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Posted 10/7/2012 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
just diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency by my intergrative medicine doc after some test results came back. ive had a lot of nausea after i eat, back pain (middle-upper left side), stool changes. im doing digestive enzymes but is this a typical complication of lyme? do many of you have pancreatic insufficiency where you are not producing enough digestive enzymes? what else can i do to help symptoms? thanks!
Posted 10/7/2012 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Teeners,

I had a comparative stool analysis with parasitology done a while ago. One of the things that showed up was a low level of elastase which is sometimes linked with pancreatic insufficiency. At the time I was also suffering from dull to acute right hand side upper quadrant pain sometimes radiating to the back, and variable stools, both in colour and consistency. Two things - firstly due to my concern over 'pancreatic insufficiency' I had my elastase levels retested, and they came back normal. My LLMD didn't pass comment other than its not a usual finding with Lyme, and I never worked out how variable the test results were so maybe you do naturally bounce around a bit. Secondly I have been being treated for Bartonella over the last 3 months with pretty much complete resolution of the RHS abdo pain and much greater consistency in stool patterns. I don't know if the two are related but my gut (haha sorry) feeling is that they were.

Good luck

Hugh
Posted 1/14/2016 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Morti,
I was recently diagnosed with Bartonella and pancreatic insufficiency as well. I am being treated for Bartonella but can't find a cause for the PI. Wondering how you treated yours? Your response would be much appreciated.
Thank you,
Sam
Posted 1/15/2016 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi SamIam24 - welcome to our community!

Morti hasn't posted here since October, 2014...so I'm not sure if he will even see your question.

But, since you are here...and new to the forum, I'd like to point out the thread at the top of the page titled: "New to Lyme?...Start Here!" It's full of great information.

Hopefully others who are experiencing the same issue will see this and post.
Posted 1/15/2016 10:09 AM (GMT 0)
It is known that pathogens like protomyxzoa or other biofilm producers make biofilms that impede blood flow. It is my opinion that because the pancreas requires such a high flow rate, that rate is diminished by the biofilms. A decrease in blood flow can cause a temporary hypoxia that could be a reason for the pancreatitis.

Studies have shown that mice can have a decrease in blood flow in their adipose tissue that induces hypoxia and that causes them chronic inflammation. Adipose tissue is a low oxygen demand tissue and if hypoxia can occur there, it seems plausible that it could occur in a high oxygen demand organ like the pancreas.
Posted 1/15/2016 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
I too have insufficiency, i think it has to do with fats asorbtion .fl1953 likes fats .however i think oxalates , trans sulferation and gall bladder function play a roll...how does one get fats to make enzymes when fats aren't being absorbed by enzyme supplimentation?
Posted 1/16/2016 10:39 AM (GMT 0)

bluelyme said...
I too have insufficiency, i think it has to do with fats asorbtion .fl1953 likes fats .however i think oxalates , trans sulferation and gall bladder function play a roll...how does one get fats to make enzymes when fats aren't being absorbed by enzyme supplimentation?

Easier said than done, but change your GI flora.

I also couldn't eat walnuts (good source of fat) until I corrected my inefficiencies by looking at my 23andme results. Now I have no problem and eat 30g of walnuts per day.
Posted 8/3/2022 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Has anyone else had this issue? I'm wondering if I should start a new thread. I have lost nearly 40 months in 6 months, and have been diagnosed with severe pancreatic insufficiency as indicated by a very low fecal elastase level. I'm also having a slew of other symptoms, including visible muscle wasting, lanugo growth all over my body, new freckles, a change in my menstrual cycle--the list is extensive. I was diagnosed with possible exposure to Borrelia and B. microti, an active Bartonella infection, and definite past exposure to anaplasma. I have yet to start treatment, so my pancreatic insufficiency isn't a result of antibiotic use. Has anyone else had a similar experience? The doctors are stumped and my body continues to waste away no matter what I eat--it's been terrifying. Any input would be much appreciated. Thank you!
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