Pancreatic Insufficiency
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Pancreatic Insufficiency
Another thing for me to worry about. Had a pancreatic test which somewhat came back abnormal. The note from the lab was that the sample which was submitted was "very watery stool" and in order to get a more accurate test result to please redo the test with a formed stool". So doc put me on Creon-20. I now have to take 1 pill at the first bite of a meal , 1 pill in the middle of a meal and a 3rd at the end of the meal. If I want a light snack, take 1 pill, for a heavier snack - 2 pills. I'm getting pilled out And I still have "D" (since Dec. 7th). Also, my doc has added Octreotide injections 3 x daily She is on a expedition right now and is so frustrated that she can't make it all stop.
Hmmmmm. It sounds as though that lab test is worthless for someone with active MC. Those guys need to take a reality check. People with digestive system diseases have diarrhea. Duh!
Please be aware that even though most GI docs don't seem to realize it, MC affects the function of the pancreas, and many of us have had issues similar to yours. In fact, a doctor assured one of our members that if she didn't undergo a very invasive, (and risky), test to assess the cause of her pancreas issues, she would soon face a life threatening situation. She ignored him, and since she was already on the GF, DF, SF, diet, she finally tracked down the last of her intolerances, (soy lecithin in mislabeled chocolate), and as we expected, as soon as she was able to get her MC symptoms under control, her pancreas issues also disappeared.
IOW, I doubt that your doc will have much success in trying to treat the pancreas, because the pancreas issues are almost certainly a side effect of your MC, and when your MC symptoms are resolved, then your pancreas will function properly. There's one other thing to consider, though: If you are taking one of the 5-ASA meds, (Asacol, Lialda, Colazal, Pentasa, Rowasa, etc.), there is a risk that these meds can cause chronic pancreatitis in some patients. If you are using one of these meds, discontinuing the used of the med will usually resolve the pancreas issues. If you need references to verify that, in order to convince your doctor, just let me know, and I will be happy to look up some of them, and post the links for you.
I don't see gluten or dairy products in your list of intolerances, so I assume that you are not on a GF, DF, diet, but please be aware that they are major causes of disfunctional digestive system organs for patients with MC, and they are probably the reason why your intestines are inflamed, so that you cannot tolerate vegetables and fruit. Gluten has that effect on me. I've never been able to tell that I reacted directly to it, but as long as I was eating it, "everything else" seemed to make me sick. After I stopped eating gluten and dairy products, (and a few other things), my gut slowly healed, and I stopped getting sick. Now, I can eat pretty much anything, (except gluten, of course), without having D, or any other symptoms.
Incidentally, it appears that your doc may be confused about the use of ocreotide, it will inhibit pancreas performance, not enhance it. If you are experiencing pancreatic insufficiency, then that med will just make it worse. Here is what ocreotide does:
This will have a very negative effect on your digestion, and will probably make the D worse. I'm particularly concerned by it's effects on TSH. If your thyroid is not already compromised, this will induce a similar effect, which can have negative effects on virtually every vital organ in your body.
If you are taking one of the 5-ASA meds, you need to discuss this with your doctor, and stop using it ASAP, because it can cause permanent damage to your pancreas.
Tex
Please be aware that even though most GI docs don't seem to realize it, MC affects the function of the pancreas, and many of us have had issues similar to yours. In fact, a doctor assured one of our members that if she didn't undergo a very invasive, (and risky), test to assess the cause of her pancreas issues, she would soon face a life threatening situation. She ignored him, and since she was already on the GF, DF, SF, diet, she finally tracked down the last of her intolerances, (soy lecithin in mislabeled chocolate), and as we expected, as soon as she was able to get her MC symptoms under control, her pancreas issues also disappeared.
