Introduction

[Guest guest]

Hello, my name is Debbie and I am new to this forum. I was DX with acute

Pancreatitis on April 23,02. This was my 4th attack as I had had previous

attacks starting in late Dec 01. I did drink socially on occasion but that

is all, as I suffer from migraines. They would last about 5 hours in duration

and then stop, so I didn't go to the ER as I thought it was my gallbladder or

something. Since April 23, I had CT scan of abdomen which showed nothing -

had ultrasound which showed some stones in the gallbladder so had it out.

Also had MRCP which showed no stones or blockage. Six weeks post gallbladder

surgery I started having some pain in the upper right quadrant which got a

little intense at one point and I went to ER to see if my pancreatic enzymes

were elevated - they were not. So, now I am on a cancellation list to see our

local Gi doctor. The pain did subside and I have occasional aching on and off

- but no pain meds as of yet and I have an appt w/my PCP's office next week

to discuss my situation. My PCP's office has other patients with

pancreatitis who they care for, but since my CT scan didn't show anything, I

suppose the only way they can find anything out is to do an ERCP which will

(from all of your emails I have read) will set off an attack and I will be

in worse shape than I am now. Is this correct? Does everyone get deathly ill

from this disease or can some people still function and work? Is this a death

sentence? I think that I would seriously seek out Dr. Sutherland once I got a

confirmed diagnosis if that is the case. It sounds as though I should find a

pancreas specialist in my area who I can get into sooner than the GI doctor

here. I live in , Michigan - 35 miles west of Ann Arbor. Does anyone

know any specialists in this area? I found a Dr. at Henry Ford Hospital

while on the internet who specializes in bile duct disease is that the same

as a pancreas specialist? Also, no one in my family has ever had anything

like this.

Thanks for listening.

Debbie