gastro questions.(many)

[rvm1212]

HI!.
My boyfriend (cf diagnosed last year at 35.), says that he usually feels a little "bloated". He says he has been feeling that way for the last 4 years. He had a fecal fat test done which is fine. He doesn´t have abdominal pain. He goes to the bathroom twice a day and has normal stools. He has a normal weight (more on the chubby side, trying to lose some weight). His vitamin levels came back a little low last time, were repeated and we are waiting for results. They told us he is pancreatic sufficient and is not taking enzymes.
My question is, could he be pancreatic sufficient and still feel bloated? Does this happen to any of you?. Could you be pancreatic sufficient and still have low vitamin levels (there were no too low though)?.
Another question. I have read somewhere that cf people has a little more risk of colon cancer. Both his grandparents had colon cancer. A doctor told as that he should do a colonoscopy in the future for screening. Does any of you underwent colonoscopy for this reason? If so at what age.
Thank you and sorry for the long post.

 

[rvm1212]

HI!.
My boyfriend (cf diagnosed last year at 35.), says that he usually feels a little "bloated". He says he has been feeling that way for the last 4 years. He had a fecal fat test done which is fine. He doesn´t have abdominal pain. He goes to the bathroom twice a day and has normal stools. He has a normal weight (more on the chubby side, trying to lose some weight). His vitamin levels came back a little low last time, were repeated and we are waiting for results. They told us he is pancreatic sufficient and is not taking enzymes.
My question is, could he be pancreatic sufficient and still feel bloated? Does this happen to any of you?. Could you be pancreatic sufficient and still have low vitamin levels (there were no too low though)?.
Another question. I have read somewhere that cf people has a little more risk of colon cancer. Both his grandparents had colon cancer. A doctor told as that he should do a colonoscopy in the future for screening. Does any of you underwent colonoscopy for this reason? If so at what age.
Thank you and sorry for the long post.

 

[rvm1212]

HI!.
My boyfriend (cf diagnosed last year at 35.), says that he usually feels a little "bloated". He says he has been feeling that way for the last 4 years. He had a fecal fat test done which is fine. He doesn´t have abdominal pain. He goes to the bathroom twice a day and has normal stools. He has a normal weight (more on the chubby side, trying to lose some weight). His vitamin levels came back a little low last time, were repeated and we are waiting for results. They told us he is pancreatic sufficient and is not taking enzymes.
My question is, could he be pancreatic sufficient and still feel bloated? Does this happen to any of you?. Could you be pancreatic sufficient and still have low vitamin levels (there were no too low though)?.
Another question. I have read somewhere that cf people has a little more risk of colon cancer. Both his grandparents had colon cancer. A doctor told as that he should do a colonoscopy in the future for screening. Does any of you underwent colonoscopy for this reason? If so at what age.
Thank you and sorry for the long post.

 

[rvm1212]

HI!.
My boyfriend (cf diagnosed last year at 35.), says that he usually feels a little "bloated". He says he has been feeling that way for the last 4 years. He had a fecal fat test done which is fine. He doesn´t have abdominal pain. He goes to the bathroom twice a day and has normal stools. He has a normal weight (more on the chubby side, trying to lose some weight). His vitamin levels came back a little low last time, were repeated and we are waiting for results. They told us he is pancreatic sufficient and is not taking enzymes.
My question is, could he be pancreatic sufficient and still feel bloated? Does this happen to any of you?. Could you be pancreatic sufficient and still have low vitamin levels (there were no too low though)?.
Another question. I have read somewhere that cf people has a little more risk of colon cancer. Both his grandparents had colon cancer. A doctor told as that he should do a colonoscopy in the future for screening. Does any of you underwent colonoscopy for this reason? If so at what age.
Thank you and sorry for the long post.

 

[rvm1212]

HI!.
<br />My boyfriend (cf diagnosed last year at 35.), says that he usually feels a little "bloated". He says he has been feeling that way for the last 4 years. He had a fecal fat test done which is fine. He doesn´t have abdominal pain. He goes to the bathroom twice a day and has normal stools. He has a normal weight (more on the chubby side, trying to lose some weight). His vitamin levels came back a little low last time, were repeated and we are waiting for results. They told us he is pancreatic sufficient and is not taking enzymes.
<br />My question is, could he be pancreatic sufficient and still feel bloated? Does this happen to any of you?. Could you be pancreatic sufficient and still have low vitamin levels (there were no too low though)?.
<br />Another question. I have read somewhere that cf people has a little more risk of colon cancer. Both his grandparents had colon cancer. A doctor told as that he should do a colonoscopy in the future for screening. Does any of you underwent colonoscopy for this reason? If so at what age.
<br />Thank you and sorry for the long post.
<br />

 

[krisgabes]

Hello! I'll try to answer a few of your questions. Much of my involvement with CF has been digestive until recently.

