Better Late than never

[clivealive]

On 3rd April 1959 I underwent gastric surgery for a perforated peptic ulcer and had two thirds of my stomach removed which eventually led to a diagnosis of P.A..

59 years later I've just been informed by my doctor that a recent test "indicated moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. 175μg/g <200.00 - 1000.00μg/g>

Prescribing me with "Creon 10000 gastro-resistant capsules (Mylan)" she went on to say that nowadays anyone having gastric surgery are automatically put on this sort of medication "to release enzymes with lipolytic, amylolytic and proteolytic activity to ensure the digestion of fats, starches and proteins".

Ever since the surgery I have "struggled" with food - what I can and can't eat. Now I'm being told that, with treatment I can have a "Normal" (I hate that word) diet.

What I wonder is - how many others within this community that have had gastric surgery have not "automatically" been put on similar medication?

Photograph - "clivealive" at the age of 17 a few weeks after the surgery in 1959.

[JanD236]

I’ve not had gastric surgery but I am still looking for an answer to gastric issues which started with my PA (bloating and constipation).

Probiotics on a daily basis and betaine hcl with pepsin taken with protein based meals seem to help but they’re not the complete answer and I feel like I’m missing something. You’ve made me wonder if it’s enzymes.

I wonder if there’s any similarity between a stomach with part of it surgically removed and one that has been rendered partially inactive with gastric parietal cell antibodies?

Great pic!

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to JanD236]

Hi JanD236 I'm not a medically trained person so cannot answer your query but I'm saddened to think that having been with the same practice for over 52 years (and been treated for P.A. for 46 of them) this is the first doctor who has taken sufficient interest in the ramifications of my poor digestion due the surgery to actually do something about it.

When I left the hospital I asked about diet and they refused to give me one - just trial and error - they said and what would a 17 year old callow youth know about food nutrition and dieting?

Back in 2015 when I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes I was sent to a dietitian who looked at my daily "bland" intake of food and gave me marks ten out of ten but made no comment on my long standing "digestive difficulties".

Having brought these up with my (now) doctor a couple of months ago, she referred me to another dietitian who really took an interest in my "case" and ordered my practice to carry out the tests which revealed the "moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency" which I've probably had since 1959.

I have yet to start the treatment prescribed - you never know I may be spotted "dining out at the Ritz" in the near future

Hopefully one or other of our more learned members of this community will be able to give us good advice.

I wish you well.

[may61]

So sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment .I wish you all the best ,cos you have always been a help to me ,so positive and up beat .Good luck in your journey.Regards Eileen

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to may61]

Thanks may61

[margareta12321]

What a shame Clive that this wasn't rectified before now.Hopefully you will enjoy eating new foods now.And the photo looks great.Good luck.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to margareta12321]

Thanks margareta12321 - ignorance is not bliss in this case.

[Maryh1974]

I love the picture of you! Very handsome in your day! - I had my gallbladder removed 3 years ago and struggle with what I eat and wonder if this caused my issues as if I eat certain foods I have to run to the toilet and it’s mostly bile - Doctors just shrug their shoulders but I fear neutrients are just going down the toilet when this happens and why I’m so knackered all the time.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Maryh1974]

As I say I'm not medically trained so it's all new to me but it all came about as a result of a visit to a dietitian who seems to specialise in gastric disorders rather than just food.

It might be worth asking your doctor for a referral to such an one.

As to the picture - the week before the surgery I weighed 13 stones 4 pounds and stood six feet four but in the photo I was down to just over 11 stones and the reason I had my coat buttoned up was because I feared my "insides" would fall out as the wound was seemingly "held together" by just twelve stitches made out of fencing wire with a spray on plastic coating.