1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

Diagnosed with diabetes after acute pancreatic attack; now chronic

Posted by ankie @ankie, Jan 10, 2017

After an acute pancreatitis 3 years ago, I now have chronic pancreatitis which causes a lot of pain. I'm on Jentadueto 2x/day and my diabetes is onder controle. However, I would love to hear from others with this combo problem. Thanks

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 23, 2017
In reply to @shirleys "Godspeed to you, this info is like a breath of fresh air.. I assume, because I..." + (show)
@shirleys

Godspeed to you, this info is like a breath of fresh air.. I assume, because I have Heart Failure, LVOT- LEFT VENTRICLE OUTFLOW TRACT WITH OBSTRUCTION, PACEMAKER, AMONG A FEW OTHER THINGS, SLUSH OR GALLSTONES IN MY GALLBLADDER.. (Wasn't sure which). 73 years of age. Stay so fatigued and nauseauted for most days. When CP is severe, is this the end stage or do you know? Thank you again for the info!

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Hi, @shirleys, I was tagged on an earlier post that you made. I sincerely hope that you can find a solution and comfort from your symptoms.
My own experience with pancreatitis is very brief. Husband came down quite unexpectedly and suddenly with acute pancreatitis due to possibly passing gallstone. CT and blood tests were used for confirmation. After 4 days treating the inflammation from the pancreatitis, his gallbladder was removed. He recovered and back to normal. I'll also add that he had no other complicating conditions, don't know how much that plays into it all. The surgeon did say that it could occur again if they did not remove gall bladder.
Do you live near Mayo? Or near another high volume institution that treats a large volume of patients? as Gary has suggested. They are more likely to have the technology and skills to assist you.
Rosemary

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shirleys | @shirleys | Jun 23, 2017
In reply to @shirleys "Godspeed to you, this info is like a breath of fresh air.. I assume, because I..." + (show)
@shirleys

Godspeed to you, this info is like a breath of fresh air.. I assume, because I have Heart Failure, LVOT- LEFT VENTRICLE OUTFLOW TRACT WITH OBSTRUCTION, PACEMAKER, AMONG A FEW OTHER THINGS, SLUSH OR GALLSTONES IN MY GALLBLADDER.. (Wasn't sure which). 73 years of age. Stay so fatigued and nauseauted for most days. When CP is severe, is this the end stage or do you know? Thank you again for the info!

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Hi Rosemary, I live near Macon Ga. I am very seriously considering making an appointment at the Mayo Clinic. My son-in-law has liver cancer.  Mayo is having him to go through tests for three weeks to see if he is eligible for a liver transplant. My daughter is very impressed with the Doctor's and staff... As for me, I think the doctors here really don't want to suggest doing anything for me.  Can't understand why they won't discuss the problems with me. My portal said I have type two diabetes without complications. With out the medical portal, I wouldn't have known that.  Enough about me. Glad your husband is doing good.

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shirleys | @shirleys | Jun 23, 2017
In reply to @gman007 "@ankie, Welcome to the site, but I am sorry that you have any need to interact..." + (show)
@gman007

@ankie, Welcome to the site, but I am sorry that you have any need to interact with anyone on here. I was hospitalized three times in 2006 with acute pancreatitis with the longest stay being 15 days. I was soon after dx'ed with chronic pancreatitis. I have had my gall bladder removed (no relief), I have had several sphincterotomy's (some relief for short periods), I had a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy due to a tumor that had essentially rotted away a good portion of the tail of my pancreas and it would have been a severe bleeding potential trying to separate the spleen from the pancreas. As a result of all of these procedure, I have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and am diabetic. I take an oral medication, long term insulin and fast acting insulin. I also take Creon 36000 x9 each day for help with digestion. My pain is controlled with extended release medication and other pain med for break through pain. I had two stents placed in my pancreatic drain duct last summer and got significant relief from pain, but the effects have begun to fade and my pain level is up substantially from last July. Nothing new as I have received relief from procedures in the past and they always fade over time and that is, unfortunately, the progression of the disease. The use of large amounts of opiates for pain have a tremendous overall impact on overall health, but pain alone can lead to insanity. I have always had a severe anxiety disorder, but that and depression have been magnified by the pain medication, pain, and simply being more isolated than I would like as I am not able to do much on bad days and right now, they are far outnumbering the good ones.

