Re: To Myrna

[Guest guest]

" Myrna Newman " wrote:

I believe the size of my small duct causes the pancreas to retain

digestive enzymes and so the pancreas starts to digest it's self.

I think I might have to go to a doctor that is more a specialist with

the pancreas if I keep having problems.

I have had three attacks, I believe. I havenever drank alcohol.

I have had 7 C. sections and I wondered if that had any affect.

Also do you know if enzymes taken every day can cause the

pancreas to become lazy?

I know I need to do better with the diet but like one other person

said it is really hard. It makes life less fun and so far I do not see

it affecting how I feel but I am afraid it is just that I do not see it

yet, so each day.

Dear Myrna,

The low fat diet is what is recommended for chronic pancreatitis,

but if I understand your posts correctly, you actually haven't been

diagnosed at this point with having the chronic condition, you've

had three acute attacks. One can usually notice a big difference

in how they feel afterward with chronic pancreatitis if they are on

a low fat diet, yet I have heard a few people say that higher fat

contents didn't bother them. You know your own body, and I'm

sure that if you noticed a difference you know now that that would

mean to cut back.

The theory behind the need for the low fat diet, and the enzymes,

is that once the pancreas has become damaged to the point that

it is no longer producing it's own enzymes it's unable to do the

job of fat and protein digestion on its own. When it's like this,

and can't digest food, several things happen. Some of the things

that happen are pain after eating, malabsorption becomes

evident in the form of steatorrhea (greasy, oily stools), and

weight loss resulting from nutrients not being absorbed

appears. The purpose for the enzyme supplements is to aid the

pancreas in digestion, they do the work that a healthy pancreas

normally would, letting the pancreas rest, thus causing less

pain, and helping those nutrients to be absorbed.

I have never heard that enzyme supplements " would make the

pancreas lazy " . It's sort of an odd explanation for not taking

them. The reason they are recommended is because the

pancreas is already lazy, or broken and not functioning to start

with, and the enzymes are meant to do the work that the

non-functioning pancreas can't. I personally feel that any

additional strain on the pancreas causes irritation, and irritation

can lead to a pancreatic attack. You should talk with the

physician who prescribed enzyme supplements to you if you

have any questions about their necessity.

There are also different brands of enzyme supplements, some

are enteric coated and others aren't. It is necessary to take an

antiacid prior to using the enzymes that are not enteric coated,

otherwise they do not work as they are supposed to.

And yes, it would be a good idea to see a gastroenterologist if

you continue to have problems, this condition can be very

challenging for a regular physician to understand, and you would

be in better hands with a specialist.

With hopes and prayers,

Heidi in SC

P.S. Don't know if the C-sections could have any effect, I've never

heard that they would. I have had two, 26 and 30 years ago.