Pancreas problems

[oldandtired 238]

OK, anybody have persistent diarrhea? They are apparently just now connecting the loss of pancreatic function with WLS. Sometimes. Google it. I went for months to the GP, and they threw antibiotics at this gas/poop problem; while I ate yogurt to get it to stop. Horrible gas as well. BAD stinky gas, lol sorry. Nothing worked. I ASKED MY WEIGHT LOSS DOC TOO. "Oh no, no diarrhea reported with this." That was horse hockey as well. I then went to a Gastrointestinal specialist, who did a protease enzyme test. Turns out my pancreas is not working. While it is not life threatening, it is darn inconvenient. I am not posting this to have you not have the surgery -- I still would have done it, even if I had a crystal ball. BUT if you have those symptoms, Google it, ask your doc, and maybe even if your WLS doctor says nope, go to a Gastrointestinal one. It can be managed. FYI.

[catwoman7 10,846]

I hadn't heard of this, so I just googled it. It doesn't sound like this is very common (although you're right - it CAN happen) - and I read that the surgery can also *improve* certain pancreatic conditions. Being obese, too, can be a factor in certain pancreatic conditions, like diabetes - or increase your risk of pancreatic cancer. So sounds like there's a chance you could deal with some sort of pancreatic condition either way (i.e, having surgery OR not having surgery and staying obese). So...(looking for an emoji that indicates indecision - can't find one!)

Edited March 7, 2023 by catwoman7

[Fred in Pa 231]

So if your pancreas isn’t working, you’re type 1 diabetic? Wouldn’t that be a bigger problem over diarrhea?

[Elidh 238]

1 hour ago, Fred in Pa said:

So if your pancreas isn’t working, you’re type 1 diabetic? Wouldn’t that be a bigger problem over diarrhea?

The pancreas produces other enzymes besides insulin; for example, trypsin and chymotrypsin to digest proteins; amylase to digest carbohydrates; and lipase to break down fats. So it is possible for some types of cells in the pancreas to function correctly and others not.

[Arabesque 6,448]

This is interesting (though I’m sure not for you). Out of curiosity did they say if this is a temporary or permanent issue? Wondering if it is similar to how other hormones & enzymes can go crazy while we are losing but settle again (often at a better level) once our weight stabilises.

How are they treating you? Since my gall removal I don’t absorb Protein well so I take creons which are a pancreatic enzymes which can firm bowel movements up for some. Wonder if they would help you too? Sorry for the questions.

[oldandtired 238]

This appears to be permanent. I am on Creon, and it works --sometimes. It depends on what I eat. Interestingly, it has not made me diabetic. (They checked) The pancreas releases enzymes to break down and have you absorb food. Without those enzymes, it will cause malabsorption, and I will not get the nutrients all of us need. I brought this up because if someone out there has this problem, they may not go to the doc with it. I ate Imodium constantly for 4 months.

[oldandtired 238]

On 3/7/2023 at 4:28 PM, catwoman7 said:

I hadn't heard of this, so I just googled it. It doesn't sound like this is very common (although you're right - it CAN happen) - and I read that the surgery can also *improve* certain pancreatic conditions. Being obese, too, can be a factor in certain pancreatic conditions, like diabetes - or increase your risk of pancreatic cancer. So sounds like there's a chance you could deal with some sort of pancreatic condition either way (i.e, having surgery OR not having surgery and staying obese). So...(looking for an emoji that indicates indecision - can't find one!)

Well I thought about it, and, if I could go back in time and tell myself this was going to happen--BUT also tell myself all of the problems that I did have would go away, (example-blood pressure now is terrific; arthritis almost gone; NO heartburn) I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[oldandtired 238]

RE: Catwoman's post--They are just now becoming aware of the "cause and effect" of it. I had to go to a gastro doc before they did the right test. The GP thought it may have been just a bug---gave me antibiotics. Then I asked the WLS surgeon about the diarrhea, and he discounted it. I was buying Imodium every 3 days, and gas pills too. I am putting this out here because I want the one person who may have this issue (besides me) to know what is going on. You can get seriously malnourished with this, no matter what you eat, your body cannot absorb what it needs without those enzymes.

[Jnpxo2 35]

Have you looked into some natural herbs for the pancreas. I really don’t know much about how it will be absorbed with the sleeve and all but the teas I know for liver and pancreatic function are amazing