pancreatitis and possible cirrhosis of the liver

August 28, 2002

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

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