Pancreatitis?
My mother has idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (meaning she didn't get it from drinking or hereditary, it just showed up).
Does this mean that I should be a teetotaler, does drinking alcohol even just occasionally guarantee I will also get pancreatitis?
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Not at all, it's probably something in her pancreas that makes her immune system attack it. She has a greater chance of pancreatic cancer statistically as a result (which is nasty and shows few symptoms until too late, keep an eye/ask the doc). IT IS NOT WRITTEN IN STONE SHE WILL GET THAT THOUGH.
It depends if you want to drink alcohol there is no real connection between hers and yours, unless you have pancreatitis too. You even say in your question it wasn't hereditary?? Just don't go overboard and if you get an inflamed pancreas you know not to drink. I don't drink anyway, because I'm sick of it. (
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pancreatitis?
I had pancreatitis about a month ago due to gallstones
I Thought the pancreatitis was gone but i woke up today and i had a pain in my pancreas is this normal ?
Yes i had the stones removed and i dont drink in only 14. i have quite a healthy diet. should i go see my gp ?
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yeah long term pancreatitis can happen after one attack or several attacks over many years. they are usually caused by alcohol and in your case gallstones. doctors recommend to stop drinking alcohol and having a low fat diet.
"You may also take medicines to manage ongoing pain. If your pancreas has been severely damaged, you may have to take both insulin to help your body regulate blood sugar and pancreatic enzyme pills to help your body digest fat and protein." (taken from a website) (
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What pain relief is best for recurrent pancreatitis?
I have been prescribed kapake for years now to treat recurrent bouts of pancreatitis ( I've been told that nothing can be done surgically) but now, a new doctor has put me on Tramadol 50mg, 2, three times a day. I am nervous about changing my medication and have not started the course yet as I still have some kapake left. This doctor said that Tramadol should work better. Has anyone ever tried them for stomach problems, or pancreatitis?
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Had mine treated without surgery . After a serious attack I was rushed to hospital & put on drip for 12 days. Completely cured without surgery (
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How long do I have to wait to consume alcohol after acute pancreatitis?
I just suffered my first attack of acute pancreatitis and was advised to lessen the amount of alcohol I consume. How long do I have to wait to have my first drink again?
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I would NOT drink again. Pretty much EVER. I have this too - and it could turn chronic if you consume alcohol. Try an alcohol-free lifestyle with mocktails and O'Douls. Life is better sober. (
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Can pancreatitis occur without an elevated or depressed serum amylase level?
My cat either has pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis and I am wondering if it could be pancreatitis instead of cancer, which would have a better prognosis.
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casey - Since pancreatic cancer is commonly fatal in cats and humans, it has the poorer prognosis. Pancreatitis may be either acute or chronic. Acute may be fattal but is usually not. To diagnose pancreatitis, other causes of the symptoms must be ruled out. A complete history is taken and a thorough physical exam, a complete blood count, chemistry panel and urinalysis are performed. Blood levels of two pancreatic enzymes, amylase and lipase, may be obtained. A more sensitive and specific test for pancreatitis, the fPLI (feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity) test is recommended. In addition, radiography (x-rays) and ultrasound can also help in making the diagnosis. A biopsy can result in a conclusive diagnosis, but is not commonly performed.
Pancreatitis can be a very unpredictable disease. In most cases, if the pancreatitis was mild, chances of recovery are good. In other cases, what appears to be a mild case may progress, or may be treated successfully only to have recurrences, sometimes severe. If there are other concurrent diseases such as diabetes mellitus, liver disease, or small intestine disease, the prognosis is more guarded.
Some animals develop chronic pancreatitis, which can lead to diabetes mellitus and/or pancreatic insufficiency, also called 'maldigestion syndrome.' In pancreatic insufficiency, the food is not digested properly. A cat with this disease often has weight loss. Treatment for pancreatic insufficiency is lifelong and expensive, but is possible. The cat's digestive enzymes are replaced through a product processed from pancreases of hogs and cattle which contain large quantities of the digestive enzymes. A change in diet with added nutritional supplements may also be necessary.
