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?

[chad]

This is in reply to john I appreciat your comment it gave me an insight as to how bad it can really be. If you dont mind me asking how did you first get pancreatitus was it from drinking. The way you worded it , it sounds like you have had this more than once. If this is the  case do you now why?

[chad]

This in reply to Kim since you havent drank anything since april did the Drs. tell you a reason for your attack? was it a duct blockage and if so did they say why it came about. Most of the Drs. that I talked to told me that if I didnt drink anymore I shouldnt get it back and Iam beginning to wonder if that is true.

[John]

Yes, I have had two attacks.  Up until my first attack in October 1997 I had been a drinker but my normal consumption was much less than average and I had probably been drunk less than ten times in my life (I am now 41).  I spent a week with tubes in almost every orifice and even on supplementary oxygen - I nearly got hooked on pethadine.  They did all the usual tests for gallstones and decided that the probable cause was alcohol and that I was just particularly sensitive.  I was never satisfied with that verdict but as I seemed to have recovered completely I just got on with my life, just mostly without alcohol.  I did have a little - the occasional half glass of white wine, or a can of 1% lager, but certainly no real drinking.  Then in April this year I had another attack.  In the preceding week I had drunk a half glass of wine on the day before and a can of 1% lager the same evening with dinner - the attack began about 10pm.  This is the attack that the 6000+ amylase count came from, though it was apparently less severe than the first (pain eased quicker and I was discharged from hospital after only 3 days).  I have since had a CAT scan and an ERCP under one of the best pancreatitis specialists in this country (UK) and there is nothing wrong with the tubes, no tumours, etc.  So I think I have to accept that I am super sensitive to alcohol and just stay clear.  I now don

[R]

With my first attack of Pancreatitis (which happened as a result of an ERCP), my Amylase was at 15,000 when I was admitted.  The Dr. said that was the highest he had ever seen in his career as a Physician (This was a Gastroenterologist).  I spent five weeks in the hospital, went home for two weeks, and then back in for another four weeks.  I have been in and out of the hospital probably 15 times for flares.  

Mine did not happen as a result of alcohol, but if alcohol is a trigger, then my advice would be to not drink!

Good luck, and I hope you find long lasting relief!  

R

[ni]

I am a 20 year old female, and have been suffering with what started as acute pancreatitis for two years now.  It developed into chronic pancreatitis.  My first attack was on November 3, 1997.  I was admitted to the hospital with amalyse of over 6,000, and Liapase of over 8,000.  I spent 6 weeks in the hospital, and was only released because Christmas was only a few days away.  My amalyse and liapase levels were still severly elevated, however all symptoms were gone.  The cause for my pancreas attack was unknown.  In mid-April of the following year, I had another attack.  This hospital stay was only a week long, cause still unknown.  My levels were never normal, but I was released because I had to get back to college, which I had missed enough of already.  I had another attack on Memorial Day of that year.  I went to a different hospital.  They ran some tests, and found that the cause of my pancreas attacks was tissue growth in my bile duct.  It was cut during an ERCP.  I was fine for almost a year.  Then last April, I had another attack.  I was in college, so I went home and my doctor prescribed pain medication and I stayed home for a week.  I did not go to the hospital becasue finals were around the corner.  I have had many attacks since then, but not anything severe.  I have heard that this is a sign of pancreatic cancer?  Should I be worried?
Anyway, to answer your question about alcohol, I drink, but only on rare occassions.  And when I do, I have yet to experience any pain.  My pain comes for no apparent reason.  I wonder if maybe the tissue grew back?  So, I think that it all depends on the person as to what should cause their attacks.  Mine seem to occur during stressful periods, maybe it is connected with your anxiety.  I can only imagine how much stress that brings you.  Good luck, and I wish you a quick recovery.
Nina

[Robert]

I am 25 yr. old male.  I was hospitalized in March with acute pancreatitis.  I had 6000+ amylase and 9000+ lipase.  I had not drank alcohol in a good bit of time (1 yr.).  One thing that no one has mentioned is that it was waaay painful.  Did anyone else have pain?  I would have almost rather have died.  Except for the morphine I was miserable.  Nothing but an IV for 8 days.  Did this happen to any of you guys? I would like to hear if it was painful for anyone else or am I just very sensitive to pain? I was stupid to have waited for 4 gall bladder attacks to go to the doctor.