Dumping syndrome

[marcela]

Hi, my very best friend is been having dumping syndrome for more than 2.5 years after he had a second stomach surgerie.
He is taking pills every day but nothing seems to help.
His Diet is difficult because he is allergic to milk and its products and also cannot consume sugar. He is loosing weight badly.
There is a chance to cure him without a surgerie? because the doctor sais it is too complicate to do a third surgerie.
I'm asking you and advice for him, thank you in advance.

[HFHSM.D._gastro-RF]

Dear Marcela,
Dumping syndrome can be a debilitating problem after gastric surgery.  There are two aspects to the problem.  In early dumping syndrome (approx 1 hr after eating), there is  rapid emptying of gastric contents into the duodenum.  Fluid is pulled from the blood to the intestine causing the symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, sweating and even fainting.  The late dumping syndrome (approx 2-3 hours fater eating)is due to a low blood glucose level.

Initial therapy for dumping syndrome is to avoidfluid with meals, eat less carbohydrates.  A drug called Octreotide (Somatostatin), given by injection, has been used in some cases with success.

This informationis presented for educational purposes.  ASk specific questions to your personal physician.

If you wish a second opinion, we would be happy to see you in the Division of Gastroenterology of Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. You can call our Physician Referral Line at [phone] to make an appoinment with Dr. Fogel, one of our experts in th ediagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal illness.

HFHSM.D.-Gastro-RF

[Gojko Popovic]

I had a surgery in which docs cut 2/3 of my stomach and after that I had a problems with dumping syndrome. I start to loose my weight, but I find protein drinks without milk sugar (lactose) and I go every day at gym, and I drink that protein drink (Whey proteins from Scitec Nutrition firm or Prolab (it have a great hyper apsorption formula(Prolab Whey Proteins) So digestive system don`t need to do much to apsorb that proteins because they are in so small moleculas, that accross dyfusion in small intestine they go into circulation and help body to maintain body mass and to stop catabolism of muscle tissue. It is important to take a lot of some amino-acids like glutamine and arginine to prevent loosing of muscles, You can find it in drugstore) (food for body-builders)
Excuse me on poor English !

[WPD]

My wife experienced problems with dumping syndrome after stomach surgery and it was medically recommended to her that she drink Pepsi (not a commercial!) with her meals.  This seemed to alleviate the symptoms. If you can't tolerate sugar can diet drink be used?

[marcela]

Thank you for answering me, my friend can drink only diet driks but the doctors said is better for him not to take any fluid during meals. He drinks any diet drink half and hour after.
How long has been your wife with the dumping syndrome?

[Kathy]

I have had dumping syndrome for 4 years now.  It is controlled by Colestid prescribed by my physician.  Without it I would be homebound.

[kim]

my surgeon told me that what i had sounded to him to be dumping. i had a nissen fundoplication done 18 months ago and since then started having severe stomach pain, i have lost 45 lbs because i am scared to eat. i go from constipation to diarrhea.i have been on librax, xanax and now i am on elavil. i am so weal from not eating and depress from finding nothing wrong. i have had all tests possible, what else can i do. help.

[Carrie]

For anyone who might know...I am considering getting my stomach stapled, and in mentioning it to my cousin she immediatley told me that I would most likely develope 'dumping syndrome' which I'd not heard of before, she described to me what it was and I was wondering if anyone out there had this problem due to this specific sergery or a closely related sergery.

[mike powell]

hi i am looking for info on a condition known as nutcracker gullet syndrome-also known as dumping syndrome.
i was treated recently here in the u.k. for h-pylori and inflamation (inflammation) of the stomach,however i have not had any kind of surgery.
my symptoms have been racing heart, pains in stomach and chest,dizziness,lack of breath,blurred vision ect,all cardiology tests ecg ,blood,xray,and exersise test say my ticker is in good shape so now my specialist has told me i have this syndrome.and has prescribed for me a smooth muscle relaxant called nifedipine-also known as cardilate this acts as a calcium blocker in smooth muscle and has helped me reduce my symptoms greatly.
i would be gratefull to here of anyone else who suffers from this syndrome as there is not a lot of info around about it.
i can be e-mailed at  ***@****

[Alfonso]

This is regarding my mother.
She's a Type II Diabetic with CHF and some degree of Chronic Kidney Failure.

Due to her CHF she was started on Lotensin (ACE Inhibitor) and Lasix (Diuretic). Since then, we have discontinued the Lotensin and is down to 20mg of Lasix.
I understand both of these drugs can cause Diarrhea, but symptoms seem more akin to "Dumping Syndrome" from what I've read. About one hour after her morning meal and sometimes after dinner she experiences some bowel movement and suddenly it's Diarrhea time and she excretes a large large quantity of usually solid stoo, but without form, mushlike like tons of oatmeal.
This emptying is followed by nausea and dizziness to the point of wanting to faint, which subsides between half an hour and sometimes up to an hour an a half of repose and she's okay. This is off and on. Sometimes there is no feeling of wanting to faint at all, just a very large excretion and sometimes even solid. I have been thinking it's IBS, because I have never heard of "Dumping Syndrome". I've checked her Blood Pressure and sometimes it drops very low (89/75) and sometimes the stress and nausea cause it to elevate. This is a concern because of her CHF and her Chronic Kidney Failure (which we're not sure at what level it's at).

