Treating Symptoms, Not Labs

[Guest guest]

Deb,

You wrote, " My enzyme levels have been up for almost a year. The physicians

tell me now that they don't even look at the levels anymore they go based on

my symptoms. "

That is impressive, but how ironic. The persons who present very symptomatic

and have no abnormal lab values, are dismissed based on their normal labs.

Your labs are abnormal, yet dismissed, and you are treated on your symptoms.

It is a huge step in the right direction, however, that the physician si

willing to look holistically at all the evidence when evaluating and developing

a

course of treatment.

Of course, the remaining factor involved is the subjective evaluation of the

patient. So often, unfortunately, we 'present so well', yet when we are

asked, what we say about how we feel is not reflected in our physical

evaluation

nor the interpretation of our lab results.

Karyn E. , RN,

Exec. Director, Pancreatitis Association International

5th Annual Symposium on Pancreatitis: September 16 & 17, 2005