Re: Colonoscopy and Endoscopy

[Guest guest]

Dear Betty:

Welcome to the group! You need to know that your situation is

quite " normal " if thats the correct word! We have all been through

either the " I am an alcoholic, or drug user or just plain neurotic "

phases in our disease. That is the usual course cruel as it seems.

One thing you wrote put up a big red flag in front of me. That was

the fact that you are on Lipitor. Did you have this attack before

you were on Lipitor or any attacks before you started taking

Lipitor. The reason I say that is because Lipitor can cause

pancreatitis as well as high cholesterol and high triglycerides! I

am quite sure the doc did not tell you that though did he? Also,

having your gallbladder out sometimes will cause pancreatitis. I

know where I live, the " ambulance chasing " lawyers have adds out

everywhere, paper, TV, newspaper, etc. asking for folks who take

Lipitor so they can find out if they have a reason to sue these

docs! I don't know that I agree with their methods, but that should

tell you something about that drug.

One easy way to get info on that is type in on the Yahoo main web

site, " pancreatitis caused by Lipitor " and see what it says.

Again, welcome to this group. I am sorry for the reason but glad you

are here!

Take care

Kaye Fortenberry

kfortenb@...

North Carolina Chapter Representative

Pancreatitis Association International

- In pancreatitis@y..., dbcarpenter49@a... wrote:

> I finally got in to see a specialist regarding my hospitalization

in

> September for pancreatitis. This is all new to me so

> the 'investigation process' is just starting. The doctor told me

> that she suspects it is chronic as opposed to acute.

>

> The doctor told me I would be out and not feel anything for these

two

> procedures (they will do both on the same visit). I dread the

tests

> (just nervous about them..reverting back to childhood!), but that

is

> not my real question since I'm counting on being out and not

knowing

> what's going on.

>

> I have been treated from the emergency room to the specialist like

I

> am an alcholic and just not admitting it. The only one who has

> seemed to believe me (outside my family and friends) is my primary

> care physician, who knows that I am also diabetic and I was

> controling that (before this happened - now I am eating about 10

> grams of fat a day, probably about the same for sugar, have lost 10

> lbs in three weeks and my sugar is running around 250 after I eat

> basically nothing). I admit (to all) that I have had an occasional

> drink, glass of wine, etc. over the years, but have never been an

> excessive drinker. It seems that when I tell them I do not drink

in

> excess, they just tell me, " well, that's what causes this

> disease " ...which I read as, " I don't care what you say, you ARE an

> alcholic " . This is very frustrating. If I (or anyone else who

knows

> me well) am totally convinced that this has not been caused by

> excessive drinking, what else could have caused it? I have already

> had my gall bladder removed, which also removed the idea that it

> could be caused by gallstones. I do also have high cholesteral and

> have been on Lipidor for that for 3 years. Anyone have a similiar

> story?

>

> Has anyone else gotten this response?

>

> Thanks,

> Betty

[Guest guest]

Dear Betty,

Most unfortunately, the reaction that a person who has pancreatitis

has to be an alcoholic seems to be a knee-jerk reaction held by many,

and not just those in the medical professions. Because alcoholism

and gallstones do rank as the top major causes of this disease, it is

difficult for many people to consider the other causes. I think you

will find a large majority of the people in this group have

experienced the same reactions and remarks from others as you have,

and many who don't drink at all, and never have. We have children in

the group, they certainly aren't alcoholics! I know a woman who got

it as a result of having to take antibiotics over a long period of

time for a severe infection caused by an abcessed tooth!

If you click on the " Files " section on the left, and open the second

file listed, " Gastro-Chap. 12 " , on the first page it lists all the

known causes for pancreatitis in Table 3. You need to have your

doctor do all tests and bloodwork necessary to explore these other

possibilities.....to eliminate, or find, other causes. An acute

pancreatitis attack can cause chronic pancreatitis, but that is not

the only cause. Educate yourself the best you can to deal with the

skeptics, and keep searching for help.

I don't know what to tell you that would stop people from thinking

what they do. It's very very frustrating, yes, but you need to stand

up for yourself and get treatment, no matter what the " cause " ! It's

hard to change people's preconceived opinions and that should not

stand in the way of you receiving proper medical care and respect,

yet unfortunately it often does.

When are your colonoscopy and endoscopy scheduled? I think everybody

gets nervous about these, but have heard that they really aren't bad

at all, most people hardly remember much about the actual procedure.

I can't say this from experience, just from what I've read on the

many posts on this website.

