Genetics and malabsorption to ,

[Guest guest]

,

Why the onset of possible genetic CP appears so late in life is a mystery to me.

I did have

some serious digestive problems in my early 30's, also high amylase, and

underwent

several tests at the military hospital and clinics in ton. My symptoms

then were

very similar, terrible abdominal pain after eating, loss of weight, etc. They

never did figure

out what was wrong, and I discontinued trying to find out because I was in the

process of a

divorce from my first husband and lost all my military privileges. It got

better after that,

and I just wrote it all off to a sensitive stomach that was irritated by the

stress of the

divorce.

The problems didn't start again until 15 years later, and my first acute attack

was when I

was 49. The weight loss and malabsorption had been going on for nearly a year

or more

before that attack.

When they talk about genetic in this sense, it's not the same as heriditary

pancreatitis,

where the disease passes along in several family generations, and often appears

in infancy

or early youth. I believe what the doctors are talking about here is that the

person would

possess some particular gene that would predispose them to pancreatic disease.

This is

just my supposition, I have an excellent research paper on it which I should

have reviewed

beforehand, but my time is limited this morning, so I'm winging it. I'll find

the paper later

and see if what I've written is close to what the theory is.

You asked about malabsorption, yes, I've had it badly to the extent that I've

had so much

bone loss that diagnosed osteoporosis has already set in, in my hips, and

osteopenia in

my spine. I started having year bone density studies done three years ago to

look at this.

The bone loss has included numberous dental problems, too, I lost so many of my

upper

teeth in the past two years from lack of bone surrounding them that I had to

have

dentures. The reason for my rush this morning is that the problem has begun in

my lower

jaw and I'm having to have two teeth removed this a.m. because there's no bone

surrounding them. Front teeth, too, oh lucky me!

I hope this answers some of your questions, . If I can help with anything

more,

please ask again.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

Bluffton, SC

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pancreatitis/

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should not

be substituted for professional medical consultation.