Stomach slow to empty and procedure tomorrow to correct

Rickyr1219
Rickyr1219 Member Posts: 53
in Esophageal Cancer #1

I had my Esophogectomy Nov 14th 2012. When I had my leak test it indicated that my stomach was slow to empty and they would just follow it and see how I did. I continued to wean myself off of J Tube feedings and tried really hard to make up the calories with food I started with 7 cans of formula a night.  As I was able to begin eating, I reduced my formula intake through the J Tube and I could maintain with 2 cans of formula but would lose about a lb every 2 to 3 days when I stopped or reduced to just 1 can a day.  I was not able to keep food down when I ate very much at all and it took a long time (hours) for the feeling to go away so I could eat another meal. I went back to MD Anderson Jan 4th in hopes of getting the J tube out but they left it in and will do this procedure first to see if it helps with maintaining the weight.

The Endo procedure tomorrow (Jan 8th) will inject Botox?? or something to relax the bottom part of my stomach to see if they can get it to empty into the intestine quicker which should allow me to eat more often. When I was diagnosed with EC I was around 265 to 269 lbs. I was 225 this morning.

I have been given the ok to start working half days again as tolerated.  I can tailor my work to basically stay at a desk until I'm strong enough to do more.  I think returning to do even a small amount of work will help me through the helpless feelings I get alot when I just sit around and ponder this thing.

 

Comments

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #2
    I hope your procedure goes well tomorrow

    A number of survivors here have had slow stomach emptying issues after surgery. The pyloric valve does not always perform the way it used to after gastric surgery. If the Botox does not take care of the issue there are also some medications that can be used to move things along.

    If they suggest Reglan I would be wary of that. There have been a number of people here who have had negative experiences with that particular medication. A commonly used drug like erythromycin can also be used to speed things along. There are some recommended dietary guidelines for gastroparesis unfortunately many of their recommendations can cause dumping syndrome in people with gastric surgery.

     My thoughts will be with you tomorrow.

     Best Regards,

    Paul Adams

    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009

    Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Three Year Survivor 

  • Rickyr1219
    Rickyr1219 Member Posts: 53
    #3
    paul61 said:

    I hope your procedure goes well tomorrow

    A number of survivors here have had slow stomach emptying issues after surgery. The pyloric valve does not always perform the way it used to after gastric surgery. If the Botox does not take care of the issue there are also some medications that can be used to move things along.

    If they suggest Reglan I would be wary of that. There have been a number of people here who have had negative experiences with that particular medication. A commonly used drug like erythromycin can also be used to speed things along. There are some recommended dietary guidelines for gastroparesis unfortunately many of their recommendations can cause dumping syndrome in people with gastric surgery.

     My thoughts will be with you tomorrow.

     Best Regards,

    Paul Adams

    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009

    Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Three Year Survivor 

    Thanks for the recommendations

    Thanks for the recommendations.  They have not mentioned any medications to treat it yet.  I was thinking about asking for an extra shot or two around my eyes if the Botox is used.   Laughing

  • birdiequeen
    birdiequeen Member Posts: 319
    #4
    Rickyr1219 said:

    Thanks for the recommendations

    Thanks for the recommendations.  They have not mentioned any medications to treat it yet.  I was thinking about asking for an extra shot or two around my eyes if the Botox is used.   Laughing

    Paul gives good

    Paul gives good advice. 

     

    Its wonderful you are keeping your sense of humor.  We will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow!

     

    Take Care

    Lee Ann

  • Rickyr1219
    Rickyr1219 Member Posts: 53
    #5
    They used a Baloon to Dilate

    Endo procedure was uneventful.  They knocked me out with Propofol (Great Stuff) and inflated a baloon at the junction to open up the exit from my stomach.  Seems to have worked as I have eaten twice as much today as I could before the procedure.  Only issue is when I woke up I had like a blister or bump on my top lip.  I figured they pinched it or something when they incubated me but today is is showing some white like maybe puss pockets.  Now I'm wondering if I caught something from the endo scope or something in the operating room.  It definitely wasn't there before the procedure. 

    i'll give it a couple of days and see what happens,  Oh,  and no Botox for the eyes so I maintain all my wrinkles.

