Pancreatic Sufficient but Digestive Issues nonetheless...

J

Juliet

New member
Sorry if this is TMI but.... I recently got my stool elastase results and they show that I'm pancreatic sufficient, in the normal range. My entire life I've had digestive issues though. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, acid reflux, GERD, 3-4 BMs a day, occasional severe constipation (nothing requiring hospitalization however) followed by rectal prolapse, usually loose stools, floating poops etc... I am overweight, so I didn't expect the results to show any kind of a severe insufficiency, but I was surprised by how far into the normal range my results were (500 where below 200 is considered PI) - Don't recall exactly what the counts were measuring, sorry. I've had these kinds of digestive issues my whole life. I've also had lung issues my whole life despite my DX only in March this year, at 43.

For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet

PS - I posted this on another forum, so forgive the duplication.
 
J

Juliet

New member
Sorry if this is TMI but.... I recently got my stool elastase results and they show that I'm pancreatic sufficient, in the normal range. My entire life I've had digestive issues though. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, acid reflux, GERD, 3-4 BMs a day, occasional severe constipation (nothing requiring hospitalization however) followed by rectal prolapse, usually loose stools, floating poops etc... I am overweight, so I didn't expect the results to show any kind of a severe insufficiency, but I was surprised by how far into the normal range my results were (500 where below 200 is considered PI) - Don't recall exactly what the counts were measuring, sorry. I've had these kinds of digestive issues my whole life. I've also had lung issues my whole life despite my DX only in March this year, at 43.

For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet

PS - I posted this on another forum, so forgive the duplication.
 
J

Juliet

New member
Sorry if this is TMI but.... I recently got my stool elastase results and they show that I'm pancreatic sufficient, in the normal range. My entire life I've had digestive issues though. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, acid reflux, GERD, 3-4 BMs a day, occasional severe constipation (nothing requiring hospitalization however) followed by rectal prolapse, usually loose stools, floating poops etc... I am overweight, so I didn't expect the results to show any kind of a severe insufficiency, but I was surprised by how far into the normal range my results were (500 where below 200 is considered PI) - Don't recall exactly what the counts were measuring, sorry. I've had these kinds of digestive issues my whole life. I've also had lung issues my whole life despite my DX only in March this year, at 43.

For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet

PS - I posted this on another forum, so forgive the duplication.
 
J

Juliet

New member
Sorry if this is TMI but.... I recently got my stool elastase results and they show that I'm pancreatic sufficient, in the normal range. My entire life I've had digestive issues though. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, acid reflux, GERD, 3-4 BMs a day, occasional severe constipation (nothing requiring hospitalization however) followed by rectal prolapse, usually loose stools, floating poops etc... I am overweight, so I didn't expect the results to show any kind of a severe insufficiency, but I was surprised by how far into the normal range my results were (500 where below 200 is considered PI) - Don't recall exactly what the counts were measuring, sorry. I've had these kinds of digestive issues my whole life. I've also had lung issues my whole life despite my DX only in March this year, at 43.

For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet

PS - I posted this on another forum, so forgive the duplication.
 
J

Juliet

New member
Sorry if this is TMI but.... I recently got my stool elastase results and they show that I'm pancreatic sufficient, in the normal range. My entire life I've had digestive issues though. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, acid reflux, GERD, 3-4 BMs a day, occasional severe constipation (nothing requiring hospitalization however) followed by rectal prolapse, usually loose stools, floating poops etc... I am overweight, so I didn't expect the results to show any kind of a severe insufficiency, but I was surprised by how far into the normal range my results were (500 where below 200 is considered PI) - Don't recall exactly what the counts were measuring, sorry. I've had these kinds of digestive issues my whole life. I've also had lung issues my whole life despite my DX only in March this year, at 43.
<br />
<br />For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet
<br />
<br />PS - I posted this on another forum, so forgive the duplication.
 
M

MicheleGazelle

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Juliet</b></i>
For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet
</end quote></div>

I suffered digestive issues my whole life. They have gotten better with making dietary changes and taking supplements. I am considered "primarily a sinus sufferer". I have had lung infections, but the sinus (and double ear) infections were the main thing that constantly had me in the ER.

