CancerCompass message board discussion started by Mauna Kea on 3/1/2005 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,1648,0.htm Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I had an esophagectomy 6 1/2 years ago (for a breast cancer metastesis 15 years post breast cancer). My stomach was pulled up to my throat and maybe 1/2 of it serves as an esophagus and the other 1/2 acts like a stomach, only it's smaller. Don't like to complain because I'm alive and life is beautiful, but I have 2 problems: 1. After I eat I have a fast pulse and heartbeat, lower blood pressure, headache, pain, exhaustion; and 2. It's hard to keep weight on and I have muscle wasting. I understand this is all related. It's managable if I eat small meals frequently and very slowly and lie down after eating, but that doesn't go with working. Recently my diability insurance company has decided that since I don't have a visible tumor, I can work. They don't cover "self-reported" symptoms. So my questions are: Any ideas about managing "dumping syndrome" better? and Any ideas about how to deal with the darned insurance company? Thanks. Marjorie Mauna Kea Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT Can't help you with suggestions on helping with your condition...But, how come your doctor can't validate that the symptoms you have are common side effects of your surgery/treatment? Do you take meds for the symptoms? Have you tried to get SSI disability? Don't know if it will work but, may be worth a try... Deb1962 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT How are you doing now? Have you tried using an enzyme before you eat or drink an aloe drink? Minda Sun, 29 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT Thanks for your response. I'm hanging in there. I have a lawyer who thinks we have a good enough case that the insurance company is likely to reverse its decision so we won't have to sue them. Hope so. I've got cooperative doctors and that helps. In the meantime, I've learned more about the condition and how to manage it. I recently got an aloe drink esp for when I get stomach acid burn, but I haven't used it as a regular thing. Your questions will make me try that. Thanks again. Mauna Kea Mon, 30 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT I'm glad to hear that. I've been working with this guy that was supposed to get a wrap as well but started drinking this aloe drink and now he does'nt need to, so it would probably be a good thing for you to use it. I'll keep you in my prayers and definitely keep me informed on how things are going. Minda Mon, 30 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT "Wrap"? What's a wrap? Mauna Kea Tue, 31 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT Dear Marjorie - I know you're looking for relief from dumping syndrome, but you may want to consider other natural alternatives than aloe. As it turns out, aloe juice is classified as a stimulant laxative and may worsen what you are trying to prevent in the first place--loose stools that deplete the body of potential healing nutrients. Additionally, oral intake of aloe may increase low blood sugar effects and contribute to feelings of fatigue and weakness. You are certainly on the right path by eating small, frequent meals--and I know that can be very difficult to do when you are busy working. Consider packing low fat granola mixed with raw nuts or seeds or spread organic nut butters on trans-fat-free crackers. These are some great "briefcase bites" that satisfy hunger, provide healthy nutrients and are a fast and convenient way to get in the calories and protein you need each day. You may also want to limit the amount of liquid you drink with meals (save the drinking for between meals or snacks) so you don't fill up so quickly and watch the amount of sugary foods you consume. Sugars, and sugar alcohols (sorbitol, xylitol) found in sugar-free foods can also contribute to diarrhea. You may want to avoid lactose containing foods (milk, perhaps even cheeses) to see if that helps the diarrhea to subside. Digestive enzymes may be helpful, as well as probiotic supplements. Ultimately, you want to be able to eat and keep healthy foods in the body long enough for them to sustain you and rebuild healthy cells. If you need additional support to attain this goal, please feel free to contact me. With a little trial and error, I believe you can regain bowel health and subsequently your quality of life! Best wishes, Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD Director, Holistic Nutrition Service Cancer Resource Center Dr. Kim Wed, 15 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT Thanks so much, Kim for your thorough answer! What I can add to what I've said is that loose stools is less a problem (usually) for me than the other symptoms: headache, exhaustion, pain, rapid heart and pulse. I need to rest a while, at least 20 minutes but sometimes as much as a hour after eating. Add that regimen to eating frequently and slowly, and that's most of my day! Yes, what I eat makes a difference. No milk products (some yogurt ok). No alcohol. Little sugar. If this information adds to what you can tell me, I would appreciate hearing from you again. Thanks a lot for taking the time and interest. Cheers, Marjorie Mauna Kea Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT Marjorie, Rapid pulse, headache and pain....and it isn't even tax season! Seriously, these symptoms are telling you something isn't right. If you have not done so already, consider visiting a board-certified gastroenterologist who can rule out some kind of non-descript digestive disorder like celiac sprue (more common that you think and often presents with similar symptoms)or food allergies. This kind of docmentation from a physician might help for insurance coverage purposes as well! In my clinical practice I suggest that patients who have a difficult time digesting foods keep a food diary and note their physical symptoms after each meal. Patterns of intolerance may surface and give you a better idea of what you can, and can't eat. In addition, do your heart rate a favor and avoid all "stimulants"--caffeinated beverages, chocolate and even spices like peppermint. See if that makes a difference. Best, Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD Director, Holistic Nutrition Services Cancer Resource Center Cancer Treatment Centers of America Dr. Kim Thu, 23 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT My husband was just diagnosed with "dumping syndrome". He is also diabetic. In fact, he had the stomach emptying test because we are having such a terrible time regulating his blood sugars. He will eat a meal, with the proper amount of insulin and within an hour or so his sugars will bottom out at 30 or 40. After doing some reading I found out that even people who are not diabetic have trouble with hypoglycemia with this disorder. I am not having much luck finding information on dumping syndrome AND diabetes. Can you help me? I am really worried about my husband. Thanks, Julie Juliebug Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT Hi Julie, Information from the Combined Health Information Database (a health education resource from a number of federal goverment health agencies) reveals that dumping syndrome occurs when undigested food reaches the lower end of the small intestine causing an influx of fluid into the gut and, ultimately, rapid flushing of the bowels. It seems your husband has a tell-tale symptom of "late" dumping--low blood sugar that occurs one to three hours after a meal. I'm sure the docs mentioned the importance of eating several small meals per day, watching refined carbohydrates and sugar alcohols, as well as the value of consuming liquids between--not at--meal times. That's pretty standard stuff when it comes to treating this. You might also get recommendations from a registered dietitian who specializes in diabetes care. Contact the American Dietetic Association at 800.877.1600 and ask for an RD with a CDE credential (certified diabetes educator). You may also wish to consider adding digestive enzymes to your husbands nutrition plan. These enzymes help to break down the food in the stomach, therefore, reducing the chances of having large amounts of undigested foods travel to the lower gut. I hope this helps. Best, Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD Director, Holistic Nutrition Services Cancer Resource Center Cancer Treatment Centers of Americ Dr. Kim Thu, 07 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT I don't have a stomach wrap, but I have a sister who did. Also, I am a cancer patient at the present....doing chemo. Sickness and waisting is not new to me. Small meals deffinately is a big part of the answer and you might try adding at least one or two "Boost" drinks to you daily diet. You can get them at the Grocery store and sometimes Pharmacies sell them. Be sure to get the ones without fiber in them. I get the one with lots of vitamines and calories to help keep me from loosing weight when food does not look so good. It has really helped and it comes in flavors. Good luck....God Bless Winkle Winkle Tue, 28 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT