Pancreatitis

I had a follow up visit today with my family doctor and my blood work is still showing elevated Lipase levels.  A couple months after my original gastric bypass surgery i had this same problem, they diagnosed me with Pancreatitis and ultimately that led to them removing my Gall Bladder for fear that it was irritating the pancreas. Well apparently that didnt solve the issue and they think i may have Chronic Pancreatitis and what im experiencing right now is like a flare-up.  The doctor said that generally eating by mouth just upsets the pancreas more but going back to IV nurishment isnt an option for me right now.  I have to keep food and water going by mouth so the scar tissue wont close things up from this last surgery. Does anyone have any experience with Pancreatitis?  What were your symptoms?  What seemed to help or make it worse?  Any info would be appreciated, i'm just trying to figure out if the abdominal pain im experiencing now after eating is related to this and what my next move should be to avoid these flare ups. Thanks, Heather

Heather, thank God I don't have any first hand knowledge of pancreatitis, but I've heard it is very painful.  (I work with doctors.)  I will keep you in my prayers. Debbie

Hi Heather, No first hand knowledge or experience of Pancreatitis but thought thats what I had when I had the stone blocking my common bile duct.  I saw Dr. Mailapur last week and he told me to encourage you to EAT and use your mouth so your pouch doesn't close up on you.  Going back on IV or TPN is not an option for you right now.  You need to EAT!  I would advise you to call Dr. Mailapur and talk to him about what your family doctor is saying and maybe get those test results sent to Dr. Mailapur so he can see what is going on.  Don't leave him out of this.  Just my two cents worth.  Love you girl and hope you get this all worked out soon! Hugs, Vicky

Yes, I've had it a few times, but let me tell you what caused mine, it was a small stone, ity worked its way out, they keep tell me not to drink, I didn't drink. But, I know the pain is bad , when I went into the hospital they shut my system down, no food and nothing to eat. I would just eat small amounts. Good luck, I know this pain is really hard to put up with.

Hey Heather! My MIL had a bout with pancreatitis in March. She also had her gall bladder removed. We think it might have been from some medication she was on. The doc took her off all her meds for quite a while. I think she's still off some of it. She was taking actos for diabetes. But her blood glucose is no  longer a problem since she lost so much weight. She had loads of pain also. Even now still has to eat very tiny meals. She said hers started with pain but before the night was over with she was throwing up. We were afraid it was a terrible virus that was going around. But they found the pancreatitis thank God very quick! Prayers going up for you.

Hey Heather! I had it back in March and April. It lasted about 2 months before my levels went down. They kept me hospitalized for 30 days - which is when I also had the elius (twisted bowel) SEVERE Pain - along with vomiting! It felt like to me an appeditis because mine ruputured when I was younger and the pain was that intense!  They believe I have chronic as well as the last blood work I had done showed levels increasing again. I don't know what would cause it, they never found the reason so if they find your reason please share!!  I'm praying for you!!

Thank you everyone for your replies.  I am eating so much better after this last surgery.  Dr. Mailapur told me i would only be able to handle about 3 teaspoons at a time but i can put away much more than that now.  I think its because they made the stoma so much bigger to prevent it from closing up.  I'm actually keeping food down, i feel like i've eaten more in the last 3 weeks than i have in the last 16 months.  LOL