pancreatitis

[bluejay]

I have been PP'ing for over 2 years and have had tummy problems off and on for 35 years ending up in the ER every few months with acute pain in my upper right quadrant abdomen and back ... usually diagnosed as stomach flu or IBS because my amylaze is only slightly above normal (?). The attacks have been more frequent recently as well as more severe and have finally been diagnosed after an ERCP induced attack as spontaneous pancreatitis caused by gallstones even though my gallbadder was surgically removed 12 years ago. I'm concerned that I may be progressing to chronic pancreatitis and wondered if it was okay to keep PP'ing since all the info I can find on the internet seems to recommend a low fat/high carb diet ... but as we all know "they" recommend that diet for everyone and everything any the only exception I know of for low carbing is for existing kidney disease. I understand that the liver produces bile continuously for the purpose of breaking down the fat but as far as I can tell fat is the most difficult food for the pancreas enzymes to digest, then protein and carbs being the easiest ... although I don't know why. I am confused and would be thankful for some assistance in deciding what I should be eating.

[Gaelen]

Bluejay, if in fact what you have is pancreatitis, you really would serve yourself well to find a medical or nutrition professional who understands the science behind low carbing and can advise you and monitor you face to face. Ultimately, we do all make our own choices, but for anyone who isn't looking at your test results to advise you on a nutrition program over the internet wouldn't be responsible.

I have continued low carbing to the extent possible through two years of colo-rectal cancer treatments. I had (until about three weeks ago) extensive liver metastases (>70% of my liver was originally involved.) Did my liver hold up? Well, fingers crossed...I'll know more about its progress after resection surgery in a couple of days. Are my kidneys holding up under the higher fat, higher protein of low carbing? So far, so good. Is my bloodwork okay? Yes, and it has been throughout--but I get bloodwork a minimum of once, and usually twice every month. The nutritionist, who was initially reserved about low carb, meets with me at least every 60 days, and is happy with my progress--but not afraid to point out the risks. We respect each other, and we've learned to work together.

Will monitored low carbing work for you too? Honestly, it would be irresponsible of me to say that. The only responsible thing, if we're going to even discuss it, is to recommend that you need to find and work with a local medical or nutrition professional who could supervise your program and monitor your bloodwork in real time. IMO, that would be the safest option. YMMV.

[bluejay]

Thanks for your reply Gaelen. I am working with a local hepatologist and I will of course follow his advice which at the moment is that I can eat anything I want but I was wondering if anyone had any personal or professional experience with "pancreatitis and low carbing" in general. Do the Dr. Eades audit this board ... they would know.
I am so sorry to hear about your colo-rectal cancer and liver metastases and wish you all the best luck with your resection surgery.

[Gaelen]

Thanks for your reply Gaelen. I am working with a local hepatologist and I will of course follow his advice which at the moment is that I can eat anything I want but I was wondering if anyone had any personal or professional experience with "pancreatitis and low carbing" in general. Do the Dr. Eades audit this board ... they would know.
I am so sorry to hear about your colo-rectal cancer and liver metastases and wish you all the best luck with your resection surgery.

Bluejay, I'm glad to hear that you are working with a local hepato-biliary specialist; you may both learn something in the process. ;)
We would love the Drs. Eades to 'audit' this board. However, at this point, they're very busy and while they make the existence of the board possible by funding the server space and IT pros, etc., if they're cruising the board, they're not logging in just yet.

You could always try posing your question to them at one of their blog sites. Mike Eades may even have written about pancreatitis in his blog; you can search it to find out. You can get to the blogs by clicking on the Protein Power link in the lower right corner of the forum page; their website placemarker page will come up, and it contains links to the blogs.

You could also check the online journal of Nutrition and Metabolism at
http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com
The journal is searchable, and covers all aspects of low carb eating. Hope this helps.

As for the liver resection surgery...well, the cutting's done; now it's up to Mother nature and the oncologist.

[bluejay]

Thanks Gaelen I will pursue your leads.