Re: Chrissy

[Guest guest]

Chrissy,

I saw Kimber's email to you about the ocreotide, and now

remember who it was that was taking it. We had another

member, Chuck, from Texas, who was using ocreotide

successfully and still does. If you want, I can tell you how to get

in touch with him. He belongs to another message board, and

says that it's kept him safe from several attacks. So I hope that

this works for you. I had no idea that it was so expense, though,

that's outrageous. I wonder if there is some way that you can

convince your insurance company that it's necessary. I would

think that they might make some concessions because of your

inability to take so many of the other medications. It might mean

that you would need to get a doctor's verification of your

intolerances to other drugs, etc., but it's worth a try. This is an

instance where it would be helpful if you had a case manager,

like we were discussing last night. What is your insurance

company. If it's BC/BS of SC, you might be able to get assigned

one.

That's my insurance company now. We had United

Healthcare before and I really loved their coverage (they'll pay for

a TP/ICT), but I was too slow about that. When we were

switched by my husband's company to BC/BS I was worried, but

so far, everything's run smoothly with them, and having a case

manager has really helped, especially with some of the

pharmacy type problems.

Have you thought about drinking Ensure or Slimfast while you're

at work, just to get some extra nourishment to keep you going?

Boost is also a great pick-me-up, I was drinking that before I

found out I was diabetic, so naturally it was the WORST thing for

me to be drinking, but it did give me a lot more energy. You need

to have something to keep you stimulated while you're on duty,

and I don't know if your bowl of soup is enough to sustain you. If

those supplements don't agree with you, then I can't think of

anything else right now, but perhaps someone else will have a

good suggestion.

Meanwhile, take care. I'm interested to hear about the

" clarification " from the MRCP. I just hope you get a better

radiological interpretation than I did in Savannah...hahaha! I'll be

talking with you later.

Have a good day....:-)

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for consultation with a medical

professional.

[Guest guest]

Hi Chrissy,

How are you doing with your preparations for your TP? I'm afraid i don't know

anything about how to strengthen or increase your islet cells. I suppose doing

your best to ensure that you're as healthy as possible will help, but maybe

there are others who have more specific information.

As far as the diabetes is concerned, i monitor my blood sugar before meals and

at bed time. Also, at other times of the day if i'm varying from my normal

routine. I take short acting insulin before meals (humalog) and glargine at

night. I'm only on small doses, and the diabetes is reasonably stable. It didn't

take me long to get used to the injections and the monitoring. There are also

regular health checks which go along wiht the diabetes, e.g eye tests,

chiropody, blood pressure monitoting etc. I have found that this is more

acceptable than the constant pain of the CP and i'm really glad that i had the

TP. When i first went back to work, and told my collegues that i was diabetic,

some of them went into panic mode !! Good for nurses, isn't it? I work with

children who have diabetes too, mostly from cystic fibrosis.

Take care Chrissy. Hope you're enjoying the peg feeds !!

Best wishes,

Sue (UK)

> Message date : Feb 14 2004, 04:55 PM

> From : " "

> To : pancreatitis

> Copy to :

> Subject : Crystal--preparing for tp

> thank you for the reply. I am really looking forward to having

> some semplence of my life back. The disease has progressed very

> rapidly from what I understand and I am a little anxious to get the

> show on the road. I am still waiting to hear whether or not my

> insurance will cover it all. I hope so.

>

> You sound like a remarkable young woman. I am guessing your young

> because you seem to have an abundant energy. I am 42 and have only

> had this condition for a few years. I was working at a steady clip

> until I had sphincteroplasty surgery last october, went back to work

> the first of the year and it didn't go very well. I am a RN, I love

> my job and want very much to go back. I have 3 kids and my eldest

> will leave for college in the fall.

>

> Did they say anything to you about ways to strengthen or increase

> your islet cells? I know that they will need 3000 cells per kg,

> thats a lot of cells. How do you maintain your diabetes? Do you

> check you bs regularly/daily. Diabetes is a small price to pay to

> be free of this horrible pain. Of course I do worry about becoming

> brittle, I wont be able to work if that happens. The docs have put

> in g-j tube and I am getting enteral feedings to let the panc rest

> and to boost my nutritional status. I was in a panic the last 2

> days because the shipment was delayed, I was starving...lol. I

> never thought I would be grateful for a can of yuck to infuse in my

> gut. I have to have 6 cans a day so I pretty much stay hooked up to

> the infusion pump and my " pole " . It is a very stubborn pole and

> doesn't like to follow well. You cant believe how many times I have

> had to yell at it to keep up!!! I can still take food by mouth, but

> not so much. I usually save it for my favorite treat, fat free

> frozen yogurt or real fruit popcicles.

>

> I hope your having a lovely valentines day, I am. Sorry to go on

> and on, but you got me just after 2 cups of coffee..(L). Tkae care

> and thanks for any and all input.

> Keep up the good work with school and tract, sounds great!!

>

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