HP, edema, constipation

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is having a " pain free " weekend. I have a few things going on

that I need some information/advice about from all of you wonderfully

knowledgeable people who, unfortunately, have this UGLY disease.

I have been having a lot of edema lately and have been taking Lasix 40 mg off

and on over the last month. I saw my doc Wednesday and he added Bumex 2 mg to

the Lasix 40 mg. What a difference!! Hopefully, I can get rid of this water.

Is this common in people with CP? Is this just one of the awful " complications "

that go with the territory?

Also, I have been running very low blood sugars for about 6 weeks now. My

fasting sugars are around 70-82 and after eating a snack sometimes they go even

lower than that or up only to about 90. The highest reading that I have had is

122 after eating dinner. Last week, however, my fasting readings have been

around 145. Is this typical of how one with CP develops diabetes? I am having

a glucose tolerance test this week.

Also, I know that I have asked this before, but this is extremely important to

me. I need information about HP. I remember having " stomach " attacks since the

age of 5 (35 years old now). I have SOD and CP along with many other diagnoses,

but I really want to be tested for HP. Can the blood work for that be done at

my local lab and then sent to the Univ. of Pittsburg to be " processed? "

I would very much appreciate any and all information, comments, etc. about these

things. I had the worst fall and winter last year with severe depression and a

feeding tube for 6 months. Over the last week, I have been feeling a bit " down "

again and I don't want to go through the whole winter depressed. I am just very

concerned about many things right now.

Oh, also, I have constipation like many of us, I know. I only have a BM about

every 3 days. I was just started on Miralax and would like info on this as

well.

I pray for each and every one of you everyday!!

With thoughts and prayers,

T.

[Guest guest]

, I don't post often,but I have and answer to your question about HP.My

daughter has it and was given the blood test at Yale-New Haven Children " s

hosp and it was sent out to Pitts. Also,she was having constipation problems and

found Miralax to be very helpful.Hope I helped answer your question. Have a

pain-free day! anne

[Guest guest]

,

Could it be something in the water? HAHA! Edema has been one of the

major topics of discussion on the MB during the last many weeks.

Other than try to recap all that's been said about it myself, type in

" edema " into the " Search " box on the PAI yahoo message board website,

the Search box is above the messages themselves. If you do this

search, you will open up dozens of messages discussing this problem

that so many of us have had. It's just so much easier to do it this

way, other than have everyone post their comments all over again....

It's wise to have a glucose tolerance test as you mentioned. If

you've been having those type of fluctuations with your BG's most

recently, it does appear that you do have some diabetic complications.

One of the early problems for many is insulin resistance, and this is

what your symptoms resemble. Continue to have your doctor keep

searching for the facts, so that early detection and treatment is

possible.

Miralax is a tasteless, ordorless crystaline powder that can be

mixed into 8 ounces of any beverage of your choice, even water, hot

or cold, without affecting the taste or consistancy. New prescribers

usually need 3-4 days of use before they obtain results, and they

will have regularity after that if the product is used on a daily

basis. Some people need to take it every day, others not as often.

Even though I am on pain medication 24/7, often with breakthrough

meds on a daily basis, too, I only need to take Miralax every 3rd

day to maintain easy and normal motility. It aids with constipation

AND diarrhea, making it unique and unlike many of the other laxative

or fiber products. It doesn't cause any uncomfortable cramping or

additionalk gas, and is, for me, the most beneficial laxative

product I've ever used....and I've tried them all, Metameucil, MOM,

FiberOne, Senecot, stool softeners, daily bowls of prunes, Colace,

etc. etc... Only Miralax has kept my motility normal and regular...

In regard to your depression, do you take any antidepressants? If

not, perhaps you may wish to talk to your physician about how you've

been feeling and get some help with it. Chronically ill patients

are quite often depressed, it is something we have to confront and

try to deal with, because the cause and source of our depression is

not going to go away....it will always be there, but there are

excellent medications and therapies to help chase it away, and we

are hurting ourselves not to take advantage of them.

I hope this information can be of some use to you, , and that

soon you'll be feeling more like yourself.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should

not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

Dear T.,

I am on narcotics for pain management purposes. Constipation is a

big issue when taking narcotics or any meds that make our bowles

quite working normally. I have a " Laxative Protocol " sheet that

helps me become regular when I am not. I would be happy to post the

steps if anyone is interested. I also have become much more

cognizant of keeping track of my BM's this way, I don't have to

wonder when the last one was. My not going to the restroom was a

big deal the last time I went to the hospital. I had even taken 5

different laxatives and enemas when I was there and they didn't

work. Talk about a stomach ache. I definately feel that my lack of

going to the restroom, at times, has been partially responsible for

my bad stomache aches.

The past 8 months, I feel like I never went to the bathroom. As a

matter of fact, when all my mess started I remember the nurse

bringing in a HUGE container for my stool. I literally had the

tiniest pebble of stool. I called my mom into the bathroom and I

told her that we needed to send it into the lab. We were in

hysterics. I felt a lot better laughing at that, rather than the

time I was in the ER and she said my hair made me look like Beavis

(Beavis and Butthead). Nothing like a mom to make us feel better.

The protocal is great. I am much more regular now and I only have

to take 2-3 pills to get the ball rolling again.

Let me know if you want the steps. Feel better,

> Oh, also, I have constipation like many of us, I know. I only

have

a BM about every 3 days. I was just started on Miralax and would

like

info on this as well.

> T.

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