Questions & thanks

[Guest guest]

I think I finally have a name for what has been causing my chronic health

problems for 7 years thanks to all your sharing. Unfortunately, I have

countless questions and my doctor is out of town. Please bear with me as I

sorely

need wisdom and support.

A (not so) brief history:

22 years agoI broke my neck. I'm a quadriplegic. Doctors constantly

attributed my every ill to my spinal cord. Or constipation. Or a bladder

infection.

I had a trach put in after the neck break. During surgery, the doc noted

acid reflux and put me on Zantac. After a decade, I stopped taking it. I had

missed a few doses, didn't notice any symptoms, so thought it wasn't necessary.

I didn't realize you can have GERD without symptoms.

About a year later, I started having pain on my upper left side. It

persisted on and off. My dr. ran tests for gallstones and other ills but never

found

anything. Kept barking constipation (and now has me laxative dependant).

Over 5 years I ended up hospitalized a few times when unable to eat or drink

anything (and having severe chest pain). After a week on IVs, I'd feel

great--except for not knowing what was wrong.

Over time I started having tingling/numbness in my face, chest, abdomen, and

left side. MRI was okay. I started getting hives and reacting to foods. I

went down to 93 pounds. I'd eat 3 bites and be full. I could tolerate white

rice,bananas, potatoes and chicken breasts. Little else.

I finally went to Northwestern's ER. They admitted me. Over two weeks all

tests were negative. But a common - with quads- cyst was discovered on neck. I

was desperate and wanted to believe the cyst was the reason for my problems

and surgery would set me free. It didn't.

A month after surgery I ended up with pneumonia, a bladder infection (which

I swear I'm still battling), and a blood infection. My swallow was suddenly

impaired. I needed a feeding tube. I got sooooo incredibly ill on the formula,

what formula I could get oin, and went down to 82 pounds. (I'm 5'3 and

average 87 pounds now.) I believed it was MSG or something. Regardless, I had

no

choice but to puree my foods. I discovered the candida group and despite

testing negative for yeast - though positive for a bacterial overgrowth - I

decided to follow the low carb, high " good " fats (like coconut oil) ,and 60 gms

of

protein (for me) diet. I felt better on most days. If my upper side hurt, I

got the heating pad, skipped meals, and attributed it to my bladder/kidney.

This week, however, I read in a candida post that GERD can affect the vagus

nerve which runs brain stem to digestive tract. I started kicking myself for

blowing off the Zantac. I took some prevacid which I had been given after the

feeding tube went in. (I was again told I had GERD at that time. Ironically

(?) I was taking the prevacid when I was unable to tolerate the formula).

I started thinking, WOW, I finally have answers for the numbness, fullness,

bloating, ringing ears, blaaaah, only to double over in pain yesterday, 2 days

after resuming the prevacid. I went to our immediate care center and blood

tests showed an increase in a(?) pancreatic enzyme. I also had a bladder

infection (as usual). The facility doesn't have CT capabilities so the doctor

advised me to take an antibiotic and see how I feel. I am no better. I did some

searching and ultimately decided to see if there was a group. Here I typed in

prevacid and was stunned to read that others have attributed it to

pancreatitis--and questioned whether acid reflux brings about pancreatitis or

the

statins do. I also searched Nexium and didn't see the negative responses.

So, questions:

Is Nexium better for pancreatitis than Prevacid, Zantac?

If I feel pain when NOT nauseous, like now, should I avoid food?

What's the very easiest foods to digest--or least offending?

Has anyone tried kombucha tea or should it -and other detoxifying things -

be avoided?

Whole milk yogurt and kefir rarely bother me. Are these okay in spite of the

fat? They contain supposed beneficial acids but are they acids which trigger

an attack?

Are homemade fermented foods in general bad for pancreatitis? There's a

pineapple vinegar I made (using the stem) which I'd like to think contains

beneficial enzymes.

Is there anything that will help me gain weight--quickly?I tried protein

powder from NOW and itched like crazy.

Is flaxseed and cod liver oil okay in maximum doses?

Is constant stomach gurgling a symptom ?

I take Amalaki powder. (A vitamic C source.) I read in the files that 1 gm

of vitamin C is recommended. How can I determine grams without a scale? I'm

taking 3/4-1.5 tsp. a day. I'm concerned it may be too much.

Thanks for your time, the valuable insight and the files. I'm very grateful

- and sorry for the length of this embarrassing (mememe) post!

Blessings to you all,

Chris

[Guest guest]

asked:

> So, questions: (My answers follow each question.)

> Is Nexium better for pancreatitis than Prevacid, Zantac?

Both Zantac and Prevacid have precautions about causing pancreatitis,

Prilosec and Protonix don't.

> If I feel pain when NOT nauseous, like now, should I avoid food?

That's an individual decision based on previous experience. If I

feel pain, I don't eat, but I load up on water, lemonaide or diet soda.

> What's the very easiest foods to digest--or least offending? Low

fat foods, some fruits and any kind of vegetable.

> Has anyone tried kombucha tea or should it -and other detoxifying

things - be avoided?

Don't have an answer for this one, I've never had kombucha tea, but

the plain ones are just fine.

> Whole milk yogurt and kefir rarely bother me. Are these okay in

spite of the fat? They contain supposed beneficial acids but are

they acids which trigger an attack?

Also an individual decision based on experience. Many of our members

have found that they are also lactose intolerant, so this would be

out for them.

> Are homemade fermented foods in general bad for pancreatitis?

There's a pineapple vinegar I made (using the stem) which I'd like

to think contains beneficial enzymes.

Don't know the answer to this one.

> Is there anything that will help me gain weight--quickly?I tried

protein powder from NOW and itched like crazy.

Enzymes help to gain weight, as do protein powder, Ensure and fish oil.

> Is flaxseed and cod liver oil okay in maximum doses?

Can't answer.

> Is constant stomach gurgling a symptom ?

I have it every single day. Mine is so loud you can hear it from

across the room.

> I take Amalaki powder. (A vitamic C source.) I read in the files

that 1 gm of vitamin C is recommended. How can I determine grams

without a scale? I'm taking 3/4-1.5 tsp. a day. I'm concerned it may

be too much.

I get my Vitamin C in pill form, that way I know how much I'm taking.

I hope this information helps you, . I'm sure others will also

have much to add.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

Bluffton, SC

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

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

opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

consultation.