Pancreatitus § ALcohol

[rhttrip]

I am a 50 year old man and had an attack of acute pancreatitus (pancreatitis) in 2001. I was in the hospital for 10 days and also had my gall blader taken out (although they determined that was not the cause of the attack). At the time the doctors told me I should refrain from using alcohol although they did not believe that alcohol was the cuase of my problems. Prior to this time I probably had two drinks a day 3 or 4 days a week so I did drink but not to excess. For a year or so after the attack I had absolutely no alcohol but during the second year my doctor told me he did not think I would have a problem having a glass of wine or a beer or two on occasion. So, after that I would have a glass of wine or beer (but never any hard liquor) during social occasions maybe once a week. I really did not have any problems other than every once and a while I would wake up the next day and feel like I had a hangover or just not feel up to par when I had only had a glass of wine or maybe two. I never really had any pain it was just a hangover type feeling on occasion. Due to this I have seen two different gastro docs and have asked them why I would sometimes feel bad after having a glass of wine or a beer and they really could not give me an answer other than to say that after one has had pancretitus the body reacts differently. During these doctor visits I also had new mri's and a mrcp done and they told me I looked fine and the only thing that showed up was a very small crystalization which was the result of the acute attack. But for me the important thing was that my pancreaas had not suffered any further damage since 2001 and all my blood work was fine for both of my visits.

After the last time (two months ago) I had a glass of wine and felt bad the next day I stopped altogether. I would love to be able to have a glass of wine with dinner on occasion but I don't want to do something that could result in chronic pancreatitus (pancreatitis). The question no dotor has been able to answer for me is why I feel bad after very minimal alcohol consumption. Does this mean my body is trying to tell me something or is it that my body is just not used to alcohol. Also, if there are negative effects on my pancreas by having a glass of wine what is it that actually occurs in my body to make this so.

In summary, why do I feel bad afer a glass of wine or two and what would be your advice to me about drinking in the future.

Thanks for your help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The two major causes for pancreatitis is alcohol and gallstones.  With a normal MRI and MRCP that would leave gallstones to be a very unlikely possibility.

If there is a clear association between the pain and alcohol use, the it may be wise to abstain.  The amount of alcohol needed to cause discomfort may vary from patient to patient.  

There is also the possibility that the pain is not related to the pancreas.  Things like an ulcer or inflammation of the upper digestive tract (gastritis, duodenitis, or esophagitis) can also cause pain that is irritated with alcohol.  These things can be evaluated with an upper GI series or upper endoscopy.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[Biskie2]

Sulfites are in wine and may cause you to feel badly in the morning, headache, hungover, etc. Did you have any gastro problems following one glass of wine?

[rhttrip]

NO I had no gastor probelsm after one glass of wine. But the feeling bad seemed to be very inconsistent. Sometims I woudl have no problem and somehtims I would feel hunoover type and it also seemed hvae no consistency whther I had a glass of wine or a beer.

[cody95709]

Hi;

I went through a hospitalization for acute pancreatitis about six months ago for ten eleven days.  When I went into the ER; talk about pain.  Oh boy!

I fessed up to the doctor about my drinking of the last year and a half which began about the time my father passed away and whisked stepmother failed to notify me of the date/time/location of the funeral.  Mad was I, but I internalized it.  Maybe because dad and I didn't get along and hadn’t seen much of each other for a year and a half.

Anyways, upon release the docs told me to refrain, no abstain, no cease drinking alcoholic beverages.  I did; until New Year's Eve.  I made an authentic cheese fondue for me and my neighbors and I limited myself to a half of glass of white wine.  Of course I made sure I had eaten.  I now know that drinking on an empty stomach is a BIG no-no

The next day the pain began again.  I remembered what the course of treatment was from my first visit, so I hunkered down.  Took my Lortab (strong vicodin), Xanax (alprazolam), and Prilosec all as suppositories, not orally (p.o.).  I made it through that bout in about 7 days, but I was wiped out from no food or liquids for the week, and it took me two more weeks to recover drinking pedialyte and chicken broth.  Lesson learned, go to the hospital next time.

Ok, so after five more weeks without alcohol or greasy or hard to digest foods I felt my belly getting fiery-hot, so I packed a bag and my service dog and went into the hospital.  It took 35 mg of morphine to get me to sit still.  But I was still completly lucid.  CAT scans, MRI's, a sonic or sona something, differential this and that, and to top it off I had sepsis (that explained my trouble breathing).  That hospital stay was 14 days.

So my question is what could be causing this?  Certainly not a half glass of white wine with food?  Now taking Lipram for a month with meals; boy is hat stuff expensive.  I have to say, I have become worried about eating.  Many days I skip eating when I feel that my stomach is not "in the mood".  The doctor mentioned a diagnosis of "idiopathic pancreatitis".  What is that?  Also, this whole thing started 3 months after I moved from a sea level location to an elevation of 5,000 feet.

Thank you,
Cody

[cody95709]

almost to mention that I'm 35 and my amalyase and protease levels were both above 1,000 each time I was admitted.

Cody

[Casey549]

A related discussion, Pancreatitus (pancreatitis) was started.

[gracie1782]

A related discussion, drinking was started.