Maybe worth keeping a diary what triggers things.

Best Wishes

Debbie

[Hidden in reply to kiddy]

Thanks for replying. Yes I am going to phone the hospital and see if I can get some advice.I no longer eat fried foods no pastry cakes pies red meat sausages burgers and guess what my cholesterol levels have gone up from 5 to 6.6 where’s the sense in that 🙄

[Hidden]

Hi Molly well done for sharing your concerns. I am post op 12 years and still get dumping I have cut out a lot of dairy products but sometimes really fancy some cheese or pudding. It is very difficult because I know I will suffer. I discussed these issues with professionals but have never been offered meds or other advice. Some of the suggestions will help me too. That is the beauty of this group we can all help each other. Keep trying Molly it is a long process. Take care and thanks to the group for sharing their ideas. Xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi I.ve spoke to the specialist nurse who suggested i spoke to my gp as it could possibly be gall bladder issues although I don't think the symptoms match. mine is more on the left hand side and makes a gurgling sound like wind . So next step is the gp . I know what you mean about just fancying something then suffering afterwards because you think you might get away with it but you never do. 😂

[liz_crisp]

Hi Molly I stopped fried food along time ago I use butter now to cook with. I do get dumping sometimes a string of it a bit like a rollercoaster it just gets more extreme often after I changed my routine, ie went away on holiday or had lots of lunches out and it can take ages to get back to normal. I find eating very little for a few days just brown toast butter and maybe jam or marmite a poached egg, what ever works for you and sort of doing a reset, adding foods back in slowly and building up amounts helps get back on an even keel , often find I can eat some foods I'd given up on ok again after a while. Still trial and error after 12 years but I don't have a lot on the totally banned list. Just hot chocolate banana and any hot spicy foods. But curries we're not good for me to eat before the op. My cholesterol is under 5 which amazes me as I eat lots of cream, butter, cheese, prawns, advacado, etc.

[Hidden in reply to liz_crisp]

Thanks for your reply yes I also find if I do eat something that upsets me it takes days to get better. I have an appointment with the dietitian next week so hopefully get some advice from them.I was drinking quite a lot of water in between snacks so I,m cutting down on the amount I drink to see if that makes any difference.

[liz_crisp in reply to Hidden]

Hi Molly I forgot one thing I do when I get a run of dumping is drink hot water with fresh ginger slices, I slice and freeze the ginger when I can buy it on offer , then use 3 -4 slices In a mug with hot water and just top it up throughout the day. It does help settle my gut. Hope the dietician helped. Hugs Lizzy

[Hidden in reply to liz_crisp]

Thanks Liz the dietitian was very good asked loads of questions and I,m now waiting for tests to see if it could possibly be ibs. It doesn’t follow any set pattern I had a chicken curry the other night and was fine other times I get an upset tummy . I.ll certainly try the ginger with hot water .

[grandylynda]

I am much better sticking to lactose free milk or oat milk. Also, I can't eat large quantities of fruit and veg. Still stick mostly to protein and carbohydrates

[Molly14]

Hi Molly - I’m nearly 7yrs post Ivor Lewis and I suffered terribly from dumping for the first 3yrs and still do occasionally - I’ve found sticking to a regimental eating plan - it doesn’t get broken for anything - I also spent 4yrs fighting with food and if something didn’t agree I kept trying and kept trying - eventually it works - it’s a long hard slog but I can pretty much eat anything now and I’m back to 3 main meals with lots of snacks and drinks in between - I’ve been left with Zero appetite and nausea so it’s been extra hard - as I say to everyone it’s an ongoing recovery - it’s funny how friends and family just expect you’re fine after treatment and an operation when they have no idea about the daily struggles - I avoid social eating as I get no pleasure from food whatsoever - I’ve just turned down my 4th wedding invite since surgery - but I’m happy and I’m on the go with my dog and ponies every day - all the very best x

[Hidden in reply to Molly14]

Thanks molly I.m sticking rigidly to very bland foods and limiting the amount I eat and drink to see if it helps (so far so good) it's hard keep having to remember not to overeat but I.ll do it .I also won't eat when I.m out for fear of dumping , it knocks your confidence and like you just don't enjoy it . I agree with you no one seems to understand that you can't eat and drink normally. My son in law thought there was something wrong with the cup of tea he made because I only drank half of it 😂.it must be so nice having dogs and ponies to keep you busy I love dogs but haven't got one .

[Molly14 in reply to Hidden]

I know it’s hard Molly and knocks your confidence a lot - all I can say is keep trying with food as it’s a bit more fun having variety - Imodium was a game changer for me and still is - you can also take it before you go out so the toilet worry isn’t there - on the up side it’s my 32nd wedding anniversary today and I was diagnosed 2 days before our silver wedding ! I was given 20% chance of survival - no champagne tonight but I can manage a small glass of rose wine 🤗 - all the very best

[Hidden in reply to Molly14]

Happy anniversary to you both🥂that’s a good idea about the Imodium I,ll certainly try it. Well done on beating the odds as well. Enjoy your wine I can manage a small glass usually on a Saturday night .

[janiehun]

Hi Molly my husband is 11 years post il surgery. He still gets dumping syndrome but not as often as he used to. But he's very wary when he goes out. Food wise he now knows which foods to stay away from. You will learn in time which foods to avoid. In the meantime see a diatician they will help a lot. Best wishes

Jane

[Hidden in reply to janiehun]

Thanks Jane I,ve spoke to the dietician who’s arranging tests with the doctor to see if anything shows up . I had an awful few days last week with what felt like wind but so far this week haven’t had anything there doesn’t seem to be any pattern to it 🤷‍♀️

[janiehun in reply to Hidden]

This is also a sympton of dumping syndrome. There are a lot of symptoms to this. But always good to check with a professional. Good luckJane