Pancreatitis: Have I reached the end? [Archive]

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matingara

04-28-2008, 07:40 PM

Well. I have been quiet. That is because I have been in hospital.

I have been having mild stomach-achy-painy things since early March. I SHOULD have recognized this as the possible early warning signs for Pancreatitis. But, I did not.

I was hospitalized once before (Jan 2004) for Pancreatitis and recovered really well. And i have had a couple of other "milder" attacks.

ANYWAY, I went into emergency at 2AM on April 15th with what i was pretty sure was pancreatitis. It was.

My Lipase-A was quite high and I was in quite a bit of pain.

My Lipase returned to NORMAL within 24 hours and I was released from hospital on April 19th and went home.

I have been tired and my appetite has been gradually returning .

HOWEVER, my BGL since leaving hospital has been TERRIBLE!!! Generally in the range of 144 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL. It does not matter what i do or eat it will NOT go down.

I have an appointment with the physician who took care of me in hospital on this Thursday - so i have let this BGL thing ride. Hoping it might settle down. It has not.

My opinion is that this attack of Pancreatitis has damaged some more of my beta cells. I expect that the physician will/should immediately prescribe insulin to get my BGLs back into range. That is what i expect anyway.

I also hope he will tell me how to detect/avoid pancreatitis going forward.

Any one else had these problems? Any opinions? Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help guys.

:)

-- Joel.

notme

04-28-2008, 07:46 PM

I am so sorry to hear you have been sick Joel. I hope they figure out why all the bouts of pancreatitis.

There is a good chance that you will need insulin. However, you will feel much better.

I wish I had some great advice for you. Just know that we care and hope that you are feeling well again soon.

mzteacher

04-28-2008, 08:32 PM

joel,
i am sooo very sorry for your not being well....good thoughts for a quick recovery...and hopefully someone here will have the answers you seek....lighting a candle for you tonight here in calif.
be well...
susan

soso

04-28-2008, 11:15 PM

Hi Joel
I had multiple bouts of pancreatitus a few yrs before my dx and find it a bit too much of a coincidence in retrospect...
I stuck to a very low fat diet when recovering... something that will be a big challenge to you with diabetes and no insulin to inject..my advice.. insist they give you some rapid acting at least.

Sincere commiseration, I know your pain and it sucks...
I found a little help from taking enzyme supplements with meals..the prescribed ones.. not sure how or even if the OTC ones are effective...

soso

04-28-2008, 11:23 PM

Just reread your post and one way I knew I was headed into another bout is nausea onset about 20 mins pp.. it basically lasts as long as food is in the small intestines.
Alcohol is a complete no no when you are in the grips of pancreatitus and I think caffeine is off the menu too (not totally sure about that though) small meals as they require less work from the pancreas.. apparently it produces about 2 L of fluid per day.. and when it ain't happy—nobody is happy!
Take heart though.. I was soooo sick (circling drain) and it has passed... low fat and bland and you will recover....
good luck

caswellhb

04-29-2008, 01:40 AM

princesslinda

04-29-2008, 05:36 AM

Hi Joel: Sorry to hear you're going through such a rough time right now. Just know that your "forum family" is sending thoughts, prayers and well-wishes your way. Hope you're feeling better soon!

morrisma

04-29-2008, 05:53 AM

Joel,
No doubt you will get some insulin to get you completely back to normal. Embrace the needle :D

Make sure you get a script for extra test strips because you will very likely need them to figure things out on this new regimen.

Sorry for your pain and hope for a better outcome,

matingara

04-29-2008, 04:31 PM

apparently it produces about 2 L of fluid per day.. and when it ain't happy—nobody is happy!
Take heart though.. I was soooo sick (circling drain) and it has passed... low fat and bland and you will recover....
good luck

yeah. it sure upsets everything! i have had no nausea this time around though! (i have had it in the past though).

i see this physician Doc tomorrow. my BGL was 172 this morning and that is low (compared to some of my other readings).

thanks for your sympathetic words. it really does help to hear about others who have had the same pain and problems.

-- Joel.

matingara

04-29-2008, 04:34 PM

Exactly as Soso said. I had a bad bout of pancreatitis with DKA a few weeks ago. Really tiny meals and low fat are the answer. It sounds to me as if you really need some fast acting insulin to take the pressure off your pancreas. Have a chat with your doc about that.
Be well and let us know how you get on.

Heather.

Thanks Heather. i will use your wording ("take the pressure off the pancreas") tomorrow.

if the physician "ums and ah's" about the insulin and does not give me a definite answer with a good reason - i will then go and see my GP and seek his opinion.

if i had some fast-acting insulin i know i could get my numbers down and keep them in range.

-- Joel.

jacobsam622

04-29-2008, 07:43 PM

Thanks Heather. i will use your wording ("take the pressure off the pancreas") tomorrow.

if the physician "ums and ah's" about the insulin and does not give me a definite answer with a good reason - i will then go and see my GP and seek his opinion.

if i had some fast-acting insulin i know i could get my numbers down and keep them in range.

-- Joel.Good luck at the doctors tell him that you have a lot of diabetic friends who will be very very angry if he refuses to give you the insulin;)

Lulika

04-30-2008, 03:10 AM

Hi Joel, I had missed you and wondered where your sage advice was lately :) I am so sorry you had to be in hospital, never a fun place to be. I also had a bout of Pancreatitis and I wouldnt wish the pain on anyone, sorry you had to go through it.
As others have said, bland low fat food (and a sense of humour) will get you through. I know you have the sense of humour so you should be fine! Let us know how you get on :) Hugs xxxxxx

Scrabblechick

04-30-2008, 07:50 AM

Sorry to hear you've been sick, Joel! I hope you're feeling better very soon, and that your doc gets you on some fast-acting insulin.

Lifting you up in prayer.

art

04-30-2008, 08:26 AM

let's start off with 140 to 200 is high but certainly not terrible.
Considering you've been hospitalized and you're still recovering that could be the cause.
If I get a cold my numbers go up about 20 points.

Wait for a good meeting with your doctor. Having a bottle or 2 of fast acting insulin is not a bad idea for any of us.

Sometimes it's a *****.

Art

slipperyelm

04-30-2008, 12:07 PM

Your title, "Pancreatitis: Have I reached the end?" sounds awfully ominous. Have you reached the end ---of what? Life?

Kim_in_TN

04-30-2008, 12:40 PM

Hi Joel, I am so very sorry to hear that you've been sick and in the hospital! :( As far as I know, I've never had pancreatitis, and from what everyone describes, I'm sure I don't want it either!;)

Please be sure that YOU are satisfied with what your doctor prescribes and if not ... find another!:)

matingara

04-30-2008, 05:24 PM

Your title, "Pancreatitis: Have I reached the end?" sounds awfully ominous. Have you reached the end ---of what? Life?

Yes!!! I am sorry about the title! I wanted too change it but i could not (too late).

I meant to say "have i reached the end of my pancreas producing enough insulin". i,e, "end of honeymoon".

But that is not the way it came out. Maybe a nice moderator can make the change...

:)

-- Joel.

matingara

04-30-2008, 05:26 PM