Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Debbie, You wrote, " Does everyone have a lot of distention with this? I sometimes cannot even get my clothes buttoned. " I think almost everyone I have spoken to has episodes of abdominal distention. For myself, abdominal distention is an understatement. I can go from zero to nine months pregnant in a heartbeat. My stomach can be huge. I become bloated and very uncomfortable. I have yet to determine what causes this or what resolves it. Sometimes, it correlates with my menstrual cycle, sometimes, it does not. My Internal Medicine Specialist told me that there are several reasons this occurs. One is due to possible gastroparesis. The food that remains in the abdomen due to poor gastric motility creates an acidic environment when the food begins to break down, hence the reason for antacids. This produces gases that bloat the stomach. She said that this becomes problematic when it does not resolve in a day or two. On occasion my distention did not resolve appropriately and she ordered an abdominal ultrasound to rule out possible leakage of pancreatic fluid into the abdominal cavity. Fortunately, this was not the situation. Karyn E. , RN Executive Director, PAI Indianapolis, Indiana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Dear Karyn: Ihave known that I have acute and chronic pancreatitis for 4 years now. Mostly, what all my M.D.s have come up with is very large doses of morphine, oxycontin, aldactone, lasix, pangestyme, nuerontin, etc etc etc.... I have desperately beeen searching for " natural " type ways to treat my symptoms and correct the problems, rather than MASK things and never seem to get well. All I do is take pharmacuetical pills and not get well. I am bloated and in extreme discomfort every day. This is insane. There must be a SOLUTION out there. My heart goes out to all of us who deal with these conditions on a daily basis. God Bless you and yours. I know you work constantly on this web site and I thank you for all of your input and care. Respectfully Yours Steve KarynWms@... wrote: Debbie, You wrote, " Does everyone have a lot of distention with this? I sometimes cannot even get my clothes buttoned. " I think almost everyone I have spoken to has episodes of abdominal distention. For myself, abdominal distention is an understatement. I can go from zero to nine months pregnant in a heartbeat. My stomach can be huge. I become bloated and very uncomfortable. I have yet to determine what causes this or what resolves it. Sometimes, it correlates with my menstrual cycle, sometimes, it does not. My Internal Medicine Specialist told me that there are several reasons this occurs. One is due to possible gastroparesis. The food that remains in the abdomen due to poor gastric motility creates an acidic environment when the food begins to break down, hence the reason for antacids. This produces gases that bloat the stomach. She said that this becomes problematic when it does not resolve in a day or two. On occasion my distention did not resolve appropriately and she ordered an abdominal ultrasound to rule out possible leakage of pancreatic fluid into the abdominal cavity. Fortunately, this was not the situation. Karyn E. , RN Executive Director, PAI Indianapolis, Indiana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Amen to all that suffer this way. Thank you Karyn for all of your support and for this group. I tell my husband everyday if it were not for you all I would never make it through most days. You all have taught me more about my disease than any medical person and I am a nurse that looks to the scientific solution. Sometimes I think there must be a solution but then it never comes. Thank God for today though. Take care prayers to all. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Steve, In regard to distention, It is my biggest discomfort. I have clothes in my closet from a size 4 to a 10. I wear the lowest low rise jean possible. I have to wear camis with the build in shelf bra as regular ones have too much pressure. Clothing is the most difficult thing. At least if you look good, you can fake feeling good! and looking better helps with self esteem too. I wish I could tell you something I found that works, I have not. I am like you. I firmly belive in natural stuff and refuse to live my life out of a pill bottle. I had Botox injections for pain. I do yoga and yoga breathing. Most of all, I work with make-a-wish and with veterans and deployed soldiers. Keeps me occupied and " in check " so to speak...Take care, Warmest Regards, Kathleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 We believe my huge belly is from sludge and from severe gastroparisis. Because I have Incom. Pan. Div, my one duct goes no where. It stops shorts of where it should go, So I get build up..it's just too fun. I am on erythomycin for the gastroparisis. That stuff is my miracle drug. Without it, I am constantly barfing. I heard that most people with CP have gastro. I have had it my whole life though..