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Food advice?

Posted , 5 users are following.

sash1996
sash1996

Hi I'm 20 years old and in the last 6 months I've had 4 cases of acute pancretitis. They've told me I can never drink alcohol again.

Since I was released from hospital my stomach has still been hurting and I'm not sure what I can eat meal wise until my pancreas heals properly.

I'm a uni student so I'm on a pretty tight budget, what I eat usually is pretty good but just not sure what I can eat and doctors were no help telling me to go back to hospital.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • pam64432
    pam64432 sash1996

    Posted

    Hello! I am so sorry you are so young to have this horrible disease! You definitely need to stop all alcohol consumption forever and as far as food goes I was told to stick to a very low fat diet which basically means fruit and veggies mostly. It's not easy, but it is a must not only to help pancreas heal but to ward off future attacks if possible. Do they know what caused your attack?

    • sash1996
      sash1996 pam64432

      Posted

      Hi thank you for your kind words. As for the low fat diet is that also forever? All that was explained to me was that I was never to drink again which is already proving horrible being my first year in university and all my friends going out for food and drinks without me. They think alcohol started this attack but no idea why I actually have it. Been scanned 4 times for gall stones but none were found.
  • chrissie_1971
    chrissie_1971 sash1996

    Posted

    hi Sash , I have just come out of hospital having had sever acute pancreatitis , I was told a lot fat diet , and like you no alcohol .

    I hope you feel better soon ,

    Chrissie

  • pete70517
    pete70517 sash1996

    Posted

    Hello Sash,

    Sorry to hear you are not well. Most of us here have much the same problems. Alcohol is out completely as you know now. This may or may not be difficult for you, but it's vital for the sake of your future health not to drink any alcohol....ever !  Fat free or low diets are also a pain in the butt but very necessary as the pancreas has  problems dealing with fat. No hamburgers, chips, butter, cooking oil, meat like duck, ham,beef or pork. So, what the hell can you eat then ? It's not easy. If you could speak  to a nuitrionist it would help.  

    Also, the medical people you deal with are important. It's better to have a gastroenteroligist or a suitably specialised practioner on your side rather than a GP alone dealing with the problem.

    Exercise is also important when you feel up to it as it helps with depression which may effect some people, though not all.

    Many people recover well  from pancreatitis but it's important to stick to the diet once established and you will recover well.

    Good luck and good health,

    Pete.

       

    • sash1996
      sash1996 pete70517

      Posted

      Alcohol is probably one of my biggest problems being only a first year university student. Already my friends are going out for food and drinking without me, it feels pretty isolating actually. Luckily I never really ate much fatty foods, I mostly eat chicken, rice, jacket potato and pasta, not sure if this is still all okay to have. I will have a look at the blog thank you very much for mentioning. 

      Are these diets forever then? Or can I start to introduce more food as time goes on? 

      I want to get out and exercise but with my stomach in so much pain I'm not sure if it will do it more help or make it worse at the moment.

      Hospital didn't really give me much advice, just told me it was rare for a woman this young to have pancreatitis with no explaination.

      Thank you very much, 

      Sasha

      Sasha

    • alex21614
      alex21614 sash1996

      Posted

      Hello Sash,

      I definately agree with pete. Gotta eat low to no fat. pretty much veagan. rice beans and other legumes for your protein. when you heal maby some low fat fish. Red meat pork and all red meats NEVER! processed food NEVER! Alcohol NEVER EVER AGAIN in your life if you dont want to have this chronically for the rest of your life.

      Yes if you stick to veagan and add no oil it should reduce or eradicate your chances of having another attack. The diet should be for life. And yes check out the blog pete mentioned i also used and has helped me alot.

      Do not substitute this for medical advise as I am not a medical doctor I am simply sharing what has helped me.

      Kind regards,

      Alex

    • pete70517
      pete70517 sash1996

      Posted

      Hello again Sash,

      Please excuse my confusion over your gender ! Being so young and having all your friends enjoying themselves while you are in pain is difficult. Just to say that what you are eating now is fine as it's low in fat. Chicken without the skin is fine. Rice, pasta and bread are all ok. too. You have to eat something ! But, right now it's important to give your pancreas a chance of recovery and it's slow. In hospital you didn't have anything to eat and were fed intravenously for the time you were hospitalised. I went through the same thing fairly recently also. I have found that large meals don't work and it's better to eat a little more often rather than eating a lot at once. I have been eating a lot more fruit and vegetables than before and drinking a lot of water. I know this sounds boring but it seems to work for me at the moment.

      The hospital told me very little also and frankly I hadn't a clue about diet until I started to make enquiries on the internet. gradually you will feel better and should be able to introduce more of your original diet back again. But, this doesn't  apply to alcohol unfortunately. I drank moderately myself but nevertheless the doctors made it very clear to me that alcohol would put me back in  hospital fairly rapidly. You still will be able to enjoy the company of your friends without alcohol once they understand your situation.

      Sorry again for the confusion about your name !!!

      Take care of yourself,

      Pete.   

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