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What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Dec 22, 2023 | Replies (169)
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@jqleck

Good Afternoon Leighs2011,
I am curious how you were able to determine you did not need PERT (CREON). My wife is pre-surgery right now. Her tumor is in the tail / body area of her pac. She is taking PERT with each meal. Our concern is nutritional uptake. Hate to be gross or provide too much detail BUT...her stools are yellowish, formed but not dense and float. I asked the nutritionist if there is a test for her natural enzyme status or production. They were unclear and / or unsure. I was just curious of your determination in not requiring PERT and how that was resolved for you. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

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Replies to "Good Afternoon Leighs2011, I am curious how you were able to determine you did not need..."
stageivsurvivor | @stageivsurvivor | Jun 30, 2022

The diagnostic test for diagnosing Exocrine Pancreas Insufficiency (EPI) is the Fecal Elastase test. Signs that an individual may have EPI are floating stools, oily sheen on toilet water, light, yellow or orange yellow, moderate to painful cramping and bloating especially after consuming fats, urgency in having a bowel movement, foul smelling flatulence and stool. Food passing through GI tract quickly. Weight loss from malabsorption despite consuming large amounts of food and calories.

These links are informative on signs, symptoms, need for and the administration of PERT-

PANCREATIC ENZYMES
https://letswinpc.org/managing-pancreatic-cancer/2019/10/09/pancreatic-enzymes-explained/


https://www.pancan.org/facing-pancreatic-cancer/living-with-pancreatic-cancer/diet-and-nutrition/pancreatic-enzymes/

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