Pancreatitis

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Just made it home from work, and in pain AGAIN. Had Acute Pancreatitis in early Sept., spent a week in the hosp. with pain meds. The pain faded, was better when I stay with simple foods. But tonight it has really flared up--the pain is an 8/10. My boss has been gracious and let me go PRN while I was recooping. My Dr. has suggested that I may end up with chronic as the pain comes and goes.

I don't touch alcohol.

Feeling discouraged, and am so worried I'll be admitted again if I see my Dr.

The pain is so distracting.

Anybody else ever have pancreatitis? My BS are not well controlled with all the pain.

Thanks for listening. I'm to the point I hardly remember how it felt to feel well.:uhoh3:

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Dr. office opens in about 7hrs. Will be there.

UNLESS it gets worse, then will go to the ER.

Just because I love my job in at the hosp. does not mean I want to live there. And is a great place to work.

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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

I worked with a guy once that had chronic pancreatitis. His was so bad he was always in and out of the hospital and had some type of port through his stomach that he wore.

I would ask your doctor if you could be referred to a dietician, b/c my friend was on a very, very strict diet, and it went beyond no alcohol.

There were times when he couldn't eat any fat, and by no fat, that didn't mean low fat, it was no fat. Sugar was also a culprit that had to be limited. It's been so long I can't remember the details, but I think a dietician could help relieve some of your systems.

My friend, had a severe case, and he couldn't work anywhere without short-term diability insurance b/c he was always in and out of the hospital, I hope this isn't you, but it's something to consider.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hope you are able to see your doctor this morning. Take care...

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Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

I had it once. I was dx with gallstone pancreatitis, apparently a stone had gotten caught up in the pancreatic duct and for the 2 weeks or so that I tried to live with the pain, it just got my pancreas more and more inflamed.

One night at work I became so debilitated, I was convinced at 25 that I was having a heart attack, and a co-worker took me to the ER. I don't even remember the ride... I do remember the resident telling me he had never seen amylase and lipase levels that high. I had to allow my gut to rest for over a week before they could take my gallbladder out (the old fashioned way).

Luckily, I have never again suffered from pancreatitis.

I feel your pain, right in my epi-gastric area, to be exact- straight thru to my back! I sure hope you get to feeling better and can get a handle on what's causing the flare ups. For me, alcohol wasn't a culprit (although I remember being questioned about my drinking habits, which were nil).

Take care, and yourself to the doc this AM.

((((((((((((gentle hugs)))))))))))

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There's a good & huge article about acute pancreatitis in the sept/oct issue of Nursing Made Incredibly Easy. Maybe you can find it somewhere. It really covers everything.

Hope you start feeling better soon. My husband's uncle had it several years ago & was really sick. Still has problems. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Dixie

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my bf has chronic pancreatitis, although it is TPN induced. They are going to do a nerve ablation to try to get rid of the pain....so we will see if that works.

I hope you are doing better and get this under control.

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Thanks for all the responses.

Dr. was out yest. and by 8a, the pain was tolerable. And today he is off at noon. So, will make an appt for Mon. No pain today. Am back to the cooked cereal/soup diet. It works, have very little pain when I stay with that, although the carbs are not so good for the DM2. Tired of living on the Darvocet.

Would trade Timothy--I'd take the "flu bug" in exchange for the pancreatitis. BTW, how are you doing, Timothy? (I have a son named Timothy ( "Tim" ) , teaches orchestra in middle schools, plays in a symphony. Talented young man. Gives me private concerts when I go visit. :-)

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Specializes in ER.

Hi,

Can you get a referrel to pain management? Perhaps they could offer you a celiac plexus block?

Good luck

TL

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

used to take care pf these pts

good luck to you

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I also had gallstone induced pancreatitis. I've never felt pain so severe in all my life. I was pregnant and the Docs would not remove my gallbadder while pg. So I had to wait months to deliver before I could get it out. I would have an attack about every few days and would end up in the hospital for pain control. FINALLY when the baby was 4 weeks old I had a horrible attack and they did the surgery (lap) to remove the gallbladder. It had gone on so long I had a porcelain gallbladder and the Doc couldn't get it out through the small incision made for the lap. surgery.

I feel for you barray, unfortunately your issues aren't so easily resolved by removing your pancreas. Have they gone in to see if you have a gall stone in the duct? I hope you get resolution to this problem soon. Best wishes.

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