If he is on pancreatic enzymes he could be feeling bloated as a side effect of the enzyme. Is he on Creon or Pancrease, etc.? I've been on these enzymes my whole life and I'm always bloated especially after I eat, and I learned that side effect on this site. It's so funny that I've never checked the side effects of the pancreatic enzyme b/c I've been on it for so long!

If he is having normal stools and he doesn't have any complaints then I would say it is most likely a result of one of the pancreatic enzyme side effects. If the enzymes weren't working he would be very bloated plus have diarrhea, terrible terrible stomach ache, etc. But it sounds like he has the correct dosage if he is on them.

If his vitamin levels were low he may want to consider taking either ADEK vitamins (you can get them through your doctor or the CF pharmacy). I forgot the name of the other one, but they are along the same lines. These have the proper dosage of daily vitamins for a CFer. Usually they're not covered by insurance, I believe it's like $30 for a month supply. Each enzyme company I believe has a program set up where you can get a free bottle when you send them in an order form and the receipt for the enzyme. That should take care of the vitamins.

Finally, if he has a history of colon cancer in the family he should probably get a regular colonoscopy regardless of the CF. Especially after 50 as most doctors recommend. The CF portion of things just kinda adds to the urgency to keep on top of them, especially if he has digestive involvement. I'm only 23 and I've had 4 in my lifetime so far. They're not all that bad, if you could believe it, the preparation is the worst part. I think I tried to answer as many questions as I can, if you have any others feel free to PM me!

 

[krisgabes]

Hello! I'll try to answer a few of your questions. Much of my involvement with CF has been digestive until recently.

If he is on pancreatic enzymes he could be feeling bloated as a side effect of the enzyme. Is he on Creon or Pancrease, etc.? I've been on these enzymes my whole life and I'm always bloated especially after I eat, and I learned that side effect on this site. It's so funny that I've never checked the side effects of the pancreatic enzyme b/c I've been on it for so long!

If he is having normal stools and he doesn't have any complaints then I would say it is most likely a result of one of the pancreatic enzyme side effects. If the enzymes weren't working he would be very bloated plus have diarrhea, terrible terrible stomach ache, etc. But it sounds like he has the correct dosage if he is on them.

If his vitamin levels were low he may want to consider taking either ADEK vitamins (you can get them through your doctor or the CF pharmacy). I forgot the name of the other one, but they are along the same lines. These have the proper dosage of daily vitamins for a CFer. Usually they're not covered by insurance, I believe it's like $30 for a month supply. Each enzyme company I believe has a program set up where you can get a free bottle when you send them in an order form and the receipt for the enzyme. That should take care of the vitamins.

Finally, if he has a history of colon cancer in the family he should probably get a regular colonoscopy regardless of the CF. Especially after 50 as most doctors recommend. The CF portion of things just kinda adds to the urgency to keep on top of them, especially if he has digestive involvement. I'm only 23 and I've had 4 in my lifetime so far. They're not all that bad, if you could believe it, the preparation is the worst part. I think I tried to answer as many questions as I can, if you have any others feel free to PM me!

 

[krisgabes]

Hello! I'll try to answer a few of your questions. Much of my involvement with CF has been digestive until recently.

If he is on pancreatic enzymes he could be feeling bloated as a side effect of the enzyme. Is he on Creon or Pancrease, etc.? I've been on these enzymes my whole life and I'm always bloated especially after I eat, and I learned that side effect on this site. It's so funny that I've never checked the side effects of the pancreatic enzyme b/c I've been on it for so long!

If he is having normal stools and he doesn't have any complaints then I would say it is most likely a result of one of the pancreatic enzyme side effects. If the enzymes weren't working he would be very bloated plus have diarrhea, terrible terrible stomach ache, etc. But it sounds like he has the correct dosage if he is on them.

If his vitamin levels were low he may want to consider taking either ADEK vitamins (you can get them through your doctor or the CF pharmacy). I forgot the name of the other one, but they are along the same lines. These have the proper dosage of daily vitamins for a CFer. Usually they're not covered by insurance, I believe it's like $30 for a month supply. Each enzyme company I believe has a program set up where you can get a free bottle when you send them in an order form and the receipt for the enzyme. That should take care of the vitamins.

Finally, if he has a history of colon cancer in the family he should probably get a regular colonoscopy regardless of the CF. Especially after 50 as most doctors recommend. The CF portion of things just kinda adds to the urgency to keep on top of them, especially if he has digestive involvement. I'm only 23 and I've had 4 in my lifetime so far. They're not all that bad, if you could believe it, the preparation is the worst part. I think I tried to answer as many questions as I can, if you have any others feel free to PM me!

 

[krisgabes]

Hello! I'll try to answer a few of your questions. Much of my involvement with CF has been digestive until recently.

