Re: Progressive pancreatitis - Patty

[Guest guest]

Dear Patty,

It's difficult to say how advanced your pancreatitis is without

doing an ERCP or CT-scan. The progression of your disease

SHOULD be evident in one of these tests, provided that they are

done by a competent radiology specialist. I say this because I've

known of people, myself included, who have had one of these

procedures done and had them come back with the radiologist

saying there was no damage, then having the procedures

repeated at another facility and getting films back that showed

EXTENSE damage. It's sad that there could be such

descrepancies in such an important diagnostic procedure, but it

happens.

I'm glad your back on the right enzymes. I've learned by trial and

error that some work better for some people than others. Some

will cause additional cramping and gas, when another type

works perfectly.

Kimber was right about the amylase and lipase levels being

normal or low during an attack. This is specially common with

more advanced cases of pancretitis, where there are so few

enzymes functioning that they don't even elevate anymore.

Unfortunately, poorly educated doctors who aren't actively

working with pancreas patients on a daily basis still aren't

educated to this fact. If I could pick out one complaint that we

hear most frequently on this website, it would be " the doctor said

I can't be having pancreatitis pain or a pancreatitis attack

because my amylase and lipase levels weren't elevated " . BULL!

Most of us with advanced CP and the doctors who are really

specializing in CP all know elevated A & L levels are NOT a

proper indicator of an attack.

Are you taking additional vitamins and antioxidants to combat

your fatigue? Fatigue is a common problem with this disease,

and many of us take a lot of additional vitamin and antioxidant

supplements to help fight this.

Never having need for a stent, I'm not able to give you any advice

on this. I know they've helped many people, and not done any

difference for others. Hopefully some of our members who have

had them put in will speak up and tell you about their successes,

or failures.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

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

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

" What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters

compared to what lies within us. " - Ralph Waldo Emerson