Pancreatic Burn Out

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

I was curious how you received the diagnosis of pancreatic burnout? Was

testing done? What did the doctor say this meant?

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Indianapolis, Indiana

[Guest guest]

Karyn wrote:

> I was curious how you received the diagnosis of pancreatic burnout?

Was testing done? What did the doctor say this meant?

Karyn,

This is what was dx'd. on my chart by the Gastroenterologist when I

was in the hospital with Diabetic Ketoacidosis in March, 2003. At

admission I had some irregular heart readings, so things got really

confusing between tests and equipment for that, the diabetes and the

pancreas. Much of the time I didn't know what they were testing for,

and was too far gone to pay attention. They did a CT-scan, and then

any of the other tests were done while I was still loopy while in

intensive care, and I don't remember the names of all of them except

they did a C-peptide test. After that my GI came in to see me and

told me that my pancreas had burned out. He wrote on my chart notes

" brittle diabetic " , too, but on the discharge papers it just said DKA

and IDDM, (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus), I guess because

that's what I was originally admitted for.

I know I don't have any enzyme elevation during " attacks " , as I still

call them. When I was admitted two years ago with all that pain that

interrupted my Belize vacation, they wrote on the chart that the

admission was caused by Pseudocysts Enlargement, but noted that there

were no signs of pancreatitis, and no pancreas inflamation. They did 2

CT-scans that time. Bizarre! My A&L was really low, something like

17 and 24, or even less, I'd have to go back and check my hospital

papers to be sure.

All I do know is that when I have pain now, it's only immediately

where the large pseudocyst is, nowhere else, and the type of severe

chronic abdominal and back pain I had prior to the DKA is completely

gone. I don't take any kinds of nausea or vomiting meds. I can also

eat anything I want to.....(please don't hate me, guys), and it

doesn't bother me. I've tried it all, fried foods, butter, high fat

anything, and it doesn't give me any kind of stomach distress. I

couldn't even SMELL butter before without going into an attack. The

only thing I haven't tried yet is steak, but I do eat hamburger. And

to be on the safe side, I'll never go near alcohol again. Why bother?

Is that any help?

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

hhessgriffeth@...

SC and SE Regional Rep

Pancreatitis Association, Intl.

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

opinions only, and should not be substituted for consultation with

your medical professional.