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Weight loss


RoyBoy

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Hi, I had my Whipples Op. in April 14 and my weight has continued to drop from 82kg (pre-op) to 71kg to date. Thankfully I spoke to the Support Team on here and Jeni has provided a list of information to help with this.

She has told me to have 5-6 smaller meals a day. To consider specialist build up foods like soups, milkshakes etc. To increase my Creon intake and double it. At breakfast I would take a 25000 capsule with my cereal and then an hour later just eat my toast. She has told me to increase my capsule size and that a capsule only lasts 20 minutes. I now take another capsule before I eat my toast.

I am back on normal milk and butter ( was previously on 1% milk and Flora light).

I am enjoying the build up soups (I got from Boots) as they are only half a mug size and then an hour later I can manage a sandwich as well(with some extra Creon before).

I feel better for this extra intake and I am beginning to get some more energy.

I am hoping my weight may increase or at least stabilise to enable me to get through my remaining 4 months of chemo.(Gem)

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Hi there,

I used to make Trevor's porridge with one cup of full cream milk and one half cup of single cream, he also had the small fortisip drinks once or twice a day, along with small meals. This was after his surgery, but as his operation was to remove the body and tail of his pancreas, we still don't know if he really needs creon or not, though he does take them with every meal, better safe than sorry.

His real problems with weight loss was when his sugar levels rose due to the steroids given with his folfirinox, we just carried on with high calorie foods, as he was put on insulin, and he did regain his weight, luckily he didn't need insulin after the treatment finished. take care sandrax

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PCUK Nurse Jeni

Hi Sandra,


You would still need enzymes no matter where in the pancreas the tumour was.

The production of enzymes can be affected regardless of where the tumour is, and Trevor is right to carry on taking them with every meal, snack or milky drink. (including supplements).


Kind regards,


Jeni.

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Hi all, Thanks for all your positive comments and support.

To WashingtonMike, you say you wish you had a Boots over there, you soon may have. I beleive Walgreens ? have made a bid to buy them. Or we may end up with Walgreens over here ?

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My partner has never taken creons and has never had any digestive problems since his op. He has put on a bit of weight over the last couple of months in spite of the liver tumours, but now he has started folfirinox that will probably all change. I'll get him to check his blood sugar following your post, Sandra. At regular intervals. What would we all do without the expert knowledge we can gain here!

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PCUK Nurse Jeni

Hi Didge,


That's good about your partner.


Evidence states that 95% or pancreatic cancer suffers will need enzyme replacement at some stage along the journey. (lots of articles written about this - email me at support@ if you want some bedtime reading! )


Research also states that the presence of abdominal symptoms is often a "late sign" of Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficiency (PEI) and that many folk are actually malabsorbing long before these symptoms start.


A good way to check his need for it and have concrete proof is to have a FAECAL ELASTASE stool test done. That said, these are usually only done when the person reports diarrhoea, pale stools, weight loss, oily stools, so it might be difficult to get a test if there are "no outward symptoms".


Do keep an eye anyhow, as a lot of folk don't have all the symptoms, only some of them. Others being - feeling full up quickly, excessive, foul smelling flatulence, abdominal cramps, abdominal bloating, and sometimes, not enjoying food.


Give us a shout if you have any questions.


Kind regards,



Jeni.

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Thanks Jeni. None of that applies right now. He still enjoys his food and has no digestive symptoms worth mentioning. But I will be vigilant! (although would happily rely on hearsay for these symptoms, if you know what I mean!)

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