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...

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lala00 07/23/2012

I am showing some signs of diabetes now and I was wondering if that knocks me out of being able to have the TP/AIT? I have not been able to talk to my dr about the surgery yet. I tried to make an appt with him a few months ago and he decided to try a new med. I think he did that since I am 3.5 hours away and tried to save me a trip. That was nice of him but I really wanted to talk to him about the surgery. I was not feeling good at all when he called me so I was not much in the mood to fight that day.
I am going to make an appt this week to see about diabetes but was just wondering in the meantime if that will keep me from having the surgery. thanks!

syl04127 08/09/2012

I agree with Heather and highly recommend Dr. Levy, he is a God sent specialist. I do take enzymes (Creon) that will be for the rest of my life. I take 3 with each meal and if I am going to have lots of fried, which I try to avoid, then I will take 4, it is also 2 with snacks, randomly. I do drink alot of Silk Almond Milk-Unsweetened, seems to help me and is easy on my stomach. Diane, you asked about my first week after surgery, sorry I had not been able to get back on here quicker, I have been bombarded at work with reports. Well, my first week was absorbing lots of info, I did have pain but nothing like what I had been experiencing before the surgery, nothing that could not be controlled with painkiller (Norco). I was in ICU 2 days, then moved to a regular room and was anxious, scared but anxious to get up and walk, figured the quicker I did that the faster I could be on road to recovery, everything has to be done slowly though, need to learn how to lift myself out of bed so not to injure myself, both my husband and I learned how to administer insulin with syringe and with insulin pen. Insulin pens work best on me, at least that is what I can handle.Everyday and through out the day I had doctor's visiting, also partners from transplant staff, they were very caring, where there to ask questions and answer ours as well. I was able to eat, even cheese!! It felt like I was about to start a new life and indeed I have. I am just 9 mo post surgery and I know this is a long road, but it has sure made a difference not only in my life but in the life of those that surround me as well. I learned that fatty foods and gas producing foods can give me pain so that will be consumed in limited portions or just avoid if possible. The great thing about Baylor is that they assist us with making reservations at Twice Blessed House at a lower (patient) rate, which we can room at after surgery and also when we come from far for our appointment followups. It is scary like anything else but if I had not had this surgery, I do not know what would have been of me, some days I was ready to give up, but that seemed unfair to my loved ones,I did not know if I could develop pancreatic cancer, doctor's were already checking for that, other days I wished that I could go in and yank that pancreas myself, I was feeling sorry for myself, I was not ME. I was being miserable and trying to keep a straight face both at work and at home, I never wished it on anyone else because maybe they would not be able to take it, my husband, family, friend's support kept me going and the will to live, I had to fight this and the only way that I was going to win was to be brave and go through with this surgery and so far, though I might be somewhat diabetic but I am winning, I know that I have a new battle to fight which is diabetes, but at least I am in no pancreatic pain. Any pain that I might have is from post surgery, which I understand that recovery takes a good while, but I am now able to make plans and not just live day by day and see how I feel on said days before I can perform anything productive. I do hope that if you or others that are candidates for this surgery, to really give yourself a chance at this new life. I must mention that I had a choice of the whipple or tp/ait, I picked tp/ait because I figured if they are going to open might as well go through it all, I have heard where others have had problem with whipple and then start to consider tp/ait, might as well get it all done and start on road to recovery. Take care, msg me anytime. Lala..my prayers out for you too, you will do great!!

syl04127 08/09/2012