To Re: new to group

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I know all too well that weird feeling you get. That's one of the

things I'm fighting so hard to get changed. A lot of docs think panc

is caused only by alcoholism or that we're just " drug seeking. " I've

been made to suffer so many times in the past 10 years due to that

kind of thinking. I think I can safely speak for everyone here to

being in that situation at one time or antoher. You have to be a

true alcoholic, meaning you drink most of every day for years for

alcohol to be the cause. None of us here have had drinking histories

like that. I admitted to social drinking in college, & immedeiatly

was thought to be an alcoholic even though I hadn't had a drink since

I was preganant with my first child. He's now 19 years old. Please,

don't let anyone tell you that you caused this, ok? My enzyme levels

don't even go very high anymore & some docs use that strictly as a

way to diagnose panc. Not fair...you can't always go by that b/c if

enough damage is done to the panc, it can't produce the high enzyme

amounts it used to. Not that you will run into any of the same

things, but I just want you to go in knowing that we're fighting a

stigma related to this illness. I don't want you to be intimidtaed.

Don't forget, we pay for our doc's services. They work for us.

I would suggest, for now, to avoid ALL alcohol. I won't even use

Nyquil b/c is has a small amout of alcohol in it. That may not be

what caused you panc. but once you have it, drinking really pisses it

off (if you don't mind my language). Everyone is different & what

may not work for one person might work great for another. So as long

as you decide to stay with our group, any input you have is greatly

appreciated.

My thoughts are with you, & my prayers go with you tomorrow.

Hugs,

Deanna Tubb

New Mexico PAI Rep