To Sonja : Thank you!

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonja!

Thank you for your kind words. I have to say that I don't feel very

great at all! I simply think it is worth trying to share experience

in case we can help someone else. The problem is that every case is

so different. You may find that meat is not good for your pain even

though I can tolerate it well. Sometimes, of course, one goes

through more painful times and there seems to be no particular

reason. Have you tried bananas as a snack food for when you are

feeling hungry in between meals?

I do know what you mean about this disease affecting social life.

You have to choose restaurants which serve the sort of food you can

eat. It is definitely not quite the same when you can't enjoy the

wine with the others. However, you will find that there are plenty

of people who don't drink alcohol, for all sorts of reasons.

Eventually you just get used to it. Other people take very little

notice really!! They just think of you as a non-drinker. I love

opera and ballet as well. How about ordering tickets ahead on the

net? That's what we do anyway.

I have had a bad week myself although I was well in Italy. My

pancreatic pain etc. has been rather worse and my body aches and

pains (wrists, feet, knees etc.) have been bad. Some of the

abdominal pain may have been caused by trying to reintroduce gluten

so I've stopped again. My gastroenterologist is quite positive about

remaining on the gluten-free diet as it definitely helped in 1988

when I was very ill indeed. My pancreas specialist thinks I could

reintroduce gluten without harm provided I do it gradually. He

thinks I should try as the 1988 coeliac diagnosis was probably

wrong. The gastro, however, reminded me that many people, with any

digestive problems at all, do better on a gluten-free diet. I've

eliminated gluten again and when I go through the next very good

spell I might try it again. This CP is such a patchy disease

anyway!

Enjoy your pain-free time at the moment! Carpe diem, as you say.

That has become my philosophy, Sonja....honestly, it's the only one

to have. It must be a good sign that the pain is less. I would guess

that cutting down on lactose-containing foods will help, and it

certainly isn't something dangerous to try, provided the calcium

level in your diet remains high enough. Look for foods containing

calcium, if you cut down on milk products. Many foods have added

calcium. Or you could consider a supplement.(You do have to make

sure that you don't have over-high calcium levels which can

sometimes cause CP. However, I have osteoporosis, caused presumably

by malabsorpion over the years, and both my specialists say my

calcium levels have to be boosted by supplements and that this won't

affect the pancreas. You MUST discuss this with a doctor though, as

advice varies according to the case. Some patients are advised not

to take calcium supplements.) Anyway, the calcium question would

only arise if you ended up cutting out lactose completely. Just

cutting down a bit shouldn't hurt. You can also buy lactAse in

healthfood stores which can help in the digestion of lactose. Many

people find they need help with the digestion of lactOse, whether or

not they have CP. It's a known contributory factor to IBS, for

example.

Anyway, Sonja, I hope you enjoy Sunday. Are you having the lovely

weather we are currently having in Britain? With the weather in the

UK, " Carpe diem " is DEFINITELY the only approach to take!! It will

probably be cold and rainy tomorrow! I'm going to read outside this

afternoon and do my schoolwork in our little summerhouse (just big

enough for a small table and chairs!) to make it more acceptable!

This evening I'll go for a swim. There'a a jacuzzi at the gym as

well and the exercise, warmth of the water etc. defintely help me

all round.

Take care and good luck with the diet trial and error!

With very good wishes,

Fliss