I believe that gut health and lung health are more closely related than is generally believed. I stumbled across the fact that excess acidity is the root cause of inflammation. Treating that helped me get off multiple anti-inflammatory drugs. I began noticing that the more acid my stomach felt, the more inflamed my lungs felt and the worse my cough was. I have since spoken with others with CF who report that their prescription antacids make a difference in lung function. Keeping the excess acidity under control has become a big priority of mine. It is one of the cornerstones of my efforts to get well.

For a time, I was on quite a lot of medication. All that medication screwed up my gut even worse than it had been. As I began getting off of it, I found I had to actively try to rebuild a healthy, functional gut. It wasn't enough to just stop taking the drugs. I had to work at repairing the damage.
 
M

MicheleGazelle

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Juliet</b></i>
For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet
</end quote></div>

I suffered digestive issues my whole life. They have gotten better with making dietary changes and taking supplements. I am considered "primarily a sinus sufferer". I have had lung infections, but the sinus (and double ear) infections were the main thing that constantly had me in the ER.

I believe that gut health and lung health are more closely related than is generally believed. I stumbled across the fact that excess acidity is the root cause of inflammation. Treating that helped me get off multiple anti-inflammatory drugs. I began noticing that the more acid my stomach felt, the more inflamed my lungs felt and the worse my cough was. I have since spoken with others with CF who report that their prescription antacids make a difference in lung function. Keeping the excess acidity under control has become a big priority of mine. It is one of the cornerstones of my efforts to get well.

For a time, I was on quite a lot of medication. All that medication screwed up my gut even worse than it had been. As I began getting off of it, I found I had to actively try to rebuild a healthy, functional gut. It wasn't enough to just stop taking the drugs. I had to work at repairing the damage.
 
M

MicheleGazelle

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Juliet</b></i>
For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet
</end quote></div>

I suffered digestive issues my whole life. They have gotten better with making dietary changes and taking supplements. I am considered "primarily a sinus sufferer". I have had lung infections, but the sinus (and double ear) infections were the main thing that constantly had me in the ER.

I believe that gut health and lung health are more closely related than is generally believed. I stumbled across the fact that excess acidity is the root cause of inflammation. Treating that helped me get off multiple anti-inflammatory drugs. I began noticing that the more acid my stomach felt, the more inflamed my lungs felt and the worse my cough was. I have since spoken with others with CF who report that their prescription antacids make a difference in lung function. Keeping the excess acidity under control has become a big priority of mine. It is one of the cornerstones of my efforts to get well.

For a time, I was on quite a lot of medication. All that medication screwed up my gut even worse than it had been. As I began getting off of it, I found I had to actively try to rebuild a healthy, functional gut. It wasn't enough to just stop taking the drugs. I had to work at repairing the damage.
 
M

MicheleGazelle

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Juliet</b></i>
For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet
</end quote>

I suffered digestive issues my whole life. They have gotten better with making dietary changes and taking supplements. I am considered "primarily a sinus sufferer". I have had lung infections, but the sinus (and double ear) infections were the main thing that constantly had me in the ER.

I believe that gut health and lung health are more closely related than is generally believed. I stumbled across the fact that excess acidity is the root cause of inflammation. Treating that helped me get off multiple anti-inflammatory drugs. I began noticing that the more acid my stomach felt, the more inflamed my lungs felt and the worse my cough was. I have since spoken with others with CF who report that their prescription antacids make a difference in lung function. Keeping the excess acidity under control has become a big priority of mine. It is one of the cornerstones of my efforts to get well.

For a time, I was on quite a lot of medication. All that medication screwed up my gut even worse than it had been. As I began getting off of it, I found I had to actively try to rebuild a healthy, functional gut. It wasn't enough to just stop taking the drugs. I had to work at repairing the damage.
 
