Prevention Of Recurring Acute Pancreatitis

[ctaliercio]

Last November I was hospitalized with Severe Acute Pancreatitis. It was a harrowing experience, and the doctors tell me that I'm lucky to have survived it. They say the attack was most likely triggered by excessive alcohol consumption at a wedding I attended 2 days before.

I got out of the hospital in the beginning of March. For a time after my release, I couldn't eat anything - it would not "stay down." Gradually, my appetite returned, and by the end of April and the beginning of May I had resumed a pretty normal diet.

Earlier this week (6/24) I started to develop the pains I experienced back in November, though not nearly as severe. Sure enough a trip to the doctor confirmed that I was having a minor recurrence.

I do not want to go through this again any time in the near future, and am wondering if I can "prevent" recurrence by changing my diet? If so - what should my diet look like now?

Just some facts to help:

I'm a 28 year old male.

No - I am not an alcoholic. I drank very infrequently, and have not had even a sip of alcohol since November.

No - I am not a drug (of any kind) user.

Before the episode in November, I had a weight/cholesterol/tri-glyceride problem. But I lost about 90 lbs. in the hospital and have not been eating a "cholesterol heavy" diet.


Any help here is appreciated - my poor wife and kids are worried to death that I might wind up back in the hospital (or worse).

Thanks.

[kingstrider]

hi about 6 years ago i had a severe pancreatitis atack . After 2 weeks my pain subsided. Doctors said it wnt hapen again . But after a month it hapnd again. Now for the past 6 years i have had numerous episodes of pancreatic attacks. Doctors cant find a cause as i have nevr had alcohol in my life neither drugs of any sort. Doctors said there is a 1 or 2% case where the cause cnt be locatd. After my secnd atack there was a shadow in my galblader. So i was taken out because it is writen stones in the galblader can also cause pancreatitis. Now it has been six years and pancreatic atacks have become nuisance i hav to take holidays from work and have even had to skip my final papers because of this. If somebody could help me by teling me what to do here what diet to follow or any other sugestion wud be apprecited. Thank u

[Barney]

three years ago I was having "stomach" pains. I went to a gastroenterologist and he did tests that showed I had some inflammation of the pancreas. It went away for quite a while and seems to be back again. I had routine blood tests done...doctor said everything was in "normal" range but I still have the pains and nausea at times. I cannot read this blood test to tell if they even tested for the pancreas? What test would tell me that?

thank you,
Barney

[debzdebz]

http://www.emessageforum.com/forum.asp?id=6957

thats the adresss also go to yahoo groups and access search on
pancreatitis

Pancreatitis chronic does not get better

[debzdebz]

http://www.emessageforum.com/forum.asp?id=6957


thats a pancreatitis message board
unfortuntaley pancreatitis gets worse normally not better especially when it is chronic

[Nanny]

I tried access to that message board and received a notice saying that it didn't exist anymore.  Do you know of any others?  Your comment that chronic pancreatitis gets worse with time conflicts with what my Dr. has said, do you have anymore information pertaining to this?  Thanks.

[Nanny]

PS, I can also recommend many sources for low-fat recipes and tips.  Although underweight due to the pancreatitis, I have had to completely modify my diet (recommendation is not to exceed 20 grams of fat per day). It's possible to do that and still feed a hungry family!!

[Nanny]

After suffering through my first acute pancreatitis episode a few months ago and the discovery of multiple pseudocysts in my pancreas, with later diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis also, I do have some suggestions.  A very strict low-fat diet and complete abstinance of any alcohol are most important. Gallbladder problems and alcohol cause 60-75% of the cases of people diagnosed with pancreatitis.  Other causes can be from drugs used to treat other medical conditions, hereditary conditions, or post-ERCP testing.  You didn't say whether your doctor discussed this with you.  I would also suggest that if you are not seeing a gastroenterologist already, that you do so, as there are many diagnostic tests they can do, and various treatments recommended per your individual condition.

I hope you feel better, and don't want your family to worry, that's why I urge you to see a specialist if you aren't already.  Good luck, and let us know how you're doing.