Pancreatitis and Diabetes

[Jesse113]

My brother, who is 23 years old, was recently hospitalized with pancreatis. He was in the intensive care unit for 4-5 days. He has had type 1 diabetes since he was 4.

My questions is: what is a safe amount of alcohol for him to consume without risk of these complications again?

[JDRF-VOL-SG]

The following website offers a good explanation of pancreatitis and its relationship to alcohol use:

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-pancreatitis

[Jesse113]

Thank you for all the helpful comments!!

He does have an alochol abuse problem and recently moved in with me to try and get his life together. He is still drinking, though, and I'm just trying to figure out if there is any amount he can drink and be safe- or if he does need to stop altogether- as I'm not sure that can happen at this point. He does not have health insurance at this point so I can't take him to the doctor to have them talk to them. I guess maybe I could find a free clinic?

Thanks again for the advice!

[JDRF-VOL-SG]

Please read the info on the following website:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pancreatitis/

From what I have read, a person who has suffered from alcohol-related pancreatitis should stop drinking alcohol altogether. Apparently, the first time it happens, it can be resolved fairly quickly, but it can get more and more serious with repeated episodes. It can be life-threatening. Can destroy the kidneys. None of the dangers are worth risking by drinking. All the info I found says that people who have suffered an attack of this sort should stop drinking completely.

[KevinHarney]

Pancreatitus or not drinking ANYTHING is bad for a diabetic.  Effects on the liver are worse with the pancreas not functioning.  Pancreatitus on top of that is even worse.  Enough said I think.

[makaveli22]

basically, what is Pancreatitis? what causes this to happen? any effects?

[Forum-vol-cmb]

I am thinking if he was hospitalized that he shouldn't drink any more alcohol.  Is he an alcoholic?  That is not a good thing to be if you are diabetic.  Or was it a one-time binge sort of thing?
I don't know the exact amount of safe for your brother but after he has been in the hospital I hope he doesn't do the same thing and end up there again.
I like to drink a little bit of alcohol, like a glass of wine or maybe two when I am out--but I find that any more and I don't feel like I am as aware as I should be about my diabetes.  Alcohol digests differently than food and can do different things to the way your body absorbs insulin.