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I am new to this group. For the last six months I have had orange oily floating diarrhea, frequently. I have lost 20 lbs. Sadly, my doctor is close to retiring and he doesn't bother too much with this. I have gone to ER of various hospitals, and had just had colonoscopy, endoscopy, CT scan, all of which were normal. Ixo have been looking after my husband who has end-stage Parkinson's Disease at home, until recently, and it has been very stressful. I think I have Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, i.e., lack of sufficient enzymes secreted by pancreas, but no doctor has as yet diagnosed me with this. Many doctors ask me if I drink heavily every day (No) and want to know when I stopped smoking (never ever smoked),. I am wondering what are other causes of insufficient digestive enzymes. I wonder if it can be caused by stress. actually, I have been caring for my husband for the last 11 years and have been neglecting my own health, e.g., my diet. Can stress or neglecting diet cause insufficient digestive enzyme? does anyone know this?
Replies to "I am new to this group. For the last six months I have had orange oily..."
Hello @kathybowes,
I am so sorry to hear of your husband's difficult diagnosis and the difficult job you have as a caregiver. I can also understand your concern about the possible pancreas issue. I see that your current doctor is retiring. Have you considered getting a second opinion?
I would suggest seeing a Gastroenterologist. Have you seen a Gi specialist already? If not, that would be my next thought. If you can go to a multi-disciplinary health center (like Mayo Clinic or a university medical school) that would be a good choice. These health centers have ongoing research and doctors who are very well versed in treating hard-to-diagnose problems.
In any event, please take care of yourself! You are more than just your husband's caregiver.
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I don't know about your issues, but I am convinced my low blood sugar was due to terrible stress in my married life at a young age, less than 45. I was eating a healthy diet with a huge garden and meat we raised on the farm. When I changed my diet and took on a different lifestyle, the problem went away. But I am also convinced my heavy duty baking sweets to feed a big family also contributed to my eventual diabetes diagnosis a year after my husband died. I believe type 2 diabetes can be prevented as we learn more about a healthy lifestyle. My husband did not control his heavy eating, his diabetes, his drinking, his obesity, and his cancer treatment. I did, however. Dorisena