  • Debcap
    Debcap Member Posts: 4
    #6
     I had my surgery on

     I had my surgery on 11/27/2012 band I still cannot eat or drink w/o vomiting .had cat scan nothing seen.this is so frustrating,I can't stand it ,plz someone tell me if this happened to them.      P.s. didn't mean to flag this,how do I get it off?

  • bingbing2009
    bingbing2009 Member Posts: 177
    #7
    Debcap said:

     I had my surgery on

     I had my surgery on 11/27/2012 band I still cannot eat or drink w/o vomiting .had cat scan nothing seen.this is so frustrating,I can't stand it ,plz someone tell me if this happened to them.      P.s. didn't mean to flag this,how do I get it off?

    For Debcap

    When I had my IL surgery in February 2010, I vomited for weeks after the surgery. It didn't matter what I tried to eat or drink, it usually came right back up. About the only food I could keep down was peanut butter, so I would eat a spoon of peanut butter a few times a day.

    Good thing I had a j-tube, or I wouldn't have had any nutrition at all. I was very worried that something was wrong despite ALL of my docs reassuring me that it would just take time for my body to adjust to the new arrangement. In my case, the docs were right. Eventually the vomiting went down to only 2-3 times a day (usually when I brushed my teeth) and finally quit, but it was months (yes, plural) before it totally stopped. I still have days when I am nauseated but I can no longer vomit. Strange, huh?

    Just thought I'd share my experience with you. Good luck!

    Melinda

    DX October 2009:  T3N1M0

    November and December 2009:  chemo (Cisplatin and 5 FU) and radiation

    February 2010:  Ivor Lewis surgery

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Debcap
    Debcap Member Posts: 4
    #8
    bingbing2009 said:

    For Debcap

    When I had my IL surgery in February 2010, I vomited for weeks after the surgery. It didn't matter what I tried to eat or drink, it usually came right back up. About the only food I could keep down was peanut butter, so I would eat a spoon of peanut butter a few times a day.

    Good thing I had a j-tube, or I wouldn't have had any nutrition at all. I was very worried that something was wrong despite ALL of my docs reassuring me that it would just take time for my body to adjust to the new arrangement. In my case, the docs were right. Eventually the vomiting went down to only 2-3 times a day (usually when I brushed my teeth) and finally quit, but it was months (yes, plural) before it totally stopped. I still have days when I am nauseated but I can no longer vomit. Strange, huh?

    Just thought I'd share my experience with you. Good luck!

    Melinda

    DX October 2009:  T3N1M0

    November and December 2009:  chemo (Cisplatin and 5 FU) and radiation

    February 2010:  Ivor Lewis surgery

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Thank you Linda for sharing

    Thank you Linda for sharing that with me.i know this is crazy but I vomited last nightand haven't since today I feel better had half apple ,some cup of soup,water ,nuts,and pineapple juice ....we rid what I verve . Anyway so far so good.i wa s really faithful about my Joubert feeding but it was making me so nasoeus I stopped it last 2 nights,jus t to see.i had ct scan didn't show anything.anybodyhaveanyotheriplease advice advise.thanks so much.debbie

  • Debcap
    Debcap Member Posts: 4
    #9
    bingbing2009 said:

    For Debcap

    When I had my IL surgery in February 2010, I vomited for weeks after the surgery. It didn't matter what I tried to eat or drink, it usually came right back up. About the only food I could keep down was peanut butter, so I would eat a spoon of peanut butter a few times a day.

    Good thing I had a j-tube, or I wouldn't have had any nutrition at all. I was very worried that something was wrong despite ALL of my docs reassuring me that it would just take time for my body to adjust to the new arrangement. In my case, the docs were right. Eventually the vomiting went down to only 2-3 times a day (usually when I brushed my teeth) and finally quit, but it was months (yes, plural) before it totally stopped. I still have days when I am nauseated but I can no longer vomit. Strange, huh?

