Spasms after Whipple

Was your Whipple procedure "pylorus-preserving"? Mine was, and I did not have stomach spasm issues afterward.

However, after my tumor recurrence, gastric outlet obstruction and stent insertion, it became like a pylorus-NON-preserving Whipple -- essentially an open pipe out the bottom of my stomach.

After the stent is when my stomach started having spasms. I get some relief from taking Bentyl (dicyclomine).

Maybe not relevant, but an angle to consider.

I have had these spasms, last about a minute. I had Whipple a year ago. I had them more at the beginning, very infrequently now. Mine cause pain across my back, similar to gall bladder or pancreatitis attack, and sometimes referred pain up to my shoulder. I notice if I eat at night, and lie down or lie back soon after, this can bring it on - have to get up and walk around. Someone suggested holding arms above the head, I do that too. It does go away in about a minute, but painful while it lasts. My doctors don't know the cause.

Thank you for your input. My Whipple was "pylorus-preserving" I am hoping in time they'll go away as my new "gut piping" heals and adjust to its new dynamics.

The spasms you are describing are very similar to mine. Mine are felt across the upper abdomen and the more severe ones, do go up my shoulder. They do last about a minute as well. Keeping my torso straight and breathing through them has helped. The more severe ones have happened late in the day after dinner. I consulted with my oncologist Dr. but she did not know cause. Will follow up with my surgeon as well. Thank you, for sharing your experience with these spasms! Hopefully they'll go away with time.

Late in the day after dinner, yes! That's when mine have happened. Mine have become less and less frequent the further I am from my Whipple - I am a year away now. Only have them once in a blue moon. Best of luck to you!

Hey!
I had Whipple 1/17 and am still in hospital almost a month later. My stomach isn’t waking up and am on soft liquids diet. Curious about your spasms but interested in your diet 7 months after Whipple? Looks like my stomach is stumbling to restart.

Seven month post Whipple (pylorus-preserving), I have a decent appetite but not like it was before prior to my Whipple. I cleaned up my diet before surgery, so probably not having as many cravings either.

Here are some of the food I most often now eat seven months post Whipple: One cup of coffee (AM), started with decaf herbal teas the first three months post op, yogurt (low in sugar), one or two eggs, French toasts, rice, chicken, fish ( white) or one 4oz. salmon stake, vegetable soup, milk (part skin or 1/2 cup whole with my AM coffee), vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and potatoes smashed or baked as wedges, blanched green beans or asparagus, If I make a soup with beef, I either buy 93% lean or use ground bison. I avoid fatty foods and measure / limit my avocado oil when cooking, as well as butter. Overall, I am pleased with my diet. I know that my body has gone through a huge change and want to be kind with the rest of what I have. I stay away from processed foods, soda, and seed oils.

The Whipple is a huge surgery. The body will take its time to recover, but it will slowly get better. Sending good energy your way!

Thank you!!! So great to hear they'll go away! Thank you for sharing.

So interesting that other people have had these Spasms. My Husband had a Distal Pancreatomy in July 2024.
He had several serious setbacks after surgery which thankfully have cleared up but he has been getting
these Spasms for the last several weeks. They do last about a minute. His oncologist also does not know the cause. He has described them to me a few times that he thought he was having a heart attack. I

My wife had Whipple surgery mid-December 2023. We're not sure they are spasms but we have assumed they are. There is a pain as you describe that she gets. Sometimes she can breath through it, other times it provokes vomiting. There is no nausea involved. The palliative care folks have given her Hyoscyamine, which helps a bit. The frequency has diminished, but she still gets them occasionally.