To DeeDee

[Guest guest]

Dear DeeDee,

I hope your daughter is seeing some improvement now that some of her meds

have been reduced. I know you must feel very frustrated and perplexed by

dealing with all the different doctors and the different opinions of all. Just

by

reading your post, though, it appears that her pancreas doctor is the least

supportive, you mentioned that he said he feels that " she needs to deal with

the pain " , that he " didn't think her pancreas was acting up this time " , and that

he " blames in on the endrometriosis " .

Meanwhile, two other doctors, her gyn surgeon and the surgeon who just

observed her pancreas during open surgery and they both noted the swelling

and inflamation. Based on this information alone, I agree with Mark, and I

would tend to value their findings and observations, over those of someone

who seems to have been doubtful of her prior claims of pain and who

apparently has felt that she was just a drug seeker. It sounds as though she

was handling it as well as she could, to the highest extent that she could

physically bear, before asking for additional assistance with medication. A

person can only bear so much, and it seems as though she's been a happy,

well adjusted young woman until the pain was just too great for her to handle

on her own.

Based on my personal experience, I have found that some types of

antidepressants actually have a positive affect on lessening pain levels with

chronic pain conditions. It may be that the psychiatrist who prescribed the

antidepressants for her felt that your daughter might benefit in the same

manner, and it could be that his choice of type/brand of antidepressant wasn't

one that is correctly suited for her needs. Or it could be that this, combined

with an anti-anxiety med, is just more than she needs. To need to have both,

does seem like a bit much for a young woman who apparently is normally

well balanced and of a cheerful spirit.

On a personal note, I have taken a low dosage antidepressant for two years

now, and have found it most helpful, especially when under situations that

would upset me or bring on stress that would normally act as a stimulant for

pancreas irritation. Each of us is different, though, and should be

individually

tested and evaluated very closely before any medication is prescribed. I

would not advise stopping any of her medication on your own, though, without

discussing it thoroughly with the prescribing doctor first, as it can be harmful

to

discontinue some medications without proper preparations beforehand,

especially antidepressants.

Please continue to keep us updated on your daughter's progress, and let us

know how else we can help.

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.