    Just thought I'd share my experience with you. Good luck!

    Melinda

    DX October 2009:  T3N1M0

    November and December 2009:  chemo (Cisplatin and 5 FU) and radiation

    February 2010:  Ivor Lewis surgery

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Thank you Linda for sharing

    Thank you Linda for sharing that with me.i know this is crazy but I vomited last nightand haven't since today I feel better had half apple ,some cup of soup,water ,nuts,and pineapple juice ....we rid what I verve . Anyway so far so good.i wa s really faithful about my Joubert feeding but it was making me so nasoeus I stopped it last 2 nights,jus t to see.i had ct scan didn't show anything.anybodyhaveanyotheriplease advice advise.thanks so much.debbie

  • Rickyr1219
    Rickyr1219 Member Posts: 53
    #10
    Debcap said:

     I had my surgery on

     I had my surgery on 11/27/2012 band I still cannot eat or drink w/o vomiting .had cat scan nothing seen.this is so frustrating,I can't stand it ,plz someone tell me if this happened to them.      P.s. didn't mean to flag this,how do I get it off?

    Never had that bad of a problem

    I only threw up when I tried eating too much at once.  When I started if I ate more than like half a sandwich or something then I would get a feeling that made me throw some of it back up.  It wasn't really a nauseating feeling but more of a feeling like I had food all the way up to my throat. I am so thankful I have the J-tube to rely on when I wasn't able to eat enough to maintain my weight.  I had the dialation procedure on Tuesday and as of Thursday I have not had to take any feedings by j Tube.  I still do some water flushes to stay hydrated but all calories are orally.

    I do know that I can't drink anything before I eat nor can I drink anything more than a sip of liquid with my meals.  If you are drinking before or with your meal you might try holding off on the liquids.  I never realized this before my surgery.  I could drink all I wanted and eat all I wanted too.  Post surgery it is one or the other.  I know  post surgery I'll never get my moneys worth at an all you can eat buffet and I'm convinced this is why they always make sure your tea or drink is always full at those places.

    I do hope you get better and able to handle food.   Your surgery was a couple of weeks later than mine so I can tell you that it does get bettter and if it wasn't for the others on here that reassure me that it gets even better over time I would really be depressed thinkning this is the best to hope for.  It's not though.  There are so many on here that are living proof that we can get through this and continue to imporve.

  • Debcap
    Debcap Member Posts: 4
    #11
    Rickyr1219 said:

    Never had that bad of a problem

    I only threw up when I tried eating too much at once.  When I started if I ate more than like half a sandwich or something then I would get a feeling that made me throw some of it back up.  It wasn't really a nauseating feeling but more of a feeling like I had food all the way up to my throat. I am so thankful I have the J-tube to rely on when I wasn't able to eat enough to maintain my weight.  I had the dialation procedure on Tuesday and as of Thursday I have not had to take any feedings by j Tube.  I still do some water flushes to stay hydrated but all calories are orally.

    I do know that I can't drink anything before I eat nor can I drink anything more than a sip of liquid with my meals.  If you are drinking before or with your meal you might try holding off on the liquids.  I never realized this before my surgery.  I could drink all I wanted and eat all I wanted too.  Post surgery it is one or the other.  I know  post surgery I'll never get my moneys worth at an all you can eat buffet and I'm convinced this is why they always make sure your tea or drink is always full at those places.

    I do hope you get better and able to handle food.   Your surgery was a couple of weeks later than mine so I can tell you that it does get bettter and if it wasn't for the others on here that reassure me that it gets even better over time I would really be depressed thinkning this is the best to hope for.  It's not though.  There are so many on here that are living proof that we can get through this and continue to imporve.

    Thank you ricky .i really

    Thank you ricky .i really appreciate all the advice.it helps so much .i had a real hard time after my chemo and radiation I quests it is just me. I was in the hospital for 18 days. I still thinking need a dilation. Going To. Md today will keep you posted.

Discussion Boards