I also had extreme fatigue. It took a couple of months of taking enzymes, eating very low fat, and resting a lot- napping urging the day, stuff like that before I started to improve. I was out of work on disability for 5 months and was able to rest etc because I wasn't working. I went back a few months ago and I am starting to have problems again with pain, nausea, & fatigue. I travel a lot for my job and I think it's really affecting me. My doctor thought I should take a year off but at my age (55) in my field (technology) I would not be able to go back after a year, so I am trying to make it work. They key is to eat very low fat, rest as much as possible and give your pancreas time to heal. I think you posted that your doctor wanted you to take a year off school. If you can take the time, take as much as possible, so your body has time to heal.

Good luck
GG

yes, I do have it as well. It is because of this chronic disease. That is why I am trying to go to the gym with my sister 3x a week. I can just do the treadmill right now until I get my strength back.

Are you anemic and have you had your thyroid checked? I have problems with both because of malabsorption and the low fat diet. The dizziness usually means low blood pressure. I would definitely tell your doc about your symptoms.

Thanks for your replies! I am not anemic, however I do have hereditary hemochromatosis. I do know that can make a person tired all by itself..but lucky for me, my ferritin levels have been very easily managed...yet still I feel so weak some days. I see my dr. this week and I will be bringing all of this up to him.
For those of us with multiple health issues, sometimes its difficult to track down the cause of certain symptoms. I guess its just hard for me to wrap my mind around the idea that my pancreas can make me feel so tired.....

I am going though this horrible weakness right now, I figured it was because of not being able to eat & the chronic diarrhea.

I start home health care & TPN today, so hopefully it should help..

oh Cheryl your weakness is def from all you ben thru and now needing TPN...hopefully that will help with the weakness too...malnutrition will def do that. Having multiple health probs combined will do it as well. This disease is def a rollercoaster ride one day I am able to do the treadmill the next I am in a lot of pain..no happy medium!

I actually have this problem quite frequently. If I stand up too fast, I see red and spot and then I cant see at all. My ears start to ring and if I dont sit down, I feel like im going to fall down. I have actually fallen from this before when I was very sick right before I went to the hospital for a 3 weeks stay. No doctor or nurse can ever figure out why it happens because my blood pressure doesnt drop too much, only sometimes, and thats the times Ive fallen. I dont think it has too much to do with my meds because Ive had the same problem with not taking them. I wish someone knew why this happens

You are definately not the only one. I have terrible problems with both fatigue and dizziness. I try to take naps, but I'm about to move cross country and there is soooo much to do. My PCP said that some of my meds could be causing some of the fatigue, but not the dizziness, so i guess it's just one more in a long list of "wonderful" things that go with CP.

TPN is really helping..I did dishes in 45 minutes instead of the 2 hours 2 weeks ago. But I did end up back in hospital for another 5 days due to an abscess & UTI. Did my 6 bottles of gamma globulin while in there..But I notice since I am getting more nutrition I have a little more energy. My home health nurse says I need to start building myself back up again. So I guess I will start physical therapy soon. I hope to be back to grocery shopping & actually shopping in the store & not coming home & sleeping for 2-4 hours afterwards..

Weakness, fatigue is a big problem for me. I have found that smoothies with protein powder and lots of fruits & veggies are really helpful. I was able to go back to work about 4 months ago (we'll see how long it lasts) and if I don't have my protein smoothies every day I am exhausted after a couple of days without them. I was on STD for 5 months and I just wasn't ready to give up work yet. My doctor wanted me to take at least a year, which would have meant retiring at my age, mid 50's. I still struggle with fatigue every day.. Yesterday I had to sit down after walking the dog I was so tired, then I fell asleep in the chair. The best thing you can do for yourself is to try to find a diet that supports you nutritionally and rest a lot. While I was out on STD and just diagnosed I was napping every day.

Good luck
GG

I have also extreme fatigue. I wake up and can stay awake for 4 hours, eat, back to sleep for 3-4 hours, up for 4-5 hours then asleep all night for 16 hours. It hurts to stand for more than a few minutes. I read that anything that increases abdominal pressure can be detrimental to pancreatitis. I have been bedridden for 2 1/2 years. I tried to work as long as I could but one day I could not get up and that was it for me. It is not my meds, it is the pancreatitis that makes me sleep so much. I am sure of it. karen

Hi Cowgirl. I have the dizziness. Diane gave me a tip and I asked the doctor about my BP medicine. I am over-medicated and she is stopping one of my BP meds. Kudos to Diane! My BP is very low and it causes dizziness, nausea and I feel like I am going to pass out. The weakness is very difficult for me. I am a big guy. (305) I have to climb into big trucks, tractor-trailers and buses and it gets harder everyday. I have lost almost 70lbs since May and I am getting weaker from not eating. There isn't much I can do about it because eating makes me sick. I can really feel your pain on this one. If you have a BP monitor, check your BP when you feel that way. You can get an automatic BP checker at most drug stores or at Harbor Freight Tools for about $20 or less if you can find a coupon. They cost more at drug stores. Good Luck and God Bless.

Thanks to all for the replies! I went to my dr whose office has a dietician on staff who has given me some ideas on how to get more nutrition in my daily food....mostly I just desperately needed to add more protein. Since i have changed a few things, and after having taken sublingual B12 for about a month now...I am finally starting to notice an increase in energy..also, frankly since I have stopped being afraid to take more painkiller (just tramadol) I am feeling more able to get things done.
Largefrog, luckily I do have a BP monitor. My mom has hypertension...I seem to be perfectly normal in that regard....It seems that nutrition and some pain reliefis what I really need...big surprise...preaching to the choir.... :)

we're all singing with you...i"m the one who's out of key ;-)

Glad the protein is helping, it made a huge differene for me as did the pain meds. I really fought taking them. I am allergic to Tramadol, so my only options were narcotics and it was kind of scary.

Take care,
GG

LOL on the choir. I get nutrition by drinking nestles Boost. Neato. I know how to make the thingy by pressing a lot of keys. zz{... LOL... Alternate alphabet.... Anyhow, I am getting weaker and losing more weight so several of my medications are getting to be too much for me. It's tough getting proper protein and nutrition when you can't eat. This is a really crappy disease. We have to wonder what did we do to deserve this? Anyhow, I hope you get some protein into you and get stronger. God Bless and good luck! Chris