CF without involvement of the lungs?

Question

Dear ladies and gentlemen,
my question is a bit strange, but it is preying on my mind. I am 29 years old, and I have problems with my digestion for about 12 years. Again and again constipation and diarrhea, flatulences and problems in digesting my food. All investigations were without success.
2013 my gallbladder had been removed, due to stones. After that it turned to be even worse with eating. A CT revealed that my bile was too viscous.
For about half a year, I take pancreatic enzymes on my own. I came along this via my own research. What can I say, I tolerate my food now 90% better than before, the pain improved and also the digestion is a bit better.
Now I have read that Cystic Fibrosis could be the reason for such symptoms, however am I not too old for this?
Do I have to worry? Do you have advice for me?
Best regards,

Answer

Hello,
CF can in rare cases cause symptoms predominantly in the GI-tract. There are patients, who have e.g. only an inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or who have only problems with the liver. In your case it seems that probably the production of lipase in the pancreas is not sufficient, this can be investigated by a gastro-enterologist via an investigation of the stool. In case this would be true, there could be a mild form of CF underlying. As you do not seem to have problems with the lung, you should not need to have great worries, as the problems of the GI-tract can usually well be treated. For making a secure diagnose, a sweat test should be performed in any case. The sweat test should measure the chloride concentration of the sweat via pilocarpine inonotophoresis and should be done at an experienced center. On the website of the German patient organization (Mukoviszidose e.V.) you can find the addresses of the corresponding CF centers near your home (muko.info/forschung/public-reporting.html).
Best regards,
PD Dr. Rainald Fischer

05.12.2016