randibear
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posted
I asked my dr about pancreatitus. course he poopooed me.
he said in over 30 years they have never seen a case in their office. he said maybe there is 1-2 case in the hundreds of thousands and those are alcoholic s.
now I don't profess to be a walking medical journey but I'd say pancreatitis is very common. and there are alot more ideopathic cases than alcohol.
are lyme patients more prone to it because of the abx?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Your doctor is just a regular poo-pooer.
While Wikipedia is usually just a good starting place in one's search, this article seems particularly well researched (and you can springboard to other sources for more detail).
Scroll down to see all the influences. Infections, medications, etc.
Those with lyme are more prone to it due to the infection, just for starters.
Porphyria, too. Those with lyme have more issues with the liver in the lack or deficiency of enzymes required for the liver's Cytochrome P-450 liver detox pathway - so that can be another trigger.
My guess is that your doctor is not exactly one with his eyes open to say that he's never seen a case of inflammation of the pancreas in 30 years. Those with diabetes, alone, likely have bouts of such inflammation. But there are so many other causes.
STATINS can cause pancreatitis. So, I'm sure he's had patients with it but he chooses not to learn about it and likely you are not the only person he discounts.
If this is the same doctor that is pushing statins repeatedly on you . . . (if not, disregard):
He could be causing pancreatitis to develop by the prescriptions he writes so he'd sure not want to identify it (he may get some kind of payment for doing so that is a question to consider - or he's just lazy & ignorant).
That he discounts pancreatitis - and also exploring your question about it - is actually a pretty big red flag on the kind of doctor he's settled to be. Not about to open his eyes or ears. I'd sure never trust him for any matter.
Statins and their role in acute pancreatitis: Case report and literature review - 2014
Excerpts:
. . . it appears that these drugs may also carry a concomitant long-term risk of pancreatitis through a buildup of toxic metabolite/s. . . .
. . . Among the many drugs that have been associated with pancreatitis, lipid-lowering agents-in particular, statins-have been increasingly reported as a cause of acute pancreatitis[5] . . . .
. . . (which we have attributed to drug-drug interaction with resulting inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes) . . . . -
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randibear
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posted
yes we often disagree but he's good for some things. he diagnosed husband's prostatitis pretty quick and got him on abx. however I vehemently disagreed with him saying it was ok to take that driving trip to ohio at xmas. regardless of whether I wanted to go or not, husband should have been put on bed and house rest.
so says bubba the doctor....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Not sure if he's good for some things or it's just luck. How could any doctor like that be trusted, really? You'll forever having to be researching on your own to determine if he's up to date, enlightened on every question you ever pose to him, it would seem.
He also put both your life and that of your husband (and those on the road) at risk by saying it would be okay to take that trip at Christmas.
That your husband got lucky & there was not an accident does not mean that advice was correct. It was very negligent advice that could have cost lives.
The pharmaceutical inserts even were clear: no driving (and also the risk of tendon damage so being cooped up even as a passenger for a 1,000 mile trip could have caused damage).
I'd want a doctor whose knowledge base I could trust -- and if they don't know, are okay with just saying that. They can't know all things but they'd sure better be correct when they make statements of "fact" -
- and, how nice when a doctor might also say "well, I'm not sure but let's find out just what is going on." And, well . . . here are some things that can help even if we don't know exactly what all is causing this (pain, etc.).
Are you taking any pancreatic enzymes? Wobenzyme is excellent.
And be sure to research your Rx, OTC and foods as to their possible connections.
A warm compress, some gently yoga . . . stretching out the belly so everything has some wiggle room . . . .
Liver support is vital, too, so that the C -P450 liver detox pathway is nourished and nurtured - thereby, hopefully, helping to prevent toxic buildup that can trigger inflammation in the pancreas (and elsewhere).
Watching our glycemic index also really matters. With lyme, diabetes can be more likely, and that will involve the pancreas. So this is really important. -
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Keebler
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Most of the pancreas is composed of cells that produce digestive enzymes. These cells are arranged in clusters that are connected to a series of small ducts. Pancreatic enzymes and juices flow from the cells and minor ducts into the main pancreatic duct, leading to the duodenum.
The pancreas also contains small "islands" of hormone-producing cells called the islets of Langerhans, which secrete insulin and glucagon, along with somatostatin - hormones that primarily regulate blood sugar metabolism.
A combination of environmental and genetic factors likely plays a role in the development of most cases of pancreatitis. . . .
What is the conventional treatment?
. . . This may include taking pancreatic enzyme supplements to aid digestion, which help by increasing levels of digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestine so that the pancreas doesn’t have to work as hard. . . .
What therapies does Dr. Weil recommend for pancreatitis? . . . -
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
I'm taking papaya and digestive enzymes tho they're not wobenzme. will have to order.
drs, the gastro, office is closed today due to ice storm. will have to call tomorrow but we're due for another hit then also.
I am researching baylor scott white to determine qualit of doctors who treat severe gastro problems.
I've been reading until I'm blurry eyed and there are really only two viable diagnosis. chronic pancreatitis and sphincter of oddi dysfunction.
both are difficult to diagnose and harder to treat.
either way is a slippery path I'd rather not take but sometimes you have to go where life leads and trust in God.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Another therapy that may help: belly massage that really is manipulation of the tissue, seeking out constrictions. There's a fancy word for it at the website for
UPLEDGER INSTITUTE
they focus on two basic modalities: cranial sacral & also some kind of belly massage that starts with a "V" I think.