M

MicheleGazelle

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Juliet</b></i>
<br />For those of you who are Pancreatic Sufficient, do you still have digestive issues? Or is your CF primarily lung involvement? I'm just trying to get a reading on how much (if any) of my digestive issues are CF related or something else entirely. Thanks, ~Juliet
<br /></end quote>
<br />
<br />I suffered digestive issues my whole life. They have gotten better with making dietary changes and taking supplements. I am considered "primarily a sinus sufferer". I have had lung infections, but the sinus (and double ear) infections were the main thing that constantly had me in the ER.
<br />
<br />I believe that gut health and lung health are more closely related than is generally believed. I stumbled across the fact that excess acidity is the root cause of inflammation. Treating that helped me get off multiple anti-inflammatory drugs. I began noticing that the more acid my stomach felt, the more inflamed my lungs felt and the worse my cough was. I have since spoken with others with CF who report that their prescription antacids make a difference in lung function. Keeping the excess acidity under control has become a big priority of mine. It is one of the cornerstones of my efforts to get well.
<br />
<br />For a time, I was on quite a lot of medication. All that medication screwed up my gut even worse than it had been. As I began getting off of it, I found I had to actively try to rebuild a healthy, functional gut. It wasn't enough to just stop taking the drugs. I had to work at repairing the damage.
 
F

fivepercent

New member
Sorry to hear it, Juliet.

I'd say my CF is a combo of sinus disease & digestive issues! So I can empathize.

Recently I've been diagnosed with gastroparesis...getting on medication for this has really helped with the pain and nausea (my primary symptoms) I had for more than a year. This is quite often connected with diabetes (which I don't yet have) or stomach surgery (in the past 2 years I had an appendectomy & a lap. chole). Have any of your health professionals mentioned this? In addition to the pain and nausea, an abdominal CT scan showed "sluggish transit" - and you mentioned constipation, which is why I tell you this long story in the first place.

Also, I am pancreatic insufficient...but I hope this helps you anyway. I'd agree with MicheleGazele about the excess stomach acid - I have these bouts of "smothering" that actually have nothing to do with my lungs and everything to do with stomach acid. I find that if I drink a lot of Mylanta when this happens, I can breathe again. Weird, no? But since I've been treating the gastroparesis, this has only happened once.

Good luck to you, I hope you feel better.
 
F

fivepercent

New member
Sorry to hear it, Juliet.

I'd say my CF is a combo of sinus disease & digestive issues! So I can empathize.

Recently I've been diagnosed with gastroparesis...getting on medication for this has really helped with the pain and nausea (my primary symptoms) I had for more than a year. This is quite often connected with diabetes (which I don't yet have) or stomach surgery (in the past 2 years I had an appendectomy & a lap. chole). Have any of your health professionals mentioned this? In addition to the pain and nausea, an abdominal CT scan showed "sluggish transit" - and you mentioned constipation, which is why I tell you this long story in the first place.

Also, I am pancreatic insufficient...but I hope this helps you anyway. I'd agree with MicheleGazele about the excess stomach acid - I have these bouts of "smothering" that actually have nothing to do with my lungs and everything to do with stomach acid. I find that if I drink a lot of Mylanta when this happens, I can breathe again. Weird, no? But since I've been treating the gastroparesis, this has only happened once.

Good luck to you, I hope you feel better.
 
F

fivepercent

New member
Sorry to hear it, Juliet.

I'd say my CF is a combo of sinus disease & digestive issues! So I can empathize.

Recently I've been diagnosed with gastroparesis...getting on medication for this has really helped with the pain and nausea (my primary symptoms) I had for more than a year. This is quite often connected with diabetes (which I don't yet have) or stomach surgery (in the past 2 years I had an appendectomy & a lap. chole). Have any of your health professionals mentioned this? In addition to the pain and nausea, an abdominal CT scan showed "sluggish transit" - and you mentioned constipation, which is why I tell you this long story in the first place.

Also, I am pancreatic insufficient...but I hope this helps you anyway. I'd agree with MicheleGazele about the excess stomach acid - I have these bouts of "smothering" that actually have nothing to do with my lungs and everything to do with stomach acid. I find that if I drink a lot of Mylanta when this happens, I can breathe again. Weird, no? But since I've been treating the gastroparesis, this has only happened once.

