Re: pancreas issues

[Guest guest]

Ahhhh, now I see that there is a special group for pancreatitis?? I had not

been able to locate one. Jodi is this the one where they talk mainly about

taking medicine? I just cannot be the only seriously pancreas-impaired person

who is treating myself by a special diet rather than the pain medication that

some people around me were recommending when I had my last bad attack.

If my system cannot absorb or metabolize many foods, why would I believe that it

could absorb and distribute oral medication? I am not ready for IVs!

I will look into that list, since I seem to unwittingly post out of bounds here.

;-)

Ann

>

> Jodi

>

> Not to worry you too much, but the people in the SOD/CP group I'm in who have

more of the chronic pancreatitis issue than the SOD issue, tend to need pain

management 24/7. Reading all their emails has made me feel extremely lucky to

only experience pain after I eat, and being on SCD has helped me keep that RUQ

and back pain minimal most of the time. From what I have read, pancreas

malfunctions are very painful.

>

> By the way, the few people in that group who have needed their pancreas

removed completely report that they do so much better afterwards, that their

pain levels disappear after recovery from the surgery.

>

> The only question I can think of would be whether you might need an EUS and/or

ERCP and/or MRCP-S to better assess the state of your pancreas and Sphincter of

Oddi and bile ducts. If your doctor suggests an EUS or ERCP, make sure that

whomever performs the procedure is very experienced, particularly with

pancreatic issues.

>

> My gastroenterologist is an ERCP specialist, performed hundreds if not

thousands of the procedure. But he won't go into the pancreatic duct; he sends

his patients that need that kind of examination to a pancreatic specialist in

Indiana or Minnesota.

>

> Glad the pineapple juice and lemon juice are helping.

>

> Will be thinking of you tomorrow at your doctor's office. Hope all goes well,

and you get some helpful suggestions and options.

>

> Kim M.

>

[Guest guest]

Ann,

Kim M has been an invaluable mentor of mine teaching me how to learn my body and

figure out what's wrong.

I have been sick with no remission for many years so it ain't just normal wear

and tear.

The group Kim M is referring to deals mostly with Chronic Pancreatitis and

Sphincter of the Oddi issues.

IMO, most people there are looking for support and help to decipher medical

tests and how to proceed with odd symptoms, which docs to see, meds to take...

etc. The Moderator there used to be an RN (she has CP) and she is incredibly

knowledgeable. My perspective is they aren't big on diet over there.. Kim M

could of course correct me if she feels I am wrong.. or like add anything..

People are quite debilitated over there and super super sick, so many are on

pain meds long term etc.

Pre- ileocolic resection surgery I think a lot of stress was put on my upper GI.

Now, slowly it is doing better but there are still triggers. I am also

sensitive to meds but when I had my alleged pancreatitis attack all I wanted was

for them to knock me out- I couldn't stop puking green bile. They still don't

know for sure what happened to me as the ER didn't order enough blood work. It

was excruciatingly painful (I hallucinated and lost consciousness) and sadly

after my first attack a couple of days later I ate lamb (I'm such an idiot) so I

had a subsequent attack. I was over seas at the time.. still, shoulda used

better judgment.

Post surgery now, I can eat lamb once a week with no problems.

Anyway, I know you feel your posts are out of bounds but I am fascinated by your

kitchen adventures and I am sure some others are too. I think you should just

preface posts as being advanced. Maybe Marilyn or someone else has a different

suggestion so people won't be confused?

Jodi