IOW, I doubt that your doc will have much success in trying to treat the pancreas, because the pancreas issues are almost certainly a side effect of your MC, and when your MC symptoms are resolved, then your pancreas will function properly. There's one other thing to consider, though: If you are taking one of the 5-ASA meds, (Asacol, Lialda, Colazal, Pentasa, Rowasa, etc.), there is a risk that these meds can cause chronic pancreatitis in some patients. If you are using one of these meds, discontinuing the used of the med will usually resolve the pancreas issues. If you need references to verify that, in order to convince your doctor, just let me know, and I will be happy to look up some of them, and post the links for you.
I don't see gluten or dairy products in your list of intolerances, so I assume that you are not on a GF, DF, diet, but please be aware that they are major causes of disfunctional digestive system organs for patients with MC, and they are probably the reason why your intestines are inflamed, so that you cannot tolerate vegetables and fruit. Gluten has that effect on me. I've never been able to tell that I reacted directly to it, but as long as I was eating it, "everything else" seemed to make me sick. After I stopped eating gluten and dairy products, (and a few other things), my gut slowly healed, and I stopped getting sick. Now, I can eat pretty much anything, (except gluten, of course), without having D, or any other symptoms.
Incidentally, it appears that your doc may be confused about the use of ocreotide, it will inhibit pancreas performance, not enhance it. If you are experiencing pancreatic insufficiency, then that med will just make it worse. Here is what ocreotide does:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OctreotideSince octreotide resembles somatostatin in physiological activities, it can:
* Inhibit secretion of many hormones, such as gastrin, cholecystokinin, glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, secretin, pancreatic polypeptide, TSH, and vasoactive intestinal peptide.
* Reduce secretion of fluids by the intestine and pancreas.
* Reduce gastrointestinal motility and inhibits contraction of the gallbladder.
* Inhibit the action of certain hormones from the anterior pituitary.
* Cause vasoconstriction in the blood vessels.
* It has also been shown to produce analgesic effects, most probably acting as a partial agonist at the mu opioid receptor.
This will have a very negative effect on your digestion, and will probably make the D worse. I'm particularly concerned by it's effects on TSH. If your thyroid is not already compromised, this will induce a similar effect, which can have negative effects on virtually every vital organ in your body.
If you are taking one of the 5-ASA meds, you need to discuss this with your doctor, and stop using it ASAP, because it can cause permanent damage to your pancreas.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
- jodibelle352
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God Bless You Tex!
When I read what was happening I wanted to cry.
It sounds like her doctor is putting her through a zillion test that are going to be uncomfortable as well as "fruitless".
I'm not sure what or if there is anything she can do except to tell her doctor "STOP" Let's deal with one thing at a time. With MC, CC or any of the other IBD's you need to get the Big D under control before you can even have a "solid stool". OMG!
It reminds me of all the test I went through for months and some test I did 4-5-6 times with the same results. I don't want this to happen to this beautiful lady. Sweety, please tell them "NO WAY" until they start you on Entocort and you have several weeks before you finally have a normal stool.
There are other starting med's you can start on besides Entocort but you need to get the Big D under control before they put you through anymore test.
Listen to Tex and check with some of the others before you allow your doctor continue putting you through test that eventually will have to be repeated at a very high cost to your insurance and/or yourself.
Love and God Bless:
Jodi
When I read what was happening I wanted to cry.
It sounds like her doctor is putting her through a zillion test that are going to be uncomfortable as well as "fruitless".
I'm not sure what or if there is anything she can do except to tell her doctor "STOP" Let's deal with one thing at a time. With MC, CC or any of the other IBD's you need to get the Big D under control before you can even have a "solid stool". OMG!
It reminds me of all the test I went through for months and some test I did 4-5-6 times with the same results. I don't want this to happen to this beautiful lady. Sweety, please tell them "NO WAY" until they start you on Entocort and you have several weeks before you finally have a normal stool.
There are other starting med's you can start on besides Entocort but you need to get the Big D under control before they put you through anymore test.
Listen to Tex and check with some of the others before you allow your doctor continue putting you through test that eventually will have to be repeated at a very high cost to your insurance and/or yourself.
Love and God Bless:
Jodi
May God and All His Angels, watchover, protect and guide you "One Day At A Time".