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New to this disease with LOTS of questions.

Posted , 5 users are following.

fatdogmom
fatdogmom

Hi Everyone,  Ijust had my first AP episode (idiopathic) about 3 weeks ago and still very ill. Doctors (in California) think I should be okay now but I"m not. I still get naseaous every day and hate to eat. I'm overweight and had a terrible diet to begin with, but never drank (I have two alcoholics in my family and I'm the teatotaller). I just turned 50,I started at 218 pounds (15.5 stone) and only lost 10 pounds in three weeks. I take anti-nasea meds daily, enzymes and chinese herbs for reducing inflamation and reducing the possibiliyt of PanCan. Here's the history and questions.

HX: Gallstones in GB, but it was not swollen and there were no signs of the bile duct blocked or swollen. Mild fatty liver.  TERRIBLE pain for 2 days, like someone was cutting me open with a hot, sharp knife from left to right.  Black streaks on my tongue and grey pebble-like BMs. I was in hospital for 3 days and given 15 litres of fluid. I was so puffy! CT scan showed only swollen pancrease and happy GB and liver. Ultrasound showed stones in GB (they've been there for years).  They assumed it was my gallstones causing AP, however it was not. I refused to let them remove my GB as ti was not the problem.  I don't know the name of it, but I had a test done where they run radioactive dye through you to see if it is flowing smoothly from the pancrease and GB, through the ducts and it was fine.  So, Idiopathic A.P.

1)I was in an auto acciden two years ago which triggered a gallbladder attack, could that have cause this?

2) What can I eat? Please tell me what foods I can eat. Just saying low fat diet doesn't explain things clearly enough.  I have a lot of food allergies, especially to dairy.

3) I have Hashimotos Hypothyroidism and had to have my thyroid removed, could this be autoammune? How do I get tested?  I also had an hysterectomy 2 years ago which threw me into menopause.

4) What's this about chocolate and peanut butter?!?! Please explain. 

5) Are bananas okay?

6) Avocado?

7)Anyone else trying alterntive treatments such as Oriental/Chinese Medicine?

8) I am taking time off of work at the moment due to an antidepressant I have been on for 20 years suddenly stopped working.  I need time to taper off of that and get stabilized on a new one.  Would that cause this problem? 

Thanks!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • robin0
    robin0 fatdogmom

    Posted

    Welcome to the world of pancreatitis. The good news your not alone. Bad news there is no cure as such. Its about diet pain management and talking to people who understand. Cause believe me it'd hard when you can't describe the feeling. But is fellow suffers we know. Pancreatitis pals is on Facebook for people from all over the world to chat and discuss everything.

    Doesn't matter where you are in world the disease is still not understood.

  • cathy31644
    cathy31644 fatdogmom

    Posted

    Hello,I am sorry your suffering.this disease needs individual handleingits a case of finding what works for you.there are a few rules that really help.

    Absolutely no alcohol

    No smoking

    Low fat ,best way I found is no more than 5% fat in any 100gr of ingrediance.

    Buy,borrow get of internet recipes for low fat pancreatitis sufferers,lots of good sites on line.

    Join Facebook sites,forums,get knowledgeable.

    Keep a daily dairy of how you are,symptoms,diet taken,bowels,medication taken.this will highlight triggers,and show what helps as well.

    Take the strain off your pancreas..eat well,good healthy food,fruit veg,healthy juices.

    Remember pancreas hates being dehydrated,drink lots and lots water.

    This is one nasty disease and we have to help ourselves.hope this helps

    Cathy

  • janet69451
    janet69451 fatdogmom

    Posted

    Pancreatitis is the worst been dealing for 6 months struggling with food nausea and diarrhea so I can tell you stay away from all fried foods fatty foods which is all junk food such as potatoe chips all processed foods all spicy foods no chocolate no sugary foods and anything else that disagrees with you after you eat it you will know. No diary at all no cheese milk creams now after that said fresh fruits fesh veggies meat that is baked or broiled limit red meats no butter either I habe found with this diet enzymes that I am finally after 6 months nausea free my GI doc says it takes a year to get over and the diet restrictions are a life time  hopes this help and know your not alone I live in Delaware
  • william65322
    william65322 fatdogmom

    Posted

    Sorry to hear about your difficulties, but remember you are not alone in this.  Many have AP or CP and I encourge you to reach out to them.  Doctors can be somewhat useless as they look at one or two markers to make their diagnosis, but they really need to look at the totality of everyting.  I was diagnosed with CP almost three years ago and have tried various alternative pain remedies.  Accupuncture did work a little bit and it would releave my pain for a short period of time, maybe a few hours or so.  I can recommend seeing a pain doctor as well as a good GI.   I had a spinal cord stimulator implant done about 1 1/2 years ago and it made a world of difference.  It does not stop the pain, it simply tells my brain to feel a tingling sensation and not pain.  It also helped to get off of the opiates.  My prayers are with you and all who suffer from this disease. 
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