Re: Hi - I'm new to this group to

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Welcome! Although the reasons for you seeking out a

pancreatitis support group aren't pleasant ones, it is good that

you found us and that you're being proactive about your health

care. Going through an acute attack and learning of this

diagnosis is difficult and scary at first. Most of us didn't even

know what the pancreas was, or what it did, when the first attack

hit us. The confusion and lingering pain can make it difficult to

want to do anything, but you're wise to start wanting to learn all

you can as soon as you can. You didn't mention what caused

your attack, do you mind telling us what happened that you

received this diagnosis?

It's not that unusual for a new patient to have an ultrasound and

ct-scan and still get a normal report. Sometimes the damage

just isn't enough to show up yet, and that can be a good sign.

Far better than them going in there and finding excessive

damage right at the beginning, wouldn't you think? But because

of these normal tests, it does make it more difficult for the

clinician to diagnosis a cause, and it often results in wrong

diagnosis' for many people. We've had many members who

have failed to get a clear diagnosis of their pancreatitis for

months to years, and that causes a lot of stress.

I'm 52 and have had chronic pancreatitis with pseudocysts for

two and a half years. My CP excelerated quickly and my

pancreas burned out a year ago, leaving me a type 1 brittle

diabetic. I still have two pseudocysts in my pancreas, so I still

have continuous pain from them that requires pain medication

24/7. I take pancreatic enzyme supplements to help with my

digestion and also take special antioxidants that are meant to

help keep my pain levels reduced. I follow a relatively low-fat,

moderate protein, moderate carb diet, which also helps with my

pain levels.

Please feel free to jump in anytime and ask any questions that

you may be concerned with. There's a lot to learn, but you've

come to a great place to learn from others. There's also a very

informative website at the pancreatitis library, that covers just

about anything you would need to know about acute and chronic

pancreatitis and related subjects. The link for this is:

http://www.top5plus5.com/

Let us know how we can help you.

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.