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?

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Chad,
In the United States, alcohol is a very frequent cause of pancreatitis.  The alcohol alters the secretion of pancreatic juice which results in the inflammation recognized as pancreatitis.  Unfortunately, there is no amount of alcohol that I can tell you is safe, i.e. will not cause subsequent attacks of pancreatitis.  We know that there is individual sensitivity.  This means that an amount of alcohol that may not cause me problems may cause you to have severe pancreatitis.  We also know that the more one drinks, the greater the possibility of developing pancreatitis.

It is difficult to tell you how much damage there has been to your pancreas.  The height of the  enzyme (amylase)elevation is a poor correlate or predictor of the degree of total or irreversible damage.  In gnereal, however, low elevations of amylase that occur only once are less likely to forbode chronic damage (assuming that you are not still drinking).

With regard to the issue as to why you developed pancreatitis and not someone else who drinks an equivalent amount, there is a variability in th eeffects of alcohol.  Although genetic (hereditary) causes for pancreatitis have been identified, it is currently uncertain whether alcohol-induced pancreatitis has a genetic component.  

Smoking is bad but should not cause pancreatitis.

[kim]

Chad,
  Hi! I am a 25 y/o other of one and an armywife. I was recently hospitalized for a severe case of pancreatitis and was told if I did not get to hospital when I did I would have died by the next day bc my levels were dangerously high. It all came about on friday afternoon of sept.24th. I got an attack that was 10x more severe than my gall bladder attacks. Which I had my gall bladder removed in July99 by AF doctors . I had to have an immediate ERCP done and it did well for me. My drs informed me that they widend my bile duct going to pancreatic duct and should not go thru this again. I was on ice chips for 5 days straight and developed pnuemonia ib hospital. I was hospitalized for 10 days and I am doing good right now besides the pnuemonia.Wish you the best....kim

[kim]

Chad,
  Hi! I am a 25 y/o mother of one and an
armywife. I was recently hospitalized for a
severe case of pancreatitis and was told if I
did not get to hospital when I did I would
have died by the next day bc my levels were
dangerously high. It all came about on friday
afternoon of sept.24th. I got an attack that
was 10x more severe than my gall bladder
attacks. Which I had my gall bladder removed
in July99 by AF doctors . I had to have an
immediate ERCP done and it did well for me. My
drs informed me that they widend my bile duct
going to pancreatic duct and should not go
thru this again. I was on ice chips for 5 days
straight and developed pnuemonia ib hospital. On the fifth day my levels were back to normal. I wouldn't wish this pain on m worst enemy.
I was hospitalized for 10 days and I am doing
good right now besides the pnuemonia.Wish you
the best....kim

[John]

I believe I achieved an amylase of over six thousand at my last attack so you seem to have had a very mild attack indeed.  I am a non-drinker since my first attack.  I have seen one of the best gastroenterologists in this country (UK) and he says that most people who have had acute pancreatitis should be ok on one unit of alcohol per day or less, but the trick (apparently) is to wait six months to a year after the attack before starting drinking again.

[Elizabeth]

In answer to your question about alcohol...no amount of alcohol is 'safe'. Every time you take alcohol in it can cause more damage. You are very lucky to have had pancreatitis and not had the usual pain. I was in so much pain I was getting shots every 4 hours right on the nose. At the height of my pancreatitis my amylase was 4500. That gives you an idea of how high those levels can get...I don't know what a MD would tell you but as far as why some people do and some people don't get pancreatitis from drinking it is probably the same as why some people get lung cancer from smoking and other people don't. But...90% of people who get pancreatitis get it due to alcohol, and that says a lot.
Elizabeth

[kim]

I went to see my MD tody and I am having a blood test taken tomorrow to recheck my Amalyse levels again. I am a on drinker. I hadn't had an alcohol since April of 99 and When I was hospitalized n Sept. I was recievingDemerol every two hours the first three days in the hospital.Then when I was ut into CCU I was given morphine every 4 hours on the nose. I was never told the number of my amlyse levels except that they were dangerously high and I would've died if I would have waited another day . So I am thankful to be alive and the ERCP I had  has done good or me, not everyone has a bad experience from it.I am on a low fat diet and have loss of appetite still can't eat alot no more . I am eating very small meals nowadays. I never was a big eater, but am eating in smaller amounts than ever today. I wish everyone well.
Kim

[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.

