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Chronic pancreatitis a progressive disease.

Posted , 6 users are following.

norbert01
norbert01

When I was diagnose with CP, I asked my physician how long would it take for my pancrease to heal when I stop having alcohol and goes on a new lifestyle. He told me that CP is a progressive disease and as long as food is passing through my stomach (or as long as I'm using my mouth to feed, the pancreas will continue to release the acidic enzymes to destroy itself but at a slower rate, as oppose to if I was consuming alcohol, fatty foods which will accelerate the process. Therefore, let alone the word regressive (going backward or healing), it does not  remain stable even if you avoid all those bad things. This is the most demorilising things about CP. So my conclusion to this, is the change towards a better lifestyle will only prolong your life, but not necessarily prevent the complete damage to the pancreas or even pancreatic cancer due to the continuous inflamation of the gland. Physicians call this disease "interesting" because the only solution is not to eat at all, but as human being we all need to eat to live. Unless, all CP patients start feeding via tubes or through IV.

3 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • JerseyLily63
    JerseyLily63 norbert01

    Posted

    Wow, Yes this is my feeling to...My whole life has to change..  Its either change, stop enjoying the foods I love and quit smoking or I will die before I get to meet my grandchildren..I am completely devastated.  I just wish that they would study this diesese more.
  • Cares
    Cares norbert01

    Posted

    Yes DH often says 'Oh I should just stop eating' because its the only thing that takes away the pain that has been progressively getting worse over time.
  • Cares
    Cares norbert01

    Posted

    I wonder if those same physicians would call it 'interesting' if they were the ones suffering from it?

     

    • JerseyLily63
      JerseyLily63 Cares

      Posted

      so true...My doctor did not tell me anything.  I learned the most about CP from this blog..
  • norbert01
    norbert01

    Posted

    I guess you are right Cares. The word "interesting" sounds as if it is not a serious disease. They should have used the word or phrase "catch 22" or "a dilemma". Because both solutions are problematic to realise or achieve. My personal view on Pancreatitic is that researchers have not given the required attention to the disease as oppose to others during the past 40 years. That is why, today they have realized that the only cancer treatment that has not seen any progress during the past 40 years is pancreatic cancer. The death rate is the highest % against other types of cancers and life expectancy after having contracted pancreatic cancer of of the shortest against other cancers.
    • cathy31644
      cathy31644 norbert01

      Posted

      I worked 1982 as a nurse on gastric ward.Everything then was experimental,trying to find comfort and treatment options for this horrid illness. Today i have pancreas problems myself and as you rightly state, so little is known and so little has changed. Youd think as a nurse id know how to help myself with this illness,but it is all trail and error, and this BLOG is the most helpful,encouraging informative website outthere.Like most folk with pancreatic problems low fat,no alcohol, exercise has been the best advice to follow. Its good to get support from each other..
  • caroleb
    caroleb norbert01

    Posted

    I have been trying to live a "normal" life with chronic calcific pancreatitis now since July2012. As many of you will know this involves various professionals from various clinics/departments and in my case 2 hospitals caring for me. Why cant they all get together in one room and discuss my care.It seems that while pne treats one problem this directly affects the treatment for another or the tablets cause side effects because of another one I take. I sometimes feel like a lab rat being tested to see what happens. Pain management is so difficult to get the right balance without causing nausea or sleepiness.Aaaaah. Drives me mad
  • stupage
    stupage norbert01

    Posted

    The research community considers this a drunk's disease not worthy of deep pockets research. Also, the results seem to be jealously kept from other researchers.  I've been through the wringer, from 7-8 ercp, to a Whipple in 2009. My pain has returned, along with diabetes, and steatoreah and poor digestion and weight loss. 

    I wish is i had som good news 

  • caroleb
    caroleb norbert01

    Posted

    I totally agree with all of you. I often use the not eating days as a "time out" from pain but then this affects diabetes!!!!!! I used to feel like a prisoner trapped in my own body. I'm 45 but feel like 80 some days with pain and tablet regimes and a diary full of various hospital and clinic appointments. I never used to plan anything like days out or lunch dates due to unpredictability of pain levels but now I do. I'm off to London tomorrow for a week with my gorgeous caring husband. Armed with 2 bottles of otamorph and all my tablets I am determined to enjoy it. Sometimes you have to stick 2 fingers up at pain and say You will not beat me!!!!!!!!
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