Guest guest Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Patty, I'm sorry that the stenting is no longer an option. I would be getting a second opinion about the surgery, but before that I would be buying a digital or tape recorder to take into your consultations from now on. They are so handy for times when you stop hearing something after being given news. You can then refer back to it when you are ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Dear Patty, Yes, it is true that Cambridge Class V CP does mean an advanced stage of progression. If pain control and surgery are your only options, if it were me, I would make sure that I was under the care of the best Pain Management doctor I could find. There are many different kinds of pain medication to treat those of us with this type of pain, and it would be helpful to know that you were receiving the best pain control possible with med therapy that was designed specifically for your situation. I don't know what you are on now, but I do know that a good PM doctor will keep searching and having the patient try new meds at different doses until the most effective regimen is found. My PM doctor has put me on a non-narcotic med that has enabled me to discontinue my breakthrough meds almost completely. I don't take more than 10-15 mgs. of oxycodone a week now, when before I was taking it several times a day. There are other options, if you have a doctor that's willing to keep looking for you. Aside from excellent pain control, if surgery is your only option, there again, there are different procedures that benefit different situations. Your doctor's comment that total removal " wasn't possible " would have me asking " why, what is so unusual about my situation that this option wouldn't be feasible for me? " I say this because a total pancreatectomy with auto islet transfer IS definitely a viable surgery, several of our members here have had it and now no longer have chronic pancreatitis. I'm sure that some of them would be happy to tell you all about their successes. If it were me, I would want to know why is wasn't possible for me. If you aren't happy with the way your doctor is handling your treatment, you may wish to consult another. You have nothing to lose by getting another opinion, and you may find someone who offers you some better options that what you've heard so far. Please let us know what's going on with your situation, and what plans you intend to make. With love, hope and prayers, Heidi Heidi H. Griffeth South Carolina State Rep. SE Regional Rep., PAI http://pancassociation.org/anthology.htm#Heidi Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion, and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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