I don't mean to paint a bleak picture as there are many things doctors have done for me that have increased my number of good days, but we just have not hit on the one that will be a little more long lasting. There is also a tremendous amount of research in the field of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, etc..., and I believe the aid they can render for my problems will increase significantly over the next couple of decades and many are very close to being available now. I am terribly verbose and have likely told you far more than you ever wanted to know, so take what you need and disregard the rest. I am more than happy to try to answer any questions people who have been struck with similar issues as I don't have many options to giving anything back.

Take care and keep us up to speed on your condition. It is certainly possible that we may learn something from your doctor(s) that we have not heard from our own.

Gary

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Thank you. This is the first group session I have ever joined. Thanks to all!

REPLY
shirleys | @shirleys | Jun 23, 2017
In reply to @gman007 "@ankie, Welcome to the site, but I am sorry that you have any need to interact..." + (show)
@gman007

@ankie, Welcome to the site, but I am sorry that you have any need to interact with anyone on here. I was hospitalized three times in 2006 with acute pancreatitis with the longest stay being 15 days. I was soon after dx'ed with chronic pancreatitis. I have had my gall bladder removed (no relief), I have had several sphincterotomy's (some relief for short periods), I had a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy due to a tumor that had essentially rotted away a good portion of the tail of my pancreas and it would have been a severe bleeding potential trying to separate the spleen from the pancreas. As a result of all of these procedure, I have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and am diabetic. I take an oral medication, long term insulin and fast acting insulin. I also take Creon 36000 x9 each day for help with digestion. My pain is controlled with extended release medication and other pain med for break through pain. I had two stents placed in my pancreatic drain duct last summer and got significant relief from pain, but the effects have begun to fade and my pain level is up substantially from last July. Nothing new as I have received relief from procedures in the past and they always fade over time and that is, unfortunately, the progression of the disease. The use of large amounts of opiates for pain have a tremendous overall impact on overall health, but pain alone can lead to insanity. I have always had a severe anxiety disorder, but that and depression have been magnified by the pain medication, pain, and simply being more isolated than I would like as I am not able to do much on bad days and right now, they are far outnumbering the good ones.

I don't mean to paint a bleak picture as there are many things doctors have done for me that have increased my number of good days, but we just have not hit on the one that will be a little more long lasting. There is also a tremendous amount of research in the field of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, etc..., and I believe the aid they can render for my problems will increase significantly over the next couple of decades and many are very close to being available now. I am terribly verbose and have likely told you far more than you ever wanted to know, so take what you need and disregard the rest. I am more than happy to try to answer any questions people who have been struck with similar issues as I don't have many options to giving anything back.

Take care and keep us up to speed on your condition. It is certainly possible that we may learn something from your doctor(s) that we have not heard from our own.

Gary

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Sent a request . thanks.

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 23, 2017
In reply to @shirleys "Godspeed to you, this info is like a breath of fresh air.. I assume, because I..." + (show)
@shirleys

Godspeed to you, this info is like a breath of fresh air.. I assume, because I have Heart Failure, LVOT- LEFT VENTRICLE OUTFLOW TRACT WITH OBSTRUCTION, PACEMAKER, AMONG A FEW OTHER THINGS, SLUSH OR GALLSTONES IN MY GALLBLADDER.. (Wasn't sure which). 73 years of age. Stay so fatigued and nauseauted for most days. When CP is severe, is this the end stage or do you know? Thank you again for the info!

Jump to this post

@shirleys, I can see that you are already familiar with the excellent treatment provided by Mayo! I can assure you that at Mayo, nothing is overlooked! Once during my early care, I started to say something, then I stopped because my doctors at home shrugged it off. But my doctor at Mayo asked me why I stopped, and he encouraged me to continue, afterward he nodded and seemed appreciative to get another piece of 'my puzzle".
I am very happy that you have connected with us here on Connect. Primarily for yourself, - but also (for my own personal reason) because of your son-in-law - I am a liver/kidney transplant recipient of 8 years. I transplanted at Mayo Rochester. I was transferred there out of ICU in KY when my I needed the specialized care that only Mayo (in this case, a specialist in Rochester) could provide to me. I sincerely hope and pray that your son-in-law will receive a successful testing process, and/or treatment that will make him eligible to proceed toward a transplant. When the time is right, I invite him and your daughter, and you to join me and others in the Transplant Discussions and Transplant Pages for information, and for sharing and supporting.

