Alcohol after having pancreatitis...no go?

mikayla169
mikayla169 Posts: 40 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Ok, so I have gallstones, which I'm due to have removed on the 16th December, but on Saturday was admitted to hospital with acute pancreatitis as a gallstone had become dislodged from the gallbladder and caused inflammation. I was discharged yesterday, and was told nothing more regarding the pancreatitis, only advised on what would happen prior to, during, and after the surgery.

My question is, has anyone on here (which I'm sure there will be) had pancreatitis, and generally, what were you advised on as far as alcohol goes, and how long did you give it before having any? What were your experiences, and what would you recommend/ advise?

I'm not asking because I'm some raging alcoholic, but after having a baby 2 months ago, I haven't had a drink in 11 months, and we were just planning a big night out in the next few weeks...that, and obviously with Christmas only being 6 weeks away, following that New Years, it goes without saying, I was planning on having a drink. Despite my doctor not having the sense to advise me on such things, I did have the sense to have a look online, and going off what I've read, there seems to be a big red cross there as far as alcohol goes, and most websites say it's a big no no for at least 6 months!

Can anyone advise me on this, I'd love to know when I can try and regain an ounce of my social life back!

Replies

  • bradwwood
    bradwwood Posts: 371 Member
    I don't think anyone here is going to be stupid enough to tell you to go for it. That is a choice you need to make on your own, and it sounds like you already have the correct answer right in front of you.

    If folks here are willing to say "go for it", are you stupid enough to take their advise when it comes to your personal well being?
  • EvanKeel
    EvanKeel Posts: 1,904 Member
    http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/pancreatitis-directory

    Based on this it would seem that acutte pancreatitis caused by gallstones doesn't necessarily preclude alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis caused by alcohol abuse would. This is sort of a general statement and can't really be attributed to any specific person. I see that you mentioned you've done your own online research, so perhaps you found the same information.

    However, and this is big, this question should really be reserved for your own medical caregiver for all kinds of ethical reasons and protections. No one here, despite their own personal experience or claims to medical expertise, should dispense medical advice.

    The only real advice I can feel comfortable giving is: when in doubt err on the side of not risking future damage to your body. You can be social without drinking. Though, again, ask your doctor.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    I think you can have a social life without the alcohol many people never drank in their lives and I'm sure they have social lives! Your health is more important, drink something else and enjoy the company instead. Your baby needs you.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,421 Member
    Move to WA. We legalized pot :smile:
  • mikayla169
    mikayla169 Posts: 40 Member
    This wasnt a topic posted to seek medical advice, i was simply wanting to gain an insight into peoples experiences with it. Being only 22, alot of my friends frequently go on nights out, and all my family are drinking over christmas so i was just wondering what people found for them as i am planning on waiting 6 months following what ive read (which i shall double check with my doctor on friday), but even after the 6 months did anyone have a bad experience with it?
    My pabcreatitis wasnt caused through alcohol consumption, but i can see alcohol can irritate afterwards. If anyone can say they had a bad experience after the 6 months, becoming completely t-total is something to consider.
    But in answer to `am i so stupid to go for it`, the answer is no, but this is all new to me, has come about at a really awkward time and the deeper understanding i have through other's experiences, the easier it is for me to make an informed decision down the line..
    Yes a social life is perfectly plausable without alcohol, ive managed fine for 11 months, but im sure its safe to say the option wouldve been nice..
  • mikayla169
    mikayla169 Posts: 40 Member
    Move to WA. We legalized pot :smile:

    I've heard England may not be too far behind!
  • supplemama
    supplemama Posts: 1,956 Member
    If your doctor was stupid enough not to advise you on this, then don't you be stupid enough not to simply ask him or her for advice. You really need to ask your doctor when you can drink again.
  • tarahyng
    tarahyng Posts: 11 Member
    I agree that you should definently seek the advice of your doctor.

    I have pancreatitis, and I have lived with it for most of my life. I personally have never had any flare ups due to drinking, but I know people who do.
  • mikayla169
    mikayla169 Posts: 40 Member
    I agree that you should definently seek the advice of your doctor.

    I have pancreatitis, and I have lived with it for most of my life. I personally have never had any flare ups due to drinking, but I know people who do.

    Thanks, this is all I wanted to know - I'm not seeking medical advice, I have an appointment with my doctor Friday for that. But yes, my doctor was stupid enough not to tell me, which is why I had a look online before doing anything and have this appointment Friday. NHS for you!
  • tami_
    tami_ Posts: 12 Member
    I had pancreatitis last year which resulted in my having to have my gall bladder removed. The doctor recommended I didn't drink alcohol at all while I had pancreatitis, and not for a year after the operation. :)
  • EvanKeel
    EvanKeel Posts: 1,904 Member
    I agree that you should definently seek the advice of your doctor.

    I have pancreatitis, and I have lived with it for most of my life. I personally have never had any flare ups due to drinking, but I know people who do.

    Thanks, this is all I wanted to know - I'm not seeking medical advice, I have an appointment with my doctor Friday for that. But yes, my doctor was stupid enough not to tell me, which is why I had a look online before doing anything and have this appointment Friday. NHS for you!

    I believe the point is that it's your body, and anyone else's experiences are completely irrelevant because we're not living in your body. Wanting to know what others have done seems like a natural desire, but it's not something that should influence what you decide to do.
  • zcostilla
    zcostilla Posts: 23 Member
    I've been hospitalized twice with acute pancreatitis. The first was the day before Thanksgiving, and was 16 days. The second was New Year's Eve and lasted five days. I missed 51 days of work total. My initial root cause was a bad gall bladder and I had it removed the first time I went in. But the second attack was because it was so sensitive. My gastrointestinal specialist said it takes three months for the pancreas to go back to normal after pancreatitis. I just had outpatient surgery yesterday called ERCP and I still had sludge in the duct.

    I said all that to say this. LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR! Also, read. I learned a lot from the Mayo Clinic, WebMD, and Medscape websites. I was told to stay as low fat as possible for three months and my reading confirmed that. I was also told ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL! That meant no vanilla extract, no NyQuill, and I had to change mouthwashes and soy sauce brands. The problem is that repeat flare ups can lead to chronic pancreatitis and that typically shortens your life span 10-20 years.

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