pancreatitus

[chad]

I am a 33 year old male. About two years ago I was hospitalized with acute pancreatitus from drinking. My amylase were 220 with all other functions showing normal. within 24 hours my amylase were at 110 which I was told were at the high side of normal. I should also mention that I have generalized anxiety disorder which I have been taking buspar about 20 mgs a day and zanax in difficult situations . At the time I left the hospital 3 days later my amylase were at 23, they said anytime you have pancreatitus it deos damage to it. they never did any scans. I been in to have my amylase checked every 6 months and they have never been over 50. Althogh I have drank since then  on very few occasions, I haven't had a drink for the last 6 months. Everybody told me this was such a painful experience. I never had the pain they were talking about, I had body aches and I vomited for a couple of hours, and that was about it. Is there any safe amount of alcohol that one can consume once they have had pancreatitus? Due to my anxiety, I excessively worry about this daily, and do I need to worry about getting pancreatitus back? Could you please tell me the level of amylase in a severe case of Pancreatitus? They told me that I had a very mild case. In a normal person that has never had Pancreatitus, if they were to drink, would  their amylase be risen? Why can some people drink their whole lives and never get this? Is it hereditary?
Please note that when I first was diagnosed with this, I was having some personal problems, and I was drinking excessively the week before.
Any information would be greatly appreciated! I have talked with numerous doctors about this and have been given conflicting information, I would like to learn as much as possible about this, so I don't get it back.

Sincerely,
Chad

PS Does smoking play a role in this?

[nancy]

One more thing....i have not had any weight loss,excrutiating pain,jaundice or any of the other symptoms such as vomiting or nausea either and eating never made my symptoms worse...the one day with the bowel movements that smelled extremely bad was all that i had plus the slight upper discomfort...i do have 3-5 bowel movements everyday but then i have always gone at least 3 times anyway....please need some answers from you all...thanks again.

[weezy]

I go back in to an endochronologist on the 25th to see how i am doing.  I had two attacks and they took out my gallbladder thinking that the polyps were the culprit.  After reviewing my pathology report, the Endo dr. and myself came to the conclusion that the gallbladder had NOTHING to do with my pancreatitus.  The concern is on estrogen, so i will know more about this.  It's very hard to find info on estrogen affect on the pancreas, i have alot of bowels problems also.

Thank God i haven't had an attack since March, and i may never have another again.  But i really don't know where i stand on this very mysterious disease.  If there is anyone out there who has similar history, please share, i'd be very interested in sharing notes.

[Annette]

I have been told I have chronic pancreatitis and recently went in for an endoscopic ultrasound study.  The results were surprising - no damage to the pancreas and no sign of pancreatitis.  Previous tests, lipase levels have been from 233 to 1297.  Now they want to do an ERCP.  Anyone had experience with this procedure?  The pancreas spec thinks its a sphincter problem and I am a high risk case for this procedure.  Anyone have comments regarding this procedure and their results?  

[traci]

I have had severe attacks since Jan of this year (2000).  They happen so suddenly that it scares me.  I have been to the doctor, did a barium swallow and ultrasound but nothing showed up.  Shen then told me that I had a hiatal hernia, and maybe a high percentage of acid that could cause my pains.  In April, I went out and had two drinks with my husband.  I wound up in the bathroom with diahrea (like water), and vomiting, and stomache pains that went right through me.  I was in sooo much pain!  I then had another attack about a week ago right after I ate a meal and it lasted about 45 min then I was fine!  
My pains were unusual though, first the diahrea, then severe vommiting, with stomache pains.  My friend was there helping me and she said my lips and nose were turning a greenish color.  I was in a cold sweat and I felt like I was going to pass out cold!  I felt like I was going to die!  
I went back to my doctor and she is now in the process of checking my blood for pancreatitis.  I am not a big drinker, if I ever drink at all.  I am only 24 years old, I am fit and healthy in every other way.  Did any of you people find you had the diahrea with this too?  I sure hope I don't have this, I am really scared.  I am so afraid of dying.  My husband is in the military and he is gone away right now for 2 months, but if this comes back that I have it, I am going to try to get him home.  I am so scared to have another attack while my babies are here alone with me at home.  Good luck to all of you, and you are in my thoughts... (please tell me if it sounds similar to your cases).  Thanks!  Traci

[debbie]

I am just getting out of the hospital after a 3 week stay with pancreatitus.  I do not consume alcohol at all. My pancreatitus was attributed to a very high triglyceride count (over 10,000).  My doctors all say this is something that could only happen genetically or artificially.  They believe and we are testing the fact that oral estrogen can cause this artificial rise in triglycerides.  One of my doctors has done some research on this and is finding that oral estrogen can have this effect so they are switching me to an estrogen patch to see if there is a difference.  Of course, they can never be sure that I will have another episode of pancreatitus anyway but are using this as an extra precaution.  Has anyone else heard of the hormone or estrogen connection?

[Dev]

I am 28 years old male software engineer from INDIA. I was working in USA for FedEx for few months.
From last six months I am getting pain in my stomach. Usually I get it once or twice in a month and it lasts for 4-5 days. Initially pain starts with stomach and then extends to both the sides on upper back. After taking painkillers tablets & injections pain reduces, but fear of getting the pain always exists.

I am not clear of what I should eat & what not. Sometimes pain becomes so severe I can't sleep without taking sleeping pills and painkiller injections.

Scanning & Endoscopy are done. The scanning report says Liver, Gall bladder, Spleen, Kidneys, Urinary bladder are normal. But pancreas, shows bulky head with heterogenous texture. Multiple calcific foci are seen within. Body and the tail region couldn't be well seen. Pancreatic duct is dilated upto 6-9 mm

Serum amylase 28 units/ltr when normal and 506 units/ltr when pains.

I am not a regular alcoholic and I rarely eat non-vegetarian food. Doctor says this may take few months or several years to cure. But How can I tolerate this pain for several years.