Time for a Pancreatologist

[Guest guest]

,

You wrote, " I don't know where to turn.....guess it's time to start looking

for a gastro doc that specializes in pancreatic disease. "

I advocate that anyone with serious long term undiagnosed abdominal pain

should seek out a Pancreatologist if any way possible.

It is the hope of the PAI that providing persons the knowledge of how severe,

progressive, and irreversible the damage can be to the pancreas, as well as

the increased likelihood of an improved patient outcome and resultant higher

quality of life with an early diagnosis and aggressive intervention, that the

decision to obtain qualified medical care would be understood as critical.

I do understand, however, that until one is suffering 24/7, that the reality

of how horrific life can be with advanced pancreatic disease, is simply

unfathomable. I had no idea how much sorrow I would have that I did not pursue

the

necessary treatment. I asked my doctor about other treatment, but was simply

told there were no other options.

That is why the PAI was born. I did not want anyone else to ever endure a

life of suffering, for lack of options / choices. I can't make decisions for

anyone. All we can do is provide the information, support, and advocacy to

encourage and facilitate informed decision making.

I want to say, too, that the PAI has a unique benefit of having the

association of the Top5Plus5 Library of Information to provide inquiries with

current

and up to date research.

In closing, I need to reiterate that what you do with this information is as

important as not having it at all. I also realize that when you are in

situations like this, it is confusing, because at some point or another you have

to

trust your doctor.

Know that this is somewhere that we do understand and believe what you are

going through.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International