Post Esophagectomy Dumping Synfrone

My husband is almost 1 yr out of surgery for esophageal cancer. Lots of chemo and radiation twice because at 6 mo. check up found metastis. 3 months now the PET shows no additional malignacy Praise God we need a break! But, the dumping syndrone is terrible and we can't get it under any control. Does any one have this experience with any relief?
SR

My mother had her stomach removed 2 years ago due to stomach cancer. She had the dumping syndrome for a few months. She started drinking Boost w/protein and it regulated her and helped her maintain her weight. She now goes once maybe twice a day.

I am only 5 months post-surgery and have had a lot of problems with dumping. Since I discovered that I am now lactose intolerant, following the surgery, I have cut out most dairy products. Milk, butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, any cheeses. I have no problems with eggs. I also have learned that if I eat anything with a high sugar content, I have a problem. I can now sometimes go more than a week with no problems, which is a great improvement from the first 4 months post surgery !!
I still have to watch what I am adding to my diet, as I am trying to find out things I can and cannot eat without major problems.

I am 8 months post-surgery and still have a lot of problems with dumping. My Surgical Oncologist has told me it could last a year or more. There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to it, though. On occasion, I can eat a fairly large meal with wine before-hand and during my meal, other times, I eat only a small amount of food and have gut-wrenching cramps for up to an hour long ...

I try to track what and how much I am eating to see if there is some logical connection, but so far, to no avail.

It does seems like it may have something to do with the speed with which I eat - I don't always take my time!

I an Post Esophagectomy since January 2003 and suffered terribly from the Dumping syndrom, then I came across a doctor at the VA Medical Center in Dallas who was actually from Baylor Medical Center in Dallas who is doing a study on the problem. He put me on Sandostatin injections, 2 times daily. I am not a diabetic but this is a course of treatment for diabeties. From the first injection I sat down and ate a hamburger and I waited and waited for what I had become accustomed too, cramps, fever, irregular heart rythms etc., they did not come. I have been dumping free since the first injection. I cried the first 3 days. Have your doctor check into treating you with the same injection. Again it is Sandostatin. My wife can tell you the dose ammount I take and I will tell you the little pain from the injection is well worth it. Do not believe that there is nothing that can be done, dumping syndrom can be controlled, I know.

My husband had his esophagectomy Sept.7th 2004. We have been dealing with the aftermath and he had 5 very miserable months. He now has his taste back and can swallow easily, with some appetite. We have tried to follow all the reccomendations given us by the U of Michigan staff and he continues to have bad cramping no matter what he eats and diarhhea daily. Your story sounded like a breath of relief to us. We know there must be something more that can be done for him. We get the impression that medical professionals just expect that this will gradually get better. In the meantime he has lost 45 pounds, from 193 to 142, this weight leaves him skin and bones. His ideal weight would be 175. Anything you could share with us would be appreciated. Thanks, Carole

I have had dumping syndrom and all the horrible consequences since 1986 after the vagus was severed between the 4th and 5th ribs. I have been on Sandostatin for 18 years, but the effect is bginning to wear off and I have developed diabetes as a result. Does anyone have any sensible suggestions?
I would be most grateful to anyone who could make my life a bit more bearable, in particular to avoid imperative diarrhea, (racing heartbeat and extreme fatigue).

Just returned today from my 6-month checkup after esophageal surgery & saw your message. This is my impression:

Loosing 35-40+ lbs. is not unusual. Getting back to "normal" isn't usual. Expect a new "normal" in 1-1.5 yrs after surgery, maybe 20-30lbs less. What matters more is energy level and stopping weight loss. Avoid high sugar foods, milk products with lactose (lactose-free milk & ice cream are available at local stores) and VOLUME. Eat very slowly, chew until it's almost liquid and eat 8-10ozs. I've had no trouble with cheese, which, along with apple sauce, has helped me avoid prolonged diarrhea. Dumping weekly may subside after 1 yr. I'm trying some supplements advertised to help repair compromised GI tracts such as L-Glutimine, Juven, Peptamen.

Hope this will help for now.