Actually I think the sludge is built up in the LIVER to correct myself in the previous post........

I was put on short acting for 6 weeks, then 30 mg LAR every 4 weeks and the dosage has been increased to 40mg every three weeks because my IGF levels went back up.

I tolerated the 30 mg every 4 weeks quite well. However, I am having bad GI issues with the increased dose.

PapillonRoseBlue mentioned that there are some foods one can avoid. Can someone please direct me to the discussion about foods that cause GI issues with Sandostatin. Thanks

Raj

Hello,
Sandostatin / Somatuline are known to change functionning of Pancreas and gallbladder (read offical papers done by the pharmaceutic companies). So our ability to process sugar and/or fat change suddenly with the injection. Some people are more sensible than others, some will adapt quickly, for others it will take longer.
If you can't process properly fat and/or sugar and you continue to eat it, your body first try to eliminate the offending food (nausea, diarea). If you take lot of medications to force that food to stay inside, you may get other side effects, Reaction may be too often, than not enough, running to the bathroom, gallbladder sludge, diabete...).
I believe it's better to listen to the message. If the gut says "no fat today", than avoid eating fat. On french forum, Acro all reported stopping all dairy products and fat for a while was very helpfull. Mostly from 2 days before injection to 7-10 days after. Then try to introduce again small portions of fat and see what happen.
If it's sugar you don't tolerate, google any basic recomandations for diabetic diet (sugar only with fiber...) . Most people report that after 3 months, body find the way to adapt and they have less gut problems.
If you are open to natural solutions, you may also try some vegetables who are known for eras to help digestion of fat, and add them to your diet.
Of course it's only a patient opinion.

Suzannabanana, I had the same problem while on Sandostatin and Somatulene, the bloating was so bad that at times I couldn't get my breath. I had to be very carefull about what I ate.
I also had the GI trouble at first but that soon changed to the opposite which was alot more uncomfortable and made the bloating worse.

I also wanted to comment on your issue of IGF-1 going up after surgery, mine did also. My Indo said that they have found that this is not always a bad sign. What happens is as the tumor cells die off that they expell all of their contents into your system sending your IGF-1 into the sky, so maybe that is what is happening to you, I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Pat, that's interesting about the IGF. I hope that's the case with me. It's funny - the last time my stomach went nuts was December 23 - the day I drove home for the holidays. Since then it's been fine, and I've been eating a steady diet of nothing but sugar AND fat. I'm back home now and back to my healthy (or healthier) diet, so it'll be interesting to see what happens...

As far as gastrointestinal problems, my main problem was only right in the beginning when I started.

I continued my normal way of eating all the way through my medical treatment.

Be wary of advice to go on a low fat diet during treatment - if you reduce your fat intake too quickly or too dramatically you can actually bring on gallbladder (sludge or stones) problems. If you wish to go on a low-fat diet then do it very gradually.

Trys
www.acromegaly.wordpress.com

I had my first lanreotide injection last Wednesday. I am also experiencing the gastrointestinal issues, but Day 5 is now better than Day 2 or 3 for sure. This weekend I started taking a probiotic and I am researching what other supplements I might take to assist the liver and to support the part of my digestion process that the lanreotide messes up. After a few days of this I think I am more mindful of what I am consuming--which won't hurt me any!
I can't wait to see what positive effects this medication has in store for me.