Acute pancreatitis can be a life-threatening condition, and early recognition and treatment can improve chances of recovery. Chronic pancreatitis is more common in cats. Common signs include lethargy, weight loss, and decreased appetite. Treatment is based on correcting the dehydration and maintaining proper fluid and electrolyte balances, controlling other symptoms and providing nutritional support.
While acute pancreatitis normally shows an elevated amylase, the amylase may be close to normal in chronic pancreatitis that is not active at the moment or time of testing. (
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Where can I find a doctor specializing in Chronic Pancreatitis in New York City?
Looking for a gastroenterologist that specializes in Chronic Pancreatitis or pancreatic diseases, who is known to be an "expert" in this field. If you also know of someone in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, that would be great too.
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There is a directory called "Best Doctors in New York." They should have it listed. Also, you might want to google 'doctors, new york city, pancreatic specialists.' (
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what is a treatment for Pancreatitis and Cerebral ?
We have a 20 year old son with Cerebral Palsy who has been diagnosed with pancreatitis. He has had several episodes in the last several month. We are severely concerned because all the doctors cannot find what is causing it and what would be an appropriate course of action to treat it.
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His doctor doesn't even know. What makes you think regular people will? Seek a second, third, forth opinion. (
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Will Pancreatitis caused by gallstones go away if the stones are removed?
If I have pancreatitis caused by gallstones, and the gallstones are removed, will the pancreatitis go away to the point where I can drink alcohol again? I have a trip to France next year, and I was really looking forward to a bottle of wine.
I understand that you should never drink with pancreatitis, but is the condition permanent if the cause is removed?
This is something I'm going to ask my doctor, but I won't see him for a while and wanted to know sooner rather than later.
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Yes. The gallstones need to be completely removed and care must be taken to make sure that none remain in your bile ducts. In your case the pancreatitis is due to the gallstones and this is quite separate from alcoholic pancreatitis caused by drinking. Once you are clear of gallstones, then the pancreas will heal, and you can drink again in moderation. I cannot see that it should make any difference to your trip to France and I hope you enjoy some good French wine with your meals.
Have a good trip (
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What else can I do for chronic pancreatitis?
I have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. I have been hospitalized 7 times in the last 5 months. Doctors do not know what is causing it. All the tests that can be done have been done. I have horrible pain and can barely function. I hate to think that I have to live with this and don't know what else to do.
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Well let me say that I am so very sorry that you are having to endure this. I know exactly how you feel. The only difference is that I knew what was causing my pancreatitis, the only thing was no physician could tell exactly what to do.
I eventually found a surgeon who knew what to do. Here is a link to the University of Minnesota. My pancreas was totally removed, and the insulin making islet cells were harvested and transplanted onto my liver. I know it sounds like a drastic step, but there is nothing about pancreatitis that I found to be fun. Here is a link
http://www.uofmtransplant.org/Adult/PancreatectomyandAutoIsletTransplant/index.asp
http://www.surg.umn.edu/diabinst/learnpancreatitis/treatmentspancreatitis/pancreatectomy/home.html
http://www.surg.umn.edu/diabinst/learnpancreatitis/treatmentspancreatitis/home.html
I hope this helps you to learn more about your disease and a treatment that is not routinely known by most hospitals or physicians.
You can find me if you want to talk. There are many yahoo groups that deal with the topic of pancreatitis and also Total pancreatectomy with autologous islet cell transplantation. (
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How to treat Pancreatitis and Cerebral Palsy NEED HELP?
We have a 20 year old son with Cerebral Palsy who has been diagnosed with pancreatitis. He has had several episodes in the last several month. We are severely concerned because all the doctors cannot find what is causing it and what would be an appropriate course of action to treat it.
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See another doctor. You are not going to get an answer here. (
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