Re: pancreatitis and possible cirrhosis of the liver

[Guest guest]

Hello! Being new here I have so many questions. Yes, my doctor just

started me on pancrealipase a few weeks agao and I don't think it is

helping at all. My stomach swells so much that I look 6 months

pregnant. I stopped taking pain pills as of yesterday morning

because of the crap drs kept giving me. Oh you are gonna get

addicted. Now what? Just grin and bare the pain.

> I have go to the hospital a few times with elevated enzymes, I

> > am becoming very weak, I sleep all the time, and am starting to

> lose

> > weight. The doctors don't know what to do and I feel like my

> body is

> > starting to give up.

> > Kathy

>

> Kathy,

>

> I'm sorry to hear about your present condition. You've come to

> the right place to look for some advice and find a shoulder to

> lean on.....we have plenty of both.

>

> Your weight loss, fatique and weak feelings could be a sign of

> malnutrition/malabsorption. Are you taking enzyme

> supplements and some good vitamins? Pancreatic antioxidants

> might also be a great thing to try now. I was losing weight,

> always fatigued and feeling weak and lathargic before I started

> on a good vitamin and antioxidant regimen. Every day I would

> have to nap, and I lacked energy to do much of anything. Once I

> started on the enzymes, vitamins and antioxidants all that

> changed. I'm sleeping better at night and have enough energy to

> keep me going at a steady pace all day, and only feel the need to

> nap when I'm having a bad pancreatitis episode.

>

> Just thought I'd mention these things to you. You might give it

> some thought. I don't know much about liver problems, they

> could be causing some of this, too, but these may be some

> things you could check on and do, to help you feel better.

>

> With hope and prayers,

> Heidi

>

> Heidi H. Griffeth

> South Carolina

> hhessgriffeth@h...

> Southeastern Representative

> Pancreatitis Association, Intl.

> http://www.pancassociation.org/storieshome.html#Heidi

[Guest guest]

I've recently started taking antioxidants based on a study done in

England. It seems to help some, though I do still tire easily, I at

least have a little more energy.

> Kimber

As many of you older members already know, I also take the

antioxidants mentioned in the link that Kimber furnished. I also

have several research articles and pages of information on the

benefits of this therapy that I would be happy to post for any of the

newer members that would be interested.

I am still researching pancreatic cancer and the benefits of

antioxidants as a preventative therapy. There is a lot of

information to go through....! It appears the results of the

pancreatic cancer/antioxidant study at the Hutchinson Cancer

Research facility have not yet been published. I will continue

checking on this.

To add a note to the information Kimber just sent about

pancreatic cancer, while smoking is surely the highest known

risk for this cancer, studies also show that people who are

overweight are more at risk.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

hhessgriffeth@...

Southeastern Representative

Pancreatitis Association, Intl.

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I am so sorry to hear of your illnesses and hope that you will soon have the

answers you need. In the meantime, we are here. Its a terrible way to meet,

but I am glad you have found the forum... there is so much information here and

I know from experience that the people here care about one another... its like a

family to me.

I hope that we can be of help to you both in the emotional and physical areas

that you need us for. There is a lot of good information in the posts so just

start reading or do a search of the posts... you'll find what you are looking

for and if you don't...just ask, I'm sure someone here will give you an answer!

Take Care Kathy... {{{HUGZ}}} WELCOME!!!

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I am so sorry to hear of your illnesses and hope that you will soon have the

answers you need. In the meantime, we are here. Its a terrible way to meet,

but I am glad you have found the forum... there is so much information here and

I know from experience that the people here care about one another... its like a

family to me.

I hope that we can be of help to you both in the emotional and physical areas

that you need us for. There is a lot of good information in the posts so just

start reading or do a search of the posts... you'll find what you are looking

for and if you don't...just ask, I'm sure someone here will give you an answer!

Take Care Kathy... {{{HUGZ}}} WELCOME!!!

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I am so sorry to hear of your illnesses and hope that you will soon have the

answers you need. In the meantime, we are here. Its a terrible way to meet,

but I am glad you have found the forum... there is so much information here and

I know from experience that the people here care about one another... its like a

family to me.

I hope that we can be of help to you both in the emotional and physical areas

that you need us for. There is a lot of good information in the posts so just

start reading or do a search of the posts... you'll find what you are looking

for and if you don't...just ask, I'm sure someone here will give you an answer!

Take Care Kathy... {{{HUGZ}}} WELCOME!!!

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

You have found the right place, as I sure that you will find us very friendly

and good listeners. If you every need to vent we here for that too. We have

allot of people who have this dreaded CP and can be helpful with suggestions, so

just ask us. That's why we all are here. Welcome aboard!

Take Care,

Louie in WV pancreatitis and possible cirrhosis of the liver

Hi! My name is Kathy. I am 29 years old and have suffered with

pancreatitis now for almost 5 years. It developed after having my

son and was mis diagnosed for some time. The doctors kept telling me

that it was irritable bowel. I knew they were wrong but didn't know

how to prove it. 5 months of this crippling disease I finally felt

like I was going to die and went to the emergency room. It was at

that time when I finally got an answer to what was wrong with me but

with no reason why I had it. My amylase and lipase were over 8000 at

this point and would only get worse in time. A month later, the

doctor performed an ERCP and my pancreas did not like this one bit.

Upon wakening from this procedure, I felt pain like I have never felt

before. By that evening, my pancreas enzymes reached 47,000. I

don't know how I made it thought that night, but I thank god I did.

In April 1998, they finally decided to remove my gall bladder, even

though all the tests including cat scans and ultra sounds looked

fine. After doing so I did not have an attack for almost 2 years.

This new type of attack was brought on by an antibiotics and then

months later thinking that I was cured of pancreatitis I had a few

drinks and had a rude awakening to pancreatitis once again. Since, I

have stopped drinking and been very cautious of medications that the

doctors try to give me. In July of this year, my doctor prescribed

fiorcet with codeine for migraines. Once again, this flared up my

pancreatitis and my life has completely changed. I spent 5 days in

the hospital and found out from a cat scan that I may also now how

cirrhosis of the liver. How did I get these ailments I constantly

ask myself? I have been a social drinker, never a heavy drinker. The

doctors have no explanation and look at me like I am a weirdo. To

date, I have go to the hospital a few times with elevated enzymes, I

am becoming very weak, I sleep all the time, and am starting to lose

weight. The doctors don't know what to do and I feel like my body is

starting to give up. I sure could use some friends to talk to or a

guiding hand.

Thank you,

Kathy