There is likely someone trained in that right in your area, and often covered by insurance, too. Just look at their website to find details and doctors' names in your area. -
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randibear
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posted
there is another possibility but it's a long shot and I'm not able to find any information on neck injury and relation to upper abdominal pain.
I got new dining room rug for christmas and stupidly helped lift the table. it's oak and very heavy.
I felt something pull in my neck and it's not been right since. my side goes numb as does my hand and fingers..I'm wondering if there could be a connection to these problems.
jus a thought.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Yes, it can be connected. Think of a sweater with a kink in one part of it. The whole sweater can then be all out of line.
The various highways of tendons, muscles, etc. in our bodies are far more intricate.
VISCERAL is the term for the belly manipulation.
CRANIAL-SACRAL for the entire spine, neck, head, and all joints in limbs. It's not just a neck or even a neck & spine approach but the entire skeleton alignment.
The UPLEDGER site will tell you who in your area is trained in either / both of their modalities. I'd try for someone trained in both. If you can't find that, try for the cranial-sacral first, then.
You do not need to know why. You just need to tell them your symptoms / history with this matter. Let them assess you - and hopefully, with a treatment or series of treatments, improvement will be found.
The kind of professional trained in UPLEDGER is excellent. I found two over the years. Best in the world of all I've ever been to. Seriously.
Nothing is a substitute for the kinds of hands on work in this method.
Still, in the meantime, gentle RESTORATIVE style yoga may help. Not power yoga or other forceful styles, though. -
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randibear
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yes but how can a neck injury affect your digestive system; I.e. stomach?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Randi .. what are your symptoms? Location of pain in the gut area?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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MADDOG
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posted
Only if you don't cook it long enough.
MADDOG
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randibear
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posted
the pain is centered between where the ribs curve in the middle and below. I often have dull achy or sharp stabbing pains directly under my ribs. the pain is 24/7 and keeps me awake at night.
large meals. fried. restaurant food, etc make sick. as does dairy. I feel better not eating.
I have nausea almost constantly. I burp and belch a lot after eating. oh and pass gas too...phew...it's really rank...
I have pain between my shoulder blades and around and under my, if you're looking at me, left side. no gallbladder.
I am tired and weak. bp and heart rate have slowed. course that could be from my exercising.
occasionally I will pass bright red blood, not a small amount either. for the last three days I have passed extremely dark brown, you could call it black I suppose, stools.
I get dizzy spells and experience balance issues.
my neck hurts since lifting that table in december and now have periods of numbness on right side with some groin pain.
in other words, i'm a wreck.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
It wouldn't kill them to do an MRI or ultrasound.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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randibear
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posted
ha...now I'm on medicare and they don't do squat
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Haley
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posted
I had what I believe was chronic pancreatitis for over 6 years. I got it after a procedure where they went into my pancreas, woke up in severe pain.
I told a few GI docs that I knew I got an infection from the procedure as I woke up the following morning in SEVERE pain (just to the upper left of my belly button), always in the same exact place. I believed it was an infection because certain antibiotics helped it. GI docs laughed at me, my doc told me that it was possible that I had gotten an infection that way, he never gave up on me (God bless him).
Finally a stool sample came back positive for Campylobacter, it probably didn't come up in the past because I was off and on a low dose of Azithromycin. I have now treated it with Erithromycin, but it's not easy to get rid of this infection.
Anyway, have you had a stool sample? You need to be off of antibiotics for a while to have it done. Campylobacter will cause pancreatic insufficiency and low stomach acid, needless to say, my entire body is working better now since it has been treated.
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randibear
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posted
no stool sample. they did bloodwork but I understand pancreatic levels can remain at normal.
I really don't want any invasive procedures like endoscopes or ercps. ct scan or mrcp might be helpful if I can convince the doc to do it.
getting drs to listen to you is a real challenge. they keep wanting to say I have ibs but I know damn well I don't. j do you still have pancreas problems?
you know now that I'm thinking about this. all my problems started after I had that laparoscopic surgery to have gallbladder out in 97. I have been having tons of health problems ever since.
quote:Originally posted by Haley: I had what I believe was chronic pancreatitis for over 6 years. I got it after a procedure where they went into my pancreas, woke up in severe pain.
I told a few GI docs that I knew I got an infection from the procedure as I woke up the following morning in SEVERE pain (just to the upper left of my belly button), always in the same exact place.
- I had an ERCP a few years ago too.. Very thankful I did not get an infection. You DID hear about people dying from ERCP's recently, didn't you?
They say it's difficult to properly disinfect those scopes and people were getting deadly infections!!
I also woke up with severe pain after my ERCP but it was better after being on pain meds overnight in the hospital.
Randi.. It's easy to damage things when they do the GB surgery. I think they messed mine up too. That sphincter of oddi is fairly common. Not that that makes it any easier.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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randibear
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posted
I've had every test possible and all are always normal.
course I haven't had them recently.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Haley
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posted
Randibear.
I have not had that pain since I have treated the infection, but my doctor says it's very stubborn, like Lyme, so if it comes back I will know how to treat it.
I thought at first that they had cut a hole in my pancreas or something like that as it was so painful, but after having CT scans etc. I realized it was an infection, just none of the doctors believed me except my doc.
You should definitely have a stool sample done at a good lab. You may also look into swallowing the little camera (don't know the name of the test). That was going to be my next move.
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randibear
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posted
it's driving me crazy. can't eat but a little. wakes me up.
hmm. wonder if it could be an ulcer?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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