[ni]

Pain?  Yes A LOT.  It was the worst pain I've ever felt.  It felt like someone was kicking me in the back, and the stomach simultaneously.  I was in pain for 12 hours straight the first time.  They didn't want to give me anything because they needed to see where the pain was coming from, and what was causing it.  I was on demoral, every 4 hours.  The last time, I had a demoral pump that I used.  It is just like a morophene pump.  I take percaset now.  I have a prescription, that I need refilled actally.  But, yeah, I have experienced much pain.  I would have rather died as well.  Sometimes it would get so bad, that I'd be delirous.  I hope they find a cure for this soon, for all of our sakes.

Take Care,

Nina

[Response to Chads comment on 10-13]

Well since my acute pancreatiis was not caused by alcohol  . I did find out that I had a blockage in the bile duct going to the pancres and liver.It was caused from my Gall Bladder surgery that I had in July99. They  did an ERCP and widened the bile Duct opening at the same time. I still eat very small meals and I can not eat reasy foods. The first question the drs asked was if I wasan alcoholic and when I said "No" they were shocked bc like many have stated predominatly is caused by alcohol but I was a rare case caused by the bile duct being blocked from my gall bladder surgery. I haven't had a problem since my hospitalization and hope  you are well. My blood tests that I had taken all came back normal. Take care, Kim

[kim]

This is in response to if any had pain. I wasin SEVERE pain from the acute pacreatitis going from front to back simultaneously . the pain stated at 4 pm and  I went to the hospital at 10:30 am the next morning and waited in the ER waiting aea for 2 1/2 hrs while ppl with broken arms went in ahead of me after I was there before them. I was nt given any pain meds til Iwsadittedto hospital, then I agiven dmerolery 2 hr bc hepain as so seveeI ws pin for4ys.fte 3 dy hpial I finlly ake or smethingroer anthewasgienMrphinevr rsor atil my amalyse

[kim]

This is in response to if any had pain. I wasin SEVERE pain from the acute pacreatitis going from front to back simultaneously . the pain stated at 4 pm and  I went to the hospital at 10:30 am the next morning and waited in the ER waiting aea for 2 1/2 hrs while ppl with broken arms went in ahead of me after I was there before them. I was nt given any pain meds til Iwsaditted into the hospital. I was given Demerol every  2 hrs bc my pain was so severe . The drs could touch me  hardly. After 3 days of no relief from pain I asked forMorphine and . I had morphine every 4 hrs for 2 days. My amalyse was so high that IfI would've waited another day to go to the hospital that I would've died.  I had an immediate ERCP and CT done. Its funny how life is and that we take so much for granted. I cerish everyday since this happend. Hope everyone is doing well and take care, kim

[mohammed aboads]

how i can gain more information about pacreatitis
my e-mail is ***@****

[kristin]

I had severe pain on the day I found out I had pancreatitis.  I recieved demerol every 2hrs for the first few days and then about every 4-6hrs.  I was in the hospital for about 6 weeks because I developed an abscess then a pseudo-cyst.  I have since been discharged on IV antibiotics and TPN for another 4-6 weeks.  I can only have ice chips by mouth and they can't promise that I wont have to have surgery in the end.  They are trying to avoid it at all cost because they say it is risky.  I have two drains that are supposed to drain the cysts.  The only positive I can find from this whole thing is that I lost 30lbs.  The doctors have yet to find out what caused it which is scarey because what if it becomes chronic.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I am only 28 years old.

