Re: Importance of enzymes re: malabsorption-distressing news

[Guest guest]

Fliss wrote:

<The effect of the enzymes is therefore more long-term than a simple pain-

killer would be as their function per se is not actually to stop pain but to

ensure that good digestion takes place instead of malabsorption.>

Fliss, this is so true!

<Heidi has said everything significant about the dangers of malabsorption (if

you have this) so I won't repeat them. What she says is so important! I'm

sitting

by the phone waiting for a call to give me my appointment at the metabolic

clinic in my hospital. This is because I have osteopoenia which is the

precursor to osteoporosis. I can't prove it but I feel sure this is the result

of

many years of malabsorption caused by undiagnosed pancreatic

disease. At the last count, 18 months ago, my average bone density

was 80% of what it should be for a woman of my age. >

I also have osteopoenia like Fliss does. My bone density test last year

showed a T-score of -0.6 in my spine and -2.1 in my femoral neck. This

equates as 70% of what it should be for a woman of my age, which is so

disappointing. I'm afraid to find out what it is now, just a year after that

test,

especially since I've not been supplementing with additional calcium because

of my GI's concerns that it would be harmful for my pseudocysts. I really need

to get my doctors together to discuss this and determine some safe plan of

therapy before complete osteoporosis takes over and I end up crippled and

toothless!

The news I received yesterday at the dentist is even more distressing, and

this, too, is caused by poor bone density as a result of the malabsorption of

CP. I've just found out that my teeth are coming loose from the bone, which

has shown significant loss in the last three years. The result of this is that

I

have four teeth that are already loose in the front of my mouth. I noticed a

couple of weeks ago that it hurt when I tried to eat corn on the cob. The

reason it hurt was because two upper and two lower teeth have suddenly

come loose from the bone, which has receded. Then, after doing a full mouth

X-ray, the dentist told me that two of my upper molars on one side already

show so much bone loss above them that they cannot be saved and I will lose

them and will need to have extensive bridgework from the back molar to the

front. The x-rays showed extensive bone loss all throughout my mouth.

He has referred me to a Peridontist for extensive peridontal surgery, and I'm

scared to death of these very painful and expensive procedures. My dentist

said that I need to have bone replacement done in several areas and skin

grafting for my gums. Cost can be anywhere between $2,000 - $4,000,

depending upon the amount of work that needs to be done. He said that I'll

feel like I married the peridontist because of the amount of time I'll need to

spend with him. Apparently it's a long and painful process to replace all

that's

been lost, and right now I'm feeling totally devastated to find out that I have

this problem, along with everything else! Everything is falling apart....

There

are times that I'd just like to give up, crawl in a hole and cry my eyes out

about

the the ongoing problems that this disease has brought into my life.......it's

just

unbelievable!!!

So this is just another malabsorption side effect, which y'all need to keep your

eyes out for if you've been experiencing any signs of trouble. I won't know the

full extent of the work that needs to be done until after my first or second

appointment with the peridontist. All I know is that I told my dentist that I

had

to wait until after the wedding before anyone starting tearing up my mouth. It

looks as though my fall plans have already been pre-determined, and I may

be drinking Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners through a straw!

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SCC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comment or advice are based on personal experience or opinion,

and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional.