Pancreatectomy & Islet Transplant

December 6, 2002

From what I am reading - it sounds as though if one is considering getting

the Islet Transplant that it should be done early on in the disease to ensure

a better outcome (less chance of other organs being affected and chance of

less pain afterward). Do there seem to be any trends regarding what type of

pancreas diagnosis responds better to the Islet Transplant than another?

Also, a comment on alcohol causing pancreatitis. I would think the primary

problem with the pancreas is not alcohol related - but that the pancreas is

probably already under stress or weak and the alcohol just exacerbates the

problem. When I had my first pancreas attack (no alcohol) (Dec 20/01)- I

didn't know what it was and didn't go to the ER -later we were visiting our

son in Fla and it was New Years - we had wine with dinner for at least two

nights and I had two mild episodes of pain. Then in Feb my sister was coming

for a visit and again I had a glass of wine - within an hour I had an attack

- but it lasted about 4 hours didn't know what it was. I had visited my

doctor's office and had told her (a NP) about my attack and told her I drank

a glass of wine and had this attack - was I allergic to wine or what. She had

no clue and we were doing all of these tests to rule out gallbladder. By

then, I had already started having constant pain under the left breast like

it was my heart. It felt like a butterfly in there fluttering all the time. I

even ask for a Stress Test because I thought it was my heart. Then in April

we had an open house and I had a glass of beer (because I thought I was

allergic to wine)- three days later I had another attack and went to ER -

finally diagnosed me with Acute Pancreatitis. Of course now I feel terrible

thinking I was killing myself and didn't know it - I am totally freaked out

that I even drank anything. But the last GI I saw said you have to really

drink a lot for it to be the primary cause of pancreatitis. I think my

pancreas has been in bad shape for some time and the glass of wine just put

it over the edge. Had my gallbladder out (very little stones) about 6 week

post-op I had an attack after helping my husband seal our deck (I am sure I

overdid it and it certainly wasn't from alcohol) now the pain is pretty much

constant and moves around all the time.

I have no diagnosis as my CT scans and all other tests are fine - but I am

thinking about the Islet Transplant and would like to do it early into the

disease before too much damage is done.

Debbie in Mich

December 6, 2002

Whoa Debbie,

Slow down a little, if alcohol is a problem then stop. This is a developing

disease, and you need to minimize the input to the problems, go to a low fat,

high complex carbohydrate diet, drink lots of water and see where you stand.

it may take days, or weeks, or even months. Stay with this board, test your

feelings, your symptoms, your doctors results. We are all here for you. But,

slow down and let things come to rest.

There are possibly complex problems ahead so slow down a little. Have a baked

potato no butter or sour cream, just a potato, you will feel better soon

best wishes, poncho - GA

December 6, 2002

Well Said Poncho!!!!

Debbie,

Take it from someone who had this surgery done on October 7,2002

DO NOT RUSH INTO IT!!!! I have alcoholic pancreatitis (had) from

years of drinking very heavily without ever purging my system...in

other words I never drank water or much but alcohol and soda pop. In

my case, had I Not gotten the surgery done there is the very real

chance that I could be dead or close to right now but that Does Not

mean I am an Advocate for this procedure. This is very major surgery

and I am still having pains but not from the pancreatic area. I've

had 3 CT's and # MRI's done since my surgery and the Dr's can find no

other organ damage that would be causing my present pain. My spleen,

gallbladder and appendix were also taken out.

There are several people who have had this surgical procedure done

when it was last resort or close there to. You need to decide what is

best for your course of treatment. Lay off all alcohol, drink plenty

of water, eat a low fat diet and try to exercise regularly. If you

have Acute and it hasn't turned into chronic there is a very good

chance you can prevent your pancreas from being further diseased.

I have a different opinion of the Dr in MN who is famous for this

surgery as I was sent home very sick (2000 miles) to " Let YOUR

DOCTORS GET YOU WELL. " It wound up costing me $10,000.00 more (out of

pocket) because he wouldn't keep me in the hospital and give me TPN

feedings.

Again, this is a personal decision.

Peace,

> Whoa Debbie,

> Slow down a little, if alcohol is a problem then stop. This is a

developing

> disease, and you need to minimize the input to the problems, go to

a low fat,

> high complex carbohydrate diet, drink lots of water and see where

you stand.

> it may take days, or weeks, or even months. Stay with this board,

test your

> feelings, your symptoms, your doctors results. We are all here for

you. But,

> slow down and let things come to rest.

> There are possibly complex problems ahead so slow down a little.

Have a baked

> potato no butter or sour cream, just a potato, you will feel better

soon

> best wishes, poncho - GA

>

December 6, 2002