(I still stay huge though, the med only aids in processsing, not with distention) Kathleen KarynWms@... wrote: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 This is another major problem for - his belly will balloon and he can gain l5-20 pounds in what seems like overnight and then he will wake up a few days later with no belly and weight loss. The doctor says this is not fluid but doesn't give any other explanation??? His spleen is enlarged now, so he is bigger than usual, but he still gets days of huge belly syndrome (my name). He is also gaining weight and looks fat everywhere. Some of it is probably from being inactive after living an extremely physical life with the coaching he did, but he eats like a bird and continues to gain weight. I hope someone figures it out but it helps to know others have the same problem and it is not another complication not related to CP. As always, wishes for pain free days. Sincerely, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 I stopped wearing panties all together. I too will wear jamie bottoms around the house on weekends, the lower the rise and looser something is, the better. My husband and I call it BBS Big Belly Syndrome! LOL Some people ask when I am expecting???? UGH! I recently found some cool board shorts, they are low rise, draw string. I got them at www.pacsun.com. My Hawaiian friend recomended then for quality, so I gave it a try. To me, the belly is the worst part of this whole thing. Though I have delt with it my entire life, it's just alot worse now, more sensitive, sleeping comfortably is an issue. -Kathleen assistant2pgd wrote:Hello / Kathleen: I have the abdominal distention > > > > > > > > > > > > " Life's Your Cup, Drink it Up " ...3 Doors Down > > Kathleen > > __________________________________________________ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 Kathleen - I completely understand about " when are you due? " it drives me crazy...it always seems to happen on the days my emotions were starting on the better side, I guess just to kick me back down. I love Mickey Mouse and that is where I keep getting my shorts are MM pajama sets I get them from Walmart or the Disney store. Sleeping positions are few and far between. I sometimes can lean so I prop my back with a pillow just to try to get comfortable. I am like you in that I have dealt with it my whole life but now I weigh more than I ever have and if I try to buy pants that aren't elastic the size is enormous just to get past the swelling! Teal Hello / Kathleen: > > I have the abdominal distention > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > " Life's Your Cup, Drink it Up " ...3 Doors Down > > > Kathleen > > > __________________________________________________ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2005 Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 Hi Deb, I think the distension is caused by both gas and greatly increased sensitivity due to irratation. Mine is occational. One help I've found is suspenders. No belt, large pants, and a pair of suspenders makes for maximun possible comfort and aknowledgement of modesty, and the ease and ability to run an errand if necessary. The cause of gas is most likely the inability to digest fats, which then must pass through the GI tract (with all the other stuff) and thus you are the closed, no oxygen content container for putrifying material. Lucky you. Holding it for 24 to 48 hours or longer at a temperature of 98.6 degrees. Not a pretty picture. The condition likely also causes irratation which increases the problem and sensitivity. Oh well, such is life, I found the best deal on suspenders in the mens belt department at Walmart. Be sure to get ones with good clasps, wide bands, and good adjustment. Spend a little time getting them adjusted so they work well and feel right. That's a trial and error thing. It can easily take a couple of days to get the adjustment right. Best wishes, Poncho - GA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2005 Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 Teal, I know we all seem to get the distention but what causes it. I am absolutely miserable right now. I can't get any clothes on right now. And the pain is unbelievable. Let me know what you think. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2005 Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 Deb, I am very sorry. I know exactly how you are feeling. One of the other members wrote that is was b/c the pressures were up in the pancreas. I don't know what triggers it in me, hopefully one day we can figure it out and it will work for all of us. I will say a prayer for you in hopes it will at least let you relax and go away! Teal > Teal, I know we all seem to get the distention but what causes it. I am > absolutely miserable right now. I can't get any clothes on right now. > And the pain is unbelievable. Let me know what you think. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Kathleen, My CP is from my cystic fibrosis, gastroporisis, and a megacolon. I got the triple whammy!!!! I was just wondering if anyone is able to get any relief in any particular way. I only eat pureed food for one year, been through two blenders. That was my Valentine's Day gift a new blender. I have a great hubby. When you get these spells do you go on liquids for a couple days? Painfree to all. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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