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Loss of appetite/low mood/ severe back pains post whipple


Guest Mini

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Hi there,


My mum is 18 days post whipple surgery. She was re-admitted to hospital 15 days post op as she hadn’t had a bowl movement since the surgery. She has since had one and is now home. They did a CTscan and found no blockages and no major leakages to cause concern.

She is slowly regaining mobility however is extremely fatigued and her mood is very, very low.

She has had a few bouts of vomiting with no nausea and now we are only using ondansetron as and when needed.

She has almost completely lost her appetite and I’m struggling to get her to eat and drink enough fluid. We want to avoid another hospital stay and tube feeding at all costs. She won’t takenEnsure drinks.


She is also experiencing extreme back pain in her lower back and up her spine but we are unsure if this is because of the wind she is experiencing or, potentially the weight loss too.


I’m feeling a bit at a loss as to how I can help her. She’s on 2mls of oxycodone for breakthrough pain relief and gets a pain patch at night.

The moods, pains and occasional vomiting seems to be worse at night. She isn’t sleeping through and often wakes nightly at 4am.


I was wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences? And could maybe make some suggestions?


Thanks so much and hoping everyone out there is doing well x

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  • 4 weeks later...
PCUK Nurse Dianne

Hi Mini,


Thank you for being in touch on the forum, I am sure you will have some amazing support from some of the forum family here. I appreciate this must be quite a difficult time for you in supporting Mum, and also trying to encourage her and keep her motivated at this time.


Mini it may also help if you wished to touch base with us on the Support Line as we could speak/email you directly and give you some support and guidance. We also offer a 'peer support' service for people who have either had surgery or expecting to have surgery, this is called 'Side by Side service.


Mini, please feel free to reach out to us via our contact details below, either phone or email, details below.


with kindest regards,


Dianne

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Pancreatic Cancer UK

Support Line open 10am - 4pm M-F

0808 801 0707

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hello Mini

I hope since your last message 14th your mam has had some better days.

My 75 yr old brother post whipple -it took 6 weeks in hospital to recover from this operation. Toilet blockage and and one leakage which didnt dry up for weeks. He was ten days on intravenous food packs. We thought he would never get home and he lost so much weight. So it does take weeks to see some recovery. He was supplied with Creon which helped in the digestion of food. Small light meals. He takes two 25000 capsules every time he eats. He suffered (and still does, 10 months post op) with flatulence, belching, a feeling of being full, pains at night which cause sleeplessness. A thick band to his tummy which is the scarring.

During his initial home recovery it was slow. He was weak and so tired. The op is an 8/9 hr ordeal. But he gained weight after a month. He gained weight and I feel his inspiration comes from the Zoom meetings with his old choir friends. A walk out when he feels able. He is keeping positive and up beat about his situation. We around him try and keep him entertained positive in thoughts and distracted from this current ordeal. Days are good and bad.

I hope your mam grows stronger and her meds help her.

My thoughts are with you.

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