Feeling terrible!

[Guest guest]

Hi to everyone! I've had a really rough week pain wise. I've been

nauseated and in lots of pain. I also found out that the surgeon

i'm seeing seems to think i'm developing chronic pancreatitis, even

though none of the tests are showing it. They just show that i have

pancreatic divisum. Yet nobody is telling me i have chronic

pancreatitis. They keep saying just to concentrate on fixing the

divisum with stents. I'm just frustrated. Do doctors ever straight

out tell you if you have chronic pancreatitis?

I was also wondering what helps people when they feel this sick, in

pain, and can't eat. I really don't want to go into the hospital

again. I've had real bad experiences. So i've been not eating

much, taking morphine and gravol and taking it easy. Any

suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening. Jen

[Guest guest]

Jen wrote:

< I've had a really rough week pain wise. I've been nauseated

and in lots of pain. I also found out that the surgeon i'm seeing

seems to think i'm developing chronic pancreatitis, even though

none of the tests are showing it. Do doctors ever straight out tell

you if you have chronic pancreatitis?

I was also wondering what helps people when they feel this sick,

in pain, and can't eat. >

Dear Jen,

I'm so sorry that you haven't been feeling well. Oh, how well I

remember what a whole week or more of consistant pain can do

to one's attitude.....it's horrible....you feel so run down and

miserable! And in your case, with not having a real diagnosis of

CP when you've got all the symptoms, you're probably feeling so

discouraged and frustrated.

As far as getting that confirmed diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis

goes, Jen, the key word is persistance!! Keep good contact with

the surgeon who believes in you, he will probably be the one to

ultimately confirm the diagnosis. As far as the other doctors, if

they aren't actively trying to get what they need to make the

diagnosis, find another who will. I don't know what tests have

been done, but there are several different ways to test for CP,

and if a confirmed dx is what you're seeking, you may have to

insist on all the tests being done. What have they done so far?

When I'm feeling that sick, I lay low. My heating pad becomes my

best friend. Before my diabetes, I would sip on ginger ale all

day, this helped with the nausea. I've never had enough

problems with the nausea to need medication for it, but when it

did bother me I'd drink the ginger ale and stick a sliver of fresh

ginger root in my mouth to ward off that nausiated gagging

feeling. I'd stay away from solid foods pretty much, maybe eating

some pudding or mashed potatos, if I could, to get some

nutrition. I'd try some fruit smoothies or a Slender Fast and low

fat ice cream milkshake. And of course, I'd keep up with any pain

medication that I had. I spent a lot of time soaking in hot baths,

either with bubbles or scented bath oil, with candles and some

soothing music in the background, just trying to pamper myself.

I hope these ideas help. I understand how miserable and

discouraged you must be feeling, we all do, since we've probably

all been there at some time. Try not to stress yourself, and just

take it easy, better days will come.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted with professional medical

consultation.