Post Whipple op pain

[lisamon]

Hi, I had a Whipple procedure done just over two weeks ago, as I have MEN 1, which predisposes me to neuro endocrine tumours on certain organs, Andreas being one of them.

Anyway, Op went smoothly and surgeon happy. Post op I hit a rough patch with sickness and nausea and balancing pain relief in hospital but am home a week now and while generally managing the pain ok, every now and then I get burning sensation and cramps and stabbing pains ( like a stitch after running) on my left side - surgery was on my right side. It's really getting me down and seems to really review up as soon as I lie down at night to sleep.

I am on Creon, ibuprofen and paracetamol for pain. Also having terrible cramps before needing to go to the toilet followed by diarrhea, some days worse than others. What can I do?

[Skip22]

Hi. I had my Whipple about 20 months ago. It’s still very early days for you. Whipple is one of the biggest ops the body can go through so pain is normal. I would see your GP re pain though. I was discharged with same meds as you plus tramadol and fentanyl patches. Try a heat pad or wheat bag too. It’s quite difficult to get comfortable enough to sleep at first but I found a turning point between 6-8 weeks where I started to improve. Your surgical scar is to the right however pancreatic pain is felt on the left of the body, probably just healing pains so do t worry too much, just see GP for review Your bowels will be problematic for a while, mines still are! If you can face food at this early stage then just a little and often is best and something easy to digest. Too much or too little Creon can affect bowels but it’s early to start experimenting. Dumping syndrome is also common after gastric surgery (if you had part of your stomach removed, I did some don’t) so just something to be aware of

Take it easy. It’s a long road to recovery after such big surgery but it does get better!

[lisamon in reply to Skip22]

Hi, thanks so much for the reassurance. I had an awful day yesterday, worst pain wise since the op but miraculously got a good night's sleep with only waking a few times with twinges.

Feeling much better this morning and your advise is much appreciated. I will review with my gp during the week and appointment with surgeon the following week.

Yes, getting the balance of food right is hard, and I am becoming paranoid of certain foods I think may set me off now.

I didn't have any of my stomach removed just head and middle of pancreas and part duodenum I believe, but still suffering this week with dumping syndrome, not pleasant at all.

Thanks for explaining the pain on my left side, it had me baffled I guess if it's healing pan then that's a positive thing.

Thanks again, you have put my mind at ease.

[Skip22 in reply to lisamon]

I also have morphine for pain but unfortunately I have developed pancreatitis post op which is fairly unusual. 2 weeks is early for just paracetamol and ibuprofen! Food will be trial and error for a while. Initially everything tasted strange but my taste buds did recover. They sometimes tell you to eat what you want post op but fats are particularly difficult for the pancreas post op and most Whipplers eat low fat long term. I do hope your pain settles though. Any questions feel free to ask. I am part of a closed Facebook group called UK Whipple Warriors if that’s any use. V supportive group and you can ask anything there too. Take care

[lisamon in reply to Skip22]

Oh that's so helpful, I will defo join the fb group. Yes, I couldn't tolerate anything morphine based at all, the sickness and nausea were the worse part of the surgery for me whilst in hospital.

Once off the epidural and then the morphine, I was just on paracetamol and ibubrofen,but didn't have any pain apart from the odd stitch like twinge, but felt a whole lot better than being on the morphine!

Yesterday was worse day for pain since the op, but I have adjusted my food today and had minimal pain. Plain cream crackers, plain pasta, white toast and lactose free milk, seems to work!

Thanks for your support, makes all the difference to hear from someone who has been there. X