Hi everyone:
I'm off to my fifth, and probably final, GI visit tomorrow to find out why I am still malabsorbing fat and fat-soluble vitamins. Has anyone been worked up for this? What tests did you have?
I've had upper GI with biopsies, colonoscopy with biopsies and a GI CT (new kind of barium study replacement) and nothing is abnormal. I've endured 4 72hr fecal fats tests too. I've tested negative for celiac disease but have been eating strictly gluten-free for 18 months because it helped other issues, like muscle pains. I'm in Canada and know that some tests can't be run here. I'm wondering if it is time to start the long cross-border health care shopping ordeal - two years for approval if I'm lucky.
Thanks so much everyone. There is such a wealth of knowledge on these boards. My non-rheumy docs have never seen anyone like me!
Kendo
I'm assuming you know you're malabsorbing fat because of the appearance of your "you know what"?
I honestly think the Plaquenil straightened me out with that and my lung issues.
I lost my gallblader 20 years ago. Ever since then, I have difficulties eating fatty foods- diahrrea right away. I have active bowel movements in the morning, then it quiets down. Rest of the day I am fine. Keeps me trim !!! Can't complain.
Pegasus
Hi Kendo,
Unlike Pegasus, I still have my gallbladder and can't eat fatty foods as the "symptoms" get awful some days. The gastro thinks that it's a pancreatic problem as I have had a member of the family with pancreatic cancer (passed from it a few years ago), but still running tests.
Good luck and I sure hope that you get an answer soon!
Take care of yourself and keep us updated, okay?
Patze
Hi Kendo,
I'm a bit surprised that you don't mentioned the GI considering the pancreas, since processing of fat is it's basic function. I have had autoimmune pancreatitis on many occasions and it's obvious (visible) that the fat is not being absorbed during these episodes.
Ask them about pancreatic function. Trust me, you would know if you had pancreatitis...it's very painful, so I doubt you have that. But you may have some problem in the pancreas that is prohibiting the processing of fat.
Good luck
Hi everyone:
Thanks you all your input. I saw a GI doc today. Turns out I don't have a positive fecal fat anymore. Too bad I didn't make them take the test and collect 72 hrs of poop and be nauseated from eating 5 days of high fat diet! Her suggestions - probiotics (been doing that for four years already) and take Immodium as required.
Well at least I don't have cancer or inflammmatory bowel disease. When I mentioned the cost of the pancreatic enzymes from health food store, she commented that eating gluten-free (I tested negative but had a "classic response to gluten withdrawal") is expensive too. I told her it was cheaper than all the physio bills I had to pay because of muscle pains and spasms I had eating gluten.
So after my next "take less calcium and see if you get sick again" test, I head off to a naturopath to see if I am allergic to something that is causing the diarrhea. The mainstream medical community has been uninspiring. But I know that Sjogren's (if I have it and I probably do) can cause all kinds of GI issues. Never a dull moment in the lives of a Sjoggie, huh?
Kendo