This is my first post so please bear with me. Four months post opp and having terrible trouble eating food seems to stick in my new osophagus for ever and consequently I don't want to eat any more I'm loosing weight and feel very weak .This is not just food but also drinks, am feeling very weak and confused and can't concentrate on the smallest of tasks have tried all the ensure drink and they just make me feel sick now on the protein gels and a small amount off food but not enough am starting to loose more weight and spending more time asleep any help greatly appreciated
Regards Dents
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Dents
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It's still early days, don't lose heart. It's not unusual for problems with food and eating to persist for some time. I think you should speak to your consultant before you lose anymore weight though, you may need to have a stretch, this isn't unusual. I haven't needed this procedure but several members on here have had it done, some - more than once. In the meantime you must try to eat even if it's just soup. Wishing you well and hoping you'll soon see some improvements - but do speak to your consultant.
I'm seeing my consultant on the fifteenth and will suggest what you have said until then will take your advice with the soup and carry on with the protein gels .will let you know what consultant says
By the way it's bagpuss I think you misspelled it ha ha
Hi Dents, I had my op 24years ago, I had lots of problems with food I became a vegetarian as I could not get meat down I lived on things like cauliflower cheese, sweet potatoes mixed with ordinary potatoes and gravy. Good luck.
As mentioned. It sounds (I am no expert) like you need a stretch and possibly at both ends. If the stomach exit is tight then food backs up into your oesophagus (very quickly). If your throat is tight then it can't get down to your new stomach. In the early days (where you are) it is not uncommon to require both ends stretching.
Tip of the day: If your consultant goes with the stretch? Make sure you get enough sedative to knock out a horse. That way you get a nice sleep and wake up feeling good about two hours later. Do not be fooled into the old "you don't need that talk"
It's you that is having it, not the person saying telling you what you need or don't need.
I am 2.5 years post op now and have stretches about 4 months.
Hi Bruce interesting reply I had camera down my throat just last week and as you say Technition persuaded me not to have sedative worst decision I've ever made
I'll speak to my surgeon tomorrow and suggest what you say
When you say both ends stretching what do you mean as I'm under the impression there only one joint and that's what needs stretching also do you have to go back every four months for the foreseeable future or does it eventually stay stretched and do you notice the difference straight away
Sorry (not surprised) to hear about your camera experience. It seems that the norm is to give you the "banana" spray only. My suspicion being that this cuts down on the amount of clinicians required and bed space?
I refuse, point blank, to have this done, without the maximum amount of sedative. I am completely out of it and have never once had the need to complain or feel any discomfort.
By "both ends" I have the throat and the pyloris dilated/stretched. Around 2 of the throat to 1 of the pyloris. It is an instant relief but can increase the dumping for a couple of days as everything is free to move. This is preferable to the discomfort and stress of not being able to eat or drink.
Yes. It does get better and the goal is to reach a point where the stretches are no longer required. That varies from person to person (in terms of how long).
For me the time between stretches has become longer. My first stretch was done a few weeks after my operation, by which point I was limited to liquids and struggling with some of that. I remember the relief was instant and the de-stress factor was wonderful. The usual sign for me is getting full up as soon as I eat or drink with the discomfort lasting longer and longer.
Thanks so much for responding as I said I'm seeing my surgeon soon and I feel as though I've got some useful information that I can now use to achieve the desired outcome will keep you up to date . Again thanks for your prompt reply
Prior to the cancer diagnosis, did you have Achalasia? Was the cancer in your esophagus or stomach? I hope that I am not being intrusive asking you this. Sorry to hear that you have had cancer.
Thank you for sharing. My diagnosis of Achalasia [type 1; paralyzed esophagus] only happened just over a year ago; since then I've had the Heller Myotomy & Fundoplicaton surgery, and then a balloon dilation 3 months later. I am still learning to live with this rare disorder, and from doing research, know that esophageal cancer is a possibility in the future. Hopefully not, but my eyes are wide open. I will be interested in hearing how you get on with your new esophagus, if you are open to sharing this. The surgery I had was not a 'cure,' as there isn't one, but rather, a treatment...there wasn't a whole lot of change or improvement, and this will not get better.
Hi. I would speak to your Clinical Nurse Specialist. They are very helpful and are there to support you. At worst, your consultant will have a heads up ahead of your appointment and at best you might get an earlier appointment and get things moving more quickly. There's absolutely no point in suffering longer than you have to.
Thanks for that bit of advice. Will call them in the morning and see what they can sort for me. Must say everyone on here has been so supportive and helpful,thank you everyone
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