Post by M in Carolina on Jul 13, 2014 16:13:04 GMT
Oh, Carla! I forgot that you had been diagnosed with Diabetes... that makes your problem more serious because of risk of complications
I think you should go see your doctor on MONDAY and get the bloodwork done. I know it's difficult to get in at the last minute for a regular doctor's appointment, but if you have problems, talk to your doctor's nurse. She should be able to squeeze you in or get your doctor to write an order for you to get your blood drawn at a local lab--not all doctor's offices do blood work anyway. I would hope the doctor would insist on seeing you. I am concerned about you. The gallbladder/liver/pancreas problems can go from not so bad to serious very quickly. I will be keeping you in my prayers and thoughts.
When I was first diagnosed, I had an amazing PCP who was available 24/7 and even took care of me in the local hospitals. He would take my blood tests himself, but if it was too late in the day or on a Friday, he would write me an order to get my bloodwork done at the hospital. Whenever the blood tests were abnormal, I'd be admitted via ER.
Like AZ readhead, the pancreatitis and bile leaks are considered very serious issues--especially if you already have diabetes. I don't have diabetes, but I have hypoglycemia. Whenever I have to go on a liquid fast to rest my GI tract, I still have to drink liquids with sugar.
Two years ago this month I had the worst case of Pancreatitis. My pancreatic enzymes were 15,000! over 500 is considered a mild case of Pancreatitis. Fasting is the best way to get the enzymes back down--there aren't any medications for it. I had to have glucose in my IV fluid, but that also had to be carefully monitored.
I am so used to having low blood pressure and feeling awful because of my heart problems, that when these occur because I'm hypoglycemic, I can't tell the difference. I had no idea how close to death I was. Thankfully the nurses' spidey senses were tingling. I try to be polite and nice to the nurses, and I try to always have a positive attitude. The nurses thought I was looking and acting different. I told them I felt bad, so they took my blood glucose level... 35! I was so close to going into a coma, like Terry Schaivo. The nurses could not believe that I was still conscious, let alone talking and sitting upright. Once the glucose got my blood sugar back up, I did much better and was released a few days later. I've had other cases of acute pancreatitis, but not as severe or as long lasting.
I have a new pain control doctor who has some experience with the birth defects from DES exposure. He thinks that the root of my GI issues is a mutation in the way my bile duct system was formed way too small. So after years of backup in the bile, my gallbladder finally gave out and now the bile backs up into my pancreas instead. Thankfully this doctor has good relationships with a lot of GI doctors at Duke and UNC. He's trying to find a GI doctor who has experience with my issues.
AZ readhead, I am so sorry you had to go through all the bile leaks and pancreatitis. That was the worst pain I've ever dealt with/continue to deal with.
I think you should go see your doctor on MONDAY and get the bloodwork done. I know it's difficult to get in at the last minute for a regular doctor's appointment, but if you have problems, talk to your doctor's nurse. She should be able to squeeze you in or get your doctor to write an order for you to get your blood drawn at a local lab--not all doctor's offices do blood work anyway. I would hope the doctor would insist on seeing you. I am concerned about you. The gallbladder/liver/pancreas problems can go from not so bad to serious very quickly. I will be keeping you in my prayers and thoughts.
When I was first diagnosed, I had an amazing PCP who was available 24/7 and even took care of me in the local hospitals. He would take my blood tests himself, but if it was too late in the day or on a Friday, he would write me an order to get my bloodwork done at the hospital. Whenever the blood tests were abnormal, I'd be admitted via ER.
Like AZ readhead, the pancreatitis and bile leaks are considered very serious issues--especially if you already have diabetes. I don't have diabetes, but I have hypoglycemia. Whenever I have to go on a liquid fast to rest my GI tract, I still have to drink liquids with sugar.
Two years ago this month I had the worst case of Pancreatitis. My pancreatic enzymes were 15,000! over 500 is considered a mild case of Pancreatitis. Fasting is the best way to get the enzymes back down--there aren't any medications for it. I had to have glucose in my IV fluid, but that also had to be carefully monitored.
I am so used to having low blood pressure and feeling awful because of my heart problems, that when these occur because I'm hypoglycemic, I can't tell the difference. I had no idea how close to death I was. Thankfully the nurses' spidey senses were tingling. I try to be polite and nice to the nurses, and I try to always have a positive attitude. The nurses thought I was looking and acting different. I told them I felt bad, so they took my blood glucose level... 35! I was so close to going into a coma, like Terry Schaivo. The nurses could not believe that I was still conscious, let alone talking and sitting upright. Once the glucose got my blood sugar back up, I did much better and was released a few days later. I've had other cases of acute pancreatitis, but not as severe or as long lasting.
I have a new pain control doctor who has some experience with the birth defects from DES exposure. He thinks that the root of my GI issues is a mutation in the way my bile duct system was formed way too small. So after years of backup in the bile, my gallbladder finally gave out and now the bile backs up into my pancreas instead. Thankfully this doctor has good relationships with a lot of GI doctors at Duke and UNC. He's trying to find a GI doctor who has experience with my issues.
AZ readhead, I am so sorry you had to go through all the bile leaks and pancreatitis. That was the worst pain I've ever dealt with/continue to deal with.
Southern Side eyed Pea 
