Well hello everyone; long time no chat.  I just got out of the hospital for the last 15 days from quite a scare.  It's good to be back and I figure I'll fill you all in on how and why alot of you might find it really interesting.I hadn't been feeling quite right since about the 15th of july but just kept putting it up to muscle pulls and other stuff thinking a little rest and it would all go away.  On the 22nd after days of aching in my abdomen I threw up for the first time in over 30 years. After that my chest and abdomen hurt reallly bad I figured it was just from the strain of muscles i never used before. Then came the next day....!!!!I woke up in pain still and then couldn't find my balance to even stand up for moments let alone walk. THATS WHEN WE CALLED THE AMBULANCE. rushed to the er and placed in the ICU for over two weeks. Diaganosis Acute Pancrititus and major abdomenal and chest infections.THE CAUSE : REACTION TO VALPROIC ACID "DEPAKOTE" AFTER 8 YEARS OF USE.   A rare but serious possible reaction is that it effects the pancreas causing infection and spreading to other organs if left unchecked.I was pumped full of antibiotics and even steriods to fight the infections and regain control of my pancreas, lungs, chest cavity. Well now that I'm back home my health life is totally different. because I am still on steriods i am on Insulin and tracking sugar. they say I should only be on the insulin until i'm off of the steriods since that is what is causing the sugar imbalance. I rely now mainly on my lamictal and resperidol for mood control now with my valium to balance.My next step is to follow up with my va primary doctors and get all back on line again. they seem to tell me i was really really sick. for that long in ICU i guess it was worse than I thought it was. So from now on to really watch how I feel and how i take care of my self.Well all said and done the good news is I'm eating the best in my life, I've quit smoking (hopefully for good), and I'm back at home at last. ADVICE FOR EVERYONE ELSE... KNOW THE SIDE EFFECTS OF YOUR MEDS MAKE SURE YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR DRS FOR BLOOD TESTS AND MED CONTROL. more later as time goes by thanks to everyone who sent love and was concerned where i was i really appriciate it and will be continuing to keep every one up to date.thanks .... tim