Good luck to you, I hope you feel better.
 
F

fivepercent

New member
Sorry to hear it, Juliet.

I'd say my CF is a combo of sinus disease & digestive issues! So I can empathize.

Recently I've been diagnosed with gastroparesis...getting on medication for this has really helped with the pain and nausea (my primary symptoms) I had for more than a year. This is quite often connected with diabetes (which I don't yet have) or stomach surgery (in the past 2 years I had an appendectomy & a lap. chole). Have any of your health professionals mentioned this? In addition to the pain and nausea, an abdominal CT scan showed "sluggish transit" - and you mentioned constipation, which is why I tell you this long story in the first place.

Also, I am pancreatic insufficient...but I hope this helps you anyway. I'd agree with MicheleGazele about the excess stomach acid - I have these bouts of "smothering" that actually have nothing to do with my lungs and everything to do with stomach acid. I find that if I drink a lot of Mylanta when this happens, I can breathe again. Weird, no? But since I've been treating the gastroparesis, this has only happened once.

Good luck to you, I hope you feel better.
 
F

fivepercent

New member
Sorry to hear it, Juliet.
<br />
<br />I'd say my CF is a combo of sinus disease & digestive issues! So I can empathize.
<br />
<br />Recently I've been diagnosed with gastroparesis...getting on medication for this has really helped with the pain and nausea (my primary symptoms) I had for more than a year. This is quite often connected with diabetes (which I don't yet have) or stomach surgery (in the past 2 years I had an appendectomy & a lap. chole). Have any of your health professionals mentioned this? In addition to the pain and nausea, an abdominal CT scan showed "sluggish transit" - and you mentioned constipation, which is why I tell you this long story in the first place.
<br />
<br />Also, I am pancreatic insufficient...but I hope this helps you anyway. I'd agree with MicheleGazele about the excess stomach acid - I have these bouts of "smothering" that actually have nothing to do with my lungs and everything to do with stomach acid. I find that if I drink a lot of Mylanta when this happens, I can breathe again. Weird, no? But since I've been treating the gastroparesis, this has only happened once.
<br />
<br />Good luck to you, I hope you feel better.
 
K

Kristen

New member
I am PS and have suffered from IBS ever since I had C. diff about 6 years ago. It has gotten a lot better over time, but I still have it a few times a month. I try to eat yogurt and take a probiotic every day, and I think it helps somewhat.

My CF is mainly mild lung & sinus issues, although I did have suspected pancreatitis about a year and a half ago.
 
K

Kristen

New member
I am PS and have suffered from IBS ever since I had C. diff about 6 years ago. It has gotten a lot better over time, but I still have it a few times a month. I try to eat yogurt and take a probiotic every day, and I think it helps somewhat.

My CF is mainly mild lung & sinus issues, although I did have suspected pancreatitis about a year and a half ago.
 
K

Kristen

New member
I am PS and have suffered from IBS ever since I had C. diff about 6 years ago. It has gotten a lot better over time, but I still have it a few times a month. I try to eat yogurt and take a probiotic every day, and I think it helps somewhat.

My CF is mainly mild lung & sinus issues, although I did have suspected pancreatitis about a year and a half ago.
 
K

Kristen

New member
I am PS and have suffered from IBS ever since I had C. diff about 6 years ago. It has gotten a lot better over time, but I still have it a few times a month. I try to eat yogurt and take a probiotic every day, and I think it helps somewhat.

My CF is mainly mild lung & sinus issues, although I did have suspected pancreatitis about a year and a half ago.
 
K

Kristen

New member
I am PS and have suffered from IBS ever since I had C. diff about 6 years ago. It has gotten a lot better over time, but I still have it a few times a month. I try to eat yogurt and take a probiotic every day, and I think it helps somewhat.
<br />
<br />My CF is mainly mild lung & sinus issues, although I did have suspected pancreatitis about a year and a half ago.
 
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