checking in

[Guest guest]

I've only been on board for about a month, but found myself needing

to just share a little of what Nov & this week have brought to my

pancreas & me.

Nov 6th my GI doc performed an ERCP. He dialated the Sphincter of

Oddi, which not surprisingly caused an attack. So spent my birthday,

the big 50, in the hospital and then a week at home. I was okay with

how things went, really glad when I could bring my recuperation

process home. I've been careful to pay attention to what I eat, so

can avoid foods that might be bothersome, and thought I was doing

pretty good...even hopeful that I wouldn't have any more attacks.

Needless to say, I was given a rude awakening this week. I ended up

having a nasty attack Sunday night, and then had another one Thursday

morning. Both of them sort of took me off guard. The one Sunday

night was egged-on by baked, lo-fat veggie chips (which I had been

able to eat the week before). That sort of bummed me out mentally.

It gave me the realization that being aware of what I can eat is only

one step...it seems that just because I could tolerate something

during one week, the next one it came back around to bite me in the

gut. Sort of felt like a damned if I do & damned if I don't. Each

day is a different day, and maybe I can eat what I ate yesterday, and

maybe not? Bummer. The good news was recovery process seemed to be

coming along pretty well, then bam....got up Thursday day morning

feeling fine, and by time I was getting dressed for work I had

another attack. It just hit without any warning, was extremely

intense for about an hour, then let up. I felt the remnants that it

leaves as it goes away for the rest of the day, however, it really

took me off balance because it was so immediate & intense for such a

short amount of time. Actually makes me feel like no way this

could've been a real attack...must've been something else happened?

I did call my doc's office and made appt to go in and see him this

coming Weds afternoon. I figure we'll mostly talk, unless of course

I have another attack before then...but hopefully that won't happen.

So I guess I'm wondering, is it possible to continue to have acute

attacks without having to move into the chronic pancreatitis? Yeah,

that's probably a dumb question, but figured I'd ask anyway. After

this week I figure this is going to be something I get to learn to

live with. Hard part is having to go to work when I've reached the

somewhat tolerable pain level. Guess I should be thankful I can do

that at this point.

Anyway, just needed to " express myself. " Thanks for listening.

Hope all is good with everyone else.

Charmaine