Mrs. V. is in hospital with acute pancreatitis

[Bertha Venation]

She called me when I was on the way to work, saying she was in terrible pain and a cold sweat and had called 911. I almost pulled a U-ey on 295.

After an excruciating seven hours in ER and following blood tests and an MRI, the doc came in with the diagnosis. A couple of hours later, they moved her to a private room, and here we are.

She just had a good dose of pain meds, and is sleeping, mercifully. She said the pain is the worst she's ever felt.

Anyone with any experience with pancreatitis?

[MrScorpio]

1. All my vibes, B.V.

I hope she gets better soon

:hug:

[Bertha Venation]

7. thank you, MrS

:hug:

[Lucinda]

2. Nope...but I've had my fair share of screaming pain

Keeping her in my thoughts...hope shes well and home soon.

[Bertha Venation]

9. thank you, Lucinda

I appreciate your good thoughts.

[Aristus]

3. Professional, but not personal experience.

Fluids and bowel rest is what she needs. And what it sounds like they're giving her.

Hope she gets better soon...

[Bertha Venation]

10. I figured you've probably seen this.

:)

[elleng]

4. Missed it, fortunately; caught gall stones and removed gall bladder.

Most common causes: gall stones + alcohol

can be acute or chronic

More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatitis#Treatment

Best of luck.


:thumbsup:

[Bertha Venation]

11. I'm glad you missed it!

Mrs. V.'s gall bladder came out 6 years ago. And she rarely drinks. Doc said MRI showed scar tissue in a duct. She said scar tissue can form in the pancreas after a surgery.

[elleng]

17. Darn. I guess scar tissue can crop up anywhere.

Hope they can relieve it, and avoid future probs.

:thumbsup:

[nolabear]

5. Yes I have, And she ain't exaggeratin'.

I started to tell you my long story but I think I'll let her be the center of attention for now. But I came close to death (gall bladder of all things) and it's hands down the most awful I've ever felt.

But antibiotics ought to fix her right up and tell her not to be shy about those painkillers til they do!

Give her all my best vibes and hugs to both of you.

Seven hours in the ER!! AIEEE!! Of course I might have been there too; I have no memory of anything for about a day after I called 911 too.

[Bertha Venation]

Damn, nolabear! I didn't know you could die from it.

I'm so glad you're ok. :)

[nolabear]

And I don't mean to scare you. She's clearly okay.

I LOL when I think about it because it was a long time back, the exact weekend of the Rodney King incident, so I have this incredible memory of burning up with fever and ALL of LA burning right along with me!

[Lucian]

6. I'm going through some gall bladder problems right now.

I know it's nearly not as bad as pancreatitis, but it can lead to it. I'm feeling pain, especially after I eat fatty meals.

She'll be fine. Just be thankful she went to the ER in time.

[elleng]

13. Don't like idea of recommending any surgery, but

couldn't remove the stone at issue, saw pic/CAT of g-bladder, bunch of little bally-things, so I said, remove the whole damned thing. Did, and no probs ever since.

:thumbsup:

[Lucian]

20. I kinda like the aversion to fatty foods thing.

I'm afraid that once the gall bladder is removed, I'll be eating junk food like crazy.

I'll wait to get it out until I absolutely have to.

[elleng]

22. Understand. Went in when they saw the yellow of my eyes!!!

Had no pain.

Have had no problems w eating fatty/junk, do have whole milk in coffee, have actually increased % vegs, may be because best friend cooks lots of Pakistani/Indian stuff, often w/o meat, always w vegs. am on Lipitor fwiw + doc says things look good.

Good luck.

[Lucinda]

31. Yawp..I can actually eat veggies again since my gallbladder was removed

always have a little pineapple juice when i do and no probs...pineapple has some digestive enzyme in it...I love veggies...this was a good thing.

