I was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis three months ago

hi Henry! thanks for your reply to my question. I never considered myself a heavy drinker. I have a coeliac condition for years which made it impossible for me to drink beer and spirits. I drank wine instead. About one or two bottles of wine every week for a year and a half or thereabouts. I usually drank it with meals. If I was an alcoholic and needed the stuff badly that would be different. But, I didn't have a problem giving up this alcohol at all. No way will I drink another drop.The pain I am enduring makes eating and drinking a gamble.I eat very little and drink water and de-caffenated tea and eat bland,fat free food in very small quantities. Life has changed! But, if I can get rid of this pain I would be very grateful. I'm not sure how the doctors came to the conclusion that my pancreatisis was caused by alcohol. I'm also on various drugs for high blood pressure and some of them are possible causes of inflammation. So, I have yet to find out how this diagnosis was made. Poptop! I did have a CT scan which indicated that it was acute pancreatitis. Apparently, damage to my pancreas was sudden rather than prolonged and this was apparent on the CT scan. My last ultra sound scan indicated that my pancreas was ok and the pain I'm suffering wasn't caused by pseudo-cysts which my doctor suspected. The radiologist who did the scan told me that the pain appeared to be located in my colon, as I indicated the area to him, but my GP thinks the pain is due to my pancreas as it was badly inflamed and the inflammation affected my kidneys as well. Sorry for the long expanation! I'm almost in constant pain and very concerned about my future health as a result. Thanks for your input!   

Does the pain get worse after you eat or the same?

Hi Henry! The pain is usually worse every second day. One day, it's not too bad,but the following day it can be excruciating. It doesn't come directly after I have eaten however. So, I'm trying to figure out just how long it takes for food to reach the area of my pancreas and is acted upon by  the various digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Frankly, I'm just a little concerned that the pain may not be due to pancreatitis at all as I was told by the consultant radiologist that my pancreas was ok and as far as he could see on the ultra sound scan. Having pointed out the location of the pain to him, he said that that that was my colon and the ultra sound scan could not examine it, and that I might need further tests. Yet, my GP differs and he thinks my pancreas is still the problem. I intend to get my hospital records and then maybe get a third opinion. What do you think?     

Yeah it dosent sound like pancreas, pancreas usually stars 30 min after food, it just might be bowel related or colon.

Thanks ! It's encouraging to hear that the condition is manageable and your doing well.

Thanks Henry ! It makes a difference to talk to people with these conditions. Yes, I'll have to see further about these matters. I, like yourself, feel like eating very little. Will keep you updated! 

Hey panky, you should get in a high antioxidant and grape seed extract intake, studies show promising results for cp sufferers.

Hope you can win this fight and yes its winnable despite what everyone says.

Good luck and god bless

Oh panky, and digestive enzymes too, thatll really ease the pain before the antioxidants and grapeseeds start the healing of your pancreas.

Thank you henry i was wondering about enzymes..Im in a support group and lots of people take them but ive never been offered them. Im due to see a specialist soon about having another ERCP to drain some monstrous pseudocysts so i will definatley ask about them xx

can i ask how long youve had CP? xx

 

Not a cp suferer panky, but when I had my ap, I it was do bad that I tought I had cp, and did hours and hours of extensive research, alot of cp suferers here on the forum will vouch for me that theyre pain drastically reduced or disapeard with enzymes alone.

Monstrous pseudoucyts??? Im glad you have a good sense of humor even dough sufering from this condition, my hats off to you. And when you get thet baby drained, you should feel more relieved from pain as well.

God bless you.

Hi Panky! Thanks for the advice. Like yourself, I thought that the pain would go away or subside but it hasn't. It was bad earlier today but I got new painkillers from the doc and I think they have made a difference. My pain is located on the right hand side about mid way down on my abdomen. It's relieved if I lie down but in the sitting position it's worse. I'll have to have further investigations as you suggest. It's not impossible to have pancreatitis and some other problem at the same time. You can never be too careful.I'm sorry to hear that you have so much pain. It can make life a misery indeed. It can be depressing as well. Yet, it's encouraging to hear of others who have successfully regained their health having suffered in the same way. Thanks for mentioning the amylase/lipase levels. I'm not sure what mine were while I was in the hospital; and I'll have to get more info from the doc about them. I'm assuming that the higher they are the more severe is the condition? Good luch and good health!      

Hi Pete

i do sometimes get pain on the right side also,but not often. Yes your right the higher the amylase/lipase levels the more likely it is your suffering from pancreatitis. Mine are constantly elevated,,i think a normal amylase is between 30 and 60 and ine are constantly up in the 500-700 levels..Although when im under attack they can get as high as 2000-3000.

thank you for the kind wishes,,i wish you all the best hun xx