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Suggest Treatment For Abdominal Pain When Diagnosed With Pancreatitis

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Posted on Thu, 1 Dec 2016
Question: I had one episode of mild (doctors (both ER and Primary Care Physician) said "very mild") of pancreatitis. No nausea or vomiting. But severe abdominal pain. Went to ER and sent home after administration of morphine. Did not subsequently need or take prescription for percocet or anti-nausea meds. Blood pressure normal (I take meds for high blood pressure.) Annual physical 1 week before showed good liver panel. Gall bladder removed 6 months ago. I get message to totally abstain from alcohol. What other diet recommendations? Will pancreas ever return to normal (cured) state? XXXXXX, YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

Alcohol intake, gallstones and high serum triglycerides are the three most common causes of pancreatitis.

Your gallbladder has been removed already removed and I presume there are no stones in the common bile duct.

As your doctor has advised, abstain from alcohol.
Check your triglyceride levels and if found raised, you need to take medications to bring it to normal levels.

If it is a simple pancreatitis and no complications like cysts occured and there is no recurrence also, then the pancreas would return to normal if all the above mentioned risk factors are taken care of.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (12 hours later)
Thank you Dr. Kini for your response. No evidence of stones in the common bile duct. Serum triglycerides are low (quite low, my primary physician reports). As I said, I am totally abstaining from alcohol. I have begun a low fat diet and trying to eat more frequent/decreased volume meals. Assuming no cysts or other complications have occurred, would my resuming occasional alcohol intake - say, two drinks a week - after a year of abstinence yield a risk of pancreatitis higher than for one who has never suffered such an (acute pancreatitis) episode?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 days later)
Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me with more questions.
You are always at the risk of developing pancreatitis if you drink alcohol.
So even if you recover completely from this episode of pancreatitis, resuming occasional alcohol intake can precipitate another episode of pancreatitis.
So I would advise you to stay away from alcohol.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 2215 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Abdominal Pain When Diagnosed With Pancreatitis

Brief Answer: Answer given below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for posting your query. I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you. Alcohol intake, gallstones and high serum triglycerides are the three most common causes of pancreatitis. Your gallbladder has been removed already removed and I presume there are no stones in the common bile duct. As your doctor has advised, abstain from alcohol. Check your triglyceride levels and if found raised, you need to take medications to bring it to normal levels. If it is a simple pancreatitis and no complications like cysts occured and there is no recurrence also, then the pancreas would return to normal if all the above mentioned risk factors are taken care of. Regards, Dr.R.K.