[Bertha Venation]

14. take good care of yourself, Lucian

:hug:

[Lucian]

21. Thanks Bertha.

:hug:

[Maine-ah]

54. I understand that, Lucian...

All the women on my Mom's side have had them out. Pretty soon it will be my turn. I've been feeling it for over a year now. I'm just careful with some of the things I eat, or else I pay for it :(

[kimi]

8. Oh my gosh!

Best wishes to Mrs. V!! Hope her pain is under control and she is able to go home soon.

I know next to nada about the illness - was an OB nurse - but I know that it is painful and really hope for the best for you both. Hugs, hon, to you and Mrs. V. :hug:

[Bertha Venation]

16. kimi, dear

Thank you so much. Hugs back. :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. I'm so sorry. She's in my prayers. *hugs*

[Bertha Venation]

18. Thanks so much, GPV

[Richardo]

15. I'm so sorry, Bertha....

...my best wishes to Mrs V for a quick and complete recovery. And to you as well for being you :hug: :loveya:

[Bertha Venation]

19. Hey, Richardo, good to see you

You are sweet, as always. Thank you for your good wishes. :hug:

[MiddleFingerMom]

23. Strength and healing and soothing vibes to you and Mrs. V.

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But I just couldn't leave it at that.
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Below is a plush stuffed pancreas (Don't ask. Even I don't know how I do some of the things that I do).
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8" x 5" $16.00 at the following website (type - pancreas - in their search box):
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http://www.japanla.com/detail.php?design=213
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I think it looks cuddlier than some of the teddy bears that I've seen.
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[Bertha Venation]

32. oh, my god

That is hilarious! I wish I could give that to her in the morning. I think I'll go to the gift shop and ask for one just to see the clerk's reaction.

Thanks for the laugh, mom. I needed it. :)

[denbot]

24. I've been hospitalized for pancreatitis 6 or more times.

Ir is extremely painful. Mine is triggered by fatty diet and/or over eating, but the onsets are kind of unpredictable.

[Skittles]

29. WTF DENBOT!!

CHANGE YOUR F***ING DIET!! :o

[denbot]

41. Hey, that was a really good impression of Alley..

I didn't even see your lips move, but I did catch you balling up you fists..

[Skittles]

74. SCHEDULING denbot FOR ASS KICKING!!

*EGREGIOUS*!!!

[Bertha Venation]

33. oh, my

I am so sorry to hear that.

[denbot]

42. I am a little more in tune with my body.

It lets me know when I'm over doing it.. My last attack was more or less out of the blue involving passing a gallbladder stone, but the one before that was 3 hours after a Pastrami, chili-fries, and pineapple shake feast from Tomboy's World Famous Burgers:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tomboys-world-famous-chili-hamburgers-manhattan-beach

The bastids built this one a five minute walk from my front door, and another a three minute drive..

My wife and I have since named that particular meal "The widow maker".. And no, I have not had one since.

[Bertha Venation]

45. Bastids! Indeed!

:)

[eyepaddle]

77. Dude, you've got me beat by one.

Nothing personal, but I hope I stay as the runner up and never take your crown.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. My dear Bertha!

Yikes!

It sounds like she's getting exactly the treatment she needs. I hope you are too...

Hang in there.

We've got your back...


:hug:

[Bertha Venation]

34. thank you, Peggy

:hug:

[auntAgonist]

26. How scary! Please give MrsV all my best for

a full recovery. :hug: for you both.

:loveya:

take care of YOU too!!

aA
kesha

[Bertha Venation]

35. hey there, dear kesha

Thank you, my friend :hug: :loveya:

[one_voice]

27. Vibes to you and Mrs. V...

my mother in law has had that and I saw what kind of pain it caused her. I'll keep good thoughts that'll she'll be feeling better soon!

[Bertha Venation]

37. I wouldn't wish this on Dick Cheney. Seriously.

I'm sorry your MIL has had it.

Thank you for your kiind good wishes, one voice.

[Odin2005]

28. OMG, that is what killed my stepdad!

I hope she comes through! :hug: :cry:

[Bertha Venation]

38. Odin, I'm so sorry to hear that.

Mrs. V. will be fine, I am certain.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

30. Better acute one than anugly one...

Seriously, all my vibes and prayers to you both.