I'm assuming her Meds may be at play, but they mention Diarrhea not "Dumping Syndrome".
Anyone have any ideas?

[thomas carden]

I was diegnosed with early dumping syndrom (syndrome) in 1991,but I've never had  sugery. I still have it,why? What are some other causes of dumping syndrom (syndrome)?

[Harry Smith]

I am due to have surgery to remove an ulcerating tumour from the fundus region of my stomach. This will involve a subtotal gastrectomy of the upper half of the stomach together with the lower half of my oesophagus.
I have asked both my gastroenterologist and the surgeon about the effects of the operation on my quality of life. All I got was that I would not be able to eat such large meals as before and I may have a reflux problem.
Having read some of the messages on your bulletin board I believe they are being a little economical with the truth. Am I right?

[Cyndi]

Hi everyone!  I am hoping that my symtons may be familiar to someone with dumping syndrome, because I have been searching for answers to what is happening to me, and this is the closest I've gotten.  I had gallbladder surgery in Sept. 1999.  Since then I've had four attacks that go like this (the only common denominator to all four is that I ate large amounts of ice cream or cheese about 2-3 hours before hand)
I start out having severe cramping in my abdomen, followed by a flush up from my chest thru my face, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting then fainting.  After I stabilize from the fainting I have bowel movements, sometimes firm, sometimes very runny until my bowel is emptpy.  I slowly recover after that.  It has been very frightening, twice it has happened at school where I am currently working hard to earn my Court Reporting degree.  I still have pain in my side where my gallbladder used to be that comes and goes.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?  I am desparate.  I am going to the doctor's (again) to demand that I see a specialist in gastro.  Please help me!  Every comment will be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!

[lisa]

My boyfriend Steve had esphogous rupture in Jan of 1996.  Upon resection of esophageus one year later he developed sweating after eating only on upper body and heart palpitations and weakness, needing to lay down, and craving sweets espec. popsicles.  we initially thought it was his medicine but it now is happening every other day.  He also has a large amount of calcium in his bloodstream and diarrhea and gas.  I am wondering if this will continue to progressively get worse or if the supplements are helpful.

[Sandra]

Thanks to all who post! I have used some of your recommendations with success. I have been diagnosed with Pancreatic Insufficiency. I take Cotazym prior to meal to help in digestion.
I manage this condition well at home. However, I must travel next week for the first time since I became ill two years ago. My nutritionist tells me to avoid restaurants. I must eat out during this trip. I have found that ordering steamed food with no sauces does seem to help. I eat Clif Bars (baked rice energy bar) for snacks. These bars are my salvation. Can someone sugest restaurant meals that are especially low in fat and carbohydrates?

[petro]

Security: Proprietary


I'm a 60 year old woman and works in a very stressful environment. I had an gastrectomy 3 years ago.  I get both "dumping syndrome" symptoms  - my blood sugar falls directly after lunch and then about a hour later again.  For about two and a half years everything went well.  I have six diabetic  meals a day and have fluids in between.  My problem is that my blood sugar drops at least five times a day and I can't seem to get it back to normal.  The blood tests revealed that my blood sugar is very low and that my magnesium level was also very low.  I'm currently taking pills for the magnesium level.  All the doctors I've consulted says that I must eat the correct food.  I'm following the dietician's diet.

I live in South Africa and the information regarding dumping syndrome is very limited.  What is the reason for my blood sugar not getting to its normal level and how can I prevent it from happening so often.   I hope you can help.

[Gail Watson]

My son , who is now 3yrs old had a nissans fundoplication and gastrostomy done back in may 1998, since then he has been plaque with re-acurring bouts of diaherra , nausea cramps also he is unable to take bolus feeds at its worse I am unable to actually feed him at all except for water, his symptoms can go on for between 10 to 15 days. It makes his life very unplesant at times.

[Tim ([e-mail])]

I suffered debilitating IBS-like problems after a vagotomy.  After 10 years of nightmare anxiety over things like travel and going to the theatre I was recommended Cholestyramine (as Questran) by the 5th specialist I had seen.  I take it once daily and it has totally restored normal bowel function.  It has transformed my life.

[[e-mail]]

A friend of mine had stomach surgery three years ago and developed late dumping syndrome.  She has a lot of pain, constipation and is on a multitude of medications.  The stomach surgery was supposed to alleviate her health problems, but it has only caused more complications for her.  Is there a type of surgery that can be done to reverse the late dumping syndrome?  She just wants to feel better and needs some answers.  Thank you.

[ingelise Hygum Nielsen]

hey
I am from Denmark, and here we can`t find anything about this illness. I got for about 6 months ago, and have allready lost 8 kg.. I never had stomic surgery, but 26 years ago the removed my uterus. I dont know what to do. I have a lot of extra heartbeats, i faint, tremble, and are allways dizzi. I feel i have no life anymore. I cant take pills for my heart, because its slow enough. I also have fibromyalgy (fibromyalgia). Is there really no cure atall??

[cookie_62]

A related discussion, pancreatic pseudocyst was started.