Scanxiety again...

[Davein]

It’s 17 years since my first pancreatitis attack and subsequent “cysts” and tumour, and 10 years since my op to remove most of my pancreas to rid me of these. At first every little twinge sent me into blind panic, it ruled my life. Fortunately, it does get easier and although I get twinges I know it’s probably just indigestion or heartburn more often than not. Like @pottersusan I know deep down I will probably die of old age rather than pancreatic cancer but it’s always in the back of my mind. I get a “thump” in my stomach when I hear of a celebrity, for example, who has died from it and it brings it all back. But I know I have been one of the lucky ones and my tumour was pre-cancerous. Oh and by the way Brian is my hubby! He isn’t really called Mr Eggy!!

Could not have been very pleasant for you especially with a family to look after. I still have my pancreas but according to the consultants it's very damaged after the many episodes of severe pancreatitis. I don't know whether you experienced twenty four hour pain in between attacks, I certainly did. Fortunately my first hospital became very used to treating me and on my fourth admission the consultant said to me 'now you know the routine' as they wired me up to the drips. Endless scans and cameras followed. That was nearly six years ago. My latest consultant is going to try steroid therapy next time I'm admitted.
I've moved down to Cornwall which has better weather than Bedfordshire as I seemed to get most of the attacks when the weather turned cold. I'm further away from the hospital but I've been given a supply of pethidine in case I need to control the pain. Yes I'm worried about the increased risks of cancer too but there's little I can do about it apart from keep taking the meds and eating wisely.
I am grateful I had nearly sixty years or reasonably good health. You became ill at a relatively young age so the impact must have been far greater for you. I have been very fortunate in my life. Did a job I loved, worked in the houses of many celebrities installing my handiwork and have been able to 'retire' at a reasonably young age debt free. Just the illnesses to endure🙂.and my better half🙂🙂🙂

 

[mikeyB]

Don’t worry too much about pancreatitis and cancer, Davein, it’s most often an ab initio diagnosis. CP only increases the risk of cancer by around 3%, which is nothing given the numbers. Given that my Ulcerative Colitis increases my chance of bowel cancer by around 50%, and I don’t worry about that (colonoscopy every 2 years), just relax.

Trump will probably fire off the Big One anyway before we get old enough to get cancer, so have fun while you can.

 

[Davein]

Don’t worry too much about pancreatitis and cancer, Davein, it’s most often an ab initio diagnosis. CP only increases the risk of cancer by around 3%, which is nothing given the numbers. Given that my Ulcerative Colitis increases my chance of bowel cancer by around 50%, and I don’t worry about that (colonoscopy every 2 years), just relax.

Trump will probably fire off the Big One anyway before we get old enough to get cancer, so have fun while you can.

Thanks Mike, I think it's your subtle humour that keeps most of us going🙂

 

[eggyg]

Could not have been very pleasant for you especially with a family to look after. I still have my pancreas but according to the consultants it's very damaged after the many episodes of severe pancreatitis. I don't know whether you experienced twenty four hour pain in between attacks, I certainly did. Fortunately my first hospital became very used to treating me and on my fourth admission the consultant said to me 'now you know the routine' as they wired me up to the drips. Endless scans and cameras followed. That was nearly six years ago. My latest consultant is going to try steroid therapy next time I'm admitted.
I've moved down to Cornwall which has better weather than Bedfordshire as I seemed to get most of the attacks when the weather turned cold. I'm further away from the hospital but I've been given a supply of pethidine in case I need to control the pain. Yes I'm worried about the increased risks of cancer too but there's little I can do about it apart from keep taking the meds and eating wisely.
I am grateful I had nearly sixty years or reasonably good health. You became ill at a relatively young age so the impact must have been far greater for you. I have been very fortunate in my life. Did a job I loved, worked in the houses of many celebrities installing my handiwork and have been able to 'retire' at a reasonably young age debt free. Just the illnesses to endure🙂.and my better half🙂🙂🙂

