Jauble's cranky pancreas

[jauble]

Dr. Steve

I'm currently in pancreas rehab mode since getting out of the hospital a few weeks ago with pancreatitis. I stopped drinking, I am eating smaller amounts of recommended food (low fat, trying to avoid spicy foods for now). I've lost almost 15lbs which is a nice side effect, but every time I eat I am almost immediately in pain again. My levels are nearly normal and that was a week ago that I had my last test. Any suggestions on how to stop the pain after eating?

Thanks
Jeff

[Thebazile78]

Dr. Steve

I'm currently in pancreas rehab mode since getting out of the hospital a few weeks ago with pancreatitis. I stopped drinking, I am eating smaller amounts of recommended food (low fat, trying to avoid spicy foods for now). I've lost almost 15lbs which is a nice side effect, but every time I eat I am almost immediately in pain again. My levels are nearly normal and that was a week ago that I had my last test. Any suggestions on how to stop the pain after eating?

Thanks
Jeff

J - how many times have you had attacks?

I had a friend in college who'd been to the ER several times for the same thing (pancreatitis) and the end result was that her GP prescribed pills she had to take every day with food, and she'd have to take an extra one if she was eating something that could be fatty. It was painful to watch because she's icepick thin AND these were freakin' horse-pills & she's a tiny thing (maybe 5'5") plus she's got a malformed palate, so swallowing the damn things was difficult.

Anyway, I guess what I'm asking is if you were prescribed any pills like that. I would guess that hers were enzyme pills, but I never asked and we no longer speak (I used to date her twin brother, who is a psychopath.)

[jauble]

J - how many times have you had attacks?

I had a friend in college who'd been to the ER several times for the same thing (pancreatitis) and the end result was that her GP prescribed pills she had to take every day with food, and she'd have to take an extra one if she was eating something that could be fatty. It was painful to watch because she's icepick thin AND these were freakin' horse-pills & she's a tiny thing (maybe 5'5") plus she's got a malformed palate, so swallowing the damn things was difficult.

Anyway, I guess what I'm asking is if you were prescribed any pills like that. I would guess that hers were enzyme pills, but I never asked and we no longer speak (I used to date her twin brother, who is a psychopath.)

I've only been in the hospital once although I pretty much ignored the signs until I couldn't walk anymore. I feel pain after eating pretty much anything that isn't in the portion that you could describe as a handful. No pills were prescribed, but I'm trying to get in to see my doc before I move this weekend.

[Thebazile78]

I've only been in the hospital once although I pretty much ignored the signs until I couldn't walk anymore. I feel pain after eating pretty much anything that isn't in the portion that you could describe as a handful. No pills were prescribed, but I'm trying to get in to see my doc before I move this weekend.

Good luck! It's tough to get an appointment nowadays, especially on short notice.

Like I said, I don't know what my friend was taking, but I do know it helped reduce/prevent future attacks.

[Dr Steve]

Dr. Steve

I'm currently in pancreas rehab mode since getting out of the hospital a few weeks ago with pancreatitis. I stopped drinking, I am eating smaller amounts of recommended food (low fat, trying to avoid spicy foods for now). I've lost almost 15lbs which is a nice side effect, but every time I eat I am almost immediately in pain again. My levels are nearly normal and that was a week ago that I had my last test. Any suggestions on how to stop the pain after eating?

Thanks
Jeff

Jeff:

You may be having some "chronic" pancreatitis pain. If you lay off the alcohol and fat, your pancreas will hopefully heal to where this pain doesn't bother you any more. We've found that antidepressants that affect pain fibers in the spinal cord as a side effect work pretty well for chronic pancreatitis pain. Amitriptyline has a lot of side effects (dry mouth, sleepiness) but is dirt-cheap and can afford some relief. There are lots of others to try, as well.

Also, taking pancreatic enzymes can help take the load off the pancreas and improve pain after eating.

Definitely talk this over with your gastro; what do they think caused the pancreatitis in the first place?

Hope you feel better soon!


your pal,



steve