Pancreatitis
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello. I wish you all strength in coping with this condition. From experience I know it is not easy dealing with pancreatitis but I encourage you to keep on keeping on. I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis in 2017 and back then it almost sounded like the death knoll to me. Over here in Ghana it almost goes undiagnosed. I think I was lucky to find a doctor who knew about it though he scared me stiff after the diagnosis. I went to the hospital with what I thought was an excruciating stomach ache. I was hospitalized for three days and pumped full of pain killers and antibiotics. On discharge the doctor sent me off with an order to go for tests to which I complied. It was on my return with the results that I first heard of pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis the doctor said I had. He added I had 50/50 chance of survival if I ever had an attack again. This is what scared me most. He gave me information about steering clear of fatty food, alcohol, etc. I went home with more pain killers, antibiotics and a prayer for my soul's safe passage from this world. I was desperate to try anything that could bring me relief. A friend of mine whose understanding was that I had stomach ache offered help. He said his father had had stomach problems and was prescribed a local brew of herbs and water. Off I went with him to his village where the brew was prepared. Two weeks into using my pain receded and in about a month I found I could eat and just be as I used to be. It has been almost two years, I don't take creon or any other enzyme supplement and I am good. If I can find hope and I dare say even healing in this part of Africa where resources for pancreatitis patients are almost none-existing then there could be hope out there in the larger world. So keep on keeping on.
0 likes, 2 replies
vedawms Sankofa
Posted
it's great to hear that you are doing well, Sankofa. Access to proper care is a barrier for a lot of people, due to regional or financial limitations. I can only imagine the situation in Ghana.
I'd caution people against herbal remedies, only because every person responds differently. In some cases, the remedies contain supplements that can exacerbate blood clots or other conditions.
There are no "cures" to pancreatitis, but good living can certainly help. Staying in touch with a doctor who understands this disease is also key.
I do wish you all of the best, and please do keep us posted on your progress! Your encouragement is much appreciated.
Reefsider Sankofa
Posted
It's lovely to hear from you Sankofa and to hear that you're doing well. I do however agree with Vedawms regarding the importance of continuing to see the pancreatitis specialist. I only see my specialist once a year now, I have chronic pancreatitis too and I continue to manage it with the help of Creon.
As Vedawms said there's no cure and we need to ensure we don't provoke an attack so I hope at the least that you're not drinking alcohol now and monitor your diet a little. The unfortunate result of ignoring known triggers is an attack that might put you on a path of constant pain/attacks or even worse cause a life threatening attack.
My symptoms now are mild compared to many and I never forget how lucky I am not to be suffering badly and will continue following the 'rules' to hopefully slow down the progression of this disease.
Do take care and thank you for the update.