Hi there. Just thought I’d reach out to see if anyone can relate to my situation. I’m over 5 months from three way Oesophageal Surgery. I was doing really well with eating and fitness levels. Then last Friday (after a Chinese takeaway which didn’t consist of more than some noodles and a bit of chicken) I became ill about 2 hours later. It consisted of vomitting up orange bile, having awful stomach cramps and feeling so very tired. Today, five days later I’m still shattered and spending most of the day in bed. The vomitting stopped Monday, diahorrea yesterday, but I am wanting to eat again, albeit small amounts. Does anybody else recognise this as dumping? I have had dumping episodes in the past but have only lasted a couple of hours at most. Would appreciate your response if you can relate to anything similar. Many thanks, Julie
Bad dumping incident?: Hi there. Just... - Oesophageal & Gas...
Bad dumping incident?
Hi, I can certainly relate to Chinese food being the absolute worst for me when it comes to dumping, but mine doesn't have any ongoing effect beyond the two hours or so after I eat. I never eat Chinese in a restaurant, only at home and only dishes without a sauce.
It has made me throw up in the past but only perhaps once or twice. I had suspected it may be something to do with MSG but the (takeaway) restaurant claimed there was none in the dishes. I'm not sure whether I believe them.
Sorry I can't offer any more advice but hope this helps you in some way.
Thank you. I appreciate your reply. It’s good to know. I do feel it was more than dumping too. Best wishes, Julie
I’m only guessing, but it sounds more like you maybe had a “bad” meal. The symptoms sound like food poisoning rather than dumping.
I felt that too - but nobody else was ill? Anyway, today I feel a bit better. Had a good sleep and hopefully on the mend. Thank you for taking the time to respond. Best wishes, Julie
Good to hear you’re feeling better. Hopefully it was a one off or maybe avoid Chinese! X
Hey sorry for your experience, I enjoy a Chinese, but always a take away and I am careful not to have meat dishes just vegetable options but saying that I think you had a bad meal especially as it has lasted so long for you. I am 7 years post Ivor Lewis surgery now but have always logged the dumping in my diary and for me there has never been a pattern rhyme or reason x
Thanks Tina. It’s good to be able to chat to others. The hospital seem confused about my symptoms too. Anyway, today I feel a bit better and hope that’s the end of it. Thanks for getting back to me. Best wishes, Julie
Good tip about the diary. Thanks.
sorry to hear this. I’ve had lots of dumping syndrome attacks early and late. I’ve never vomited and only felt sick during. Usually I get loose stools and cramps once then I’m tired. Then later I can eat and drink normally. Did the sauce have a lot of sugar in it? I’ve had dumping after sweet and sour sauce. Personally I think it sound like a bug. X
Thanks Purplekey. No, what I had was pretty basic and no sauce (Chinese Takeaway is my least favourite but it fitted in with everyone else). Today is Day six and I thought I felt a bit better this morning, but I’m now back in bed with bloating, cramps and wind. Just don’t understand it at all. I can only assume my new plumbing is taking a long while to get back to where it was. I’m likely to go to the hospital tomorrow with samples, it’s just that at certain times of the day I feel like I’m getting better. Thanks for your response. Julie
I have had bloating cramps and wind intermittently for 3 years after the same op. I Kept a strict food diary for2 years to look for patterns. No explanation from surgeons. I have lactose free milk products, follow a strict FODMAP diet ( you can get a good app) and keep off sweet foods, very fatty or spicy foods and limit tomato sauces. Keep to a very plan diet when it’s bad. Sometimes there is just no explanation for it. I take Buscopan when it’s bad and recently tried peppermint caps which did settle it. My anxiety made it worse at first especially when going out. our digestive systems are not wired the same anymore, it does get a lot better though, 5 months is still early days. Ps hot water bottles are a godsend and mint tea. Get better soon.