[james]

I have had occasional attacks now and then since my first initial attack 12 years ago,that attack was so bad i felt as if something was going to blow out of my stomach I started to sweat profusely while I was going to the bathroom the pain got so bad my palms started to itch as something toxic was released into my system...I felt like I was going to die and all of a sudden keeled over on the toilet and passed out then taken to the hospital. they ran a barium enema for my colon but found nothing.
since then I have been eliminating bad foods from my diet and taking enzymes for digestion ,my attacks are not as bad now and I know that alchohol can cause thse attacks,since 1986 ive noticed its painful to drink alcohol,I drank 12 screwdrivers on a boat at the statue of liberty celebration in 1986 mixing valium and qualudes , I think that incident triggered everything so now I dont touch alcohol.I still get although not as often an attack that will waste me for at least 24 hrs but finally I am having tests done now to see whats WHAT.
I can definately tell you all stay away from alcohol,fatty-greasy-oily foods,cheese,cows milk,shell fish,pork,high doses of zinc,carbonated beveregesand caffiene.
I really feel sorry for anybody who has this type of pain it is a major crimp on life.............james

[comment to James]

James, I know exactly what you mean about eating. I have cut so much out of my diet.sincemy attack. I thought i was going to die from my attack drs did say if I waited any longer than I did would have probably died from the pancreatitis. I can no longer eat greasy foods . I eat very little cheese and drink very little milk nowadays too. I hope to never experience that kind of pain agai. Its does crip the life we live. Take care and wish you well, Kim

[kristin]

I was wondering: I have had pancreatitis since Sept29th.  I have not eaten since then.  I was sent home from the hospital Nov5th and the doctor told me he wanted me to continue to rest the pancreas for 4-6 weeks.  I am on TPN.  Has anyone else gone this long or close to it without food?  I am starving.  I go back to the doctor on Nov 29th when he will decide if I can start eating or if I continue TPN.  It is very hard not to cheat when evryone else is eating.  I hope someone can relate to my situation.

[Trisha - Boston,Ma]

This message is for Kristin.  You left your message on 11/23/99.  This part of pancreatitis sucks!!  I developed this in april of 1995.  I was in the hospital for 1 week.   Then I was fine for a year and a half.  Then I had a huge attack in November of 1997.  I was in the hospital for 1 week.  I was perscribed prednison, a steriod, and that made me feel better.  In April of 1998,  I had another huge attack and was in the hospital for 1 month.   I was on pain meds and TPN.  I had a central line put in for this.  I was released after 1 month and was on TPN there for almost 3 months.  I think that was worse than the pain.  I was so obsessed with food.  When I would slip up and eat a cracker, I would feel as if I had just killed someone.  Hang in there,  it's hard!  Please let me know if you want to talk,  I had no one who knew what it felt like.  I hope you feel better!  Trisha- age 25-Boston,Ma

[kristin]

Response to Trisha:  Do you think it effected how long you stayed on TPN when you cheated.  I feel so guilty when I cheat, but I can't help it.  I'm human and I'm starving.  Today(Thanksgiving)will be the worst.  I find out Monday what I have to do next.  I had a CT scan yesterday.  What caused your pancreatitis?  We still don't know what caused mine.  I figured I am extra sensitive to alcohol, but they don't agree.  I drank probably once a week, but when I was younger I drank heavily.  I just hope this doesn't become chronic.  I can't afford to stay out of work.  Kristin,  Pennsylvania

[sue]

I suffered with chronic pancreatitis for years.  I was hospitalized 12 times for a total of 86 days.  I had no choice but needed to have my pancreas removed.  I was very lucky to learn of "Islet cell transplant".  This is where they removed your pancreas and transplant your islet cells into your liver.  Your islet cells control your insulin.  I was extremely lucky and I am not a diabetic after having my pancreas removed.  I no longer suffer with chronic pain.  I have written a story detailing my whole experience with chronic pancreatitis.  You can find it at:  http://www.insulin-free.org/stories/rebello.htm

Anyone wishing to correspond is welcome to email me at:
***@****

God bless you all and I hope anyone suffering with chronic pancreatitis will take a few minutes to read my story and the miracle that ended my chronic pain.