NEW HERE:Pancreatitis Caused By GERD???

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I went into the hospial last week with this problem. First time ever.

I don't drink and never had a problem before. Pain in my upper left

side for a week and I finally went into the ER were they emitted me.

They put me on fluids only for 2 days and did an endoscopy, a CAT

scan and Xrays.

The hospital's gastro doctor said he thinks it was stomach acid from

my GERD causing it. They sent me home.

But they sent me home with no real answers as to what the problem was

and why, and no information about after care.

Now today, I can feel that pain coming back again and I am scared. I

don't know what to do for myself.

[Guest guest]

Hi Whitefalcons.......

I didn't want your post to get lost so I thought I would give an

answer for the purpose of drawing other people's attention to

your questions.

I am a little confused on what you are saying.....I am not sure

how GERD can cause pancreatitis. I think that I have heard that

GERD can be caused by pancreatitis or that it can be associated

with pancreatitis but I would be interested in learning how GERD

may cause pancreatitis.

As far as it coming back......the only thing you can do if you

suspect that it is pancreattis is to try to stop eating, keep drinking

water, manage the pain with rest, medicine and heating pads if

possible, take your medicine for the GERD and if you get

unbearable pain or vomitting that won't stop or dizziness or

blackouts, anything scary like that......head to the ER or call your

doctor.

Until the figure out what exactly is causing this, you need to

document the episodes and also have your pain and other

symptoms taken care of. You sure don't want to mess around

with something that can make you ill enough to be admitted to

an hospital!

I hope you feel better soon....don't be afraid to ask questions and

ask for help.

laurie

[Guest guest]

p.s. To those more experienced with this, when should I go to the ER?

What would be signs or symptoms that would require me to go to the

hospital as apposed to waiting it out until I can see my doctor?

This is a frightening thing to have and I just want to keep my head

about me here.

Thanks,

Eileen

[Guest guest]

Eileen,

To the best of my knowledge, GERD is not listed as one of the limited

number of causes for pancreatitis. Known causes for Pancreatitis to

date are: alcohol abuse, gallbladder/ductal obstruction; i.e, trauma,

pancreas divisim, tumors or developmental abnormalties of the

pancreas, heriditary/genetic background, systemic disease,

prescription medications, idiopathic, (cause unknown) or cystic

fibrosis. There is also a condition called topical pancreatitis, but

it is not found in this country.

I also don't believe you would have bloodwork and an Xray indicating

pancreas involvement with GERD symptoms. You might try to not let the

opinions of this hospital GI overly concern you, especially since he

was not forthcoming with further backup, reasoning or instructions,

until you meet with your own GI on Monday.

The diet for a serious episode of pancreatitis typically is liquids

only for a few days. This allows the irritated pancreas time to rest.

When food is taken, we try to limit our diet to low/no fat foods

only, with the goal being no more than 25-30 grams of fat daily. Stay

away from any fried foods, red meat and all alcohol. A damaged

pancreas cannot tolerate high fat foods because the pancreas enzymes

needed to process these foods aren't being secreted properly.

Allow yourself plenty of rest over the weekend. Your fatigue could be

the result of several things, but chronic fatigue is a common symptom

of pancreatitis, since the vitamins and nourishment the body normally

gains from the food we eat, which gives us energy, isn't being

properly absorbed if the pancreas isn't functioning normally. Try to

drink as much water as you possibly can, it's essential to keep the

pancreas well hydrated and it will help to reduce the pain if you do.

After meeting with your doctor on Monday and letting him have a chance

to review your bloodwork and Xrays, you should get a more thorough

explanation of what's going on. Ask as many questions now as you

wish, and make sure to take in a list of any questions you may have

for your doctor when you go to your appointment. Afterwards, please

let us know what you've found out.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

SC Rep

SE Regional Rep

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or

opinion only, and should not be substituted for consultation with

your medical professional.