Dumping syndrome

[Marcyanne]

I had ulcers which in turn scarred my stomach and also scarred my pylorus opening.  The pyloris was so scarred that it became very narrow and would not allow food to pass through into my intestines.  The doctors tried several various types of surgery with only minimal relief.  I have had a vagotomy,  2 pyloroplasties, and jejunosotomy all due to peptic ulcer disease.  I was told the vagotomy caused gastroparesis. Propulsid helped the gastroparesis but it was taken off the market. I just had a endoscopy performed and my doctor dilated my esophagus.  He told me that the jejunosotomy allows more acid to enter my stomach and causes chronic inflammation.  I have frequent heartburn, acid regurgitation, difficult swallowing, admominal pain and epigastric pain on a daily basis.  I have tried all of the acid relievers and proton pump inhibitors  and the symptoms continue.  I also have daily dumping syndrome.  I have weakness, bloating, pain, sweating, shakiness, and explosive diarrhea every day. I have had both sudden dumping syndrome and alos late dumping syndrome.  I never know which it will be when I eat.  I have gotten into a bad habit of only eating once a day because I want to be sure I have a bathroom available when I do eat.   The dumping has become so troublesome that it has effected my quality of life.  I no longer enjoy going out to eat because I dont know how I will feel as soon as I eat.  Traveling has become difficult because I must always be sure there is a bathroom somewhere. At one point I was sent to a hematologist for anemia and had to receive IV iron treatments once a week.  The doctors felt the anemia was caused by the constant irritation in my stomach which caused some occasionally bleeding. My doctor offers very little help except to eat small meals and limit fluids and watch sweets.  I am very concerned about the chronic acid irritation in my stomach and esophagus especially regaring long term it will have on my stomach and esophagus.  Is there any help for my dumping syndrome, chronic pain and acid irritation?  I would appreciate any help you may give me.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There are some medications that you can consider for dumping syndrome.  The first are hypoglycemic agents such as Acarbose which may help late dumping.  Antisecretory agents such as Octreotide have also been used with varying success.  Studies have shown that Octreotide can decrease short-term symptoms scores.  Note that Octreotide is administed subcutaneously prior to each meal.  

If these options aren't helping, surgical options can be considered - but you may want to discuss these medications first with your personal gastroenterologist.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[enzo]

Sounds like you have Ulcerative Colitis or something like it. I went though the same thing and it was definitely a terrible thing. See a doctor and ask him to have them check you for that. The recovery process is slow. Above all else, you need to learn to relax. I know it isnt easy to do. It's something you need to learn to do for yourself.