Guest guest Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Sorry to bring such a topic into the headlines, with your name attached, Ian, but don't worry about it. We talk about this subject all the time, and in the world of CP, pale stools are commonplace. I read your post to Angie, and your concern about pale stools. Pale stools are an indicator of poor absorption of nutrients, and they aren't something that's just seen in well advanced cases of chronic pancreatitis. They can occur rather early in the disease. Another name for this sign of malabsorption is called stratorrhea. It means that your body isn't absorbing a healthy amount of nutrients, and we all know that once the pancreas isn't functioning correctly, those vitamins and minerals that we eat in food don't get absorbed because the enzymes in the pancreas aren't functioning properly. A good pancreatic enzyme supplement will usually help with malabsorption problems, and your stools should look a little better once you're on the correct formula of enzymes. You haven't been prescribed these yet, have you? You need to make sure that you write this symptom down on your list for the doctor's appointment, and ask him to start you on enzyme supplements. I know you're very concerned about cancer, and just wanted to say what your doctor will most likely tell you, too, is that it's very highly unlikely for anyone as young as you to have pancreatic cancer. Statistically, it's just not seen in someone your age. But don't hesitate to discuss this with your doctor and see what he has to say about it. When is your appointment, again? I forgot the date. With love, hope and prayers, Heidi Heidi H. Griffeth South Carolina Rep. Southeastern Regional Rep. PAI Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion, and should not be substituted for professional medical consultation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Thanks Heidi, Your help and prayers are very much appreciated. I woke up this morning a tad bit nauseous but outside of that am relatively ok. One question I had concerning the stools. I know you said that they are a result of malabsorption. Ive noticed a few other things. Firstly, recently they have been very soft stools and somewhat bulky, and of course frequent, BUT I have not noticed any significant amount of weight loss despite this. My weight is probably a definite contributor to my condition as I weigh about 235lb and am 5'9 " tall, but I monitor it semi frequently and I have not seen it below 230lb. I DO eat alot of fatty foods and dont have the best diet though. What I HAVE noticed, at least in my own eyes perhaps, is that my skin is somewhat pale. The bags under my eyes tend to be more pronounced and that causes me to worry. I do not know if skin color can be affected by malabsorption, or if weight can remain unaffected. Sorry for so many questions. I am hoping I will have it all together by my appointment in about two weeks. Thanks again, Ian. > > Sorry to bring such a topic into the headlines, with your name > attached, Ian, but don't worry about it. We talk about this subject > all the time, and in the world of CP, pale stools are commonplace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Ian, Not all people lose weight with malabsorption problems. One thing that you said concerned me. You said that your diet wasn't that good and that you did eat a " lot of fatty food " . Are you aware that a low fat diet is what is recommended for Chronic Pancreatitis, and that a diet high in fats can actually help increase your pain levels? If you want to remain as relatively pain-free as possible, I would suggest that you change your diet to assist in this. Your pale skin tone may be as a result of lack of essential vitamins. A good multivitamin taken daily may help with this. Even if it doesn't, it wouldn't hurt to take one....:-) With love, hope and prayers, Heidi Heidi H. Griffeth South Carolina Rep. Southeastern Reg. Rep., PAI Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion, and should not be substituted for professional medical consultation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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