Pancreatitis Support Group

I read that too.. I'm not sure what to believe... the complications from CP can definetly affect life span (diabetes, etc.). I recently saw a specialist at the U of M and he said the only real treatment is the Total Pancreatectomy w/ auto islet transplant surgery. There are people on here that have suffered with it a lot longer than I have, some 20+ years compared to my 3. Some cases are more severe than others as well. I met someone at the dr's office and she probably had a milder case, as she had the same doc but was going through tons of ERCP'S where I am having an EUS and MRCP to confirm the dx and being referred to the surgeon. She also said she doesn't take pain meds because she refuses.. hmm I can't refuse. I'm in so much pain, and I DO have a high tolerance but damn, this is like no other and if you really really suffer, it's too painful to refuse pain meds in my opinion. So, there are varying degrees of CP and it all depends on the individual. Not much help, I know ;) but that's my 2 cents. Hope this helps to ease your mind a little!

My doctor told me it does not decease your life expectancy. He said it will get worse over time and you may get diabetes. There is also a small increase in getting pancreas cancer 4%. That was the first question I asked.

Thank you both for your thoughtful responses. It confirms what I already thought - like any chronic illness it really depends on a lot of factors. I feel reassured.
Hugs to both of you.

ILike all things, I suppose the progression of this disease is tied to many individual factors.

t really seems sort of random how some people get this and others don't. I know people who are chronic smokers and heavy drinkers, yet they just continue to go through life unscathed with physical issues. My grandfather smoked for 70 years and was an alcohol abuser during his middle-aged years and he died in his 80s. Sometimes it just isn't fair.

I would hope in my lifetime (I am 37) that someone will come up with some type of genetic-based therapy or cure. Heck, if we can clone sheep why can't we clone a pancreas. I know they recently discovered stem cells do exist in the pancreas, so perhaps there is some hope.

Meanwhile we do what we can individually, and with the support of each other, to make it as far as life will take us.

Thank your for that beautiful reply. If nothing else, this condition has made me value life more. I feel more awake and I cherish each day more than I used to.
You're right - there's no sense to be made out of who gets sick. I also know lots of people who abuse the heck out of their bodies and live a long life.
Be well and enjoy!

I am with Sidfarkus on this one. There are many other factors related to this disease. I have read that statistic and I don't agree with it. There are too many other issues to pinpoint death caused by the pancreas.

I know of a person who was riding a four wheeler when it turned over on top of him and killed him. Was his death solely caused by the 4 wheeler or was it really because he chose to ride the 4 wheeler at 80 mph down an asphalt highway without any protective equipment including protection from a helmet? The manufacturer of the 4 wheeler was sued saying the 4 wheeler had a design flaw making it unsafe. Do you see my point here? The focus was placed on the 4 wheeler and not on the factors that really caused the accident.

=- HealthySquid -=

Im recently new here to the site and Im here to learn more about pancreastitis. I dont know if there is a decrease in life expectancy but if it helps ease your mind I have this since I was born basically. I know I havent been much help but I thought that knowing that there is someone who has had this 20 + years would help ease your mind a little bit. :)

Your comment was extremely helpful! Thank you so much!'
Patricia

I remember reading somewhere that the life expectancy for someone who have chronic pancreatitis and continues to drink alcohol is five years. I also think that if you make it past the 5 year mark you are in much better shape.

I would say the key is to be kind to your pancrease. a good diet is important. No alcohol as they dont mix, and no smoking as your more suseptable to the associated cancers. Moderate exercise and no stress. My pain started when I was 18. I was in the navy and it took over 6 years to diagnose, needless to say i got good at managing pain and handling the recovery by trial and error/more pain. Jello and Smarties is what I lived off. After the diagnosis via a botched kidney stone ultrasound, I was physically in the hospital more days than out for about a year. I got booted out of the Navy and as a parting gift they were going to do a Whipple. Long n short is that the week before the surgury was pain free so I asked to postpone it. They agreed. This thanksgiving I will turn 41. In that span I have had several major developments, severe hypoglycemia, ocludded splenic vein and gastric varicies, weight loss. But I am alive and I recently found an anti-oxidant cocktail that has improved my stool and I put on 15 pounds. I also have a 4-year old daughter, it is all for her now. Keep your chin up and be thankfull for everything, as each day is a gift. :)