Good luck with your procedures, and with the results. Let us know

what they find out, and please feel free to ask any questions you may

have about the " investigation process " . We're here to listen, and

help if we can.

Heidi in SC

-- In pancreatitis@y..., dbcarpenter49@a... wrote:

> I finally got in to see a specialist regarding my hospitalization

in

> September for pancreatitis. This is all new to me so

> the 'investigation process' is just starting. The doctor told me

> that she suspects it is chronic as opposed to acute.

>

> I have been treated from the emergency room to the specialist like

I

> am an alcholic and just not admitting it. The only one who has

> seemed to believe me (outside my family and friends) is my primary

> care physician, who knows that I am also diabetic and I was

> controling that (before this happened - now I am eating about 10

> grams of fat a day, probably about the same for sugar, have lost 10

> lbs in three weeks and my sugar is running around 250 after I eat

> basically nothing). It seems that when I tell them I do not drink

in

> excess, they just tell me, " well, that's what causes this

> disease " ...which I read as, " I don't care what you say, you ARE an

> alcholic " . This is very frustrating. If I (or anyone else who

knows

> me well) am totally convinced that this has not been caused by

> excessive drinking, what else could have caused it? Anyone have a

similiar

> story?

>

> Has anyone else gotten this response?

>

> Thanks,

> Betty

[Guest guest]

Betty,

This is az frustration we all have had to deal with. when being

discharged after my first attack over 5 years ago, the doctor took my wife in

the hall and told her that I could not drink. I didn't drink, at all. I

wasn't even a casual drinker at that point in my life. Many docs just assume

that if they can't find gaul stone your a drinker. Even though, it can be

caused by pancreatic divism, heredity, a virus, drug interactions, sphincter

of oddi dysfunction, scorpian bites, sludge made by the liver even if you

don't have you gaul bladder, Trauma to the abdomen, stricture and or disease

of the pancreatic and related ducts, or what is called idopathic where the

casue is unknown. I'm sure I may have left a few out. But most docs will just

assume your a heavy drinker. And even if you tell them you have a few drinks

with your friends on the weekends, bingo your a drunk. They make you feel

guilty for something that they are probably doing as well. This subject has

gone around many times. Hopefully you can find a doctor who is leval headed

and searching for the truth. I know you frustration, hang in there and try

not to let them intimidate you. Your paying them and they work for you. I

know easier said than done.

I'll keep you in my prayers,

Rob

[Guest guest]

Betty,

This is az frustration we all have had to deal with. when being

discharged after my first attack over 5 years ago, the doctor took my wife in

the hall and told her that I could not drink. I didn't drink, at all. I

wasn't even a casual drinker at that point in my life. Many docs just assume

that if they can't find gaul stone your a drinker. Even though, it can be

caused by pancreatic divism, heredity, a virus, drug interactions, sphincter

of oddi dysfunction, scorpian bites, sludge made by the liver even if you

don't have you gaul bladder, Trauma to the abdomen, stricture and or disease

of the pancreatic and related ducts, or what is called idopathic where the

casue is unknown. I'm sure I may have left a few out. But most docs will just

assume your a heavy drinker. And even if you tell them you have a few drinks

with your friends on the weekends, bingo your a drunk. They make you feel

guilty for something that they are probably doing as well. This subject has

gone around many times. Hopefully you can find a doctor who is leval headed

and searching for the truth. I know you frustration, hang in there and try

not to let them intimidate you. Your paying them and they work for you. I

know easier said than done.

I'll keep you in my prayers,

Rob

[Guest guest]

Dear Betty,

We haven't met, I've been taking a little break from posting.

I never drank,not even casually and I have chronic pancreatitis.

My gallbladder was also removed. It was diseased without stones.

I think my pancreas caused my gallbladder disease since my gallbladder

itself functioned better than normal,but was scarred on the outside,

as if some inflammation was attacking it.

I was finally diagnosed with sphincter of oddi dysfunction. The

pressure inside my ducts are too high and the ducts themselves were

very small also.

Hope this info helps,

Amy

> I finally got in to see a specialist regarding my hospitalization

in

> September for pancreatitis. This is all new to me so

> the 'investigation process' is just starting. The doctor told me

> that she suspects it is chronic as opposed to acute.

>

> The doctor told me I would be out and not feel anything for these

two

> procedures (they will do both on the same visit). I dread the

tests

> (just nervous about them..reverting back to childhood!), but that

is

> not my real question since I'm counting on being out and not

knowing

> what's going on.

