Non-Alcoholic Beverages

[Guest guest]

Jim,

Thanks for sharing what works for you and what doesn't. I appreciate

your honesty. We all differ in our opinions, particularly with

drinking non-alcoholic beverages. Some are very strict and will not

consume anything with alcohol, including real chocolate, mouthwash,

etc. The data related to cooking with alcohol and the information I

discovered says that it does not burn off completely.

I keep up with the " Pancreas Web Alerts " which is accessible on the

main website (pancassociation.org) by clicking on " What's Coming

Down The Duct " . This provides abstracts or summaries of every new

research study that is completed anywhere in the world. One of the

things that interest me is etiology of pancreatitis. Much of the

focus recently has been on identifying particular gene mutations,

similar to the mutation that occurs in the gene that results in CF.

There is a lot of focus now on a gene that mutates and results in

alcohol related pancreatitis. The research says that very little

alcohol is required to activate this mutation. Since my pancreatitis

is documented as 'idiopathic', which means they do not know what

caused it, it may well be that I carry this mutated gene.

Researchers are now saying that a person does not have to be

an 'alcoholic' or consume an excessive amount of alcohol to have

alcohol related pancreatitis. My alcohol intake was from Listerine

mouthwash, cooking with alcohol, very minimal. My surgeon thinks my

pancreatitis was biliary since it developed shortly after

gallbladder surgery. However, I do not know and do not want to take

any chances.

I was asked if drinking alcohol would put a rush on the 'pancreatic

burnout' we hear about. My answer is that, though it may burn out

the rest of the pancreas, severe exacerbation of the pancreas caused

by alcohol would most likely result in severe life threatening

complications, such as shock, and possibly multi-organ failure.

Karyn , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Indianapolis, Indiana

[Guest guest]

Hi Karyn, My pancreatitis started for 2 reasons, my surgeon said. One

was alcohol and the other was type 2 diabetes very prevalent in my

family history. I am down to around only 5% of my pancreas left

working. So, I guess the little alcohol in near beers can't affect

what isn't there. I wouldn't want anyone to start drinking because of

me or what I said. I have a near beer at parties or an occasional

visit with the family, but it's not an everyday thing. I would be

scared to drink any kind of real beer or alcohol. When I quit drinking

I found it very easy, because pain is a great motivator. I do not know

of people with CP who actually still drink alcohol. I went to AA when

I first sobered up but found that hearing people talk about drinking

made me think about drinking. So in that respect I guess I'm very

weird. I would hope anyone with an alcoholic history would be very

careful about alcohol use. jim

[Guest guest]

Kurt,

I usually drink sparking cider (non-alcoholic) whenever I'm with friends

who have something to drink, like for new year's etc. It gives me the

feeling of having something special to drink, but not have to worry

about alchohol in it. There are also other sparking drinks out ther

too, not just cider. Cost Plus, and some of those beverage only stores

carry a large selection of sparkling drinds without alcohol in them. I

even drink them in wine glasses.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

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

physician or health care professional.