Chronic Pancreatitus

[Shaamz09]

Hello,

I got admiited in to hospital Christmas Eve with abdominal pains, being sick, indigestion pains, withdrawing from my methadone aswel because i kept throwing it up along with anything else I tried eating or drinkin, they diagnosed me with Pancreatitus I was in there for 2weeks, i got discharged with no pain relief even though i was in reaalii bad pain stil n reaally swoolen, i was only out 8-9days n i got admiited back in again not last Tuesday but Tuesday before for a further 2days, i got discharged on the Thursday with ibruufen and paracetmol which didnt really work, sooo i got admiited again last Monday with the same pains as i had christmas eve and the Tuesday before, the only kept me for a few hours this time and they discharged me with Co Codamol, but im on 40mls of methadone which the hospital knows am on it, the Co Codamol worked for a while and helped ease the pain but on Monday i went to the doctors as it werent helping the pain anymore and she prescribed with Tramadol.

2Daay i tuk my Methadone and the Tramadol on top without thinking, can you mix Methadone and Tramadol, bcuz am also alternatiing my Co Codamol and Tramadol to help ease the pain

The doctors at the hospital cant do anything for the pancreatitus except treat the pain and then discharge me again, they dont know the cause of it as i dont drink anymore and havent done 4 over 3yrs now and all my Blood Testz and CT n Ultrasound Scans iv hd while bein in hospital have all come back clear for Gallstones which they say are the 2 main causes of Pancreatitus, they also dont know how long it'll take 2 settle aswel, it could take weeks, months or even years cos now am in the chronic stages whereas when i got admiited Christmas Eve it was Acute pendin Chronic Pancreatitus.

Can any1 help answer my questions as 2 wether itz ok 2 take, Methadone, Tramadol n Co Codamol all together obvs not at the same time but through out the day to help the pain as iv been sufferin 4 5wkz n 5daayz with this now and it dont look like its going to clear up anytime soon.

Thankyou for yur help (in advance)

[Shaamz09]

they told me last i woz admittd i didnt av 2 go back, but 2day av woke up in same pain thtz had me bk in hospital the 3tymz, i realii dnt wna go bk bcuz they jus du the same old bulshit n dnt help me,

iv bin told to eat a lowfat diet n iv been duiin tht, am thinkin bout not eatin 4 a cuple dayz n drinkin plenty ov fluidz 2 keep my pancreas a rest as they starve me in hospital aswel n it helpz daah pain sooo i myt du tht n see if it helps it

i dint no that morphine did that tbh, they wer injectin in my tummy close 2 hwer my pancreas iz n it realii hurt n had me in tears as cudn evn stand up wiv help ov the nurses n they had 2 help me ava shower sooo degradin, propaa swelld up aswel cuz woz on iv 4 12daayz n wer avin fluidz pumpd in2 me n dint eat 4 them 12dayz either, soooo degrading, felt soooo horrible n helpless.

i went 2 my drz last monday n they jus prescribd me traamdol n dint elp me at all wiv my questionz, waste ov tym xx

[Jaybay]

The ER really isn't the place to try to get answers about your pancreatitis.  You need to see a gastroenterologist who will continue to manage your care even if a cause isn't found.  When you get an appointment, be sure to get copies of the written reports for all the CT scans, ultrasounds, lab work etc that was done at the hospital so you don't have to spend a bunch of money for retesting.  It will help the doctor to have all that immediately available.

You sound like one of the very unlucky people that just never find a reason for why the pancreatitis happened in the first place.  It's such a sensitive organ that once you have an acute bout, is sometimes stays inflamed and painful.  

You could also use a referral to a proper pain management physician.  Since you're already on methadone that alone can scare off non-specialist physicians.  Please don't fall into the trap of self-medicating, adjusting and mix-and-matching your medications.  Since you've already been down the addiction path, you know that it's madness to take meds any old way you want to.

Did the ER docs at least give you a diet plan?  That is extremely important for pancreatitis patients!  In addition to alcohol, fatty foods can keep your pancreas inflamed and swollen.  Not strictly following a proper diet plan will keep you sick and in pain.  

I'm kind of surprised they gave you morphine because it's contraindicated for pancreatitits because it makes the sphincter (muscle) in the pancreatic and common biles ducts spasm.  That just means it's even more difficult for the pancreas to unload it digestive enzymes.  Did you know that's what happens?  When you have pancreatitis, the organ is so swollen that it can't get rid of its digestive enzymes properly, which means it's basically digesting itself.  That's why hurts so terribly.

You have a serious medical condition and you need your own doctor - gastroenterologist - to help you manage it.  I hope you can get in with one and the sooner the better!

