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Spasms after Whipple

Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: May 17 6:57am | Replies (57)

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@grandmahiker So wonderful to hear you’re 8 years post-Whipple! So sorry about your spasms.

You mentioned they usually happen during pm hours. Lying down, standing, or both? Soon after you’ve eaten or more random? Any connection with certain foods?

I searched for spasms after Whipple, but only found the standard post Whipple advice: small meals only, digestive enzymes if needed, staying hydrated with water, walking.

I’m scheduled for the Whipple next week. Diagnosed 3 weeks ago, 1.6 cm mass at head of pancreas, ADPC. I’m fortunate to have found a well-versed surgeon in the Whipple procedure. I’m hoping he can preserve my pylorus, but no discussion of this goal.

My dad had stage 4 PC, neoadjuvant chemoradiation that almost prevented the surgery, but had the Whipple after a 3 month delay of neoadjuvant. The surgery gave him 9 to 12 months. The chemoradiation did nothing helpful. It did not “shrink the tumor”. Since I was not a doctor, no one listened to me about published info re PC being unlikely to respond to chemo, unlike breast cancers. To stay sane, I must now think at his stage 4 diagnosis w/vein involvement, it had likely metastasized already (although imaging didn’t show this) and had already spread to lymph nodes prior to enduring 3 months of ineffective chemoradiation which delayed his surgery.

I’m uplifted to learn your story, and thank you so much for sharing:)

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Replies to "@grandmahiker So wonderful to hear you’re 8 years post-Whipple! So sorry about your spasms. You mentioned..."

@chuff333 Hi and welcome to Mayo Connect. I am sorry to hear about your father and recent diagnosis. I am glad that you found a surgeon that is well versed in the Whipple procedure. That has to be comforting? Where can I find the published information that states pancreatic cancer doesn't respond to chemo? I am very interested in reading it. Thank you.