Re: / Doc? NO PANCREAS?PAIN?

June 3, 2004

Peg, I can't answer your question but here is something to hopefully

make you smile (or be shocked, I'm not quite sure which!)

Also, I'm in the middle of doctor wars and one of the things I'm

having done is a work up for gastroparesis, which is apparently

pretty durn painful all by itself and may be caused by abd. surgery.

I'm just learning about this new pain causing complication. Its like,

wow, there is such a variety of stuff that can go wrong in there!

Sorry I'm not more help....

Margaret

June 3, 2004

Hi Peg,

I have had a total pancreatectomy in August, 2000 (without the ICT - so i am

diabetic). I have heard of people who still have pain after TP, too. My

pancreatic surgeon says it is phantom pain coming from the nerve supply to the

pancreas, and that 20% of people who have a TP end up needing morphine type

analgesia again within 5 years. He doesn't treat children, so i don't know if

that is

applicable to your son.

I did have an episode of severe pain last year, which required further

surgery. My original op was the Beger's procedure, where virtually all the

pancreas

is removed. Just a small rim is left to preserve the blood supply to the

duodenum, so i had to have this small rim removed.

I, too, have no regrets about having the surgery, as i have the reassurance

of knowing i will never again have an acute attack, and the risks that go with

this.

I hope continues to progress well, and that any pain is mild.

Best wishes,

Sue (UK)

Recommended Posts