[Shaamz09]

I Had Morphine while in hospital 4 the 2weeks, it didnt realli help, am on Co-Codamol aswel n onli got 2 left n 3 packets of Tramadol, they wont give me morphine bcuz am on Methadone whih i had a herion habit and been takin Methadone 4 nearly 3yrz now.

Am jus sick off bein in constant pain, sometymz the pains nt as bad as other days, but its nva gone

But i know this is all 4rm the decreed of Allaah swt, but it dnt stop it bein a nuiscance n hurtin 24/7.

If the pain dnt go within a weeks time ama go back 2 the hospital n demand answers n refuse 2 leve the hospital til they investigate further because this beyond a joke now.

Thankyou 4 your advice Femmy huni, ill keep you updated daily on my progress n whats happenin

Love Shaamz <3

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[femmy29]

Hi there.  I know you aren't drinking anymore so no worries about that.  I am deeply saddened by the struggle you are going through at only 22 years old!  I really do hope that you find some answers soon.  I wish I had answers for you but I don't.  All I can say is continue to be persistent and continue to pray.  If this hospital keeps giving you the runaround, try going to a different hospital for a fresh perspective.  

The tramadol isn't a very strong painkiller.  I would ask for something stronger like oxycodone or morphine if it isn't helping with the pain.  

Hang in there and keep us updated on how you are doing.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

femmy

[Shaamz09]

Thaankyou 4 The Advises Girlyz.

Iv not draank 4 3yrz buut my daad thinkz itz not wot you du now but wot yuuv dun b4, y du they say yuu need 2 treat yuur body lyk a temple? dnt abuse your body with drugs and drink, the doctaz at my local hospital say theres nothin they can du. am jus sick ov bein on drugz 24/7 n havin lil impact, itz bin 6weekz nw, ama go back 2 dah hospital if it dnt clear up in a wk n demand answers n refuse 2 leve until they agree 2 investigate further. cuz itz very painful

@Femmy i cnt drink newayz as i revertd 2 Islaam 2 yrz ago sooo itz agenst my religion n sufferin has realy affectd my prayin, am onli 22yrz old i shudn av 2 b sufferin lyk this, cud av this 4 yrz 2 *** n b in constant pain 4 6wkz 24/7 :(

[marycarmel]

I was hospitalized in the summer and one of my roommates while I was in was in for chronic pancreatitis.  She had never been a drinker but she had had gastric bypass and apparently it's a side effect for some people who've had that surgery.  From what I understand, the pain can be very bad.  This woman had been hospitalized 5 or 6 times in a little under a year.  She eventually got a referral to a doctor in Boston who specializes in chronic pancreatitis and she was awaiting the appointment with him when she was hospitalized when I was.

It seems that up until then, she was getting sort of the same treatment as you:  IV meds, comfort measures, limited diet, etc.  But they couldn't seem to get it under control and the local GI doctors had told her that this sometimes happens with people with chronic pancreatitis.

However she got the name of the specialist, I'm not sure, but she seemed to have a lot of hope that he would have some answers for her.  She did have to wait a long time (months) to get an appointment with him.  Since we didn't stay in contact, I'm not sure how it worked out for her.

Not sure what sort of medical facilities you have near you, but maybe you could try to find a specialist that's not too far from you.  You could ask around your own doctors (and nurses,) friends, etc.  If you're anywhere near a large teaching hospital, you could inquire there as well.  And even though you didn't have gastric bypass, you may want to call some surgeons who perform that surgery as they may be able to give you some leads on who to try as I'm sure they've run into a patient or two who've had this problem.

Definitely talk to your pharmacist, as femmy suggested.  They have so much knowledge about meds, side effects, interactions, etc., and they are sometimes overlooked as a valuable resource.

Best of luck.

[femmy29]

Hi and welcome to the community!

I am sorry to hear about the severe pain you are experiencing as well as not knowing how long it is going to last.  I really do hope you get some answers soon from your doctors.  I would be persistent just as you have been until they give you a firm diagnosis along with treatment options to cure or manage it.  Pancreatitis can also be caused by excessive alcohol use.  I am glad that you stopped drinking heavily.  My Dad has a friend who has been diagnosed with pancreatitis due to his drinking and my Dad said that he told him that the doctors said if he drinks again he will die.  Not sure by any means if this is possibly the case for you but I would refrain from drinking until you understand fully what your condition is and what would make it worse and what would make it better.  It sounds like you have kicked that habit so this should not concern you.  

It is best for you to contact your local pharmacist with your questions about safely taking your medications.  They are most knowledgeable in medication interactions and can tell when it is safe to take the three meds you have been prescribed.  

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

femmy