celiac plexus block and cp questions

[Guest guest]

I have a question regarding celiac plexus block and also when hospitalization is

warranted with cp.

I'm having a celiac plexus block done on Wednesday. Of course, the hope is that

it will help with the pain of CP and I will be able to eliminate or decrease the

amount of pain med needed. My questions are

Does the celiac plexus block do anything to help with the nausea?

If the block works and it blocks the pain of cp, how do you know if you are

having an attack that warrants medical attention?

That leads to my question on just what does warrant hospitalization with CP? I

was only diagnosed with CP in June when I went under the care of my wonderful

new GI/hepatologist. I was in the hospital when he was called in. Since then,

I've been hospitalized once for an acute attack. As usual, my amylase was

normal, but my lipase was elevated, so they admitted me for 4 days. I've been

to the ER three times in the last two weeks for episodes of pain, nausea, and

vomiting that was to the level that the oral meds were useless. One time I went

to my local hospital, so the lipase wasn't checked. The other two times I went

to ER at Crestwood (in the next town) and both my amylase and lipase were

normal. They gave me IV fluids to hydrate me and meds for pain and nausea and

then sent me on my way. Of course, when I leave the ER, I am always feeling

better because for the most part, the doctors that see me are generous in regard

to meds for pain and nausea. However, it often doesn't really take long before

things are bad again. I have tried sticking to only liquids after an episode.

Sometimes that seems to help, other times it doesn't. I've tried going to only

clear liquids when the pain escalates at home. I've avoided the ER on a few

occasions by doing that, but not always.

We all know that very often with CP, the panc enzymes are normal. Of course,

convincing an ER doctor of that is next to impossible. I'm just curious as to

how do I know when an episode of pain, nausea, and vomiting warrants being

admitted to the hospital and either being totally NPO or on clear liquids for a

few days?

Also, even though my pancreas and liver enzymes (I also have autoimmune liver

disease) have been normal with my last three ER visits, my wbc, total protein,

albumin, globulin, and calcium have been low. Those can go along with the liver

disease or be because of my diet.

OH, one more thing. I am having terrible problems with my belly just 'blowing

up'. It often gets the size of about a 5-7 month pregnant belly and just as

hard. I have resorted to wearing only pants with an elastic waste because I

cannot stand anything the least bit tight on my belly because it will increase

my pain and nausea. The blowing up can happen sometimes from just drinking

water. Other times, I can eat a full meal with no problems. This is all very

frustrating and I'm open to any suggestions that you guys may have.

thanks,

W

[Guest guest]

,

Good luck with the celiac plexis block. I hope it works for you.

I've considered it myself a couple times, and consulted a pain

managment specialist (anestheseologist) twice about it, but

backed out both times.

My doctor spoke of one just this week while I was in the hospital,

but he did NOT recommend it for me, he said he just hadn't seen

enough successes with the procedure to justify suggesting it for

me. Yet, for some, it is effective, and I hope you are one of the

lucky ones to get some relief from it.

As far as hospitalization goes, my personal approach to this has

changed now since this latest acute attack. Before, I would try to

stall off an attack by immediately going NPO for a few days and

laying low. In most instances, the attack would eventually

subside without hospitalization. But I've learned that by not going

to the ER and having this documented that I've endangered

myself more because of my pseudocysts. With me, any pain

that's severe enough that my oral meds won't cover it within a 12

hour period means that my pseudocysts are growing again, and

need immediate medical attention.

So for me, if I'm in pain, and a double dose of my oral Percocet

10 breakthrough med won't stop it, I'm off to the ER. If I notice

any nausea or diarrhea, I'd even consider going sooner. I don't

normally have any nausea or diarrhea problems, yet have found

that these precede each attack. Unfortunately, this time with this

last attack, it took three days to get from the intial pain strike in

Belize, C.A. to the ER in Savannah, Ga. Those three days of

travel were done in such excrutiating pain and discomfort that it's

hard to describe.

Everyone's different, but my personal approach to this now is that

if it's not controlled and fully subsided within 12 hours max., or if I

have any accompanying nausea or diarrhea, I will go to the ER

asap.

I used to have the bloating problems, too, but don't have any

stomach left to bloat that much....hahaha! I did notice that my

pants did feel too tight around the waist though, and kept myself

unbuckled, partially unzipped, with a blanket over my belly the

whole trip, wishing I'd packed a loose dress!!

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

I'm just curious as to how do I know when an episode of pain,

nausea, and vomiting warrants being admitted to the hospital

and either being totally NPO or on clear liquids for a few days?

OH, one more thing. I am having terrible problems with my belly

just 'blowing up'. It often gets the size of about a 5-7 month

pregnant belly and just as hard. This is all very frustrating and

I'm open to any suggestions that you guys may have.

W

[Guest guest]

I get that blowing up problem too. Unfortunately, I haven't found

anything to totally gets rid of it. Sometime a gasex or other gas

relieving pill will help, but not always. It might also be gastritis,

which they have medication for. Mine sometimes responds to the

medication (Reglan) and sometimes doesn't. Sometimes I just don't

understand the pancreas and it's strange reactions to things.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.