GI Problem requiring several drug therapies
Question: I am presently on Prevacid, Propulsid, and Questran. These were all prescribed by the
same doctor for various problems. Are these drugs compatible? How long
should I take them?
I have a hiatal hernia with reflux and have tried several medications for
same. I have had my bed elevated for over four years now.
My gallbladder was removed five years ago and I have had increasing
problems with diarrhea. After several episodes of yellow stools that
contained mucus, the doctor prescribed Questran. I just recently had
problems with burning and pain in the right abdominal area near the site of
my removed gallbladder. I would wake around 3:00 a.m. every morning because
of the feeling that I was on fire. It seems that bile was accumulating in
my stomach rather than passing through. This is what the doctor led me to
believe. At any rate, he then prescribed the Propulsid in order to
evacuate my stomach contents better.
Although I am not experiencing diarrhea as bad as I was, I still do not
feel well. I itch sometimes very intensely, and I tire very easily. I have
questions that I need to ask my doctor, but wonder if I will get a straight
answer. I have not had blood work done in some time.
I am a 57 year old female, somewhat overweight, and except for being
diagnosed with Shogren's (based on eye and mouth dryness) I have no other
known illnesses.
Answer: I suspect strongly that you are experiencing biliary involvement from your Shogren's Syndrome. You need liver function checks and either a GI specialist or a Rheumatologist. This can be a serious problem called biliary cirrhosis and should be checked immediately.
Gluten Intolerance
Question: My wife, age 50, had a severe problem with weight gain. Her abdomen was
growing enormous, stretching daily. One physician diagnosed gluten
intolerance, an inability to digest wheat and particularly rye grain.
She cut back on wheat and resumed taking Fen-Phen. Her condition stabilized,
but she is still much heavier than before.
What would cause a sudden onset of gluten intolerance? Does this indicate
failure of an organ that produced the digestive enzyme? Is there an enzyme
or supplement that would assist digestion?
Answer: Gluten intolerance is thought to be a genetic disorder. However, the severity varies widely and for some reason is not always seen in children, but manifests itself in adults as well. There are several HLA serotypes which are common in this disorder leading to the genetic theory. The reason that people have trouble with gluten digestion is not clear. However, biopsy of the small intestine shows a characteristic lesion. However, these are not specific. They can also be seen in other disorders (tropical sprue, lymphoma, gammaglobin disorders, etc.). Diarrhea is the most common symptom that patients complain of, accompanied by weight loss, bloating and greasy stools (float for example). Diagnosis depends on a biopsy as well as using a gluten free diet-demonstrating improvement. Treatment is a gluten free diet and occasionally steroids in the 20% or so who do not respond to the diet alone. Family counseling is helpful since 50% or so of her family will have the same problem. Weight gain is absolutely not a part of this diagnosis and would make me doubt her diagnosis.
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Last modified January 14, 1998