Newly Diagnosed, Alcohol, Depression, & Diet

[Guest guest]

Fred,

You wrote, " I am new to the group... I was diagnosed with the

pancreatitis and was told I am diabetic. ..I went to the mayo

clinic ...if I drink I will die they said. I still have a beer at

night a couple times a week. My dr. says it's ok. I am also

concerned about where ill be at in 5-10 years and my life

expectancy...my sugars are not under control and I don't know

what to do except stop eating. I am only 42 and I can't do much

because of the pain. I barely eat and gain weight. I am really

depressed. "

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through so much. It is such

a difficult period of transition after being initially diagnosed.

There is so much confusion and so many questions. Many times family

members do not understand what is going on either and everybody is

operating out of fear. And, for the most part, we should have a

healthy fear of this disease, but not give it all our power.

As Sandy said, I would listen to a Pancreatologist from Mayo over a

regular doctor, particularly when it comes to a question about

consuming something that will kill me, i.e.: alcohol. It just

isn't worth it. I had trouble giving up sugar, and that will kill

me, too. Many people do not realize how much sugar alcohol actually

has in it. And, really, it isn't about sugar, as it is about

carbohydrates. There also isn't a near carbohydrate, and there

isn't

a near alcohol beer.

The issue about weight loss and weight gain is very confusing to

people. The reason many people gain weight, though that is

contradicted in medical texts, is due to the malnutrition. You may

have heard that you have to eat to lose weight because starvation

will cause the body to hold onto every single nutrient and pound of

body weight it can. It is a survival mechanism. Thus, it is with

malnutrition.

I do not know one person with Pancreatitis that is not depressed. My

doctor told me the first day I met him that he needed to treat my

pain and my depression. At the time I wasn't in that much pain

and did not think I was depressed. I overheard his nurse say, " God

love her, she doesn't have a clue. " I have taken an active

role in

managing my depression since, with psychotherapy and

antidepressants. Depression can be stagnating and Pancreatitis

requires all the strength and energy we can muster.

Please know we are here to offer our experiences. Please feel free

to ask questions. For every question asked on the board, I have

learned there are ten people who wished they would have asked it,

too.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International