Guest guest Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 In a message dated 11/13/2003 09:43:01 AM Mountain Standard Time, mmmbeer@... writes: Does caffeine have any effect? I know that people with liver and kidney problems (and pretty much any other problem) are supposed to avoid it. Do OTC antacids help? If so, any recommendations? I had a kidney removed last summer due to congenital nephrology, and caffeine was never an issue. (Had nothing to do with pancreatitis) Even in the hospital, coffee accompanied every meal. But, again, each person is different. I tolerate caffeine just fine. As for OTC antacids, in my case, yes, Pepcid AC (40 mg or 4 caplets) at a time make a very noticible difference if I feel and attack coming on. I also take 4-200mg Advil with them which also helps. When I feel an attack coming on, I take the meds, then go completely NPO except for small sips of water or ice chips to keep me hydrated. I dehydrate very easily as I live at 9200 ft., with virtually no humidity. (I'm also in a very rural area, where the closest family to us is a family of raccoons.) Basically, with CP, you are either your own best friend or worst enemy. If you do everything you can to baby your pancreas (small, frequent meals; avoiding fat, eating carbs, no alcohol, etc.) you'll hopefully avoid frequent attacks as long as there aren't any other factors involved (diabetes, gall bladder inflamation or stones, etc.). But, if you keep eating rib eyes and drink red wine, your local hospital will become your home away from home. It takes time to figure out what will work for you dietarily. Everyone is different. Some of us can tolerate red meat in small amounts, others have to avoid it. It just depends on the individual and his/her circumstances. Personally, I can tolerate buffalo, venison and elk, but not beef or lamb. But, the best rule of thumb is to stick to the diet that is low fat/high carbs until you are sure what you can and can't tolerate. All of us, generally, have cheated on the diet (my downfall is Lay's Classic chips) and have either regretted they did, or found they can tolerate small " cheats " . To satisfy my desire for fats, I'll eat a handful of the crushed crumbs of Lay's at the bottom of the bag, which probably adds up to 2 full chips, which isn't a no-no for me. I've also discovered that some 's Chunky Soups have only 2 or 2.5 gm fat per serving (2 servings per can) and I tolerate them well. Check out Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice and other " diet " foods and read their fat gm per serving. You may be surprised what you can eat. Just some food for thought.............. Marcy in Colorado Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 Thanks everyone for your help. I'm thinking of changing my screen name to " arghhhbeer " . The bitter irony in all this is that I'm a beer writer by trade! I'm halfway finished with a book on brewpubs and beer bars in the Midwest (I've been on sabbatical since my attack)! It's going to be very difficult to continue being " The Beer Snob " if I can't have a beer now and then...I wonder if I could do like the snooty wine guys and spit it out after tasting? Since I changed my motto to quality over quantity, I've been more interested in the taste than the effect. In any event, while I was reading all the responses, I thought about a few more questions: Does caffeine have any effect? I know that people with liver and kidney problems (and pretty much any other problem) are supposed to avoid it. Do OTC antacids help? If so, any recommendations? If at some point I am able to afford insurance (or find a job that offers it (as it seems there's a career change in my immediate future)), since this has already been diagnosed, will I be denied treatment due to the pre-existing condition clause? Lastly, does anyone have anything encouraging to say? Something along the lines of a breakthrough that will allow us all to drink again? Since that seems highly unlikely, at this point I'd even settle for a good CP joke! Something along the lines of: This CP patient goes into a bar with a crossword puzzle in one hand and a gallon jug of water in the other... Again, thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 --- mmmbeer1968 wrote: > Do OTC antacids help? If so, any recommendations? Careful! I put myself into the hospital with acute pancreatitis eating too many tums. My doctor said " No more than 3 tablets a day " . I had given myself Hypercalcemia and went into a coma. Hope this helps. Soory about the beer. That is truely tough. Scot ===== I'm feeling old today, Sherman... Set the Wayback Machine..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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