If he is on pancreatic enzymes he could be feeling bloated as a side effect of the enzyme. Is he on Creon or Pancrease, etc.? I've been on these enzymes my whole life and I'm always bloated especially after I eat, and I learned that side effect on this site. It's so funny that I've never checked the side effects of the pancreatic enzyme b/c I've been on it for so long!

If he is having normal stools and he doesn't have any complaints then I would say it is most likely a result of one of the pancreatic enzyme side effects. If the enzymes weren't working he would be very bloated plus have diarrhea, terrible terrible stomach ache, etc. But it sounds like he has the correct dosage if he is on them.

If his vitamin levels were low he may want to consider taking either ADEK vitamins (you can get them through your doctor or the CF pharmacy). I forgot the name of the other one, but they are along the same lines. These have the proper dosage of daily vitamins for a CFer. Usually they're not covered by insurance, I believe it's like $30 for a month supply. Each enzyme company I believe has a program set up where you can get a free bottle when you send them in an order form and the receipt for the enzyme. That should take care of the vitamins.

Finally, if he has a history of colon cancer in the family he should probably get a regular colonoscopy regardless of the CF. Especially after 50 as most doctors recommend. The CF portion of things just kinda adds to the urgency to keep on top of them, especially if he has digestive involvement. I'm only 23 and I've had 4 in my lifetime so far. They're not all that bad, if you could believe it, the preparation is the worst part. I think I tried to answer as many questions as I can, if you have any others feel free to PM me!

 

[krisgabes]

Hello! I'll try to answer a few of your questions. Much of my involvement with CF has been digestive until recently.
<br />
<br />If he is on pancreatic enzymes he could be feeling bloated as a side effect of the enzyme. Is he on Creon or Pancrease, etc.? I've been on these enzymes my whole life and I'm always bloated especially after I eat, and I learned that side effect on this site. It's so funny that I've never checked the side effects of the pancreatic enzyme b/c I've been on it for so long!
<br />
<br />If he is having normal stools and he doesn't have any complaints then I would say it is most likely a result of one of the pancreatic enzyme side effects. If the enzymes weren't working he would be very bloated plus have diarrhea, terrible terrible stomach ache, etc. But it sounds like he has the correct dosage if he is on them.
<br />
<br />If his vitamin levels were low he may want to consider taking either ADEK vitamins (you can get them through your doctor or the CF pharmacy). I forgot the name of the other one, but they are along the same lines. These have the proper dosage of daily vitamins for a CFer. Usually they're not covered by insurance, I believe it's like $30 for a month supply. Each enzyme company I believe has a program set up where you can get a free bottle when you send them in an order form and the receipt for the enzyme. That should take care of the vitamins.
<br />
<br />Finally, if he has a history of colon cancer in the family he should probably get a regular colonoscopy regardless of the CF. Especially after 50 as most doctors recommend. The CF portion of things just kinda adds to the urgency to keep on top of them, especially if he has digestive involvement. I'm only 23 and I've had 4 in my lifetime so far. They're not all that bad, if you could believe it, the preparation is the worst part. I think I tried to answer as many questions as I can, if you have any others feel free to PM me!

 

[rvm1212]

Thank you for answering. He is not taking enzymes because he seems to be pancreatic sufficient. I was wondering if he may need them, although I don´t think so because his stools are fine an he has a good weight. Also he didn´t have any fat on his stools when they tested for it.
I live in spain so we don´t have adek here, but you are right, he may need some vitamin supplements. We´ll see when the vitamin levels come back.

 

[rvm1212]

Thank you for answering. He is not taking enzymes because he seems to be pancreatic sufficient. I was wondering if he may need them, although I don´t think so because his stools are fine an he has a good weight. Also he didn´t have any fat on his stools when they tested for it.
I live in spain so we don´t have adek here, but you are right, he may need some vitamin supplements. We´ll see when the vitamin levels come back.

 

[rvm1212]

Thank you for answering. He is not taking enzymes because he seems to be pancreatic sufficient. I was wondering if he may need them, although I don´t think so because his stools are fine an he has a good weight. Also he didn´t have any fat on his stools when they tested for it.
I live in spain so we don´t have adek here, but you are right, he may need some vitamin supplements. We´ll see when the vitamin levels come back.

 

[rvm1212]

Thank you for answering. He is not taking enzymes because he seems to be pancreatic sufficient. I was wondering if he may need them, although I don´t think so because his stools are fine an he has a good weight. Also he didn´t have any fat on his stools when they tested for it.
I live in spain so we don´t have adek here, but you are right, he may need some vitamin supplements. We´ll see when the vitamin levels come back.

 

[rvm1212]

Thank you for answering. He is not taking enzymes because he seems to be pancreatic sufficient. I was wondering if he may need them, although I don´t think so because his stools are fine an he has a good weight. Also he didn´t have any fat on his stools when they tested for it.
<br />I live in spain so we don´t have adek here, but you are right, he may need some vitamin supplements. We´ll see when the vitamin levels come back.