my mom is in the hosp with acute panc

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

My stepdad called me earlier today telling me that my had to go to the ER via

ambulance because she had been vomiting violently and had severe diarrhea. When

they got her in the ambulance her temp was 103.8 and her BP was 169/99, which is

probably higher than its ever been in her life because her BP typically runs

low. My stepdad first said they thought she had the flu and that she was very

dehydrated. However, he called later to tell me they had admitted her and that

she has acute pancreatitis. He said her amylase was 151, so not that high, but

still elevated. They didn't check the lipase because she's at the small local

hospital. They have to send the lipase out so they normally don't bother

checking it. I told my stepdad and my mom that as soon as the doctor comes in,

I want them to insist that they check her lipase. I even called my mom's doctor

and left a message giving the name of my GI doctor (in the next town) and

telling them that I want them to check my mom's lipase. I had made an appt with

my GI for my mom a few weeks ago, but she didn't feel good or something came up

and she cancelled the appt. She has been having pain in her right side off and

on for over a year. She had kidney stones and at one point, they were

definitely the cause of the pain. They were too large to pass and they had to

go in and laser the stones to break them up. However, when the pain returned,

the urologist insisted it wasn't kidney stones. She does have a couple of small

stones in the right kidney, but he said they were nowhere near trying to pass so

that couldn't be the cause of her pain. She's had an ultrasound of her

gallbladder at least two times and also at least two hida scans. They all came

back normal even though a lot of her symptoms seemed like they could be

gallbladder.

I have never been tested for any genetic things that could cause pancreatitis

because, until now, no one in my family other than me ever had pancreatitis.

I made my mom another appt with my GI, but it's not til Feb 25th. They can't

even call in a GI unless they transfer her to another hospital because there are

no GI docs in our town at all. I know my GI will want to know if her lipase was

elevated so he can be sure it was pancreatitis, so I hope my mom's doctor will

listen to me and run a lipase on her. Right now they seem to have her

stabilized and comfortable. I am hoping and praying this is just a fluke and

will be just a one time event for my mom. However, I am terrified that its not

a fluke. I'm scared, not just for my mom, but also for the rest of my family.

If there is some hereditary component to my having chronic pancreatitis, what

does the future hold for my 22 year old daughter, not to mention my sister,

brother, and nieces and nephews.

Please be in prayer for my mom. Also, if someone could refresh my memory on the

genetic tests that would point to hereditary pancreatitis, I'd appreciate it.

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

This must have come as such a shock for you. I am so sorry to

hear about your mother. I hope they'll have the lipase test done

and that she'll be resting comfortably soon.

Please keep us posted. I know you're going to be busy and

must be feeling so mystified that this is happening, it does so

look now like it's a heriditary problem.

You'll all be in my prayers,

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 professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

,

you, your mom and all your family will be in my prayers.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.