Re: to Eileen

[Guest guest]

Hi Eileen, I also do as Sandy does. When the pain gets to the point

where I can't control it with my home meds, I head to the ER, which is

quite a distance for me . If I do have to go, I keep vomitting until

my stomach is empty, green bile is a good indication as Sandy also

said. That way I have nothing left to throw up of any significance so

I don't redecorate one of my room mates cars. They put a few bags of

fluid in thru the IV, along with some anti-nausea meds (Zofran,

phenergan) and for me, it takes quite a bit of morphine as I have a

resistance because I have been taking it for years. 20-30 mg IV

morphine given at 10 mg clips, by the 3rd shot I'm feeling no pain. If

everything calms down and I hold down oral meds, they release me, if

not, I get admitted for a few days of pancreas rest. everyone has

their own pain tolerance so when to go to the ER is a subjective

thing, again as Sandy said. Jim in Vt

[Guest guest]

, and Jim (Jim, I'm a Tull fan too)

Thanks for posting to me. I hope the GI on Monday is of help.

After I typed that last post of mine, I had a sudden " kuthunk " feeling

in my chest and shortness of breath, I thought I was going to pass

out. Overwhelming fatigue and dizziness lately too. I got up at nine

and I fell asleep just now while I waited for the dizziness to pass. I

just got over my period yesterday and have been experiencing this for

weeks, only it's getting worse.

I just took some blackstrap molassas and an iron pill, but this is so

frightening.

Thanks for listening,

Eileen

[Guest guest]

Eileen,

Your doctor sounds as though he really doesn't have your best interests at

heart. Ask around the group to see how many other members were told they

had IBS or GERD and you'd probably see at least 75% of the populace raise

their hands.

Since gallbladder problems account for about 80% of pancreatitis cases, I

didn't understand how this doctor could say that the gallbladder wouldn't have

caused it.

You were given the report afterward, what were the bloodwork scores? What

were your amylase, lipase and liver scores, do you know?

Your own assessment, that you need a second opinion, was one of the totally

correct statements offered so far......I think that's an excellent idea!!

If you can tell us where you live, maybe we can help you with this. Having an

experienced, compassionate specialist would be optimal for you, and I'd

advise that you not delay in locating one.

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

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

opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

consultation.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/16/2005 1:03:53 PM Eastern Standard Time,

whitefalconsgoddesswear@... writes:

HGB 10.1

HCT 30.2

Just an FYI, these look a little low to me. HGB - hemoglobulin, HCT -

hemanocrit

HGB - quantity of red blood cells in the blood

HCT - percentage of red cells per volume of blood

Not dramatically low for a woman but still a little low by about 20%

Best wishes, Poncho - GA

PS But then again i'm psyco about these two readings

[Guest guest]

> ALT 27

> T. Protien 7.2

> Albumin 4.2

> Calcium 9.0

> Direct Bil 0.0

> AMylase 54

> Lipase 308-High

Eileen, The lipase of 308 is marked high. That was the pancreatic

enzyme that my Dr used to tell if was having an attack. Mine were

much higher when I still had most of my pancreas, somewhere around

3000. But that number is high and even marked so on the sheet they

gave you. My lipase numbers now are rarely over 400 as I only have 5-

10% of my pancreas left working. You may be in the same position. As

this disease progresses your pancreas becomes scar tissue or

calcified. That tissue doesn't work or produce enzymes. I would go

to the ER if the pain and nausea were too much to handle. My prayers

are with you and the Dr's who treat you may not know this. I was in

the ER during an attack at my mom's house in Naples, FL. They had no

idea in the ER and made me take a CT scan and drink that horrible

contrast while I was nauseaous, it was terrible. They were sure I

was there for the drugs, until after the CT scan when the Dr who

treated me read up on the subject and apologized to me. I hope you

see a better Dr...Jim

[Guest guest]

Eileen,

If I missed it I apologise, but how did you get disability for CFS and

fibromilagia? It is suspected I have one or the other....who knows, maybe

both....but I was told there is no definiative tests for them.

Sandy in Ca

[Guest guest]

Eileen wrote:

I have called the office 3 times so far of that new doctor and so far

no one has called me back. Grrr

Eileen,

That was something else I meant to mention. If the doctor's a really

good one, he is probably well sought after, and getting an appointment

may be difficult. The better doctors always seem to be booked months

in advance, and that may be why they haven't called you back. If

you've called 3 times already, what have they told you so far?

If it were me, I would stress that I had just gotten out of emergency,

released with elevated pancreatic enzymes and inflamation, (you don't

have to mention the #), and in a lot of pain. You might also say that

you would be able to come at last minute's notice if they have any

cancellations.

As Jim stated, your lipase level was listed as high, and although it

wasn't exceedingly high as some people's can be during an attack, it

was abnormal. Until they know the extent of damage that's been done,

(and this really doesn't show in an X-ray), they can't really judge

whether there's been damage or not. A CT-scan of the pancreas would

have shown more, and been a better diagnostic test to do.

Hopefully you'll hear something tomorrow.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi