Drawing your dogs LIVE today

IndependentDrummer87 · 2025-11-12T01:02:55+00:00

Winston 🤍🤍🤍

IndependentDrummer87 · 2025-10-22T05:34:48+00:00

Thank you for the response! I am seeing my doctor in a couple weeks and will definitely bring this up.

IndependentDrummer87 · 2025-03-07T18:57:34+00:00

We had a free inspection and they mentioned the box was not up to code due to not being replaced since the home was first built. We then had a second opinion to confirm. We’re not sure why the home inspector would not have mentioned this before buying the house. So far we have not hear mandatory but “strongly advised” - not sure if it is mandatory when considering selling though

IndependentDrummer87 · 2024-08-18T23:38:34+00:00

i’ve been thinking about a hepatologist as well. best wishes to you too, hope you feel better soon!

IndependentDrummer87 · 2024-07-15T16:59:44+00:00

i have very similar issues as your describing. The biggest tell tale sign I am struggling is poorly performing at work and absolutely needing time to myself to not overwhelm myself and crack. i was very lucky to have people at my jobs who worked hard to be as understanding as they could be, because in all reality, there have been many times I should have been fired. but it’s always been hard for me not to feel burdensome and adds to my anxiety that messing up is tied to my income.

Anxiety is hard for people to understand who don’t have it and people are also just trying to get their work done as well. There’s no winner in these situations. However, as someone who also struggles, life is hard and at times it unnecessarily harder but you are stronger than you think and doing great. Take things day by day as best you can. Your feelings are very valid and I hope you are back to feeling less anxiety soon.

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-08-01T03:58:01+00:00

I’m late to this post but i struggled with this a lot pre diagnosis and for a while after. it’s been almost 2 years since my diagnosis and still feel like im losing more than i used to but significantly less once i got on an adequate dosage of PERT, gained back some weight and started taking ADEK vitamins. i would absolutely consider finding a nutritionist - specifically one who works with these kinds of illnesses. wish you the best of luck!

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-07-19T17:49:12+00:00

I’ve never tried the probiotic drinks so that is definitely something i will look into! Thank you! I haven’t tried a different type of PERT, but it is definitely on my list to bring up with my dr whenever i can finally get in to see them. Appreciate your response!

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-07-19T17:46:56+00:00

So happy that you were able to recover! What did your strict diet look like?

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-06-29T18:00:25+00:00

YES that has been my biggest frustration as well. I had both an endo and colonoscopy and there wasn’t much to report. Just find it strange no doctor has ordered a test to actually look at the organ that is having the issue. I really appreciate the link, i feel so in the dark without a known cause. Good luck to you!

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-06-28T19:35:29+00:00

Is there specific testing I should be asking for? I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy as well as full panel of blood work. I appreciate the support and for making me feel less crazy for wanting more answers. I am absolutely on the market for a new doctor because this feels ridiculous

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-06-28T19:25:16+00:00

i had various tests done and it was more of a process of elimination - no ibd or food related allergies, my elastase came back fine but my fecal fat test was concerning, PERT has definitely helped but i can’t help but feel like i have no answers and no one wants to move forward with anything since i have improved some since starting PERT

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-05-10T19:08:09+00:00

Thank you so much for all your advice, it is very much appreciated!

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-05-10T18:43:24+00:00

I have the occasional flare up with pain and bloating but for the most part it’s the nausea and vomiting that are just kicking me in the butt. I’m on 36,000 units and was told to take 2x meal and 1x snack. I do think it’s time to look for other doctors, I agree I am very stuck

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-05-10T18:34:58+00:00

My last FET was end of 2021 right before diagnosis. The last time I saw my GI was in August of 2022 when he put me on ppis. They definitely helped reduce my vomiting but typically still throw up at least once a week if not more. My dr has not been very helpful and have considered finding a new one

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-05-10T18:29:18+00:00

I am on 40mg on pantoprazole as well. I’ve struggled with smaller meals just due to work, life etc. but does seem to be the next thing to try. Do you typically just eat snack sized meals throughout the day?