@shirleys, I hope for you to get the very best care that you deserve. You will be in my prayers. Let us know what you find out. And in the meantime, we welcome you continue conversations.
Rosemary

REPLY
shirleys | @shirleys | Jun 23, 2017
In reply to @shirleys "Godspeed to you, this info is like a breath of fresh air.. I assume, because I..." + (show)
@shirleys

Godspeed to you, this info is like a breath of fresh air.. I assume, because I have Heart Failure, LVOT- LEFT VENTRICLE OUTFLOW TRACT WITH OBSTRUCTION, PACEMAKER, AMONG A FEW OTHER THINGS, SLUSH OR GALLSTONES IN MY GALLBLADDER.. (Wasn't sure which). 73 years of age. Stay so fatigued and nauseauted for most days. When CP is severe, is this the end stage or do you know? Thank you again for the info!

Jump to this post

Wow, that is a wonderful testament! I'll tell my daughter the good news.

REPLY
Gary, Alumni Mentor | @gman007 | Jun 24, 2017

Shirley, I think you are asking me if when Chronic P. is at it's worse, is it near the end stage? I really do not know the answer to that. I have read that after some period of time, being different for everyone, that the pain decreases significantly or ends - I can not attest to that yet. I have also been told by my GI that it is a progressive disease that will forever be in decline and my endoscopy therapist said after replacing my stent in the drainage duct that what was left of my P was shot - covered in calcium deposits. When this stent is removed in 4-5 months, I will have likely seen the endoscopy doc for the last time; he doesn't think any further therapy would be beneficial. Based on all of that, I would surmise that the Chronic Pancreatitis never ends, but the sensory nerves wear out from working so hard when the pain is intense. What comes next is up to God and I am OK with that. My wife will tell you I am a control freak and she would be right about that up to my sickness and for some time thereafter until God convinced me he did not need any help driving and would really prefer that I not be a backseat driver. I am learning to let go of the wheel a little, but still have plenty of progress to make.

As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Gary

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1 reply
Gary, Alumni Mentor | @gman007 | Jun 24, 2017

Colleen, you are never in the way and always appreciated!
Gary

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1 reply
shirleys | @shirleys | Jun 24, 2017
In reply to @gman007 "Shirley, I think you are asking me if when Chronic P. is at it's worse, is..." + (show)
@gman007

Shirley, I think you are asking me if when Chronic P. is at it's worse, is it near the end stage? I really do not know the answer to that. I have read that after some period of time, being different for everyone, that the pain decreases significantly or ends - I can not attest to that yet. I have also been told by my GI that it is a progressive disease that will forever be in decline and my endoscopy therapist said after replacing my stent in the drainage duct that what was left of my P was shot - covered in calcium deposits. When this stent is removed in 4-5 months, I will have likely seen the endoscopy doc for the last time; he doesn't think any further therapy would be beneficial. Based on all of that, I would surmise that the Chronic Pancreatitis never ends, but the sensory nerves wear out from working so hard when the pain is intense. What comes next is up to God and I am OK with that. My wife will tell you I am a control freak and she would be right about that up to my sickness and for some time thereafter until God convinced me he did not need any help driving and would really prefer that I not be a backseat driver. I am learning to let go of the wheel a little, but still have plenty of progress to make.

As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Gary

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Hi Gary, pretty funny about the driving. I am not near where you are with your illness. I submitted a request to Mayo Clinic last night. Should hear from them Wed. or before. We went to our Grandson's cookout today. I tried eating a Hamburger but could only eat a small amount due to nausea. It's just worrisome that i don't know more about my illness and what to expect.Thanks and take care
Shirley

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shirleys | @shirleys | Jun 24, 2017
In reply to @gman007 "Colleen, you are never in the way and always appreciated! Gary" + (show)
@gman007

Colleen, you are never in the way and always appreciated!
Gary

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I agree.

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