Thanks for all this information; I shall look into FODMAP diet. I went to the hospital this morning to have bloods and stool checks. Should find out something on Monday. I feel like I’m back to the very beginning when having to have very small regular bites, but if it works, it’s worth it. Hope you have a nice weekend and thanks again. Julie
Also, I have just read your previous replies to other posts and see that you were diagnosed with Squamous Cell (as I was). I understand from what I’ve read that it’s not the most common type. It’s good to know you are doing well and that I’ve made a connection with you. Keep well and best wishes, Julie
Good luck with your investigations. Pauline x
Hi, 5 months is very early for your new plumbing but it does sound more like a bug. As for dumping, in going on 7 years I still get it at times( early and late) and have never found a pattern or particular trigger. Find out what helps you recover, I always have dextrose tablets to hand, and you will find the best ways to cope in different situations. It's a slow hard journey and I think we have to just adjust to our new plumbing over time and patiently. Yes, I know this is HARD. But you aren't alone, that's what this forum is for , also you should have an upper gi nurse you can consult. Best wishes x
Many good information. Thank you. Julie
Hi Julieanne, yes I had this quite a lot after Ivor Lewis.. the orange bile and the taste of it is so awful. I would be shattered for days after vomiting for a couple of hours and my tummy would be off for days. I’m now just over 3 years post surgery and finally in a better place. Mainly with me it’s been diet changes. I can’t tolerate most skins, tomato skins and baked potato skins are my worst, make me so sick. I’ve also been gluten free for over a year that has been a game changer. If I accidentally eat gluten then the bloating and the cramps are right back again. I hope you feel better soon. Sue
Thanks Cavalier. I do eat a lot of tomatoes and baked potatoes and had been fine but did wonder if there was a connection. This time I’m sure it was a bug, but will reconsider everything I eat again. Best wishes, Julie
This happens to me on an off. I’m 5 years on now. I think with takeaways and restaurants for me it depends upon how the food is prepared and whether it is part cooked and chilled as I think it affects how my digestion works. It’s trial and error. Popcorn makes me very ill!! I also get late dumping and very bad acid reflux if I have a fatty meal - makes my scar tissue bleed.
Hi Golfer51. Oh - that doesn’t sound nice.
For me I was surprised this all happened and continued for so long, especially as I’d had very few issues after surgery. I’ll just be a bit more cautious from now on. Thanks for your information; it’s all very useful. Best wishes, Julie
Hi Julie
yes it’s difficult to know how everything affects you. I also get hypos (part of late dumping) if I eat, bread or pastry so have jelly babies to the ready at all times!
Good luck,
Geraldine
Nothing like my experience of dumping syndrome (5 years on), sounds more like a form of food poisoning as suggessted below.
I think so to, even though the meal was shared. Thanks for your reply. Best wishes, Julie
I am almost 7 years post surgery. I also believes it sounds like food poisoning. It’s good you got a sample to the hospital for testing. It will help you on your recovery journey by knowing what it was - dumping or food poisoning
Yes definitely. I am still waiting for the results but I feel convinced that what it was. Thanks for your reply. Julie
Heh Julianne, that doesn't sound great. It could be for a number of reasons - "bad meal" (even if none of your fellow eaters had any issues, our stomachs aren't normal anymore) and/or your body's immune system may have been low (alcohol, you're tired etc). I'm 2.5 years from the op and I'm still coming across food - usually voluminous - which my stomach struggles with (all be it not quite the reaction you got!). I try to keep a log and avoid things which give me bad stomach cramps for an hour. Keep at it!
Good morning Whasler. Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve since done a bit more research and I’m wondering if it was something called SIBO. I’m going to bring it up when I next speak to my GI Nurse. Good to hear you’re doing well. Best wishes, Julie
it can be purely shock to the system. 5 months on is hardly anything in terms of recovery for the system. If you have been having a fairly stable diet routine the change can upset things for ages. If I go on holiday and change the times and amount and type of food I eat it rocks the boat and can take months to settle back down, and I'm 14 years on.
Thanks Liz. It felt like a real set back and I must admit I don’t seem to be as comfortable digestive wise as I was before the attack. Anyway, onwards and upwards and fantastic to hear you are 14 years on from the operation. Best wishes, Julie
it's all trial and error and we learn as we go. Nobody is the same, different things work for different people and as you heal things change too, I find as someone else mentioned a bland safe small meals And little snacks can settle things down better, but life has to be enjoyed as well so sometimes I go out and eat with friends things I know I'm goi g to suffer for, I just think it's like a hangover after too much to drink. Take care of yourself and enjoy
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