Re: HELP!! - Mom

[Guest guest]

Hi Tim and welcome

Im so sorry that your mom is so sick with this terrrible disease. But I am

glad that you have found us here. please remember that we are not medical

experts here but people who suffer just as your momdoes. We can just share our

experiences.

Both myself and my 13 yr old suffer from pancreatitis. Cassie has been

having accute attacks since 2000, her 1st one was mistaken for apnedicidis and

it

wasn't untill after they removed her appendix and saw the condition of her

pancreas and other organs that they realized pancreatits was the cause. Cassie

is

diagnosed with Ideopathic Chrionic Recurrent pancreatitis. Me, up untill a

few weeks ago I refused to seek medical care or even acknowledge I may have a

problem

i understand how your mom feels about the not wanting to eat. My last little

bout was horrific. Constant pain for days, when I finally did throw up it

was like having a bowel movement out the wrong end. I don't ever, ever, ever

want to feel like that again. I think about it now and a wave of nausea hits

me. the idea of eating is unbearable. since I was in my early 20's I've been

anything but the perfect eater. I can spendhours in he kitchenmaking the

most fantastic meal, My family raves about it, I take 2 or 3 bites and suddenly

I feel like I'm going to vomit If i continue to eat I do get sick. At 40

years old I still find my self saying " did i eat enough " , It's been much more

intense since I got sick this last time. Anyway I have always dealt with this

by eating alot. What I mean by alot is 2 or 3 bites then 1hr late 2 or 3 more

bites. Never a big eatter. My husband made me bring this up to the DR. Dr

gave me a prescription for phenegren to help with nausea. I have actually

eaten a fullmeal. Don't nag on her to much it just makes it that much harder

trying to eat for someone else rather than for your self.

Cassie doesn't want to eat when she's in an attack and we have to fight

sometimes to keep her from eating to soon or to much after an attack. When not

having problems, we need to chain the fridg shut.

Many members are on TPN for nutrition, neither Cassie nor I have been so I

have no experiences. Most of what I read in posts is positive for it. Do not

look on it as a bad thing, I'm sure your going to get some responses on the

subject. Discuss what you read with mom and her Dr before she makes this

decission.

Because pancreatitis is such a painful and life threatening disease it takes

alot out of the sufferer as well as the caregiver. Depression can settle in

really quick on all involved. You mentioned that you were feeling frustrated.

Frustrated procedures dont seem to be working, progress isn't whats expected,

and info is not available. At this time their is no " cure " procedures may

help some but not others. Recovery periods vary from person to person

depending on whats done and how strong they are at the time. Sounds to me like

your

mom was already pretty down before she had an surgeries. She needs your

support and understanding. She also needs you to look out for her. Remember

when

she's in pain she may not think straight, Go with her to Dr' visits ask the

questions she forgets to ask.

Please feel free to jump in any time with responses to post or questions of

your own. Or if your more comfortable hanging around and monitoring post thats

ok too. If you go to the PAI Web page you will find some great research

materials as well as some great links.

Good luck, god bless and again welcome

Patty Hurst

Bangor, ME

Maine State Rep

PAI