Find more information about pancreatic enzymes
If you have any problems with digestion or questions about pancreatic enzymes, speak to our specialist nurses on our free Support Line.
It may take some time for your appetite to improve after having a stent put in or bypass surgery. Try starting with small amounts of food often, and then gradually have bigger meals.
The pancreas produces enzymes that help to break down and digest food, so that nutrients from the food can be absorbed into the blood and used by the body. Pancreatic cancer can reduce the number of enzymes that your pancreas makes. This means that food is not properly broken down.
You can take pancreatic enzymes to deal with this. This is known as pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). Pancreatic enzymes help to break down food, and can help with some symptoms, such as loss of appetite, weight loss and tummy discomfort. They can also make a big difference to how you feel.
If you haven’t already been given pancreatic enzymes, speak to your doctor or nurse about this, and ask to be referred to a dietitian.
If you have any problems with digestion or questions about pancreatic enzymes, speak to our specialist nurses on our free Support Line.
Sometimes the cancer can block the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). This can cause symptoms such as feeling full quickly, feeling and being sick and losing weight.
If your duodenum is blocked, this can stop food passing out of the stomach into the duodenum. You may need to have a small tube called a duodenal stent put into your duodenum. This can unblock the duodenum so that food can pass through. This should help with sickness and you should start to feel like eating again.
Your dietitian will help you to increase what you eat after having the stent put in. You will have softer foods at first. It may help to start by eating foods like jelly or yoghurt.
Sometimes it can take a while for your stomach to start emptying properly again. You may be given medicine (such as metoclopramide) to help your stomach to empty.
Speak to your doctor, nurse or dietitian for more advice about what to eat after you have had a duodenal stent put in.
If your stent gets blocked you will feel full and may be sick. If this happens contact your doctor or nurse. Or go to A&E if it is out of normal hospital hours.
Updated January 2020
Review date January 2023