To Heidi Unwanted sounds that happen to us all.

[Guest guest]

Dear Heidi,

I vagley remember when the flatulence discussion was quite a topic when

I was a member of PAI three or four years ago. BTW have you had any surgery

on your pancreas, small bowel, or had your gall bladder removed? I'm sorry

that I can't remember.

I know it's a public embarressment, but as you said it does happen to

everybody. We seem to be a bit more sqeamish about this natural bodily

funtion than a lot of people in different parts of Europe that I have lived

in and visited. A few years ago Dave Barry, the nationally syndicated

humorist described the experinces that he and his wife had in Japan. It

seems that the Japanese people that they encountered in various public

places passed gas with no embarrassment. Anyway, we are as a society trained

from early childhood that passing gas in public is socially unacceptable.

I'm writing to you to tell you that I have had this problem for several

years now, and that my ex-girlfriend has it even worse. You are not alone in

this thing. Mine seemed to become much worse after my Whipple surgery. At

times in the first few months after the surgery I had complete loss of bowel

control. Now that is really embarrassing! LOL! I can laugh at it now! :-)

Since a Whipple removes the gallbladder, and me and my ex noticed this

sickening gas problem got worse after our Whipples, I've wondered about the

gallbladder removal. I'm like you. It happens everywhere and I'm darn glad

that I sleep alone now. I think sometimes my cat wants to throw me out!

I have been very frustrated with it as different OTC products like gas-X,

Phasene (sp?), and beano (the one the doctor recommended) haven't seemed to

do anything much. I also take 10 of the Viokase 16 with each meal when I'm

able or allowed to eat. I have a g/j tube for nutrition which has helped me

put back on some of the excessive weight loss I've had. Went from about 195

on a 5-11 frame, to 120.

Long car trips, elevators, a group home, roomates, church,

communion at church, work, if you aren't on disability, ect... as you

mentioned can be very uncomfortable. I'll tell you, that I take a small can

of Lysol with me in public. I'll tell you what my G.I. surgeon and his P.A.

say when I go to his clinic later this month. I forget to ask him things

sometimes unless I make a list.

I hope that you had a pleasant trip to ton. I've forgotten, but

when is the wedding? That will be a happy occassion! :-) I look forward to

hearing from you Heidi, and hang in there.

Your S.C. PAI Friend,

Henry

[Guest guest]

I am glad to know that I am not the only one. I too carry a

large bag around with me. It holds one depends, a bag of wipes,

extra pills, (lomtil, enzymes,extra pain meds,) scissors to open my

pain meds and a small can of orange extract spray for the poor souls

who just may be around in the restroom when I am. I never leave home

without it. It is strange but since I have had the intrathecal pump

put in I know longer have all of the diarrhea, it used to be like

clockwork, food in the mouth and 10 minutes max and out the exit.

I just am glad it is no longer that way, I have learned to not

question the good things that happen and just say Thank You God.

Atwell LPN