update...

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to update everyone on what has been going on with me...

On Thursday, April 10, 03, I had my colonoscopy. The specialist

said that he didn't find anything and that my colon looked healthy.

So now it's back to my MD on Tuesday, April 15, 03.

When I go back to my MD on Tuesday, I will be bringing him a print

out of the email that I sent to Dr. Sutherland (found him in

the Doctor Database) and his reply.

I wrote to Dr. Sutherland about my pain and that I have had

constant pain for two months with only a two week break, and that I

really like my MD but that I am beginning to feel like a guinea pig.

I also told him about all the different pain meds. that I have tried

and how they don't do much of anything for the pain (even my newest

pain med. ( Demerol Tablets 50 mg.- take 2 every 4 hours)).

Dr. Sutherland replied, and very promptly. He said to me in his

email that Chronic Pancreatitis is a difficult disease to treat and

that narcotic analgesics can only be for the short term. He went on

to say that if I am having pain that requires continiuos use of

analgesics, that I more than likely need an operation to relieve this

pain. He said that I more than likely need a pancreatectomy, however

he couldn't tell me without seeing me if I would need a partial or

total pancreatectomy.

He also stated that that he would be happy to review my medical

records and that he would be happy to talk to my MD if my MD wanted

to call him. He also said that I could make an appointment with him

and he gave me the phone number to make an appointment.

While this is all good news, there is a catch... My insurance

won't pay for me to go to the University of Minnesota without a

referral from my MD. Therefore, as I stated above, I am going to

take a print out to my MD of the email I sent and the email I

received and see what he thinks. Wish me luck!!!

I hope you are all in a lot less pain than I am....

Louise ()