>

> I have been treated from the emergency room to the specialist like

I

> am an alcholic and just not admitting it. The only one who has

> seemed to believe me (outside my family and friends) is my primary

> care physician, who knows that I am also diabetic and I was

> controling that (before this happened - now I am eating about 10

> grams of fat a day, probably about the same for sugar, have lost 10

> lbs in three weeks and my sugar is running around 250 after I eat

> basically nothing). I admit (to all) that I have had an occasional

> drink, glass of wine, etc. over the years, but have never been an

> excessive drinker. It seems that when I tell them I do not drink

in

> excess, they just tell me, " well, that's what causes this

> disease " ...which I read as, " I don't care what you say, you ARE an

> alcholic " . This is very frustrating. If I (or anyone else who

knows

> me well) am totally convinced that this has not been caused by

> excessive drinking, what else could have caused it? I have already

> had my gall bladder removed, which also removed the idea that it

> could be caused by gallstones. I do also have high cholesteral and

> have been on Lipidor for that for 3 years. Anyone have a similiar

> story?

>

> Has anyone else gotten this response?

>

> Thanks,

> Betty

[Guest guest]

-Betty,

Like Amy I have not met you, and have never drank. Not even a little.

My father did enough for all of us, and that is what killed him. I

hav ea habit that when I explain what I have I quickly state it was

not caused by drinking. I to have SOD with very high pressure. I had

a nonfunctioning gallbladder removed and that was the beginning of

all my problems.Maybe you should explain to the doc. what can cause

this besides booze.

Cheryl

-- In pancreatitis@y..., AMSB1986@A... wrote:

> Dear Betty,

> We haven't met, I've been taking a little break from posting.

> I never drank,not even casually and I have chronic pancreatitis.

> My gallbladder was also removed. It was diseased without stones.

> I think my pancreas caused my gallbladder disease since my

gallbladder

> itself functioned better than normal,but was scarred on the outside,

> as if some inflammation was attacking it.

> I was finally diagnosed with sphincter of oddi dysfunction. The

> pressure inside my ducts are too high and the ducts themselves were

> very small also.

> Hope this info helps,

> Amy

>

>

>

>

> > I finally got in to see a specialist regarding my hospitalization

> in

> > September for pancreatitis. This is all new to me so

> > the 'investigation process' is just starting. The doctor told me

> > that she suspects it is chronic as opposed to acute.

> >

> > The doctor told me I would be out and not feel anything for these

> two

> > procedures (they will do both on the same visit). I dread the

> tests

> > (just nervous about them..reverting back to childhood!), but that

> is

> > not my real question since I'm counting on being out and not

> knowing

> > what's going on.

> >

> > I have been treated from the emergency room to the specialist

like

> I

> > am an alcholic and just not admitting it. The only one who has

> > seemed to believe me (outside my family and friends) is my

primary

> > care physician, who knows that I am also diabetic and I was

> > controling that (before this happened - now I am eating about 10

> > grams of fat a day, probably about the same for sugar, have lost

10

> > lbs in three weeks and my sugar is running around 250 after I eat

> > basically nothing). I admit (to all) that I have had an

occasional

> > drink, glass of wine, etc. over the years, but have never been an

> > excessive drinker. It seems that when I tell them I do not drink

> in

> > excess, they just tell me, " well, that's what causes this

> > disease " ...which I read as, " I don't care what you say, you ARE

an

> > alcholic " . This is very frustrating. If I (or anyone else who

> knows

> > me well) am totally convinced that this has not been caused by

> > excessive drinking, what else could have caused it? I have

already

> > had my gall bladder removed, which also removed the idea that it

> > could be caused by gallstones. I do also have high cholesteral

and

> > have been on Lipidor for that for 3 years. Anyone have a

similiar

> > story?

> >

> > Has anyone else gotten this response?

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Betty

[Guest guest]

Hey Amy,

My name is Tonya and I just read where you have been diagnosed w/SOD. I had

my gall bladder removed in August of 2000 after getting very ill in July. It

took them over a month to find the problem as my first test was an ultrasound

and it showed completely normal. Finally, in august I had the HIDA scan

which showed my gall bladder functioning at 0%. Immediately was sent to a

surgeon and had it removed. I'm not near as sick as i was then but still

have cronic pain. Lost my job in March of this year due to all of this and

I'm about to lose my hubby also. In January, i went to see a new GI. He

believes my problem is SOD. He did do a ERCP and cut my biliary duct. The

cronic pain I was experiencing did ease up alot on my right side but I

continue w/my left sided chest and back pain along with the loose oily

stools. I asked him about my pancreatic duct being involved also but he

believes its not a problem since all labs or normal and refuses to cut or

even look at the pancreas. When having the ERCP, he didn't mess with the

pancreatic duct at all. Everything is always normal. I'm at my wits end

here and suffer EVERY single day. Can barely take care of my kids. I live

in AR and see where you know of a doc in Texas. I may check him out. I've

thought about heading to see Dr. Lehman but since I can't work we are really,

really low on money right now.

