smoking and pancreatitis attacks

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone.

I have a question regarding smoking and it's effects on

the pancreas. I am really having a tough go of quitting smoking. I quit drinking

alcohol over 2 years ago and since then if I really crave a beer, I will have a

non alcoholic beer. I don't know if it causes me pain as I am almost always in

pain. I don't know if the smoking increases the pain or not. Does anyone smoke

in the group or recently quit and noticed a difference in less pain after

quitting. I have found it so hard to quit due to the stress of constant

pancreatic pains, gas etc. Funny thing lately I find my stool becoming much

lighter in colour even after taking 3-4 enzymes per meal. Should I take more

enzymes or a stronger enzyme? What about protein? I find that even turkey and

fish steamed causes the stomach aches now. I really could use some advice on

alternative diets as I am getting pretty sick of fruit shakes, steamed veggies,

pasta, rice etc. I break down every so often and eat some organic chocolate as

this diet is driving me CraZy. I take it that chocolate is bad as well? Could

anyone share there experiences in these areas if possible. Thank you,

...............

[Guest guest]

,

In regard to your question about smoking, I still smoke, and haven't

quit, so I personally don't know whether you would experience less

pain after quitting, but literature says that you would. Smoking

causes pressure on the blood vessels and constricts them, interfering

with blood flow, so I can imagine that this would affect everything

in your body, not just the pancreas.

Even taking 6 enzymes with a meal, my stool remains light colored.

It has been ever since I was first diagnosed, so I do believe that

it's just a result of our disease, and not something that changes,

even with more enzymes. You might ask your doctor if you could try

a different type of enzyme and see if this makes any difference.

Protein is difficult for the pancreas to digest when we have CP, so

when you have it more pain often is a result. Yet, I'm like you, a

diet without it becomes really boring. I've used whey protein powders

often with much success, adding it to my food by sprinkling it on the

top or mixing it in, just depends on what the food is. You might try

this. Viokase enzymes are reported to be more effective with pain

than enteric-coated enzymes. This is what I've been told, but not

anything that I've been able to verify. I take Viokase enzymes now,

where before I took enteric-coated enzymes, and I will say that I've

had far less trouble with pancreas pain now than I used to.

I think chocolate is one of those foods that bother some, but not all.

Sort of like coffee. I eat sugar free chocolate frequently, and

don't seem to have any problems as a result. Before I was diabetic

I would buy Low Fat Chocolate Ice Cream, and didn't suffer with that,

either. Everyone has different tolerances and different triggers,

it's up to you to determine which yours are. If you always have pain

after eating one particular food, then you know it's a trigger and

it's best to stay clear of it.

Sorry that you're having such a hard time. Please be sure that your

doctor is aware of your increasing problems.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

SC State & SE Regional Rep

PAI

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

opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

assistance.