Re: HELP!! - Mom Battling Pancreatitis for 3 Months+

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/5/03 7:53:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

timrogers@... writes:

> They are NOT pancreatic specialists, but have great reputations (as

>

Hi,

Sorry for all of the problems your mother has had and is having. I would

suggest at least an immediate consultation with a GI specialist. There are

several

located in the Doctors building next to St. ph's hospital just inside

I285.

I would not expect a " quick " fix but to stop deterioration and maybe make a

little positive progress would be a great thing to see.

Stay on this board to ask questions, gain insight, and let us know how things

are going.

Best wishes

Poncho - GA

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry your mom is so sick! It sounds like she is suffering

from acute pancreatitis and is having a horrible time trying to get

back at least to some semblance of normal. Have the doctors not

suggested TPN....total parenteral nutrition? That is the white

stuff in a bag that goes thorugh your veins. They can do that at

home and it is less invasive than a feeding tube! Your mom CANNOT

eat obviously and these docs need to first do something about her

nutritional status or she iwll not get better.

You say you live near Atlanta. I live in Asheville, NC and I got my

best treatment when I was as sick as your mom at Medical University

of South Carolina, ton by Dr. Cotton. He is a world

renowned pancreatic and biliary specialist. If you can somehow get

her to MUSC to the Digestive Disease Center that may be her best

bet. Just because a doc is a GI doc doesn't make him a pancreatic

specialist. I would try and get in contact with them, they have a

referral number and if possible it would be to her advantage if they

will take her to have her transferred there even if she has to stay

in the hospital for a while.

If you want, you can E-mail me your phone number at

kfortenb@... with your name and I will call you and tell

you everything I know about getting her there or what to do.

Unfortunately what you are describing is all to common and it sounds

like she needs a higher level of care.

Please take care and let us or me know. I care

Kaye Fortenberry, Asheville, NC

[Guest guest]

Hi

I have been here . The best thing that they could do at this point is

put a jtube in this will allow here to regian some strenght and give

her pancreas a rest then when well enough it can be removed

It may alos be good to get your mum on antidepressants because all

this takes so much energy away from you

hope this helps

debs

[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry that your Mom (and therefore you and the rest fo your

family) is going through this. I live in Texas, so cannot help with

referrals, but I do want to encourage you to have the depression

angle checked quickly! I suffered from severe depression when I

first started having pancreas attacks, and my dr(who is a specilist,

and has been WONDERFUL) not only was happy to hear that I was on

Wellbutrin, but added a very mild dose of Elavil. These medications

not only treat the depression and anxiety that an attack can create,

but he said that the Elavil would help my Vicadin work more

effectively.

Have they given you mom any Phenagren (for nausea control), or

something like it? It comes in a suppository, not fun, but good if

you can't hold the pill down long enough.

I know the frustration level is very high at this point, but you've

definitely found the right place for answers, or even just to vent

when you need to. We understand, and are here for you.

Best wishes, and prayers.

Anne

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry to hear your mom is so ill from this terrible disease. I had my

first attack in april of 98 and i thought i was having a heart attack. I spent

five months in screaming pain till the ER would not treat me anymore. I

convinced my GI to refer me to the Medical Univ of South Carolina were I met a

very

compassionate Doctor that specialized in the Pancreas. His name is Dr.

Hawes. He found that I had Spincter of Oddi disfunction and my pressures

in

my pancreas were over 200.

I've had terrible pain episodes still to this day and they can not tell me

the problem.

I now live in Florida and will be going to Shands University hospital in

Gainsville, FL for a couple of test to see if I have Chronic Pancreatitis. One

test is called the secretin test were they place a tube scope through your

stomache to your pancreas and collect juices from you pancreas at 15 min

intervals

without sedation. Next I will have A EUS whicth they can take exray pictures

through the stomache to look at the pancreas.

Both Medical university of South Carolina and Shands University of Gainsville

have doctors that specialize in the pancreas. You seem to be fairly close to

both.

You have came to the right place for information and compasion.

regards,

Debbie