How often do you visit the emergency

[Guest guest]

I only go to the E.R. when I absolutely have to. I despise going and being

treated like a drug addict. It is not my place of choice to go!

It sounds like Brock needs an intervention. I cannot imagine not showering

or brushing my teeth. I just had surgery on my pancreas last week and the same

night of my surgery I had my nurse bring me a pan of water and my toothbrush,

toothpaste and washcloth and soap. I had to wash up my face and underarms and

stuff because I felt yucky from where I had been sweating after the surgery

and I had to brush my teeth. Hygeine is something that should matter to him no

matter what the pain is.

I always feel better after a nice long bath or a hot shower. In fact when I

am in pain I will take a long hot bath and it helps with the pain. I cannot

imagine going weeks much less days without it!

It is a shame that he is in this state of mind. I don't know what to tell

you to do as far as advice goes but I can say it doesn't sound normal to me for

him to blame this type of behavior on pancreatitis.

I hope you can get some help!

Take care,

Angie in S C

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Patty,

I am so glad to hear that you are doing so well! I hope my surgery helps me

as much as yours has helped you!

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

All:

I really appreciate the advice and information you have provided

me. It has helped me to understand and deal with Brock in a more

patient manner.

I was just wondering how often you have to go the emergency room.

Since May 1st, Brock has gone at least 3-4 times a week. They never

hospitalize him. He was doing so well for the entire months of

March and April. No ER visits, no hospitalization. He was using

the pain medication that his pain Dr. prescribed for him. He now

says that after taking it for 2 months it does not work for him. Is

that possible to become tolerant to Roxicodone in that short period

of time?

These frequent er visits are starting to be like they were before.

VERY VERY FREQUENT. What is the norm?

Also, Brock has terrible hygiene. He showers about once every two

weeks, never brushes his teeth. He even stays in the same clothes

and underwear until he showers. Sometimes his close are literally

fowl. He just lays on the couch and sleeps all day. However, I have

noticed that he wakes up frequently to take his medication. He

takes more than the Dr. prescribes, and then has to wait a while

before he can get a refill. I don't understand how he can be aware

enough to take his medications and not take care of his personal

hygiene. When I do suggest that he brush his teeth and shower he

lies and tells me " I showered while you were at work. " However, I

know he didn't because there are no used towels and he is in the

same clothing.

Also, he never watches what he eats. He eat anything he wants to.

Last night when I got home, he had ordered fetuccine. He won't take

his enzymes....etc. etc.

Any advice or suggestions you give me would be great.

[Guest guest]

If he will not take his enzymes and eat low fat diet then he is going to

continue to go to the ER. His pancreas just can't tolerate the food he eats.

Do you think that maybe he needs to see his pain doctor again. If his pain med

isn't taking care of his pain the it does him no good to take the med he is on

more often and then running out too soon. I don't know what to tell you about

hygiene but I do know that there was another person in the group who had the

same problem with their family member. I didn't read about who Brock was

whether he is your husband or son. It is very hard to deal with this disease.

When you are in so much pain it is a struggle to just get up. Brock is probably

depressed and might benefit from antidepressant. I think there are alot of

members who go through depression in the beginning and then on. I have been on

multiple depressants and am currently on prozac 60mg. I use to spend my days

thinking about when I was going to die instead of looking at things positively.

It took over my life. Now I had surgery on May 9 and have been off all pain

meds since. I was on Oxycontin 80mg twice a day and had been on it for a very

long time. Just try to be supportive and maybe find a doctor that specializes

in the pancreas. It is very important to eat right because by not taking the

enzymes and eating everything in sight will cause him pain also.

Take Care.

Patty Duley

corydon, IN

_____

[Guest guest]

Hi, Before my pain management got to the point of having relief, I

was

in the ER as many as 5 times a month. I got the feeling that when my

pancreas hurt, it actually was compounding the problem. Once I got

the right combination of pain meds, hospital visits were less

frequent. I now go to the hospital maybe twice a year and thats for a

few days of pancreas rest when I get a flareup. I now take 180mg of MS

Contin, 1 60mg in the morning and 2 60mg before dinner. After I eat, I

take 20 mg of Oxycodone for breakthru pain and this works great for

me. Jim from Vermont