Fevers post-Whipple

Posted by jeeplewis @jeeplewis, Apr 26 9:36am

I had a successful Whipple done in September 2023 and had minimal after-effects (except a hernia that required abdominal wall reconstruction). I am quite lucky and pleased.

However, since then I have had 11 short bouts of fever/chills/rigors/exhaustion that lasted between six and 36 hours. Several trips to urgent care and two emergency room visits have resulted in no diagnosis. (I now just wait out the episodes.) I do not know if these are after effects of the Whipple or chemo or something else entirely. I have an infectious disease consult at Mayo Rochester when I have my next scans in June. But, I'm curious: has anyone else experienced this phenomenon.

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jak365 | @jak365 | Apr 27 9:16am

Are you sure these aren’t cholangitis infections? I’ve had so many since whipple. I think my blood tests showed many times that’s what it was - but now when I get the infection (starts with chills then fever) the blood test doesn’t show that’s but we know that’s what it is. There’s been no way to stop them and I just have to go to er and get IV antibiotics (should be an easier way).

jeeplewis | @jeeplewis | Apr 27 11:25am

Thanks for the response, and I will definitely check it out when I see the infectious disease doc at Mayo. From your experience, it sounds like cholangitis is difficult to diagnose definitively and treat anything other than symptoms when they appear.

jak365 | @jak365 | Apr 27 3:19pm

your surgeon should know whether that could be it? I would think? its something where the bile leaks into your stomach or duodenum ... Interesting that you're going to Mayo. What made you decide to do that? I have thought about going to mayo or Cleveland for help with all my side effects from the PC treatment because the doctors are so siloed and I can't get anybody to pay attention and look at the big picture. I have the cholangtis infections, uncontrollable diabetes and daily nausea and sometimes more... they now think nausea etc is due to gastroparesis. All these things are common side effects I've learned.