[Bertha Venation]

39. heh heh

Thank you forr the supportive energy. :)

[MilesColtrane]

36. Hoping the best for Mrs. V here.

:hug:

[Bertha Venation]

40. thank you, Miles

[hedgehog]

43. I"m so sorry for your troubles. You've been having a hell of a time lately.

[Bertha Venation]

44. It's been interesting...

There was one bright spot yesterday. When they were admitting her yesterday and asked if she is married, she was thrilled to be able to answer "yes."

[hedgehog]

46. Good point!

[MiddleFingerMom]

49. This just made my day!!! Thanks. n/t

[Flaxbee]

47. Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that, Bertha. And I'm so glad

to hear she's getting treatment and has some pain meds.

:hug: :hug: to you and Mrs. V. Please keep us posted, and don't forget to take care of yourself - enough rest, and good food. OK? She'll need you to not be exhausted with worry.

[Bertha Venation]

59. Flax

Thank you, friend. :hug:

[hamsterjill]

48. Gosh, I'm so sorry.

Healing vibes and comfort to you both! Keep us posted!

[Bertha Venation]

61. thank you, hamsterjill

:)

[supernova]

50. Aww, healing vibes for Mrs V

:hug:

How are you guys doing today?

[Bertha Venation]

62. rough, supernova

She's being transferred to Georgetown U. Hospital tomorrow for testing.... :/

Thank you for the healing vibes. Keep 'em coming.

[foxfeet]

51. Good vibes en route!

Hope Mrs. V. heals completely, comfortably and quickly. And do take care of yourself. Any update?

[Bertha Venation]

63. thank you, foxfeet

See reply to supernova for update

Thanks for your well wishes :)

[Bossy Monkey]

52. Best wishes to her for a speedy recovery, and to you n/t

[Bertha Venation]

64. many thanks, bossy monkey

[tigereye]

53. yes, a family member, but things did improve

Hope she feels better soon! :hug: for you both!

[Bertha Venation]

65. tigereye

Thanks for the hug. Needed it. :hug:

[tigereye]

73. hang in there, ladies!

[Pool Hall Ace]

55. Gentle, healing vibes for Mrs. V

and of course, for you, Bertha. :hug:

[Bertha Venation]

66. thank you, Ace

:hug:

[Demoiselle]

56. All my best wishes and good vibes for Mrs. V.

All I know about pancreatitis is that it is excruciatingly painful. I'm so sorry she's had to go through this and I hope that all will be well soon.

[Bertha Venation]

68. Demoiselle

Thanks very much for your kind words. :)

[WinkyDink]

57. No experience, knock wood. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mrs. V!

[Bertha Venation]

69. hey, WinkyDink

Thanks! :)

[nolabear]

58. How's Mrs. V. today? Hope she's better.

And you're getting some rest too!

[Bertha Venation]

70. same, nolabear

Got some better pain meds, though. See reply to supernova for update.

[applegrove]

60. vibes to you both Bertha.

[Bertha Venation]

71. thank you, applegrove

[rurallib]

67. Well 2011 has to get better from here on out

that is once this unpleasantness is fixed.
Man, you two have had some rough sledding.

[Bertha Venation]

72. Damn right it'll get better!

:)

[femmocrat]

75. Sending healing vibes to Mrs. V.

OMG-- seven hours in the ER! Please give her my best wishes for a quick recovery. :hug:

[eyepaddle]

76. I've had it five times. The first is the scariest (by far).

The treatment is pretty simple--nothing by mouth for a few days gives the pancreas a chance to rest--so it's IV fluids and pain medications. Hopefully they will be able to pinpoit the cause of hers. It is usually the gall bladder, but can be caused by alcohol or certain medications.

Sadly about 1/4 the time they really can't pin don what causes it (I'm in that group.)

You both have my sincere wishes for a speedy recovery.