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Pain after acute attack

Posted , 35 users are following.

nick27381
nick27381

Hello,

I had my first acute attack of pancreatitis 2 weeks ago. Spent 2 days in hospital on IV fluids and NG tube. Lipase levels 115. I continue to experience mild pain (not taking any medications) in my right upper abdomen which is not associated with food (actually food makes it better). No alcohol or fat foods since attack. My concern is that I still experience pain after 2 weeks where in majority of literature patients with mild pancreatitis experience pain only for 7-10 days. What is your experience with pain after acute attack?

Thank you

2 likes, 44 replies

44 Replies

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  • stuart13
    stuart13

    Posted

    I don't know what literature you have been reading but the effects of an attack of acute pancreatitis can last for many months. It really is early days and it sounds as though you've been lucky. Acute pancreatitis can kill.

    Try and find what caused the attack if you can. If it was caused by alcohol consumption treat it as a warning.

  • HopperRox
    HopperRox

    Edited

    It varies from patient to patient. I had been having pain in the area for years but it not till later on did it flare up and require a hospital visit. However, after the first acute attack the severe pain eventually dulled up, and I was released from the hospital. The pain while certainly less intense, never ever went away fully. For myself the pain tends to ebb and flow without much reason, but can be made worse with bad food choices or too much of anything. I do my best not to provoke an attack and I have been slowly making better choices as I am much better at listening to my body. I used MS Contin long acting 2x per day, everyday of my life and I have dilaudid for break through pain (often after meal). The pain meds have given me a much better quality of life, and mostly I just notice less pain (not feeling all drugged up). If I sense an increase in pain well then maybe I won't eat that day or I'll do clear fluid till it passes. The pain may eventually resolve, and not return or it may stick around like mine. In any event, I wish you the best of health and I would be trying to ensure you don't aggravate an already bad situation, if possible. The 7-10 days thingy they mean pretty intense pain, it may take longer for the pain to completely resolve. Here's hoping you are one the lucky ones.
    • Issy28
      Issy28 HopperRox

      Posted

      hi there, please can you tell me what us the pain killer you use, my partner has had acute pancreatitis and is in a bad way. The head and tail of the pancreas has died he is in a rehabilitation centre now but is unable to rehabilitate because he's in so much pain.

      Ive just connected with two pancreatic cancer UK specialist nurses and i now realize the Creon enzymes he needs to take may need reviewing because if he's not on enough he will get all these unpleasant and terrible symptoms .

      hope you might be able to provide me with some advise or hope.

      Kindest regards

      Linda ( Issy28)

    • Opconernie
      Opconernie Issy28

      Edited

      Doctors gave me a prescription for oxycodone for about 2 weeks. been out of the hospital a month. still feel weak but getting better each day do not miss the oxy. my wife a nurse keeps reminding me it can take months to recover from acute pancreatitis.

  • nick27381
    nick27381

    Edited

    Thank you for your responses. I had mild attack, CT showed no necrosis in my pancreas or structural changes. HopperRox, thank you for clearing up the pain question I had. I continue to experience discomfort/occasional pain which not really requires any pain medication. I was just concerned about developing chronic pancreatitis since I continue to experience some pain/discomfort after 2 weeks. As to what caused it I am not really sure since my last alcohol drink was around NewYear. Anyway no alcohol or fat foods for me for atleast 4 months.
  • HopperRox
    HopperRox

    Edited

    It's a slow healer, and it sounds like you are doing your best to give it time to rest. One mild attack does not usually make one chronic. Early on I made the mistake of thinking no pain meant my problem was gone, it was very deceptive that way, and reared it's head nastier than the previous attack. I really am hoping you are one of lucky ones who has 1 attack, recovers fully (give it time) and never sees it again....fingers crossed for you.
    • deborah82969
      deborah82969 HopperRox

      Posted

      hi there sorry to jump on the thread, just im looking for some answers.

      i am havinv what i " think" is an acute attack or a CP flate up.

      upper abdo pain for 2 days most severe ive ever had but able to do most things albeit in pain, and sleeping fine managed some soup today too.

      does this sound like acute to you? i havent seen the GP yet im currently under investigation due to floating stool and gas but waiting months for tests. (nhs) i did drink alcohol at the weekend which is my guess at the culprit for this. but that was my last ever drink for sure. if i do have chronic CP when they get around to these tests then maybe that was a flare up of that?

      sorry i hope this makes sense just trying to figure out whats going on with me and many thanks for any responses,

      kind wishes

      debs

  • alan36655
    alan36655

    Posted

    i find taking 10ml gaviscon advance aniseed suspension greatly reduces upper abdominal pain.
  • rach1972
    rach1972

    Edited

    I have pancreatitis as well. Spent 2 wks in the hospital, and developed a soodo cyst. I'm also experiencing flare ups. Very scared it's turned into chronic. Just got blood work and ct scan, and should have results tomarrow. I never new something like this could b so very painful. It's nice to talk to people who can relate.
  • rach1972
    rach1972

    Edited

    Oh, and also my lipase levels were at 26,000!!!!!! Not good!
    • TimmyA
      TimmyA rach1972

      Edited

      I just got out of the hospital yesterday. My doctors said they'd never seen numbers so high. Over 20000. They released me to go home once my numbers got down to a level that most people end up in the hospital for. I have to say I'm somewhat relieved to see that someone else had numbers so high.

      How have you been since? Was your recovery long?

      Thanks,

      Tim

      This is my first attack ever at age 41

    • Opconernie
      Opconernie rach1972

      Edited

      my lipase levels was over 30,000. 2 weeks after an 8 day hospital stay i still feel pain in my left side. the pain was so intense i felt if i died it would be a blessing. scared it will happen again.

      trying to find food that will help. any suggestions

    • Opconernie
      Opconernie rach1972

      Posted

      i know the great pain associated with acute pancreatitis. my lipase levels was 30,000

      doctors said if i waited longer to get to the hospital i could have died. spent 7 days in ICU and 2 days in a regular hospital room.

      will probably always fear a relapse.

  • stuart13
    stuart13

    Posted

    I've not doubt that you levels are high rach but 26,000 is rather a lot. Have you added a zero? If your pancreas is still inflamed it might be too early to give a diagnosis of CP.
    • paul55625
      paul55625 stuart13

      Posted

      I have seen as high as 16000 of you throw in Creon maybe an hour or two before, it may be possable.

      Good luck,

      Paul

    • Opconernie
      Opconernie stuart13

      Posted

      my lipase level was 30000 doctors told me i would have died if i did not get to the hospital when i did. 5 weeks later i still have a pain in my side and will always worry about a relapse. i would not wish acute pancreatitis on Gods worst enemy the pain was so intense.

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