I only had one episode of pancreatitis as it was caused by gall stones of which I didn’t know I had! Had had a couple of bouts of really bad “ indigestion” until the third time when I started projectile vomiting and Mr Eggy sent for an ambulance. When they told me I had pancreatitis, the first thing I said was “I’m not an alcoholic” which is when they said it was gall stones. I was really quite poorly, never felt so ill in my life. It was actually worse than after my big op! Then my next time was 6 years later when they discovered the tumour. It is the most Godawful pain ever and would not wish it on my worst enemy. I have “ only” had one other attack and that was shortly before I was diagnosed with diabetes, touch wood I haven’t had anymore. It must be awful having chronic pancreatitis. My youngest daughter was only 8 and I do sometimes think all she has known is me being in hospital or ill or at the doctors but she says that’s not the case. But hey here I am 17 years later, we are also retired very comfortably with no debt, live each day, that’s our motto!

 

[Davein]

I only had one episode of pancreatitis as it was caused by gall stones of which I didn’t know I had! Had had a couple of bouts of really bad “ indigestion” until the third time when I started projectile vomiting and Mr Eggy sent for an ambulance. When they told me I had pancreatitis, the first thing I said was “I’m not an alcoholic” which is when they said it was gall stones. I was really quite poorly, never felt so ill in my life. It was actually worse than after my big op! Then my next time was 6 years later when they discovered the tumour. It is the most Godawful pain ever and would not wish it on my worst enemy. I have “ only” had one other attack and that was shortly before I was diagnosed with diabetes, touch wood I haven’t had anymore. It must be awful having chronic pancreatitis. My youngest daughter was only 8 and I do sometimes think all she has known is me being in hospital or ill or at the doctors but she says that’s not the case. But hey here I am 17 years later, we are also retired very comfortably with no debt, live each day, that’s our motto!

I had a hell of a job explaining numerous times to numerous consultants and doctors that I was teatotal. Had been for 30 years since a close friend and work colleague committed suicide because he could not control his alcoholism, but as my Gbladder as clear and alcohol being the main cause they needed a box tick.So I'm in the 5% of cases of which no explainable cause. I can at least recognise when that particular pancreatitis pain starts and I know I have about an hour to get to A&E and get the morphine pumped in before I'm in agony. In Bedfordshire I had a terrific friend, a farmer, who would rush me to hospital no matter what time of day it happened to be and he would stay with me until I went up to whichever ward was available. Thankfully now the hospital appointments have lessened so it doesn't rule my life so much. Having experienced a c**p hospital admission and stay down here in Cornwall, I'm doing my upmost to avoid readmission. Best of luck Mrs Eggyg with your future health and keep taking the Creon, Dave

 

[mikeyB]

I’m with you Dave, no cause found for the chronic pancreatitis, but the big difference between me and you and Eggy is that I have never had any pain. I still don’t drink, mind, which isn’t as rare as you might think on an island with a distillery.

By the way, best of luck in Cornwall. Different country, that.

 

[Davein]

I’m with you Dave, no cause found for the chronic pancreatitis, but the big difference between me and you and Eggy is that I have never had any pain. I still don’t drink, mind, which isn’t as rare as you might think on an island with a distillery.

By the way, best of luck in Cornwall. Different country, that.

Thanks Mike, All we've got down here are tin mines (live right next to one) and pasties. Fortunately it's a milder climate than Bedfordshire so I'm hoping that is helping towards keeping my pancreas stable as I've only had one severe attack recently and I've managed to keep the daily pain down to a reasonable level. So life is just a bit better with only the diabetes to get under control.

 

[pottersusan]

I’m just making a note never to annoy pottersusan...

I'm told I do a good shoulder and neck massage with my strong potters hands

 

[mikeyB]

Right, I’ll make an appointment ASAP- just as soon as I’ve bought a neck brace for after...