I have questions

[Guest guest]

Hi!

I'm new to the group but I have been reading some of the postings.

I have a few questions that I need answers to. The doctors and

hospitals where I live don't see many pancreatitis patients (I am 1

in 2 the hospital I go to has seen)so they aren't familiar with the

disease.

First, let me tell you about my experiences in my final diagnosis of

idiopathic chronic pancreatitis, which took almost two years. I

went to the ER with chest pain, I thought I was having a heart

attack. The only thing they found was that my liver enzymes were

elevated. I saw my primary doctor and he sent me to a

gastroenterologist. After 2 ERCP's with sphincterotomy, which put

me into the hospital both times, my GI doc sent me to another

specialist for a EUS, which I never had. He did several tests, one

of which saved my life, literally. I had an undetected renal artery

aneurysm that was growing larger and if it would have ruptured would

have killed me in a matter of minutes. After several visits,

inwhich he kept telling me I didn't have pancreatitis, he diagnosed

me with IBS. My primary doctor was appalled at this diagnosis. His

exact words were " there is no way in hell you have IBS. How does he

account for the enzyme elevations. " My GI doctor concurred that I

didn't have IBS, that I have chronic pancreatitis. He also told me

that they wouldn't be referring their patients to this specialist

again.

My current course of treatment is pain management and

hospitalization when I have attacks.

I have a few questions because I need answers.

What do pancreatic enzymes do for you? Are they worth taking? My

GI doctor was hoping they would help a little with pain relief, do

they?

My GI doctors partner suggested I have a MRCP because it is a more

sensitive test than the ERCP. What are the advantages and

disadvantages to this test besides the obvious hospitalization

afterward?

What are the advantages to taking antioxidants when you have chronic

pancreatitis?

I have a TENS unit that I use for my neck. Where do you place the

electrodes to help with pancreatic pain?

My pain management doc would like to do a nerve block deadening the

nerves to the pancreas. Does this help? The best I can get is that

it works for some people but not for others. Is it worth trying?

I know I am asking a lot of questions but I need answers that the

doctors don't have. You know first hand what the doctors don't know

or understand. I would appreciate any help you can give me.

Kat