2 year post-op problems

Hi!

I'd like to know how you cope with the long-term digestion problems following the esophagectomy? I'm almost 2 years post-op but I suffer from dumping and poor digestion on a daily basis. I guess my symptoms aren't extremely severe, but it's enough and disturbs my daily life pretty much. My main symptoms are nausea, a rapid heartbeat, getting tired and feeling out of breath.

I thought it would get better or at least good enough to cope with. But I guess it won't get better now. I'm 30 years old and I can't imagine living with these symtoms every day for (maybe) another 30-40 years...

I also get more winded since surgery, when I make a physical effort. Perhaps that's normal. (?)

I'm sorry for complaining, I know I should be glad for what I have. But I just get so tired of feeling sick day after day, year after year...

How do you cope? Is it easier to cope when you get older?

Thanx for any advice!

 

On 1/7/2009 Cactuslime wrote:

Hi!

I'd like to know how you cope with the long-term digestion problems following the esophagectomy? I'm almost 2 years post-op but I suffer from dumping and poor digestion on a daily basis. I guess my symptoms aren't extremely severe, but it's enough and disturbs my daily life pretty much. My main symptoms are nausea, a rapid heartbeat, getting tired and feeling out of breath.

I thought it would get better or at least good enough to cope with. But I guess it won't get better now. I'm 30 years old and I can't imagine living with these symtoms every day for (maybe) another 30-40 years...

I also get more winded since surgery, when I make a physical effort. Perhaps that's normal. (?)

I'm sorry for complaining, I know I should be glad for what I have. But I just get so tired of feeling sick day after day, year after year...

How do you cope? Is it easier to cope when you get older?

Thanx for any advice!

CL,

I am 3 1/2 years post I-L surgery. I have a few of the same symptoms, but not too badly. You probably have heard all this (many, many times) and may do all these things but.....

Eat very small meals, 6+ times a day

Eat whole grains, only good fats, very little sugar, lots of fruits and vegetables.

Find an aerobic exercise you like. If you don't like any, pretend you do. Do it. Then do it again and again and again.........

I won't lie to you. I have a hard time making myself do all these things, but when I don't, I pay for it with the same symptoms you listed. I especially have a hard time eating small amounts. Now that it's winter here in Ohio I'm not cycling as much and I can feel the difference.

Good Luck, KEEP MOVING, Laugh Much,

Steve

 

Hi - My husband experiences being winded easily also. Have you had much post op chemo? He is definitely worse during chemo, and each break we have had, it has been more noticeable and taken longer to shake off. It's extremely hard on the body and other organ systems like his lungs, heart, kidneys, and probably liver too. But better than the alternative. In his case, we know going back to work and maintaining a more "normal" lifestyle is probably not going to happen, but it took us a few years to get here and accept it. I trust at some point he will find a new niche doing something that isn't too strenuous, even if it's just on a volunteer basis.

Fortunately he doesn't seem to have many of the digestive problems that can be post surgical, but we're careful with food and like many people say...what works one day may suddenly not work the next. Don't really have any suggestions that you haven't already heard I'm sure.

Pat will be three years post-op in March.

One last thought...how is your fluid level. It's very difficult to manage enough fluid as well as eating, especially when the eating isn't going well. Eating often becomes the focus, but all of those symptoms could also be related to dehydration and electrolyte problems too. I would recommend trying to drink something like Gatorade or coconut water . I prefer coconut water because it is natural, really high in potassium, but also has higher concentration of other electrolytes than Gatorade too, minus the coloring, preservatives and sugar. It is also considerably more expensive than Gatorade so maybe not an option. I would imagine dehydration would be compounded by dumping since that is a form of fluid loss.

I am 1 3/4 years post - op have the same symptoms. what has helped me

a great deal for the dumping, fast heat rate, stomach problems is whey

protein. in1 scoop there is 50 grams of protein. i mix 1 scoop  of vanilla in

a cup of coffee. i was drinking a cup of coffee in the morning and a cup after  dinner.

You can purchase six star muscle professional strength WHEY PROTEIN

at wall mart . the whey protein helps with muscle growth. The protein did 

cause some constipation. When i felt sick after eating i would drink some 

whey protein, it would help. i also gained some weight. 

 

 

                                  pete

Thank you all for your responses! Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'll try it out.

Take care everyone!