Introduce yourself

zcostilla

I'm Zac and I have been dealing with multiple bouts of severe acute pancreatitis. I lost over 30 pounds while hospitalized due to complications of infection after getting my gall bladder removed and developing an ilius. I recently had ERCP to clean out my pancreatic duct.

gkirchner123

My name is Gail and I have autoimmune pancreatitis. No one knows how I got this illness and steroids are the only thing that makes the symptoms go away. I came to MyFitnessPal to watch exactly what I eat to make sure I get enough protein and calories. I can eat very little fat and had to give up my social hours, which were a big part of my life. I haven't been out to eat since last fall nor have I had any alcohol since then. It's like going on a diet that's opposite everyone else's. The thing is I can't cheat because I will get very sick again and be in a lot of pain. This life changing event gets me down because all my friends drink and eat food that I love. I loved fatty foods and a social hour. I didn't drink a lot but enjoyed it with my friends. I would like for all this to just go away but it probably never will. I try so hard to eat the smallest amount of fat I can but I find myself eating too much sugar and too many carbohydrates. Even though people know what I have, they will never understand what it is like. I hope there is someone like me who can relate to all my issues.

Gail Kirchner

zcostilla

Hi Gail! This group is slow in starting. I hope we can grow because if we share what works for us it should encourage others to keep going. This is undoubtedly the most painful thing I have ever experienced. I also have as permanent spine injury but it doesn't compare. Not even close.

One thing I tell people is read voraciously! Hit Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins and anything wise you can. I read the home remedy stuff too, and I prefer to go as natural as practical. That means I prefer not to take pharmaceuticals if I don't need to but I don't necessarily think an herb can replace a prescribed medicine. There has to be a balance. Do a search for foods with curcumin, because it's a natural anti inflammatory that won't affect your GI tract the way NSAIDs will. We east a lot more curry and I go heavy on the tumeric now.

What new foods have you found since you were diagnosed?

angel_of_harmony

Hi there! My name is Lindsay and I have been suffering from acute pancreatic episodes several times over the past 5 years (normally twice a year). Recently I had to be hospitalized for 5 days and they almost had to do dialysis in order to lower my triglycerides. Once inflammation subsided, I was released with a prescription for a medication to control my cholesterol. I am not a very active person, so my goal over this next year is to make an effort to eat healthy and exercise. I joined myfitnesspal in order to log my diet and I also use the database to search when I go out to eat.

As far as my diagnosis; the doctors are honestly stumped why I have suffered from this illness as many times as I have. They checked my gall bladder when I was in the hospital but said it was "normal". As I mentioned above, I was 20 when I first experienced pancreatitus and that was before I had an alcoholic beverage. Over the years I have drank in moderation (once or twice a month) but am now sober. As far as I know it doesn't run in my family; the only explanation the doctors have given me is that it is probably something genetic where my lipids do not get processed in my cholesterol.

I am aware that even if I loose weight that I may have to remain on this medication for the rest of my life, but I do not want to risk getting diabetes or ending up back in the hospital since I do not have insurance (and honestly do not want to go through the pain again). Luckily, I qualify for temporary assistance so I am able to follow-up with my physician. Unfortunately it seems doubtful that I will be able to follow-up with a specialist at this time.

I have also quit smoking (it's been a month now) and also stopped taking my birth control in order to control my triglycerides; at least that is what the doctor says will help.