Guest guest Posted September 28, 2002 Report Share Posted September 28, 2002 Thank you Heidi, Yes this does help me understand why the low fat diet. I have not experienced any pain from things like baccon and ice cream but probably need to be careful or I will. One doctor that did a scope on my pancreas said that I had an abnormal duct. It is small and does not go into the center of the pancreas so does not drain right. He said that was my problem. I do know that I have had some damage to the pancreas so it is probably wise to eat a low fat diet but is hard where I do not experience pain from anything I eat, at least right now. Thank you Heidi for your help Sincerely Myrna -- Re: high amylase levels Myrna, Your doctors were right, food is not the cause of your attacks, but unfortunately once the pancreas has been damaged it starts to lose it's ability to process fats in the usual manner. That is why the low fat diet is recommended for people with chronic pancreatitis. It may be that you will not develop this chronic condition and a low fat diet wouldn't be necessary. But the fact that the doctor has already prescribed enzyme supplements for you leads me to believe that they saw some pancreatic damage and insufficiency, thus a low fat regimen would help to ease any further stress on the pancreas while consuming food. Here are two very good links that may answer many of your questions. I would have pasted them in, but they are long and contain a lot of useful information. I hope this helps. http://www.uptodate.com/patient_info/topicpages/topics/23877K 8.asp http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/chronicpancreatitis.ht m With hope and prayers, Heidi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2002 Report Share Posted December 20, 2002 I would still get a second opinion if I were you before I have the GB taken out. You are so close to Dr. Cotten, you should consider a consult with him if possible after all of your testing is done. Any possibility with that ? Lily dear, You have been in my thoughts, too. I am so sorry about Harry and your uncle. I know this has all weighed very heavily on you and that you did all you could to help the family in every way possible. You are such a wonderful person, always caring for all your relatives, and I'm sure that everyone has appreciated your care and concern. Surely this has been such a sad time for all, and it's hard to keep a smile when you think of the little ones. You will all be in my prayers. I will insist on a HIDA scan, once we know what the pictures show next week. I have thought about seeing Dr Cotton, or someone on his staff at MUSC. I woke in the middle of the night again last night in intense, persistant pain. One pill wasn't working, so after giving it 45 minutes to take effect, I had to halve another and even that didn't fully relieve the pain. I probably should have gone to the ER. My husband had just come home from a long, rough weather 4 day trip and had gone to bed exhausted at 9, good thing, too, because after the pains hit at 2:00 a.m. I don't think either of us slept! Nice of you to ask about his job, but the news isn't good. Word on the runway is that the company will be announcing Chapter 7 on Sunday, three days before Christmas....not the greatest of holiday cheer around here! There is no future for his industry, and after flying for 30 years, he's not really trained to know much else! He has already been making alternate career plans, though, and passed his real estate licensing course last week with a 96. With the anticipated loss of his career and loss of his wonderful medical insurance on the close horizon, we are scrambling trying to figure out what to do. My medical bills have been staggering...the hospital called to let us know the cost for Monday's scan is only $4,800.....such a deal, we get a network discount. Hard to say what the cost of any surgery might be, but insurance would run out on Jan. 1 if the company closes. I fortunately have been covered 100% for a two year period because we met all our OOP when all my problems started, but that would end if they go Chapter 7. So seeing Dr. Cotton may not be an option, either. I'll let you know. Austin says " hi " to . We are blessed to have him with us, to keep our spirits up, to share his child's joy and anticipation and remind us of the truly important things. Tell your hubby that I had one knee replaced back in the good old days (1968)....it was some kind of major, major surgery then, and it's still going strong. I was back skiing within 2 years. The medical technology for these orthopedic procedures is awesome now compared to then....he'd be back on the greens before he knew it. I hope he doesn't have to have it done, but feel he will do well if it happens. Take care and I hope things stay well enough for you to visit us more often! With hope and prayers, Heidi Heidi H. Griffeth SC Southeastern Representative Pancreatitis Association, Intl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2002 Report Share Posted December 21, 2002 Heidi, You pain has been on my mind, and it sounds so familiar in pattern to so many of us. When you said on this board that the pain hit you hard, rather quickly, when you were home with Austin one night and that you could not move, it reminded me sooo much of some of my SOD pain. The only thing that gives me some relief of that pain is to put Levsin SL under my tongue much like Nitroglycerin. It was recomended by my local GI and Dr. Lehman. Now it works 90 % of the time and you get relief within 5 minutes of that intense I can;t breathe or move pain. So maybe you can ask for a trial of that. I am wondering if your pancreatic problem over the years has caused some narrowing/scar tissue of your pancreatic ducts or your Sphincter of Oddi. They are all connected there at what my GI calls the " they are all close there positioned like a traffic light " . So it would not be uncommon for one to affect the others. My pain comes and sometime stays and then sometimes it hits HARD and gets relieved with the Levsin and then I am left with some residual soreness. By trying the Levsin, it may be a way of ruling out other GI problems. I know I was told that if there are problems with the ducts they will look dialated on a CT scan. Just some thoughts to ponder. Do you have prescription coverage now ??? try to refil as many meds as you can before you lose your coverage, then at least you will have some meds on