Hello Chuck,
I hope your gastroenterologist will run the correct tests leading to a diagnose of what's causing your symptoms.

I had the following tests:
*Endoscopy (showed acid reflux and villous blunting) Villous blunting is damage to the small intestines and causes nutrients to not be absorbed properly. There are many causes; my gastro ruled out Celiac, thank goodness for that. I was prescribed esomeprazole magnesium for the acid reflux and stopped taking after 6 weeks when I had to do the prep for the colonoscopy. It's not recommended for long-term use; taken only for 4-8 weeks. I had suffered from steatorrhea and could not recall if I had it prior to starting the esomeprazole magnesium because I was so ill during that time and was not tracking my symptoms as I am now. To my relief, the steatorrhea stopped and hasn't returned. Not sure what to make of this, but my gastro thought it might have been the esomeprazole magnesium causing it.
*CT scan (showed my pancreas and gallbladder were unremarkable, but I have mild Diverticulosis, which is common for someone my age.)
*Colonoscopy (showed no evidence of microscopic colitis) My gastro ruled out all the associated GI diseases, again thank goodness for that.
*Fecal Elastase test (showed severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) The only treatment is taking pancreatic enzymes; there is no cure.
*Urine and other stool tests (all were normal; no evidence of bacterial infections)

I just went for additional blood work to check for iron and vitamin deficiencies including other tests because of the malabsorption from EPI and losing 33 lbs. the past three months.

My latest concern is that my A1C was 6.6. Pancreatic insufficiency can also affect your insulin, so I'm seeing an Endocrinologist next week to check further into this.

I just started taking Creon a little over a week ago. I'm hope in time, I can start eating more and put weight back on. It's difficult to get enough calories because of having to eat a low-fat, low-fiber and low-acid diet.

Wishing you all the best,
Linda

Hi Chuck,
My fecal elastase was 51, which demonstrated that I do have EPI. I am waiting on my pharmacy to deliver my Creon.

I’m relieved to know what I’m dealing with. I’ve lost 70 lbs in less than a year.

I also had a CT scan done which showed mild atrophy of the pancreas. An endoscopy with ultrasound saw no scarring to indicate chronic pancreatitis.

Sorry I forgot to update!
Susan

Hi there. Sorry I haven’t posted. It’s been a medical roller coaster as symptoms morph. Now I still have appetite but no food appeal to me…but hungry. Poop still floats all the time, but it’s not oily/greasy. Bloating almost 24/7 without distention. Went on Rifaxinim antibiotic for SIBO and it’s only been a week but the last 24 hours (fingers crossed) have been good. Just had new blood work so waiting for those results. Recap of tests: CT a with dye-chest/abdomen/pelvis
Abdominal US, endoscopy, colonoscopy. Findings are minimal like gastritis, gerd, gallstones that are t blocking anything, nothing truly diagnostic but doctor concerned about floating poop. Fecal fat / Elastese came up normal. H Pylori, Celiac ruled out.

From my research it seems that EPI and SIBO seem to go hand in hand and are also more symtoms than actual syndromes themselves

All, please chime in so we can look for common denominators.

Best of luck to all!