Guest guest Posted August 16, 2002 Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 Karyn, I am so sorry for your hurt, like I am for all in this group. I read that you had the distal pancreatectomy. Can you tell me about that procedure. I am facing the proabability of this surgery in October, and I am wanting to find out details - pain associated with the incision, recovery time, etc. My doctor does not want to do this, but the stricture in my already dialated duct is probably too tight to do the Puestow as he had intended to do. Did you already have diabetes before the surgery, or did you develop them as a result. I do not have diabetes now, so I worried. Any information you can give me, I would greatly appeciate it. My thoughts and prayers are with you - and all on this Board!! Praying for pain free days for all, KarynWms@... wrote:From: Chuck Sullivan <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pancreatitis/post?protectID=2190150440982211\ 35090199186101147223078143057046167121181chuck@...> Date: Tue Aug 13, 2002 11:14pm Subject: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pancreatitis/message/34481?expand=1 " >Re: New with questions Kimber >>> I am end-stage as well .....the mythical burnout occur... theoretically the pancreas will stop hurting upon finally reaching burnout .....end-stage comes when .. the deterioration of your pancreas has progressed ... where it will remain inflamed until " burnout " or removal. ...We all know we can stop the pain by the surgical removal of our pancreas but the price for many of us is just too high. ....Chuck<<< I also belong to the End Stage Pancreatitis League. Actually, I first went to the Emergency Room 8/4/99, was diagnosed with Idiopathic Calcific Chronic Pancreatitis, and had a Distal Pancreatectomy 9/14/99. Following the surgery, the Surgeon said I was already End Stage. I was fortunate that I was spared the 10 to 15 years of attacks between the time I probably developed it from a rough Cholecystectomy, where they removed my gallbladder and stones from my pancreatic ducts. In retrospect, of course, there are now definable Pancreatitis related symptoms that I can now recall. I was told that my pancreas was nearing burn out, the point to where such severe calcification has occurred that the pancreas would then be atrophied and nonfunctional. The Surgeon and Gastroenterologist told me that once this occurred, I would have no pancreatic tissue to be subjected to the autodigestion caused by caustic action of the enzymes. Within a month most of my islet cells had been damaged and I had developed insulin dependent Diabetes. I was fortunate to find an excellent Pain Management Physician. He understood the pathophysiology of chronic pain as well as the complex treatment. I learned a lot about the pharmacological component of pain management, drug interactions, dose spacing, and the interrelationship of complementary therapies. He explained why there was probably a misunderstanding about the relationship of pancreatic burnout and pain. Historically, doctors used the analogy of a tooth abscess. If you have ever had a cavity or tooth abscess, you know that it can be painful, however, left untreated, it eventually quits hurting because the nerve itself is dead. He was a proponent of aggressive early surgical Pancreatectomy and Islet Cell Transplant. He explained that the calcification and damage caused from the caustic enzymatic pancreatic juices is not limited to the pancreas. The organs surrounding the pancreas are all at risk for injury which can result in chronic neurological pain as well. Not only is extended pain a consideration, but functional damage can be a concern. When my disease was at its worse, the doctors were concerned about a diagnosis of Multi-System Organ Failure. It was explained that the Total Pancreatectomy is sometimes done for pain relief, even after the probability of obtaining Islet Cells. This wasn't an option for me becasue I was already showing signs of surrounbding tissue damage. Even if the pancreas was removed I would still contend with daily pain. Like Chuck, I can never give up hope. Karyn , RN Founder / President http://www.pancassociation.org KarynWms@.../ Pancreatitis Association International Many People, Many Faces, One Voice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2002 Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 Karyn, I am so sorry for your hurt, like I am for all in this group. I read that you had the distal pancreatectomy. Can you tell me about that procedure. I am facing the proabability of this surgery in October, and I am wanting to find out details - pain associated with the incision, recovery time, etc. My doctor does not want to do this, but the stricture in my already dialated duct is probably too tight to do the Puestow as he had intended to do. Did you already have diabetes before the surgery, or did you develop them as a result. I do not have diabetes now, so I worried. Any information you can give me, I would greatly appeciate it. My thoughts and prayers are with you - and all on this Board!! Praying for pain free days for all, KarynWms@... wrote:From: Chuck Sullivan <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pancreatitis/post?protectID=2190150440982211\ 35090199186101147223078143057046167121181chuck@...> Date: Tue Aug 13, 2002 11:14pm Subject: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pancreatitis/message/34481?expand=1 " >Re: New with questions Kimber >>> I am end-stage as well .....the mythical burnout occur... theoretically the pancreas will stop hurting upon finally reaching burnout .....end-stage comes when .. the deterioration of your pancreas has progressed ... where it will remain inflamed until " burnout " or removal. ...We all know we can stop the pain by the surgical removal of our pancreas but the price for many of us is just too high. ....Chuck<<< I also belong to the End Stage Pancreatitis League. Actually, I first went to the Emergency Room 8/4/99, was diagnosed with Idiopathic Calcific Chronic Pancreatitis, and had a Distal Pancreatectomy 9/14/99. Following the surgery, the Surgeon said I was already End Stage. I was fortunate that I was spared the 10 to 15 years of attacks between the time I probably developed it from a rough Cholecystectomy, where they removed my gallbladder and stones from my pancreatic ducts. In retrospect, of course, there are now definable Pancreatitis related symptoms that I can now recall. I was told that my pancreas was nearing burn out, the point to where such severe calcification has occurred that the pancreas would then be atrophied and nonfunctional. The Surgeon and Gastroenterologist told me that once this occurred, I would have no pancreatic tissue to be subjected to the autodigestion caused by caustic action of the enzymes. Within a month most of my islet cells had been damaged and I had developed insulin dependent Diabetes. I was fortunate to find an excellent Pain Management Physician. He understood the pathophysiology of chronic pain as well as the complex treatment. I learned a lot about the pharmacological component of pain management, drug interactions, dose spacing, and the interrelationship of complementary therapies. He explained why there was probably a misunderstanding about the relationship of pancreatic burnout and pain. Historically, doctors used the analogy of a tooth abscess. If you have ever had a cavity or tooth abscess, you know that it can be painful, however, left untreated, it eventually quits hurting because the nerve itself is dead. He was a proponent of aggressive early surgical Pancreatectomy and Islet Cell Transplant. He explained that the calcification and damage caused from the caustic enzymatic pancreatic juices is not limited to the pancreas. The organs surrounding the pancreas are all at risk for injury which can result in chronic neurological pain as well. Not only is extended pain a consideration, but functional damage can be a concern. When my disease was at its worse, the doctors were concerned about a diagnosis of Multi-System Organ Failure. It was explained that the Total Pancreatectomy is sometimes done for pain relief, even after the probability of obtaining Islet Cells. This wasn't an option for me becasue I was already showing signs of surrounbding tissue damage. Even if the pancreas was removed I would still contend with daily pain. Like Chuck, I can never give up hope. Karyn , RN Founder / President http://www.pancassociation.org KarynWms@.../ Pancreatitis Association International Many People, Many Faces, One Voice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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