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Why you need to know about pancreatitis (even if you’re not on a weight-loss jab)

JITR

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
In remission from Type 2
I thought this article in today's Times by Dr Mark Porter in his weekly column is a good 'explainer' of a sensitive topic.

Unfortunately, The Times may have withdrawn its article sharing scheme. Further investigation required.
 
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And for me.
 
You can copy the URL on the article into removepaywall.com

You then get lots of ads but you can read the article.
 
My non medical brief summary of the article is that it discusses recent MHRA reports of pancreatitis from hundreds of people who have used or are using weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, for T2 diabetes or weight loss.

He discusses some of the mechanisms. The use of the GLP-1 receptor agonist family of drugs may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). He considers the risks to be small, about 1 in 300 and he talks about the presentation symptoms for pancreatitis in general - including the severe pain.

He clearly makes the point that about half of all cases of acute pancreatitis are linked to gallstones — the gallbladder and pancreas share a common duct and stones blocking this duct can cause pancreatic secretions to back up — and a quarter are linked to excessive alcohol consumption.

I felt the author, Dr Porter, provided a balanced perspective. The article was published on 30 Jun '25.
 
I can tell you all you’ll ever need to know re pancreatitis. It’s the worst pain you will ever experience. Best avoided if possible!
My Mam said exactly this too, Elaine!
 
My Mam said exactly this too, Elaine!
Echo your thoughts Barbara and Elaine it was undoubtedly the worst pain and feeling of being unwell of my life.Waiting for the ambulance was so uncomfortable and I knew it was serious and would not want to go through that experience again.
I recall about 20 years ago when my Mam was in hospital and the Drs could not tell what was wrong with her and they were not sure if it was Pancreatitis or Pancreatic Cancer.
When I asked further I was told it did not really matter as the prognosis in her case was the same which I thought strange as to me there is a clear difference between the two.
In the end I spoke to a hepatic Consultant who apologised for the initial “ diagnosis” and said it turned out she had Cirrhosis even though she never drank in her life.I was told to expect her to live 18-24 months as a maximum and basically to enjoy her remaining time.
She actually lived another 8 or 9 years and died at 91 so was really happy she proved the Drs wrong.
 
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