What is Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis can present as episodes of acute inflammation in a previously injured pancreas, or as chronic damage with persistent pain or malabsorption.
Patients with...
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Hi!
I made this kind survey. Just copy the questions with Your own answers. I hope this may give us some new information. How many years suffered CP, number of acute attacks: 2 years, only one acute attack which results to CP. Habits: Used to drink every second weekend, nowadays never. I smoke 10-20 per day. Diagnosis of CP: autoimmune pancreatitis (Immune system failure), possible alcohol ethiology Constitution: Relatively good. The pain disturbs the life, energy levels low sometimes, tiredness after working day, mood problems sometimes Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or diabetes: EPI yes (difficult), diabetes not yet How tested: several CT scans, US, EUS, MRIs, biopsy, blood tests Pancreas test results (latest): pancreatic atrophy (tissue shrink, in acute phase it was expanded), couple of calcifications, normal pancreatic ducts. Pancreatic biopsy was ok, no inflammation in the tissue. Other tests (latest): All blood tests normal, Elastase-1 (stool)test very low (40) meaning exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Vitamine levels in blood in normal range Symptoms: Upper abdominal pain, just under diaphragm. Pain get worse about two hours after eating. The pain is penetrating and even touch to abdomen feels bad. Not back pain except on the acute attack two years ago. Sometimes it feels that there is open wound under diaphragm. Pain levels 1-10? Variable. On acute attack (I had only one) it was 9. Two months after AP it was 5. Today it is 0-5 depending of the day. Medicines: Tramadol, 50mg 1-3 times/day, Cymbalta 60mg/day, Creon 1-2 with meals Do they work? Tramadol works great. Cymbalta; I'm not sure, it may work, Creon; does not affect the pain but it is for the malabsorption. Things get better: exercise, avoiding stress, vacation:) Things get worse: Sitting long time (at work), hunger. Propably alcohol, I've been afraid of to try even a one beer after the acute attack Free word: Antioxidants, I will try that coctail. I have desided to overcome this condition some day:) You should do the same! Hope you all the best!!! Posted on 10/17/09, 04:10 pm |
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How many years suffered CP, number of acute attacks: 3 years with one acute attack lasting 4 months before they figured out what it was and treated it.
Habits: Used to drink anywhere from 1-2x a week to 1-2x a month. Now- no alcohol, no tobacco, no caffeine Diagnosis of CP: Idiopathic Constitution: Really awful. Dropped out of school, lost my job, lost our home. Finally got my pain under control about a month ago and am seeing a surgeon in 2 weeks. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or diabetes: I’m taking Viokase 16, Rx says 2 per meal, I use up to four if the meal has more fat in it and no diabetes but have had hypoglycemic episodes where I was almost rushed to the hospital How tested: TONS of CT scans, MRCP, ERP, EUS, MRIs, Pancreatic Function Test, needle biopsy, blood tests Pancreas test results (latest): Shows 5 of 9 criteria for determining CP, my dr. didn’t even need to see me, just referred me over to his surgeon Symptoms: Pain and nausea. Pain is under left side of ribs, also in back. Sphincter of oddi causes sharp pains sometimes on the right side. Heartburn can be horrible to the point of vomiting in some flares. Pain levels 1-10? These days it stays at 2-3 most of the time due to my pain meds. Before it was 7-8 Medicines: Prilosec 40mg, Viokase 16, Oxycontin 20mg 2x daily, Dilaudid 2mg every 3-4 hours as needed Do they work? Yes! I finally have relief thanks to adding the oxycontin to my regimen Things that make it better: Taking my mind off it with reading, internet, sewing, and my dogs and cat Things that make it worse: Some fatty foods (I eat some fatty food sometimes of course, mostly it isn’t too bad), laying flat on my back or stomach, anything touching or putting pressure on my ribs. Free word: Palliative Care. Those clinics are the only ones that will actually help you control your pain and not treat you like a junkie. Also if you’re running out of doctors, try the U of Mn- I swear you won’t have to look any farther than Dr. Freeman! 
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How many years suffered CP, number of acute attacks: 5 years, 9 acute attacks - 4 in first year; 1 in 2nd, 1 in 3rd; none in 4th; 3 this year (unfortunately just had one - that's why I've been so quiet lately).
Habits: Used to drink a lot when I was younger, then maybe once a day, then down to 1-2 drinks per week before this. Now I don't drink at all. I don't smoke either. Diagnosis of CP: I truly don't know. I need to find out next time I see my specialist. Constitution: Pretty bad right now. The pain is with me every day, sometimes more than others, but always there. This past 3 months has been pretty bad and I just got out of hospital and will be going back to my specialist for another ERCP or EUS soon. I have a lot of depression but hopefully my new medicine will take care of that. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or diabetes: Don't know what that is so can't answer; diabetes - no. How tested: several CT scans, EUS, ERCPs, MRIs, biopsy, blood tests Pancreas test results (latest): don't know answer to this either. Other tests (latest): Lipase was elevated which actually it usually isn't. Blood in stool so looking at possible kidney stones. Vitamin deficiency. Symptoms: Upper abdominal pain, just under diaphragm. Acute pain in lower left side. Pain get worse about 15 minutes to one hour after eating. The pain is penetrating and even touch to abdomen feels bad. Some lower back pain, especially now, which could be related to kidney stone. Lots of nausea but little actual vomiting. Low energy level especially now after being in hospital. I get dehydrated easy so that's what sends me to hospital most of the time. Pain levels 1-10? Most days, my pain ranges from 3-7. During acute attacks, it ranges from 6-10. Medicines: Pancrease with every meal; Prevacid every morning; Percocet 10 mg every 6 hours - I take 2 tablets because one doesn't help pain; Methadone 10 mg 3 times a day. Just beginning on new anti-depression and anxiety medication - we will see how it works. Do they work? Pancrease does help my food absorption; Prevacid helps me stomach; Percocet helps pain but doesn't get rid of it; Methadone - I haven't noticed anything that it helps. Have to wait to see about anti-depression med. Things that make it better: Lying flat in bed; rest; lying on left side; reading; my dog; my grandbaby (she makes me smile). Things that make it worse: Being up and about; eating Chinese or fatty foods; drinking alcohol; stress is probably the worst for me because I'm very diet-compliant. Free word: Helping others. I've found that since I've been on this forum and when I support others, I feel a bit better. So reaching out and getting beyond my own needs is truly been helpful to me. Maybe it will be helpful to you also!
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