The Support Group at Manchester Royal Infirmary, a teaching hospital

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The Support Group at Manchester Royal Infirmary, a teaching hospital, was set up

in July 1996 at the request of the consultants and is organised by patients for

patients, so obviously we are not in a position to give any medical advice. We

are a registered charity with an extremely small team who work voluntarily to

produce a free newsletter and hold meetings for our patients from funds raised

by ourselves.

Much research has been done over the past twenty years into antioxidant therapy,

pioneered by Dr JM Braganza, who has now retired and Mr Rory McCloy, in the

University Department of Surgery who is still deeply involved while caring for

our surgical needs.This project was carefully monitored by the pancreatic

laboratory with treatment regulated accordingly. Enzymes were administered where

necessary. The results were very good with a considerable reduction in the

demand for surgery

Dr Alistair Makin, who has a committed interest in the treatment of pancreatitis

is the present Consultant Gastroenterologist and in addition, we have

pancreato-biliary surgeon,

Mr Ajith Siriwardena. Whilst it is very important to take measures yourself in

preventing attacks i.e. a sensible diet and avoiding pollutants which may

aggravate the condition, it is also advisable to discuss with your own GP if he

is aware of a specific pancreatitis clinic within a reasonable distance. This is

most likely situated in the nearest teaching hospital attached to a Medical

School. Pain management is often carried out by the anaesthetic department of

your local hospital, sometimes using the local hospice as a clinic. Some of our

patients have had varying degrees of success with TENS (Transcutaneous

Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machines, and again, your local physiotherapy

department might give you advice on their usage.

Pancreatitis is such a serious condition it is very important that the

preliminary investigations are carried out. These might include ultra sound,

CT (Computerised Tomography) Scan, MR (Magnetic Resonance) Scan and ERCP

(Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), although as this last test can

trigger an attack, you should always be warned.

I don't intend to go into the socio-economic problems, which are all too common

with this disorder, because again at local level there is invariably a Welfare

Rights Officer with whom you can make an appointment. It really is a matter of

being persistent, and I hope I have pointed you in the right direction. I have

tried to cover most of the questions asked, but If you don't feel up to it

yourself try to get a friend or relative to help until you do. It's a

frightening complaint but a reasonable quality of life can be achieved with good

management.

Mark E. Armstrong

NW Rep, PAI

www.top5plus5.com

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