Re: New pancreatitis patient - needs help!!!

[Guest guest]

My husband was in a similar situation. Back in Feb. he just laid around at one

hospital for 3 1/2 weeks and was sent home. At first he did good at home, but

gradually he couldn't eat again and went back after 7 weeks. Back to same

hospital, but this time they sent him on to Duke University. If you're

anywhere near North Carolina, that is my recommendation. They have MANY

pancreatis specialists -- GI doctors and surgeons. Dr. Pappas, the head

surgeon, ended up being Henry's doctor, but he ended up not doing any surgery.

That's the way he is -- the best course for each patient. Don't be frustrated

and impatient, BUT you may need to go to a hospital with EXPERTS in the

pancreas. Dr. Pappas sent Henry home to get ready for surgery with a tube feed

machine. However, his pancreatic fluid developed a bad infection (NOT from the

feeding) after 8 days and he was rushed back to Duke with 40,000 white blood

count. The amalyze and lipase I don't even know this time, but they never got

into the normal range. This time at Duke instead of surgery (because this was

an emergency but he wasn't strong yet) they put in 3 drain lines to drain the

infected fluid off. He was in ICU for 2 days and got out after 2 weeks (they

had thought it would be longer). He's still on tube feedings and drainage

lines are still in, but we got home Tuesday. He isn't in much pain now and the

meds are controlling it with minimal doses. In 3 weeks we go back to Pappas to

see if he can start eating. Now no surgery is planned, but that could always

change.

You're welcome to e-mail me personally. banjolovers@...

Ginny White

Statesville, NC

[Guest guest]

> I was admitted to the hospital nearly three weeks ago and they

are still not sure what to do with me. I did have gall stones and

they ended up removing my gallbladder. Since then, I have been

sitting around waiting for my amylaze and lipaze levels to drop

within normal limits. The doctors cannot tell me what is going

on or even give me an estimate of when I may eat/drink again or

when I may get to go home. Has anyone else been in a similar

situation where the pancreatitis was taking longer than expected

to clear up?

> Kim

Dear Kim,

I have heard of cases like yours where it took several weeks for

the amylase and lipase levels to return to normal limits. In my

personal situation, I had mildly elevated amylase levels (120) for

a few months after my first acute attack, yet the doctors felt this

was due to the presence of pseudocysts in my pancreas and

they did let me resume normal functions early on.

As long as they are checking everything out and monitoring you

well, you're probably in a better situation to be there in the

hospital where they can keep you under supervision, should

anything happen. You didn't say how high your a & l levels still

were?

Since your pain appears to be gone, why don't you see if they will

let you start with some soft, mild foods and see how that affects

you?

I know it must be aggravating sitting there in the hospital, I was

just in and it was only four days and it was driving me crazy! I'm

glad you found us, though, maybe now we can help answer your

questions and keep you busy while you getter better. There's a

lot of information of the site that can help keep you occupied.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

Bluffton, SC

State and Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

Note: All comments are personal opinion only, and should not

be a substitute for professional medical consultation.