Dumping Syndrome

[Postie22199]

hi I am 12 years post op I still get dumping Syndrome does anyone else get it I wonder

[liz_crisp]

Hi yes im nearly 15 years on and i still get it, if you search on here for dumping you will see quite a few of us still get it, i am better at managing it now but it is still disruptive to life.

[hunsdon]

hi I am 12 years and yes it still happens x

[strangetimes]

Yes , I'm similar time post op and still get dumping and also reactive hypoglycemia. I should be more careful in what and how I eat but variables like tiredness and physical activity all play a part.

[PopandMo]

hi there, yes I’m about 3 1/2 years post op and still get it. It’s more sugar dips where I get very shaky and faint. Very annoying and can be quite frightening but I always carry glucose tablets and listen to my body when I know I have to eat or avoid sweet things.

[Kentishred]

Five years on for me and I still get it. I know that if I have too much sugar or not enough I can get dumping. Sometimes before breakfast. My body usualy let's me know. Sudden dry mouth light headed and shaking are all signs to look out for and take a glucose tablet but that doesn't always work we all have different signals. I tried avoiding certain foods cut down on dairy no chocolate or coffee but it still happens.

[Ratty55]

My wife is 13 years post op and still gets it

[Deeedals]

yes I’m 3 and a half years on and still get it. It got much worse lately and the hypos were dangerously low, so much so that I’m now fitted with a Libre 2 device which has been brilliant .

[purplekey]

hi yes I’m 4 years post op and I get dumping often followed by diarrhoea. I get dumping if I eat anything with sugar or too much carbohydrates. I get reactive hypo glycaemia too if I don’t have any carbs and I loose weight.

My GP has provided me with a freestyle libre 2 sensor which has given me the freedom to go out and lead a normal life. The GP also provided glucose gels as I found I sometimes was going hypo in the middle of the night ( usually after a day when I’ve had a couple of dumping episodes followed by diarrhoea).

The hospital drs/dieticians initially told me that Dumping would go in a few month, then it would burn out in a year! So does all the research papers I’ve read. A family member has it 25 years after his op. We have to learn to live with it. The Consultants/Registrars don’t se to understand the physiology of a complete dumping episode. They question whether I think I have early or late Dumping. From y experience Dumping is one episode with a begining and end symptoms. As blood sugar rises I feel hot and my gut starts cramping then it plunges and the hypo symptoms come. The Sensor shows what stage I’m at and I can mostly prevent the hypo by taking 50ml coke or 1 jelly babys followed by non sugar food). Too much carbo at this stage can send you back into another Dumping Cycle.

I’m apologise if you all know this but wished somebody had explained this to me post op, rather than learning by trial and error and having a few years of collapsing or diarrhoea episodes.

Ps I am lactose intolerant too so avoid cream, soft cheese and non lactose free milk. Hope this helps someone. ❤️

[Singforyoursupper in reply to purplekey]

Very interesting to read this as I have similar symptoms. I used to report them but now just deal with it when it happens. Luckily I am retired and have a family who endlessly accommodate my issues. But now I will discuss further with my GP and see if I can get a better handle on it. It does worry me when I ‘lose’ whole meals down the loo. I am 5 years post op now.

[purplekey in reply to Singforyoursupper]

My gp was very helpful. Iinitatially went about concerns about hypos at night. He suggested to trial the freestyle libre. So he could see if I was having hypo attacks. It was amazing how many I was having that were unelected to the Dumping episodes. So I have a sensor on perminant prescription ( Im in the Uk). It as been life changing for me. I am also retired (69). But I can go out with friends no without worrying whereas before the sensor I had periods were I would have to go to bed for a few hours after a severe dumping attack. The sensor tells me when it safe to eat or not and when to top up my low blood glucose level. Good luck with the Gp. Take no nonsense about the sensor being for only Diabetics. ❤️

[Singforyoursupper in reply to purplekey]

Thanks so much for your advice!

[Cortex1]

18 years and still get it, although not as bad as the first 5-7 years…

[grandylynda]

Yes, 7 years on I still get it occaisionally plus sugar lows at any time of day. You just learn to live with it which, presumably have after 12yrs. I carry dextrose tablets always and they work for me.