edema, enzymes, constipation

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I have been reading all the posts lately about constipation and swelling. I

have been taking Lasix off and on for the past 2 months. Is there a link

between Lasix and CP?

Also, I have started taking my enzymes again. I had " forgotten " about them for

quite some time. In what way do the enzymes help? Do they cause weight gain?

Also, I have been reading a lot about constipation. I take Fibercon and three

laxatives per day and only have a bowel movement about every 3 days. Some of

you have mentioned Miralax. What is it? How does it work? Any info about this

would be greatly appreciated.

I have to run to an appointment. I will check back later.

Thanks!

Thoughts and prayers to all!!

T.

[Guest guest]

I dont know about the Lasix, perhaps there are other folks are

here who have had more expereince with that med.

Now about the enzymes. Your pancreas makes ezymes to break down the

foods you eat into small enough molecules to be absorbed through the

intestinal lining into the blood stream to be processed by the

liver. If your pancreas is damaged or the enzymes can not be

released then there will be no breaking down of the foods. These

foods can then just sit there a rot away similiar to what you might

find in a compost heat. Creating a lot of gas.

Enzymes are source specific. What I mean is that certain enzymes

will work only on certain food parts. Sucrase breaks down sucrose,

lactase breaks down lactose so on and so forth. Your body makes a

gazillion different enzymes. If your not breaking down the food

sutff into small enough particales to be absorbed it can lead to

malnutition and that is never pretty. Taking these by mouth can help

to keep you more nutritionally strong and the healthier the better.

Man can not replicate these enzymes entirely but do come pretty

close. I take creon. I have not gained any weight but nor have I

lost any more. You should not gain weight unless you want to. It

all depends on what you eat, just like anytime else. I no longer

have a pancreas. When one first starts taking these enzymes they can

cause some gassy pressure and discomfort. This lasted about 6 weeks

for me but I took GasX all the time and it helped a LOT.

The Miralax is a great laxiative. It is tasteless and you would

never know it was in any drink. I have even taken it with water.

When I was sick I could not tolerate the generic version; it gave me

alot of cramps, so I paid a little more and got the brand name. I

have gone back to the generic and its fine now. You can only get it

by prescription but it is well worth the extra effort.

I hope this helps and if you have any other question please feel free

to ask.

[Guest guest]

,

Lasix is one of the diuretics that does list pancreatitis as one of

it's side effects. You can check this out at:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/lasix_ad.htm

Although pancreatitis is listed as one of the side effects for this

product, I do know of some other people in this group that do take it

and have not had any problems with it. As with any medication, every

person's reactions differ.

has already given you an excellent description of pancreatic

enzymes and their benefits. I've been taking them now for over four

years and couldn't eat without them, especially now since my pancreas

burned out and no longer creates any enzymes of its own. I have to

admit that I have gained weight from taking the enzymes, but it was

only weight that I had lost through severe sickness with the CP. I

lost 30 pounds in two months, going down to 98 pounds at one point.

Then, over the past two years, I have slowly gained back most of the

weight I lost, because the enzymes do enable me to absorb the

nutrients and nourishment that are necessary for me to be healthy. So

now I weigh 125, which is where I should be. Once I got to this

point, I haven't gained any additional weight, even though I still

continue to take the enzymes whenever I eat.

In regard to the Miralax, that too, I've been using for about three

years. For my situation, I've found it to be an excellent laxative

that helps prevent the constipation or diarrhea I get from taking

narcotics on a daily basis. The Miralax works for both, either

constipation or diarrhea, so it's wonderful for those who need it.

I've also taken the generic version, and it does give me more gas and

seems more aggressive than the brand. I'm on the generic now, but

plan to ask my doctor to insist on the brand with my insurance

company, because I prefer the Miralax. I was absolutely miserable

with constipation problems before, trying Fibercon, Metameucil,

Senecot, stool softeners, Colace and dried prunes - nothing worked!

It became so severe that I formed hemmoroids and had an impaction, so

I finally convinced my doctor to write a script for Miralax, and now

my motility has been regular and normal. I don't have to take the

Miralax every day, even though I'm on continuous pain medication,

(Duragesic). I only need to take it every 3 days to assure daily

bowel activity.

It is a product that helps many people, although like any medication,

it's benefits are good for some, and not suitable for others.

I hope this information helps.

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

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experiences or

opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

consultation.