Re: Hi, I am new to the group and seeking info - Gallstones and Pancreatitis.

[Guest guest]

Dear Levarge,

Not having had any gallbladder problems, (knock on wood), I can't relate any

personal experience with gallbladder surgery. I would, however, suggest that

if the organ is as compromised as the tests show, that removal would be

recommended. This may, or may not, solve many of your problems, but it

would, at least, solve the problems that the organ presently causes. Many of

our members have found themselves in situations very similar to your own,

and then have found that once the gallbladder was removed, the pancreas

difficulties remained.

You ask what can be done now to relieve the pain and discomfort that you're

enduring 24/7. I would suggest that you restrict fats and protein from you diet

as much as you can. Most of us with chronic pancreatitis follow a diet

regimen that permits no more than 30 grams of fat daily, with several smaller

meals or snacks throughout the day, each consisting of no more than 6-8 fat

grams apiece. We also restrict our protein intake, avoiding red meats -

supplementing instead with fish, poultry, lean pork and a higher carbohydrate

intake. Alcohol is the #1 antagonist of any pancreas problems and is

restricted completely. Some people even have problems with the alcohol in

some mouth washes and cough remedies, and avoid those, too.

This means avoiding any fried foods, and most fast food restaurants. Forget

about the Hardee's new double burger......that one's totally off limits!! You

will find that if you adopt a low fat diet that your eating difficulties will be

relieved tremendously. Most of us also take pancreatic enzymes when we

eat. If it's determined that you do have CP, they would be prescribed by your

doctor. The enzymes supplement the pancreas enzymes, thus making the

digestive process much easier and less painful. You can purchase similar

enzymes in most health food stores, they will be of a much lesser strength

than those available by prescription only, but they could help you for the time

being.

Additionally, try to drink as much water as you can. At least 80 ounces, or

more, each day. The pancreas needs to be very well hydrated, and will

cause you more discomfort when it's not. You will notice a difference if you

can increase your fluid intake.

Heating pads are our friend. When the pains are really bad, many of us use

the heating pad, placed on the abdomen, (or back, if you have accompaning

back pain), set on a medium heat setting. Many people sleep with theirs,

finding that the heat eases the pain of a bad flare.

Try to restrict any intense physical activity, and avoid any maneuvers that

have you bending, leaning or twisting the abdomen. All of these activities just

cause more pain, and most of us have found that we feel much better if we

avoid stressing the abdominal area as much as possible.

Most of us are on narcotic analgesics to treat our pancreas pain. For some,

pain medication is necessary on a 27/7 basis, just so that we can function.

Others are able to get by with occasional medication to treat sporadic flares.

Each of us is different, and at different levels of disease, and the causes of

our chronic pancreatitis are multiple. If it is determined that you have a

chronic problem with your pancreas, your doctor would explain the diet,

medications and enzymes to you further. It is premature, at this time, to go

into it further. For pain relief, you may get some relief from extra-strength

Tylenol or Alieve, I'm just not sure.

I hope that some of this information is useful to you. I also hope that it is

just

your gallbladder that's causing you all this pain, because chronic pancreatitis

is a very compromising condition and not something that I'd wish on anyone

else! If you've been having these problems for as long as four years, it could

be more serious, but you really have to eliminate the first offending cause to

determine this. It is a good sign that nothing has shown up in all the tests

and

radiology that you've had.

There are a lot of wonderful people here, with tremendous knowledge about

all aspects of pancreatitis and it's many related problems. Many of our

members have also shared the diagnosis of IBS, as you have, before finding

out that it was pancreatitis causing their problems. Many doctors just aren't

experienced enough with this field of gastroenterology to correctly diagnose

the problem when it begins. Please let us know how else we can help you.

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.

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

Thank you for your informed response!!!

It is funny but for years, doctors have been telling me that I had

costochondritis (chronic inflammation of the intercostal space

between the ribs and the sternum). I have had over 100 steroid

injections into my rib cage which is no picnic. Maybe I did have

some joint inflammation but I highly doubt it given the diagnosis of

gallbladder dysfunction and the fact that I now track my pain and

eating.

It is sad that in America with all our advanced medicine, you still

have to luck into getting a correct diagnosis.

One odd note. I have found that if I eat fat free, I am ok. If I eat

a low fat meal I get the pain. But if I lapse into something fatty,

I only get the pain 50% or so of the time. Weird.... maybe I am just

imagining it.

[Guest guest]

Laurie,

Thank you as well. Both you and Heidi have given me more knowledge

about this than weeks worth of research. While I have been

struggling with the pain for years now, it got much worse about 4

months ago when I ended up in the ER. Fortunately, it was not

critical (ultrasound showed biliary sludge but no inflammation of

the duct). I personally believe that I keep passing sludge through

the duct and it triggers alot of pain. I have noticed that my stool

is more loose than normal some I assume some malsobrtion issues are

there. Every once in awhile, I will have serious of yellowish

diahrea with alot of chaff in it....... and it really burns the anus

on the way out. I figure I am passing a load of bile and sludge sinc

ethe pain will resolve completely for 2 or 3 days afterwards.

Unfortunately, we are in the process of moving right now to

California and I will have to wait until I get on my insurance out

there to get the surgery done. On the plus side, I hope to go to

UCLA or another top notch medical center for evaluation and the

surgery.

Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

Levarge,

since you are moving out to California, I wanted to introduce myself to

you. I am Kimber and am the California State Representative for

Pancreatitis Association International (this support group). I do have

some doctor recommendations for UCLA and some for a few doctors in the

San Francisco Bay Area if you want me to pass that information on to

you, let me know. Also, if you ever need me, feel free to contact me

when you want or need to and I'll do my best to help if I can. I'm home

most of the time as I am now disabled, so I'm fairly easy to reach. I'll

privately send you an email with my contact information.

Hope to get to know you better.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

Mark,

I live in Vallejo, which is in the Northern section of the San Francisco

Bay Area.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.