URGENT--Having acute attack, need best doctor

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I am having an acute attack of pancreatitis and need suggestions

about what to do and what not to do. I am needing to find the best

doctor I can find, as I am an at risk person for surgery due to other

health issues.

I would like to avoid surgery if I can, so that is important too.

Can someone tell me who in the New England area are the best doctors

and hospitals to go to for help with this.

I am going to have to go to the doctor tomorrow and I need to know

pretty quickly.

Can someone please help me.

Thanks,

Jane

[Guest guest]

jane-

was told that DR Bradford was best in NewEngland he did ERCP on my 12 year

old

in January. Thought he had a pretty crappy bedside manner. He's out of

portland ME

at Portland gastro associates. Hope this help. Prayingfor youthatyou pain

goes away.

Patty in Bangor ME

[Guest guest]

jane-

was told that DR Bradford was best in NewEngland he did ERCP on my 12 year

old

in January. Thought he had a pretty crappy bedside manner. He's out of

portland ME

at Portland gastro associates. Hope this help. Prayingfor youthatyou pain

goes away.

Patty in Bangor ME

[Guest guest]

I should have said I was in Boston

> area. I will hold onto his name...just in case.

>

> The pain is mild right now, I haven't eaten all day...now I am

just afraid to

> eat and start it up again. I have had a queer symptom that i

never had

> before....sweating. That is making me more nervous than the

pain. *Sigh*

> Jane

Dear Jane,

Due to a severe episode lasting a few days myself, I have not

been able to reply to your plea for New England doctors. I've

been trying to keep immoble and I find that sitting at the

computer for any length of time is out of the question, so I haven't

been online in a few days. I did remember glowing reports from

one of our New England members about a specialist she found

and have pasted her post from last July here. She seemed

really impressed with this doctor and his analysis of her

problems. Her name is Morgaine Madrona and her message is

# 33345 if you wish to search for it. I believe this doctor was in

the Boston area. Here's her letter:

It might help if we all signed what state we are from as we might

be able

to help with references more readily. I had to ask for a referral

from the

list and one kind person recommended Dr Gregg from

Massachusetts.(thank

you thankyou thank you !!!!!!) He is amazing (a lot for me to

say-married

to a doctor myself and having been through dozens who have

treated me

terribly and called me every name in the book--but sick and in

pain.). I

would be happy to help someone find someone near by if I

could. So those who

feel inclined maybe sign the state you are from and you might

get more help

when it comes to finding a better HCP (health care provider) and

help with

your pain.

my best to you all comrades

Morgaine,

Burlington, Vermont

Perhaps this can help you. I see you have already been given

the advice that I would have offered about what to do, not to eat,

but to drink water and non-acidic juices, broth, what types of food

to reintroduce when you're getting better, etc., during an acute

attack. I have tried Poncho's idea of getting some simple carbs

like the baked potato, too, and found that works well when I start

having those hunger pains. Many times I will nibble on a few low

fat wheat crackers, and this, too, satisfies that need to chew on

something.

We all do pretty much the same thing. I used to take my pain

meds and then try to resume normal activities, but have learned,

the hard way, that this seems to prolong the length of the attack.

Poncho mentioned that he tries to remain immobile as possible

until the episode is over, so I've been following his advice and

found that it does help speed recovery time. It is hard to ignore

my work, the laundry, cleaning, cooking, and caring for a child

(thank heavens for a seven hour school reprieve!), but

sometimes you have to put yourself first and allow that healing

time.

You mentioned your concern about sweating. This has become

a problem for me during an attack also. I am usually the one

wearing a sweater and long sleeves while everyone else is in

shorts. Yet now during an attack I, too, find myself sweating and

feeling flushed and feverish. I take my temp and it is usually

97.4 - 97.6. Bizarre, but I guess just one of those mysteries. And

I am post menopausal, so I know it's not that, but it feels much

like that used to.

I hope you are able to find a good specialist who will take you

under his or her wing and find the right treatment for you. I

believe that having a doctor that is looking out for you and your

best interests is paramount, and can make a big difference in

how well you are able to manage your condition.

Let us know what else we can do to help you get headed in the

right direction.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

Southeastern Representative

Pancreatitis Association, Intl.

http://www.pancassociation.org/ourstories.html#Heidi