Frustration continues

[Guest guest]

Hi to everyone:

Been a while since I posted. I've been reading the posts for a while

now and I've found it to be beneficial, because where my family fails

at understanding, here I know I am not alone.

It seemed that just when I thought I could see a pattern in this,

watching my triglyceride levels, I could try and control the

pancreatitus. However, that was a myth. I have chronic pancreatitus

which is brought on by elevated triglycerides. Diet has nothing to

do with it.

The pain has been coming on strong. I where a duragesic patch and

take perc's for the pain, but it barely dulls it.

When I felt like I knew what to watch for, I thought regular blood

tests would be my guide. The first attack came on what they first

thought was a heart attack.

The second attack nearly killed me three times. My pancrease was so

swollen that it pressured my lungs and I couldn't breath.

Triglycerides were 8000 plus. I spent 4 months in the hospital, 2 in

bed at home, one in ICU.

The pain is stronger again but the triglycerides are only around

600. They did a scope but that didn't reveal much. I am so

frustrated right now. They want me to go see a pain clinic.

I saw the pain clinic when I was in the hospital. They wanted to get

me off the morphine. They wanted to put me on a medicine which I

knew didn't help me and only caused more pain. They wouldn't take my

word for it and so they took me off the morphine and put me on the

pills (right now I can't remember the name). I was in more pain and

it made me very angry. I told them after that I did not want to have

anything more to do with them.

I've told my doctors after that experience I did not want to deal

with that pain clinic again. They have there own ideas it didn't

really seem interested in what I had to say.

Yet, in the mail, I rec'd forms from that pain clinic.

I like my doctor, but he seems to have exhausted his ideas and once

again we are at a stand still.

Meanwhile, life has to go on, kids and wife to support. My wife has

MS and has worked less than a third of her hours. I was self

employed but my business is all but dead after all that time down. I

am working part time driving a school bus and spending the other time

looking for a full time job.

We are 2 months behind in our mortgage payments, about to be three.

Nothing like a little pressure with the pain and nausea.

On top of all that, since I am in pain quite frequently, I've taken

up having my jaw clenched a lot. I seem to sleep with it that way.

This evening at the dinner table, one of my teeth that caught the

clench, broke in half because of the pressure.

It is really hard to see if there is indeed a light at the end of the

tunnel.

-Bob

In Wisconsin

[Guest guest]

Hang in there, and know that you are not alone. I'm home on short-

term disability right now, but like you, am at a standstill. None of

the tests I've had so far have shown anything definitive. My husband

is a tax preparer and right now we are making the bills, but April 15

aproaches, and I have no idea if I can go back to work. This is an

awful disease, and I told my mom the other day, I never thought my

life would turn out like this. I've always paid my way and worked

three jobs if necessary. Anyway, hope this helps. Tammy