Can you tell me if your labs where also normal and what was the key to them

determining that the pan duct was the problem AND how do you control it? I

mean are you pain free?

Sorry for all the questions,

Tonya

[Guest guest]

Hey Amy,

My name is Tonya and I just read where you have been diagnosed w/SOD. I had

my gall bladder removed in August of 2000 after getting very ill in July. It

took them over a month to find the problem as my first test was an ultrasound

and it showed completely normal. Finally, in august I had the HIDA scan

which showed my gall bladder functioning at 0%. Immediately was sent to a

surgeon and had it removed. I'm not near as sick as i was then but still

have cronic pain. Lost my job in March of this year due to all of this and

I'm about to lose my hubby also. In January, i went to see a new GI. He

believes my problem is SOD. He did do a ERCP and cut my biliary duct. The

cronic pain I was experiencing did ease up alot on my right side but I

continue w/my left sided chest and back pain along with the loose oily

stools. I asked him about my pancreatic duct being involved also but he

believes its not a problem since all labs or normal and refuses to cut or

even look at the pancreas. When having the ERCP, he didn't mess with the

pancreatic duct at all. Everything is always normal. I'm at my wits end

here and suffer EVERY single day. Can barely take care of my kids. I live

in AR and see where you know of a doc in Texas. I may check him out. I've

thought about heading to see Dr. Lehman but since I can't work we are really,

really low on money right now.

Can you tell me if your labs where also normal and what was the key to them

determining that the pan duct was the problem AND how do you control it? I

mean are you pain free?

Sorry for all the questions,

Tonya

[Guest guest]

Oh yea Amy,

I also wanted to mention that I really feel like it was my pancreas causing

the problems with my gall bladder as it also was very diseased and inflamed.

I was in surgery for over 3 hours to have it removed cause of the scar tissue

and inflamation. And when I did have the HIDA scan, it showed indications

of acute and cronic gall bladder disease w/o stones. Which to me means I was

having a dang acute attack for over a month before the problem was found.

You would think that the docs would know by that the reason I'm still hurting

but they all act as if I'm crazy. Also, the GI that performed the ERCP does

not perform the monametry to check the pressures as he feels he is not

experienced enough to perform such a procedure.

Take care,

Tonya

[Guest guest]

Oh yea Amy,

I also wanted to mention that I really feel like it was my pancreas causing

the problems with my gall bladder as it also was very diseased and inflamed.

I was in surgery for over 3 hours to have it removed cause of the scar tissue

and inflamation. And when I did have the HIDA scan, it showed indications

of acute and cronic gall bladder disease w/o stones. Which to me means I was

having a dang acute attack for over a month before the problem was found.

You would think that the docs would know by that the reason I'm still hurting

but they all act as if I'm crazy. Also, the GI that performed the ERCP does

not perform the monametry to check the pressures as he feels he is not

experienced enough to perform such a procedure.

Take care,

Tonya

[Guest guest]

> Hey Amy,

>

In January, i went to see a new GI. He

> believes my problem is SOD. He did do a ERCP and cut my biliary

duct. The

> cronic pain I was experiencing did ease up alot on my right side

but I

> continue w/my left sided chest and back pain along with the loose

oily

> stools

Dear Tonya,

When the surgeon cut your biliary duct, did he do a billiary duct

reconstruction? I had one done and now they can't even maneuver the

guidewire through the pancreas because everything is in the wrong

place. I was just wondering if you had the same experience.

[Guest guest]

> Hey Amy,

>

In January, i went to see a new GI. He

> believes my problem is SOD. He did do a ERCP and cut my biliary

duct. The

> cronic pain I was experiencing did ease up alot on my right side

but I

> continue w/my left sided chest and back pain along with the loose

oily

> stools

Dear Tonya,

When the surgeon cut your biliary duct, did he do a billiary duct

reconstruction? I had one done and now they can't even maneuver the

guidewire through the pancreas because everything is in the wrong

place. I was just wondering if you had the same experience.