Anyone ever have Pancreatitis?

[LadyyRedd]

If so...what symptoms did you have? Did you KNOW that something was wrong?

Kimya

 

[roseprincess]

If so...what symptoms did you have? Did you KNOW that something was wrong?

Kimya

My experience was that I had upper- mid doubling over stomach pain for a few hours, then it would go away for a couple of weeks. THe pain also radiated to my back. The stomach pain occured once every 3 weeks. I waited way too long to go to the ER to get checked b/c I thought I had an ulcer and I was taking care of my baby at the time that had heart surgery and she needed special care, plus taking care of her twin brother(this was about 10 yrs ago). I really didn't have anyone to help me with my twins during the day, only my DH at night and on weekends, why I waited so long to go to Dr.
I had extremely bad pancreatitis and passing lots of gallstones at the time, was in hospital finally for 3 weeks, NPO(nothing by mouth), then went to clear liquid diet, and then to solid foods, when my enzyme levels(lypase and amylase) went down to normal levels. Finally had my gallbladder removed.

I knew something was wrong(extreme pain), but I didn't want to deal with it b/c I was taking care of my baby twins. And I also was a nurse, I really didn't want to deal with it and be put in the hospital. I was hoping it would have been an ulcer. Plus taking care of my twins were my #1 priority.


What I learned: Don't wait too long to go to Dr./ or the ER.

 

[mickeyboat]

FIL had an incredibly severe case of it. His main symptom was abdominal pain - so much that he thought he was having a heart attack.

FIL ignored symptoms for months, maybe years. He was hospitalized and within hours he was on life support. An amazing surgeon saved him by removing a large portion of his pancreas over many many operations. FIL was in the ICU for 3 months and in rehab for another 3 months (with several ICU and hospital stays in the mean time).

He has good, but limited, life now, takes medication daily, but he still has flare-ups and complications from pancreatitis 11 years later.

Pancreatitis is often caused by alcoholism - FIL's was not. They think a gallstone got stuck in the duct the pancreas shares with the gall bladder.

Don't let it go! If you suspect it, get thee to the doctor.

Denae

 

[pweyl36]

It could be deadly if not treated.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

DH went through this over the Labor Day weekend. He started out w/ very bad constipation. We tried EVERYTHING and it took over a week to clear that up!!!!!! He was having abdominal pain, but thought that was from the constipation. That was VERY unusual for him, he normally does not have any problems along those lines at all!

He had x-rays, a sonogram and a CT scan. The doctor wasn't convinced it was pancreatitis, but the final sonogram showed that it was. They still aren't sure how he got it, he is not a heavy drinker (hasn't had a drink since July) and his gall bladder appeared fine.

I think his doctor wanted to put him in the hospital, but DH fought that and was able to avoid it. We did spend the majority of Labor Day night at the Urgent Care and he saw his doctor every day that week, except for Friday.

He is feeling much better now, but still has some occasional abdominal pain. He is supposed to call his doctor either this week or next for a follow up.

 

[roseprincess]

Pancreatitis is often caused by alcoholism

Not necessarily. Passing gallstones mostly cause pancreatitis.
Some women pass gallstones during or right after pregnancy. That's what happened with me.
THe gallstones are passing thru the duct that is very close to the pancreas, thus getting pancreatitis.

 

[mickeyboat]

Not necessarily. Passing gallstones mostly cause pancreatitis.
Some women pass gallstones during or right after pregnancy. That's what happened with me.
THe gallstones are passing thru the duct that is very close to the pancreas, thus getting pancreatitis.

Which is why I said often. Gallstones and Alcoholism cause 80-90% of pancreatitis. And the most common pancreatitis from gallstones is in women over 50.

 

[cc1013]

I had a number of bouts of pancreatitis due to a deformed duct (which has since been corrected). My first bout hit me out of nowhere. I was eating a sandwich and thought I had a case of heartburn. The pain quickly escalated around my back and I had trouble standing up. My roommate took me to the emergency room where they diagnosed me with pancreatitis based on my enzyme (amylase & lipase) levels.

There was no mistaking the pain. It wasn't gradual and I knew something was seriously wrong. Worst of all, I had no idea what was going on and similar to others, thought I was having a heart attack. After the first time, I knew what the situation was and while it was VERY painful, that panic didn't exist because I new it would pass.

 

[Golf4food]

I had it my senior year of high school. Severe abdominal pain - "double you over in tears to the point where you can't move" pain. If you have it, you'll know it. Go to a doctor ASAP if so.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Kimya - didn't you just have your gallbladder out? How did that go? Could this be a complication from the gallbladder issues?

My Dr told me that even after the gallbladder is gone you can still have phantom attacks.

 

[sb4k]

I had symptoms before I had my gallbladder out. I still have the same symptoms today. We've tried every medicine and test out there. Abdominal pain after eating. Weird stomach noises. Very bad gas pain. Let me know if this sounds familiar. The specialist is getting ready to send me to another specialist. I just want to feel better.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Kimya - didn't you just have your gallbladder out? How did that go? Could this be a complication from the gallbladder issues?

My Dr told me that even after the gallbladder is gone you can still have phantom attacks.

This is what I was coming back to post. Yes, I had my gall bladder out back on Aug 13. They found gall stones when they removed it, apparently the kind that can cause pancreatitis, but they told me I did not have pancreatitis. Everything went swimmingly with surgery and recovery though, no problems at all.

Sunday I had wings while we were watching football. They did not agree with me. I figured I just can't have wings now, it was the first time since my gb came out. Monday at work I was miserably nauseous. To the point of feeling like I really needed to throw up, but never did. I did not eat anything all day. I came home early and napped from about 3pm-9pm. Woke up feeling a bit better and had a small bite to eat.

I've been feeling better since....some upper abdominal bloating. No more nausea. NEver threw up, never ran a fever. Of course, I made the mistake today of looking up the symptoms of pancreatitis.

I called the dr's office and they did not seem concerned since I just had my gb out, didn't have a fever and didnt' throw up. Said to call back tomorrow and let them know how I'm feeling.

It's probably just my mind running away!

Kimya

 

[sjams]

I have had it 2x! NOT FUN!! I don't drink so that wasn't the cause...I had had some testing done and a procedure done and the type of dye they used cause the pancreatitis both times, landing me in the hospital for 2 days for each attack. The pain is worse than any other pain I have had in my life and I have had 2 babies both over 9lbs!!
I also had my gall bladder removed between my testings thinking that it was causing all the problems, but no it was a valve that was blocked. To have that valve enlarged they had to use dye to "see" what they were doing thus the allergic reaction and pancreatitis! Only 20% have that allergic reaction! LUCKY ME!!!

Just keep an eye out but you will want to "die" if you truely have pancreatitis!!!