No Weight Loss w/ Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis
#1

I keep reading how so many with this are losing weight…I seem to have every other symptom but that…I don’t get it…I stay low fat…well most of the time…but still am not losing and would like too.

I’ve tried to describe how this feels by telling people…you know your ear and your elbow are there…but you don’t think about them…well I think about my pancreas all the time because it hurts on some level ALL the time.

I’ve learned to tolerate pain at the level of 5 or 6…above that and I end up taking meds…

#2

patty i am with you. i 2 have not lost any  weight not sure why. i do not eat much of anything and stay under 25 grams of fat a day mostly im at 20 on good days i treat myself. i 2 everyday have some degree of pain . hope u are doin better 2day.

#3

Hi Patti... 

I went through a combo pack! When I had my first attack.. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks and lost over 25 pounds. (liquid diet) It has been going on 2 years now with an attack every two month or so. Odd thing is.. I am putting on weight. More than I ever have. Nobody knows why. The last statement from my doc was.. hey.. your 40 now, this is what happens when your 40. so,… I am with you in the confusion department.

Bless
#4

Hi,

Chris has trouble with his weight also.   He gains up to 40 pounds in a month.   He then gradually loses it and gets back to his normal weight of around 200.   His abdomen looks huge and hard.  The doctor says it doesn't really feel like ascites (fluid).   He is always in a lot of pain when he gains.    He has had one attack when he lost almost 75 pounds.   He was on TPN at that time.   We were so glad when he started to gain weight again, but now he is miserable with the ups and downs.    He is on a low fat diet also.   I think it is a part of the course of this disease.   Hope you all have a pain free day   Linda

#5

hmmm lin , now i feel somewhat better thought something else was going on with me and weight. i was always very very thin my whole life and they say i am still well within my normal weight but, for me its awful i gain up2 10 pounds in a matter of days feeling bloated and truely uncomfortable. in days i am back down 2 where i started i was very confused bout the gain since i barely eat much. my belly swells as if i am 6 mos preg only 2 reduce  later.thank you for that info i thought i was alone with the up and down weight and belly swelling . hope all is goin well.    nancy

#6

HI Patti,

I have a similar situation. I watch every mouthful but losing weight is not what happens to me – and never has! I, too, am reluctant to take pain meds until things get unbearable.

I have had a few really bad episodes lately but in between it is a constant nagging “ache.” When things get to the acute stage I go on pain meds and lear liquids for a day or so until things calm down.

I do lose some weight when that happens. It took 21 years for a confirmed diagnosis of cp and even now my doctor is dubious unless I am having an acute attack. I have other digestive issues as well. I keep trying to live my (very busy) life and most of the time it helps.

Barbara

#7

Hi Patti,

You are so not alone on this weight issue.  I looked up everything I could find on chronic pancreatitis when I got diagnosed.  I thought they were wrong since I am rather big mostly in the belly but overweight.  I do have a very swollen liver also and they are watching for jauntace all the time.   Ihad all the symptoms for years but was treated for IBS & gerd.  The pain has always been there but I guess since I wasn't going to the dr for it each time they didn't do anymore testing. I had lost 2 brothers to liver disease due to drug and alchol abuse so they figured I only wanted drugs.

I have lost and gained but never got the belly down much. low fat diet helps sometimes but some days it doesn't seem to matter.   

suz 

#8

you have to feel srry for the 1s that are having an attack and the enzymes are normal .seen that happen many times and when they are in the e/r docs are hesitant to give anything of quality for pain releif. its a shame this happens but many just dont have the elevated enzyme levels that most docs ( unfamiliar with the disease ) use as bible for pancreatic attacks. too many ppl go without proper pain releif and in this day and age its uncalled for and for any doc to assume a patient is only searching for drugs is a sin and unprofessional ,esp after knowing the patient has had attacks of pancreatitis in the past . many chronic pancreatitis ppl have no elevated enzymes during an attack.

#9

My belly seems to be where my weight is mostly too.

Never gave that much thought that this could be the problem for that…lol. Just thought it was more love of ice-cream.

I know what you mean about them treating you like you just want drugs.  I talked to my doc about that and he wanted names…he said he would be sure that did not happen again.  After so many attacks…24 in 3 years, when I go to the ER, I tell them I’ve having a pancreatic attack and that I need morphine…NOW!!!

A couple of times they’ve made me wait until the amylase tests come back…but they know me now and I haven’t had to wait the last few times. It just sucks not knowing when these will happen.

Sorry to hear of your brothers…be sure to watch yourself and keep on top of your liver. I’ll chat whenever you feel the need…thanks for replying and have a great weekend…