hand. My friend does not have insurance coverage and she uses Peoples Choice, a national company, that gives discount rates all most pharmacies. NO age requirement, the only requirement is that you have no prescrition coverage. It gives mostly a 30 % discount on most drugs and for $7.95 a month it covers EVERYONE that lives in the household. I have the brochure here for my dad, but I got him on another drug program for the elderly. So if you want me to mail this to you to look at, I will be more than happy too. I may even have a 1-800- number here somewhere. Better go for now, I have a busy Saturday planned as Santa is coming this week you know ..and we still believe. Chilly up here in Ohio country, Lily Re: To Heidi I would still get a second opinion if I were you before I have the GB taken out. You are so close to Dr. Cotten, you should consider a consult with him if possible after all of your testing is done. Any possibility with that ? Lily dear, You have been in my thoughts, too. I am so sorry about Harry and your uncle. I know this has all weighed very heavily on you and that you did all you could to help the family in every way possible. You are such a wonderful person, always caring for all your relatives, and I'm sure that everyone has appreciated your care and concern. Surely this has been such a sad time for all, and it's hard to keep a smile when you think of the little ones. You will all be in my prayers. I will insist on a HIDA scan, once we know what the pictures show next week. I have thought about seeing Dr Cotton, or someone on his staff at MUSC. I woke in the middle of the night again last night in intense, persistant pain. One pill wasn't working, so after giving it 45 minutes to take effect, I had to halve another and even that didn't fully relieve the pain. I probably should have gone to the ER. My husband had just come home from a long, rough weather 4 day trip and had gone to bed exhausted at 9, good thing, too, because after the pains hit at 2:00 a.m. I don't think either of us slept! Nice of you to ask about his job, but the news isn't good. Word on the runway is that the company will be announcing Chapter 7 on Sunday, three days before Christmas....not the greatest of holiday cheer around here! There is no future for his industry, and after flying for 30 years, he's not really trained to know much else! He has already been making alternate career plans, though, and passed his real estate licensing course last week with a 96. With the anticipated loss of his career and loss of his wonderful medical insurance on the close horizon, we are scrambling trying to figure out what to do. My medical bills have been staggering...the hospital called to let us know the cost for Monday's scan is only $4,800.....such a deal, we get a network discount. Hard to say what the cost of any surgery might be, but insurance would run out on Jan. 1 if the company closes. I fortunately have been covered 100% for a two year period because we met all our OOP when all my problems started, but that would end if they go Chapter 7. So seeing Dr. Cotton may not be an option, either. I'll let you know. Austin says " hi " to . We are blessed to have him with us, to keep our spirits up, to share his child's joy and anticipation and remind us of the truly important things. Tell your hubby that I had one knee replaced back in the good old days (1968)....it was some kind of major, major surgery then, and it's still going strong. I was back skiing within 2 years. The medical technology for these orthopedic procedures is awesome now compared to then....he'd be back on the greens before he knew it. I hope he doesn't have to have it done, but feel he will do well if it happens. Take care and I hope things stay well enough for you to visit us more often! With hope and prayers, Heidi Heidi H. Griffeth SC Southeastern Representative Pancreatitis Association, Intl. PANCREATITIS Association, Intl. Online e-mail group To reply to this message hit & quot;reply & quot; or send an e-mail to: Pancreatitis (AT) Yahoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2003 Report Share Posted February 2, 2003 ----- Original Message ----- ...Thanks for your support! Being pain free for a few days has done much to tickle my motivation. I got a new client and contract yesterday to do the plans for a tremendous house. This means hours and hours at a time bent over the drafting board, so having a break from the pain is totally awesome. With hope and prayers, Heidi>>> Heidi, I so glad to hear that the patch is helping you and you have been pain free for 3 days now. You must be floating on air to be pain free. I hope the patch continues to work for you and I'll keep you and your husband in my prayers. I sure with your help that He'll do just great on his test. Take Care, Louie in WV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2003 Report Share Posted February 2, 2003 ----- Original Message ----- ...Thanks for your support! Being pain free for a few days has done much to tickle my motivation. I got a new client and contract yesterday to do the plans for a tremendous house. This means hours and hours at a time bent over the drafting board, so having a break from the pain is totally awesome. With hope and prayers, Heidi>>> Heidi, I so glad to hear that the patch is helping you and you have been pain free for 3 days now. You must be floating on air to be pain free. I hope the patch continues to work for you and I'll keep you and your husband in my prayers. I sure with your help that He'll do just great on his test. Take Care, Louie in WV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2003 Report Share Posted February 2, 2003 ----- Original Message ----- ...Thanks for your support! Being pain free for a few days has done much to tickle my motivation. I got a new client and contract yesterday to do the plans for a tremendous house. This means hours and hours at a time bent over the drafting board, so having a break from the pain is totally awesome. With hope and prayers, Heidi>>> Heidi, I so glad to hear that the patch is helping you and you have been pain free for 3 days now. You must be floating on air to be pain free. I hope the patch continues to work for you and I'll keep you and your husband in my prayers. I sure with your help that He'll do just great on his test. Take Care, Louie in WV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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