Is it normal to still feel pain from pancreatitis & what are good low fat/high carb meals?
Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 at
11:48 am
I have recently been diagnosed with Pancreatitis. I don’t drink, have gallstones or high cholestrol….the doctor’s don’t know why I have it, and I’m only 22. I was hospitlized for a week on IV fluids, and now that I’ve come home I still get pains at least once a day, and have bad back pains also. I’m debating if I should get a second opionion to see if this is more serious. Is it normal to still feel this way? Also, what are good low fat/high carb meals?
Tagged with: carb • fat/high • feel • from • good • meals • normal • Pain • pancreatitis • still
Filed under: Low Carb Meals
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Q Help for Pancreas Problem?
I have chronic idiopathic pancreatitis. I am looking for a vitamin and herb treatment that will help.
A Answer (Published 8/23/2005)
Chronic idiopathic pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas for which no cause can be identified. (Many cases of chronic pancreatitis are associated with excessive consumption of alcohol.) Unlike acute pancreatitis, an inflammation that can cause some temporary damage, chronic pancreatitis is an ongoing, long-term inflammation that can cause permanent scarring and thickening of pancreatic ducts and, ultimately, destruction of the organ. It presents most often with abdominal pain occurring either in discrete episodes lasting hours to days or persisting for months or even years at a time. Diarrhea may also occur, especially with greasy stools (steatorrhea). Because the pain is frequently brought on by eating, appetite may decrease with accompanying weight loss. Diabetes may be a late complication as pancreatic function declines.
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Chronic pancreatitis is usually diagnosed by an ultrasound exam, a CT scan, or X-rays of the common bile duct and pancreatic ducts. If you have been diagnosed with this disorder, you should be in the care of a physician who specializes in pancreatic problems. To find one visit: http://www.pancreasfoundation.org
Conventional treatment of chronic pancreatitis focuses on pain relief plus nutritional support. This may include taking pancreatic enzyme supplements to aid digestion. A low-fat diet usually is recommended, and you may find that eating several small meals is preferable to three larger ones. Keeping well hydrated is also important since, with this condition, dehydration can lead to pain. It’s a good idea to carry bottled water with you and to drink frequently throughout the day. Once you’re thirsty, you may already be dehydrated.
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When pain flares up, you may be better off avoiding food or sticking to clear liquids such as broth, apple, cranberry or grape juice, or gelatin. In general, it is a good idea to stick to foods that are low in protein, avoid anything that is highly spiced and to avoid any food that triggers pain.
I would recommend using anti-inflammatory herbs, especially turmeric and ginger based products. Follow dosage recommendations on the labels or inserts. You might also try traditional Chinese medicine. And I would experiment with mind-body techniques such as hypnosis or guided imagery. These methods should help contain the problem.
Unfortunately it may take a bit to recover from an acute pancreatitis attack, depending on how bad yours was. If the doctors think you have chronic pancreatitis then you may not get relief from the pain you are experiencing now. I have chronic pancreatitis that was caused by my pancreatic duct blocking the enzymes and that caused them to eat away at my pancreas. I also have acute pancreatitis quite often lately. I’m only 26 and have been dealing with stuff for over 5 years. I know how awful it is to have something so painful happen.
There are some really good doctors that really know their stuff about pancreatitis. I personally have seen two very skilled ones that I would recommend to anyone with pancreas issues. One is Dr. Martin Freeman with Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. The other one that has done a lot for me is Dr. Marc Catalano in Milwaukee at St. Luke’s Hospital. I also would recommend Dr. David Sutherland to anyone with chronic pancreatitis who is ready to take a big step to having a surgery called total pancreatectomy with auto islet cell transplant. We have also gotten recommendations for doctors all over the country.
As for meals, I have a hard time finding things to eat that don’t do too much damage. My favorites are anything with noodles, mashed potatoes, any kind of bread, chicken breast(small serving), bananas seem to do ok sometimes, and apples and other fruits. I tried slimfast but it didn’t work for me, it still caused a lot of pain.
I hope I have been of some help. Please visit us at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sphincterofoddi-pancreatitis/
for more information and as many questions as you care to post plus some friendly people to chat with!
Jenny
Pancreatitis usually does not cause daily pain until there is damage done. The resulting pain, is related to the damage that is done. There are not alot of physicians in the world who really know how to treat the pancreatitis patient. Most want to do procedures which never really help, and at times make matters worse. It is not unusual with chronic pancreatitis to feel daily pain, very bad pain. Pancreatitis is a very painful disease, that is what is so difficult about having this type of problem. Drs. don’t really understand the amount of pain, and in reality don’t care. If you seek a second opinion be very cautious, seek medical attention where this is their speciality not something they do on the side. Here is a link that I would like for you to read
http://www.surg.umn.edu/diabinst/learnpancreatitis.html
http://www.surg.umn.edu/diabinst/treatmentspancreatitis/pancreatectomy.html
http://www.surg.umn.edu/diabinst/treatmentspancreatitis.html
There are some yahoo web groups that are support groups for those with pancreatitis here are a few
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PancreatectomySurvivors/?yguid=224755783
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ThePancreatitisPlace/?yguid=224755783
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TotalPancreatectomy/?yguid=224755783
The diet you mention is recommended because fat intake can increase pain for a person with pancreatitis. Low fat foods are lean meats such as chicken breast, water packed tuna, lean lunchmeats, reduced fat condiments. Fruits, vegetables. High carb would be whole grain cereals, who grain breads, carbs are also referred to as starches. Watch out for fats such as butter, margarine, oils, eggs.
I suffered with pancreatitis for 11 years, terribly. I tube fed myself the last year. I chronicled my life prior to having my pancreas removed you can learn about it here, if you want too.
http://www.mypancreatitisjourney.blogspot.com
I wish you all the luck in the world, and painfree days. If you join any of the groups listed I would be thrilled to speak with you. If you want to talk, you will find me.