I'm going through it now. It's been almost 4 months and I can't say that i'm pain free, but I feel it's been worth it. There are times that I'm pain free and the rest of the time I have some pain but I'm not taking 6-8 pain meds a day, like I was. I'm taking Creon and I've been eating solids for a couple of weeks now (virtually fat free).

I'm on it for 13 hours per day (at night). I'm still able to work during the day. They didn't give me a pole, but I stick the pump and bag in a back pack. It's not convenient to lug it around and I lay around a lot more now than I used to, but I still do things.

The first few weeks of TPN were difficult. It took awhile for the doctors to adjust the formula correctly and i was very hungry (no food or water). Some people do not experience this. After they adjusted it, it was really okay. My pain eased up very quickly. A few weeks ago my GI allowed clear liquids. It took a few days for my body to adjust, but the taste of chicken broth was soooo good. Now I'm eating solids again and I'm feeling the best I have in over a year.

There are dangers to TPN. I had an infection once, but with antibiotics it was cleared right away. All in all, I never thought I'd ever feel this good again. It's been well worth it for me. They might remove my PICC line next week. If you would like to know more, or if you have more questions, please let me know. I had a million questions running through my head when I stated TPN. I'd be happy to help in any way I can.

Terri: ALl I Can tell you is that I had 3 attacks in three months. I am now 6 weeks out and have NO pain. I started back to food like you VERY carefully and have an ap on my ipod where I track my fat grams, I started at 10 a day and now do 15, I can stay like this easily if it means I can stay well. I think the TPN can only help. The pancreas can heal and then you can start slowly and find the best baseline if fat grams helps you as well. Please let me know what you do, My thoughts are with you.

I was on TPN for three months,this was after being in the hospital
for 14 days 4 of those days in ICU. After being released from the
hospital I was not able to eat solid food for 3 months so in that respect the TPN basically kept me alive because I was only able
to take clear liquids. That being said, during that time I felt absolutely
horrible, in constant pain(I was taking pain meds and was still in alot
of pain) had constant nausea and vomiting and fatigue, I had to have
a nurse come to my house once a week to take blood for labs.I would
have to hook up the TPN at 8 at night and it would run for 12 hrs
then I would disconnect at 8 in the morning.With the TPN you have a small pump to hook up to, I used to put the pump on a ottoman
with wheels so I could get around, the best time to hook up is at night
It's about 4 years since I had the TPN and I still have bad pain and
it seems like my pancreas is just getting worse,but that's not to say
that the TPN did'nt help it served a purpose I did get an infection though.I would only recommend it when all else fails.
Good Luck
Rob

RS696,

It's interesting that they allowed you to drink clear liquids while on TPN. For about the first 3 months I was completely no food or liquids. I wonder why our doctors handled it differently?

They say to watch the fat intake, but for me, avoiding all preservatives and changing to an organic diet has helped more. MSG will make me drop to the floor and most prepackage/canned soups contain it. BHT is used in packaging (not in the food directly) but will cause the same reaction. The TPN I had was a small backpack pump that I could carry with me. I had severe malnutrition from the malabsorbtion. With the CREON and ACTIGALL I've made a fairly good come back. Still low on the protien counts, but I've gone from a very loose size 4 to a size 6 in the last 3 months.

I talked to my doctor today. He finally told me that according to my last ERCP done on August 19th that he would classify me as chronic. He has decided not to do the TPN but put me on CREON 12000 for now and see how that helps. I just started today. I will let you all know if I get relief from this.

Hello, Can someone explain this TPN thing. My son who has CP has heard nothing about this?
Thank You and I wish you all the best!

TPN is total parenteral nutrition. Instead of eating through your mouth, they feed you through your vein. I completed my treatment a couple of weeks ago. If your is like me, the majority of my pain was when I ate. The TPN allowed my pancreas to "rest" and I was nearly pain free. Now that I completed the treatment, I'm able to eat and i've only taken one pain med since then (prior to the treatment I was taking 5 pain meds per day). I'm still extremely careful with what I eat and i'm taking Creon 24000 with all food, but it was certainly worth it for me. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

bevosquar what do you eat? I am probably at a 2 with pain and 1 weeks from last attack. I want to do whatever I can to prevent another, (since Doc's can't help) what works for you with regard to food. If you mention "small' meal, please tell me exactly what and how much works for you! Thanks!

It seems to me that the TPN could almost be used as diagnostic tool for all the people who have had every test known to man with no results. I mean if you put someone on it and their pain improves and they gain weight back isn't that pretty much CP?

I pretty much eat fat free things. I make my own food. I eat lots of things that sound like normal food, just modified greatly. Today, i've had egg whites, tvp sausage, strawberries, yogurt, cantalope, spinach lasagna (with fat free sauce and cheese), salad, carrots, and watermelon. It sounds like a lot of food, right? The key for me is to eat slow and small portions, but I need to eat every 2 hours or so. I haven't had much luck with meat yet either. I cook alot with Pam but also use MCT oil. My GI prescribed it to me and I can actually tolerate it.

By the way my CP, came from SOD. With 2 sphinterotomys my ducts are relieved and the TPN treatment rested my attack and I'm feeling great (until the next attack). I hope this helps, but please contact me for more info, if needed.