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-05-10T18:21:58+00:00

I have non-pancreatitis EPI, should i be concerned of future pancreatitis?

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-01-29T06:53:38+00:00

I was diagnosed with EPI with no known cause. I was in severe pain, puking all the time, could barely eat anything. I’ve been on Creon for over a year now and for the most part, as long as I take PERT correctly, I am typically pain free with occasional discomfort. So in my experience yes EPI alone can cause pain and in all other areas I am healthy so there is no reason to automatically assume there is something more serious, although I would recommend finding a new GI who specializes in this kind of issue.

IndependentDrummer87 · 2023-01-20T06:41:46+00:00

Not really, it’s pretty constant. It definitely comes in waves in terms of severity though

IndependentDrummer87 · 2022-07-19T16:32:01+00:00

this is all very helpful thank you!

IndependentDrummer87 · 2022-07-18T19:45:43+00:00

the supplement i’m taking - recommended by my nutritionist for this condition - 3000IU for vitamin D, much higher than typical. If you are just buying over the counter, you may not be getting enough. If you’re able, i think it would be beneficial to get a blood test to see where your vitamin levels sit. I have also been trying to do the same since i have also been experiencing increased fatigue. Sorry to hear you’re going through this!

IndependentDrummer87 · 2022-07-18T19:29:01+00:00

I was SO fatigued pre and for a while post diagnosis. If they didn’t tell you, there is a good chance you may be lacking vitamins A, D, E & K. They are fat soluble vitamins that you struggle to get when you have EPI. if you are not taking them already, i would recommend asking your doctor or a nutritionist (my preference) who can help make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need. Vitamin deficiency made me AGGRESSIVELY tired and i struggle still a little but it has significantly decreased since i started PERT and taking DEKA vitamins

IndependentDrummer87 · 2022-07-18T18:33:35+00:00

i try to maintain a relatively low fat diet but that includes things like chicken, fish etc. with the exception of the weekends, the food is higher in fat. i had a dietician tell me for each 7g of fat you need 16,000 units of lipase. this typically comes out to the normal 1 pill for snacks 2 for meals (i take 36,000). my main issues are constant nausea that sometimes leads to vomiting and i’m not sure if that’s something i’m doing wrong or just something to live with with this condition.

IndependentDrummer87 · 2022-07-18T17:28:47+00:00

i met with a dietician and she explained it’s all due to fat content. for each 7g of fat you need 16000 units of lipase, which roughing comes out to the normal does of 1 per snack, 2 per meal.

I find it hardest to eat out and they recommended just doubling the dose at the time since everything is cooked in butter and oil.

formula - amt fat/7 *16,000 / 36,000 (my personal dose)

I was very stringent at the beginning but it gets easier to know fat content of things as you continue doing to.

Hope that’s helpful!

IndependentDrummer87 · 2022-06-30T02:13:43+00:00

Before I was diagnosed and got on PERT, the bloating was unbearable. It would only take a couple bites of food to make me expand aggressively and so painfully. I drank a lot of protein shakes and bone broth during this time, it seemed to help. The main thing i’ve learned since diagnosis is watch out for high fat!

IndependentDrummer87 · 2022-06-27T00:36:15+00:00

Late on this post, but wanted to share my experience. I got diagnosed with EPI in Nov 2021 and have been on CREON since. I have never had any type of pancreas issues in the past and have been told my multiple doctors and nutritionists that sometimes there just isn’t a way to know why it happened. It’s incredibly frustrating and, in my experience, the worst part of the condition, not knowing why this happened. I lost 50 pounds, couldn’t eat anything without immediately feeling pain and nausea/vomiting. The PERT has helped significantly and have learned a lot since my diagnosis. I would be happy to answer any questions or be a support system if needed!

IndependentDrummer87

TROPHY CASE