Pancreatitis Support Group
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 chronic pancreatitis can present with persistent abdominal pain or steatorrhea, as well as severe nausea. Some patients with chronic pancreatitis often look very sick, while others don't appear to be...
I have been posting here pretty regularly. I am in the middle of an attack going on three weeks. I think I've lost about 15 lbs. I'm struggling to stay hydrated as even fluids make me ill. The pain is no longer bad because I haven't eaten much but the nausea is terrible. Retching every morning after I get up. I'm getting weaker by the day. Is it time to go to the ER?
If you cannot do fluids ( and lots of them) you need to go and get fluids!
An upset pancreas pulls fluid from the blood and your blood thickens. Your abdomen swells and affects breathing and organ function.It is essential, sometimes even critical, to your health and healing to get some fluids in your system. A major cause of death from untreated pancreatitis is this thickened blood causing organ failures, like the heart!
I go to the ER about 3-4 times a year to get fluids in an acute episode. They will probably take blood, give you some saline fluid, come back and piggyback any other nutrients ( potassium, calcium...) whatever the past three weeks of poor nutrition ( from not eating, or not being able to digest!) have depleted from your system.
So go to ER and advocate for the health and healing of your body!
I have had my Primary care doctor (PCP) set up for me to go to a local cancer infusion center and get infused with supplemental fluids when I have to stop eating and drinking water for more than away. But the arrangement had to be set up ahead of time. Something for you to think about later. I have noticed that I heal from episode a lot faster when I jump on the hydration with IV fluids!
If you can call your regular doctors call office and let them know you are heading out to the ER, then you can tell them at the ER that you have done that. It is sad but sometimes the ER doctors don't believe us and don't want to do what is needed to help us.
Take care of yourself and good luck!