Scared newbie and Zetia question

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was actually sent here by someone at a fibro board. I had an attack

of severe abdominal pain, and then another. First time I avoided the

ER, because I didn't want to go, and the hottub and ativan, plus some

Prevacid and Tums took away the pain - I told my gastro doc I wanted

to try to see if an anxiety pill would help, and it seemed to. Next

day I did go to the gastrodoc, and had labs drawn. And he has me make

an appt for an abdominal ultrasound. Funny, but the labs he drew were

all normal. 36 hrs later, back comes the pain, and this time I go to

the ER. Labs are not okay. The lipase is elevated, but they won't call

it high enough to be pancreatitis. WBC count was elevated by over 5000

from my doctor's labs,I'd since learned yesterday. My amylase was

normal at the ER, and a couple liver functions were slightly elevated.

The ER did nothing more than draw the blood, and have me drink the

nasty xylocaine cocktail. Ick! The physician's asst was a piece of

work, and I won't see her again.

Next day I call the gastro and tell him what happened. I fax him my

copy of the ER labs, and he says hmmm...sounds like your gallbladder,

mumble, mumble something or other, and go ahead have the ultrasound

done as well as the MRCP. I did both today, and I peaked at the

ultrasound and saw no stones. Of course, I am not a radiologist, and

even though the tech said she saw nothing, maybe she's no expert

either. I'm scared to death!!! Completely! I note on the prescription

" pancreatitis " .

And then I go back to work, and start hunting on the computer. I look

up this med I'm on for elevated cholesterol. It's called ZETIA.

Apparently, the makers of the drug (same folks in trouble w/ Vioxx)

sent the Canadian's (docs) a letter saying to watch out for pancreatic

adverse events. Hmmm...is that what's causing this???? In the American

site - the PDR (physician's desk reference), it's there, but not as

prominent as in this Canadian letter.

So, I guess one of my questions is, anyone else had this story? I've

been on this med for about 5 months now, as Lipitor about killed me!

I'd not even been diagnosed with fibromyalgia until July.

To make matter worse for me. My grandma fell to pancreatic ca. That

was when Elvis died. And when I don't have answers, I go to the WORSE

possible place imaginable. I'd rather be at a gallbladder only site,

because this is making me want to cry. I do like my gastro doc. I've

been seeing him for about 8 years now. He originally diagnosed me with

gastritis, thanks to an extremely stressful ex and marriage.

Thanks for any help.

[Guest guest]

Hi , it's Eileen (leenerbups) from the fibro board.

I'm glad you made your way here. These people will offer a lot of info

and support.

I don't have the answers for you as I am new to this myself (2

months), but these people will be able to answer many of your

questions.

Eileen