About my doctor's visit yesterday.....

[Guest guest]

Just was going to give an update of the horrible doctor's visit I had

yesterday with the surgeon/doctor who took out my gallbladder on the 28th of

May. I

had a very bad attack Sunday night, I was throwing up and hurting to the point

that I was laying on the floor in the bathroom curled up in the fetal

position. (And I am still weak from it) Can I ask a quick question before I

get

into my story? If it is my pancreas, and I have had attacks this long, will the

enzymes eventually stop being made by the pancreas and not be secreted, and if

so, how can they tell if you do have pancreatitis?

Anyway, I was at the doctor yesterday telling him about this, asking him what

to do next, all he orders is blood work on my liver enzymes again, I said

something about possibly being my pancreas and running test on it, he said I was

just healing from the surgery and would eventually be fine, and made some joke

about finding a donor gallbladder and putting it in back in if I didn't get

any better from the surgery.

The doctor would not even do nothing when my husband told him that I hurt so

bad sometimes that I moan from the pain in my sleep, and don't rest soundly at

night. My husband said " She's just not healing, she's hurting, and there's

something else going on. " And he still would not do anything, that's why I am

glad I have already made an appointment with a GI doctor in Birmingham, Al who

I know will not make jokes at my pain and suffering. My husband had to have

a liver biopsy done, and he was very professional in doing it.

I am sorry for venting but having a doctor talk to you and your husband are

children is very degrading and for me I have lost all respect for him after

that visit.

[Guest guest]

,

You made the right decision to schedule an appointment with another

GI. The one you have now sounds like he's on his own adgenda, and not

even listening to you at all. When they get too focused like that on

what " they " think is wrong, without exploring other possibililties,

it's time to move on.

Your proactiveness will pay off, eventually! I hope this doctor in

Birmingham can get to the root of your problem and do the right tests

to find a diagnosis. Please let us know what he has to say, and what

he plans to do.

In regard to your question, yes, as the pancreas damage becomes more

extreme, there is less secretion of the pancreatic enzymes, with

resulting non elevation during an attack. A diagnosis of chronic

pancreatitis, if not made already, can be made by CT-scan, MRCP or

ERCP, because by then the damage to the pancreas would be easily

evident. There would be blockage, calcification, neuropathy or other

changes which would be visible with radiology or by scope.

When is your appointment in Birmingham?

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

Bluffton, SC

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pancreatitis/

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should

not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

,

it sounds like it's time to get another doctor if this one is unwilling

to help you find out what is still causing all your problems now that

your gallbladder has been removed. I'm glad you made that appointment

with the other doctor and hopefully he'll be able to help you track down

the problem.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.