Re: hospitalization strategies!

[Guest guest]

" All damage to the pancreas as a result of pancreatitis is permanent " ,

tell me it ain't so?

Should this be grounds to dump a doctor and seek a new doctor? My

doctor has never told me this. Then again, when have been

hospitalized he seems to go on day after day, visit after

visit, " Welp, we just have to wait another day to see if the numbers

come down " .

Are 10 - 14 day hospitalizations the norm for a pancreatitis attack?

I always end up turning off the PCA pump a few days prior to my

discharge to show the doctor on his morning visits that I am fine.

That doesn't bother him, but the nurses flip. Tough cookies I say.

I have explained to the doc that if I were drug seeking or abusing the

PCA drugs, I would not stop them and not press the button for more.

Likewise, I told him... " When I first come in can tell you I need 10mg

of morphine each hour on the hour, and not at a trickle over the hour,

give it it me " . It takes about 50+ mg of morphine when I appear at

the ER to get me to the point where I am not writhing in pain.

You think they would learn and listen to the patient, the person who

has been through this a few times.

The other night I got sick was awake for a bit after hailing the

porcelain god, packed my bags for the hospital, put a case of Pedigree

in the truck for Alan, and figured I would wait in bed to se if a full

blown attack came to fruition. Amazingly, I woke up in the morning

feeling fine.

I now have a duffle bag with [toiletries, pajamas, a can opener and

metal dog bowl, slippers/moccasins, t-shirts, socks, jeans, my old –

but perfectly working laptop, sheets, and a couple of pillows] setting

in the living room behind the couch for hospital visits. Also a

sleeping bag, which I unzip and use for a blanket or a as bed for Alan.

I usually drive myself to the hospital as it is only ½ mile away.

Can you tell I have been through this before? <chuckle, I wish it

were truly funny>. I hate those hospital gowns, hence the pajamas.

When taking Alan for a walk, I put on jeans and a t-shirt. I use the

sleeping bag for Alan's bed if it is too hot for me which it usually

is due to fever.

Dick

>

> Eileen,

>

> All damage done to the pancreas is premanent. BUT if your having

pancreas pain from taking a med that can cause pancreatic attacks,

then ain all likely hood, the pain should decrease or stop.

>

> Sandy in Ca

> -------------- Original message --------------

> I know it's a shot in the dark, but if you stop taking it, and it is

> what is causing the problem, will it stop or is the damage permanent?

>

> Eileen

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dick,

Yes it's true about the damage to the pancreas being irreversable and no, 10-14

days stays aren't that unusual for a hospital stay. And I do the same as you.

I turn off the machine or refuse meds after a certain number of days to get out

of the hospital. They seem to wanna keep you until you can be off the meds for

3 days. The numbers also play a big part in how long you stay. In the beginning

stages of this, I have found out that is how a doctor judges your health with an

attack.

And you can try to take steps to help keep your pancreas from getting worse but

in the end, it's gonna do what it wants to do. Sorta like it's got a mind of

it's own. But you can help it stay healthier longer by following all the

pancreas rules!

It wasn't until I saw a specialist at a univercity that I was told this. So

dumping your doctor should depend on the course of treatment you are getitng

from them and how well you like them, not because he/she didn't tell you

something that they can't possible have prevented anyhow. Just my opinion on

the doctor thing. If they know their stuff, then keep 'em cause a good pancreas

doctor is hard to find. :-)

Take care,

Sandy in Ca

-------------- Original message --------------

" All damage to the pancreas as a result of pancreatitis is permanent " ,

tell me it ain't so?

Should this be grounds to dump a doctor and seek a new doctor? My

doctor has never told me this.