Chronic Pancreatitis

[Guest guest]

Hey Patty -

My name is Tonya and I've been hanging around this group since July of 2000

when I first got real sick. Been through everything. Had my gall bladder out

in August of 2000. I have not been diagnosed w/CP as my labs have always been

normal. I too use to drink heavy before i got sick and i know that's what

caused this. I'm just wondering if your labs are always normal now and do u

suffer from any back pain with all this? Welcome to the group. There are so

many knowledgeable people here. You will learn alot

[Guest guest]

I am new to the group and thought I could get some feedback re: my

disease. I was admitted to the hospital March of 2003. I am a

recovering alcoholic who hadn't had a drink in over a year. I

suddenly awoke with the worst pain. I was admitted to the hospital

through the ER due to elevated amylase and lipase. I was diagnosed

with acute pancreatits.

I continued to have pain and diarrhea after every meal. I had

followed with the GI doctor and was scheduled right away for an

ERCP. To my suprise when I awoke I was told that I had Chronic

Pancreatitis. The exact term was " Probable advancing pancreatic

cirrohsis " . I decided to get a 2nd opinion by another GI doctor and

he said that I indeed had Chronic Pancreatitis and as far as

Pancreatic Cirrohsis he had never heard of the term. I was put on

amitriptyline, robinul, colestid, Lipram-cr10 (pancreatic enzymes).

I have accepted the fact of my disease and just delt with it and

continued on. I have done very well. Last Thursday I called my

husband to take me to the ER because I knew the pain I has was

another attack. I was admitted with the usual IV fluids, NPO, and

morphine. I did very well and was discharged the following night at

9:30pm because Insurance (HMO) would not let me stay. I felt good

for the next 2 day and again had the well known pain Monday night. I

was very frustrated this time with the ER doctor who said to

me... " Why do you think you are having a pancreatitis attack, your

enzymes are normal. (I've been told that enzyme tests are usually

normal with Chronic Pancreatitis.. My husband talked to the doctor

and told him to get my records from the other hospital. I was again

admitted for IV fluids and pain med.

I have been doing well. I'm trying to eat the low fat diet and avoid

spicey foods. I have been referred to a specialist at Jewish

Hospital in Lousiville, KY for ERCP therapy to have stents put in.

What I would like to know is how successful is ERCP therapy? I've

done some research on the internet about it and most info I've found

said it only is a temporary fix. I am debating on whether is it worth

going through. I am 35 and a mother of 4. Any advice would be

helpful.

Sincerely,

Patty Jensen,

Lousiville, Ky

[Guest guest]

> Hey Patty -

>

> My name is Tonya and I've been hanging around this group since July

of 2000

> when I first got real sick. Been through everything. Had my gall

bladder out

> in August of 2000. I have not been diagnosed w/CP as my labs have

always been

> normal. I too use to drink heavy before i got sick and i know

that's what

> caused this. I'm just wondering if your labs are always normal now

and do u

> suffer from any back pain with all this? Welcome to the group.

There are so

> many knowledgeable people here. You will learn alot

>

>

> Hi Tonya,

Before my 1st attack, 2 months prior I had my gallbladder removed

because it " didn't function " . My 1st pancreatitis attack I did have

elevated enzymes. I had done very well and this past Feb decided to

go out with friends and thought one drink won't hurt. I immediately

got severely sick. I had chest pain, vomiting, profuse sweating. I

knew from that day I could never have a drink again.

My last attack I had on August 28, 2003 was the same pain I had when

I had the 1st attack. My amylase and lipase test were normal. The

Er doctor admitted me for IV fluids and pain control. From what I

understand is that with CP your enzymes will be at a normal level. I

occasionaly have the acheyness in my rt upper shoulder but usually

when I have the pain it is more so in the center of my chest. I also

have the feeling of " something knotting " under my rib cage on the Rt.

side.

Take Care

Patty Jensen,

Louisville, KY