Low fat diet; enzymes

[Guest guest]

I read some questions about the above in the past week and would like

to respond for the benefit of newcomers who haven't gone through all

the archived messages.

From personal experience I can tell you that the doctors know very,

very little about diet and nutrition. I was disappointed in the

so-called nutritionist at the local clinic, too. I did a lot of

research online and talked to several doctors and was discouraged to

learn that it is pretty much trial and error. One thing you'll learn

from reading the posts is that everyone is different.

But try to look at it positively: Just because one person may not be

able to eat something in particular, or a certain amount of grams of

fat daily, doesn't mean you can't. You have to find out for yourself

what your body will tolerate and what it cannot.

A daily food/symptom diary is very helpful. When I look back at the

couple of days and try to figure out where I went wrong, I've got it

written down - exactly what I ate, when, and what else was going on

with me. And even when I don't see a pattern, because I've got the

records, my doctor can connect the dots for me.

One thing I haven't seen discussed recently is when to take the

enzymes. My PCP never said; my naturopathic doctor recommended after

eating - to allow the pancreas to do as much as it could on its own.

Well, after a few months of no improvement I saw something on the

discussion board and tried taking 1 enzyme before eating, and 1-3 more

after eating, depending on the amount of fat and protein in the meal.

What a difference.

So for those of you who tried the enzymes and thought they were of no

value, perhaps this could help? There are many different enzyme

preparations, too. I had an excellent source through my naturopathic

physician, but my PCP will prescribe and I have insurance that will

pay for a different formula (not as good, but FDA-regulated, which is

why my PCP insists on it.)

Another beautiful day in Paradise, wish I could send some of this

sunshine to you where it's gloomier.

Aloha,

Chris

[Guest guest]

Aloha

How good it is to hear from you again! And yes, I would have loved some of

that sunshine yesterday....it was such a dark and gloomy day that I didn't even

want to leave the house! I didn't, and consequently got a lot of cleaning done

that I'd been putting off for weeks. That was much needed, especially since

I'll

have a full house for Thanksgiving. This year I'll be cooking for 9, my

stepsons Rob and Simon, Rob's wife, Judy, our newly married daughter,

and her husband, and a family of four who are dear friends of

ours who have shared Thanksgiving with us each year for the past 14 years.

The only ones missing will be my son, , and grandson, Austin. They

flew home for the wedding in September and coming now for just a few days

is too much of an expense. We bought them tickets to fly home for Christmas,

though, so I have to be satisfied with that. Thanksgiving is my favorite

holiday

and I always want to have all my " children " around to share in the food and

fellowship!

You pointed out something very important about the enzymes. Personally, I'm

in disagreement about the advice from your naturalopathic doctor......to take

the enzymes after eating, thus allowing the pancreas to do as much as it

could on it's own. I believe one of the main purposes of the enzymes is to

PREVENT the pancreas from having to try to produce its own enzymes,

because it's this activity that causes the pain! Yet I can see that you figured

this out by trial and error. I have even tried taking them about 15 minutes

before I actually eat, since I've read that our body reacts to food smells and

the digestive process reacts to that. Since I've had so much success with the

Viokase enzymes, and no pain whatsoever as a result of eating, I don't know

whether there is any validity to this experiment or not. I truly haven't had

any

food related pain for a year and a half. Any time I have a flare now it seems

to

be as a result of some activity that I've done that sets it

off.....unfortunately

sometimes it's as simple an activity as vacumming or washing the windows!

Your mention of keeping a food and activity diary is important, too. I

remember that I used to preach that advice so actively in the past, and I do

have to admit now that I've neglected to keep up with mine!! Since my

pancreas burned out in '03 it hasn't seemed that important, but I am wrong to

think this. I had just decided last week to start the diary again, mainly as a

journal of my activity and it's relationship to my pain symptoms, so that if I'm

asked to describe my problems to the Judge at my hearing, I'll have a written

record of it all.

Glad to see you posting again. You didn't mention any problems with your

own health, how have you been doing over there in Paradise? I do hope

you've been doing well and had a minimum of CP trouble.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina Rep.

SE Regional Rep., PAI

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

should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional.