Now that I have CP and don't know how to change my lifestyle

Hi your not alone in this although at times it feels like it. Doctors only go off the basic knowledge they have as we all know this is a little researched disease. 

Most people will tell you to stop drinking coffee and tea. but I find it helps. As for your diet its quiet simple with this method.

1: 5% fat per 100g  as a rule. on foods.

2: 12% per 100g maximum on meats and treats.

3: let your body find the weight that it is happy at.

4: low fat milk

5: No chocolate and cheese etc. 

6: Smoking try ecig.or smoke a couple of cigars then stop.

7: Anxiety is part of it as the chemical levels in the body are effected.

8: Just be aware that the enzymes travel in your blood during attacks which can effect the lungs eyes brain and other organs. I know this from personal experience. 

9: cornflour one teaspoon mixed in abit of milk will help bung you up.

10: Remember your not alone with this disease there are a few of us out hear. who like you spend your days in pain feeling like know one understands but we do as only pancreatitis suffers know the pain and can describe it to each other with a look of understanding or just comfort of others on here.

I've just been reading a bit about aloe vera juice, evening primrose oil and slippery elm powder to help with pancreatitis.

He started taking the aloe vera a couple of days ago and that has really eased his pain.

We already had a really good diet and am still struggling with DH, we are yet to get a diagnosis of either CP or PC though.

Normally we ate a lot of salads, raw food diet for two years etc and none of this prevented him developing CP?

He mostly eats fruit now, quinoa seems to go down alright.

I have suffered depression because of huge amounts of stress and got onto a diet for adrenal exhaustion and supplemented with vit d, magnesium, B vitamins and this is improving the situation as well as having acupuncture for the stress, a good practitioner will be able to identify where the stress is blocking healing and identify the causes they may even be able to help you quit smoking.

Hope you find something in here that may help :-)

Hi JerseyLily.  I am right in the same place as yourself just a little further along.  15 months ago I was admitted to hospital with chronic pain in my abdomen and back the result ending me with chronic pancreatitis and am now an insulin dependent diabetic.  I have chronic depression that has plagued me for 20 years, what I can offer is a little insight on how to go on I am 50 now and sometimes it feels like this is the end.  The depression, are you on medication and is it really working for you?  If not please address this before you allow it to consume you, I feel just a little better just knowing by your post that I am not alone with this and you are not either.  I know it feels like it is all over and the fact you are asking about changes to your lifestyle, means there is fight in you.  I will try to address what I can to you where I may have good advice.  Smoking... That is a biggie I quit cigarettes 4 years ago, and there is an alternative I know what has been said around the world but electronic cigarettes may be a good step for you, I still use one now, instead of smoke and tar and all the muck that comes with tobacco you inhale a vapour of about 98% water and most of the rest is nicotine, which you can purchase in different strengths I know this does not stop the nicotine addiction but I have a good pair of lungs now I can breathe deeply and have not had a chest infection for many years.  I had a triple heart bypass 8 months ago, my previous lifestyle of drugs and drink finally caught up to me.  However my heart is strong and I got out of hospital only 5 days after they stopped and operated on my heart.  I do believe electronic cigarettes have helped and extended my life.

There are many different opinions about food intake with diabetes and for some that works, myself it has been a learning experience and a delicate balancing act.  I wont give you percentages etc, sugar and alchohol must be kept to a minimum but at the same time beware of some artificial sweetners.  I do not drink diet soda because of the sweetners and aspartame is still legal here grrrr.  It is not wrong to enjoy some of the foods you like but in moderation, you need to check your blood sugar several times a day and monitor how some foods effect your glucose level, keep a note of this and watch for patterns of high or low blood glucose, I do not pretend it is going to take a little time be patient with yourself.  If honest alcohol reduces blood sugar the more you drink I would quit if you can.  Because of the digestive system probs consider using multi vitamins once a day every day, also omega 3 found in cod liver oil capsules.  There is so much more I could try to help you with but be aware this is personal experience on my part and I am no expert.  Lily please feel free to message me if you want to with questions I understand otherwise.  Most of all you are NOT alone and please do not give up.  I will be praying for you and thinking of your health and lifestyle.  All my best and may Jesus bless you.

When I have attacks of pancreatitis I suck liqourice juice sticks and it puts it right fairly quickly, within a day or two, as oppose to when I've been hospitalised and it takes 5 days. Now I suck them at the very first pang and it prevents it from becoming full blown.

Hi Lily,

I am sorry to hear of your diseases. I am 49, and also have both type 2 diabetes and Chronic Pancreatitis. I was diagnosed with CP a year ago and I was in the same state of mind as you are now, until I realized that no one will change my life except me. If you want to quit smoking, just think of the consequences of cigarette and you will have enough energy and will power to stop. I was a smoker and use to drink alcohol almost every day. When I was told by the doctor of my disease and how my life would be shortened if I continue with the same lifestyle, I started to think of my children  and my responsibilities towards them. I went home and told my wife that today I will stop drinking and smoking. I threw all the packets of cigarettes which was in my house in the woods, and I took all the bottles of beers from the refrigirator and gave them all to my neighbour. I never turn back to start thinking of them and I did not feel any withdrawal syndrome whatsoever. This was because I was willing to do so. I had conditioned by mind to do so and I never turned back. I know not everyone is the same, but I a strong believer in self discipline. The second thing I did, I started to eat a healthy diet, e.g. more vegetables, fruits, and less rice, fatty foods, fries etc. The third thing, was excercise. I never use to do excercise before, but I started to walk every evening about 4 kilometres. Within 6 months I lost 9 kgs and my BMI was normal. The pancreatic pain subside and my diabetes was under control with only metformin pills 3 times a day. People look at me and said, I look 35 and have no sign of any diseases. But the problems are there, but under control. There is no cure for diabetes and Chronic pancreatis, but they are not your death penalty neither only if you live a healthy life. I have smoke, drunk alcohol and I believe I have done enough of those. Now, it's time to change and live a healthy life. Nothing is impossible in life, but you will need to make some sacrifice at first and then you will find everything become second nature with no wish to go backward with your life, especially when you see all the benefits after a few months.

This is my advice to you, as I have been in the same situation about a year ago. Concerning, the pain that you are having. I know not every CP patient have pain. some don't and some have severe pain and depend on pain killers. However, if you follow my advice, thre is a big chance that your pain will susbide after a few months. I wish you all the best and take care.

Norbert