Author Topic: Pancreatitis (Read 6990 times)

cmhjeff · « **on:** August 02, 2006, 09:22:31 am »

Anyone here ever experience Pancreatitis? I've been having a mild pain somewhere in the area below my belly button. The pain is a general dull pain that isn't constant. On Sunday the pain woke me at 4am and I also had bad chills. We had dinner that night at a casino buffet so I thought it was just the food. I've also been having lower back pain on my right side but tied that to the mattress and the fact that I use my right side more to compensate for my left side problems due to the PML. Now I'm just trying to decide if all of my aches and pains are related. I read this morning under the Drugs section that Pancreatitis can be a side effect from the kaletra. I don't even want to think that because everything is going so well and I don't need anymore setbacks.

Thanks
Jeff

Sdgirl · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2006, 09:28:01 am »

I would go to the doctor. Sounds as if this is not something you want to self diagnosis.........get a professional opinion so you can ease your fears.

Lisa

frenchpat · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2006, 10:14:59 am »

Agreeing with Lisa better to consult a doctor.

Having said that, your pancreas is on the left side of your body, usually above your belly button... the area you describe is closer to your appendice (not sure what you call it exactly in english...), the ileo-coecal valvule (connection between small and large intestine), liver, eventually gall bladder.

Too much stuff to find out by yourself

Pat

AlanBama · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2006, 10:56:04 am »

Jeff,

You need some blood work to see if it really is pancreatitis. I have been hospitalized for it twice, and it is NO FUN. It affects different people in different ways...for instance, I never threw up either time I had it (and most people do, but then I have great control from years of being nauseated) and my pain was right in the center of my back. It felt like someone had a knife in there, and the 2nd time I had it, I couldn't walk the pain was so bad, I had to go into the ER on a stretcher.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Alan

cmhjeff · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2006, 11:29:37 am »

Thanks Lisa,Pat and Alan! I guess I should listen to my partner. He has suggested seeing my doctor a few times now. I said no each time hoping it just passes and it normally does temporarily. I don't want to end up in the hospital and if it's as easy as a blood test then I think I can handle that. I'll talk to my partner when He comes home for lunch. I also never throw up but do get nauseous. The stomach pain is center and left but the back pain is on my right. I've been through so much this last year that when I get these pains I find myself telling myself to tough up and take it. Thanks again,I'll keep you all updated.
Jeff

JohnOso · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2006, 01:53:41 pm »

Jeff,

If this is pancreatitis (and i'm hoping it's not), you really need to see a doctor ASAP. I hardly see any people with advanced AIDS in the hospital anymore, but I do see HIV folks with pancreatitis every now and then. Not something good to have, but definitely treatable when it hasn't progressed.

You don't want your pancreas to be screwed up, believe me.

Take care,
John

cmhjeff · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2006, 03:10:56 pm »

My ID doctor is busy as expected and my primary care doctor moved to San Diego. The doctors who took over his practice are out of the office this week so I'm seeing s doctor covering for them tomorrow. I'll go because I want to get this checked out but not comfortable seeing a doctor not familiar with my history. Wish me luck! I'll post another update after my 10:30 appt tomorrow.

Thank you for all of your replies

Jeff

fearless · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2006, 08:29:42 pm »

hey Jeff,
I agree with the others re going to the doctor and getting it checked out.
I've also been experiencing abdominal pain and nausea and was worried about my liver and pancreas. I take Kaletra and Truvada.
I went to the doctors and he drew some blood to test my liver functions, kidneys and pancreas and hepC. They revealed rasied liver enzymes consistent with gall bladder problems so I was then sent off for an ultra-sound to check for gall stones, and fatty liver. They also checked out my pancreas and kidneys. They all came back clear.
At this stage I still do not know what is causing the problem and have had yet more blood drawn. But, finding out what it is not has given me some comfort.
Stephen

Eldon · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2006, 12:28:10 am »

Hello Cmhjeff, it is Eldon. I was reading through your thread and I do agree with the others that you should go to your Doctor and get this thing checked out. After your appointment tomorrow, let us know how things checked out.

cmhjeff · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2006, 01:30:43 pm »

Saw the doctor today and she doesn't think it's anything to be worried about but still did bloodwork and sent me for an abdominal x-ray just to be safe. She said the pain is not in the area for pancreatitis or appendicitis. As she was poking around in my stomach she did hit some tender areas but nothing caused unbearable pain. Basically she said it could be colitis,IBS, or a stomach bug that would pass over time. My sister lived with an IBS diagnosis for many years until her appendix decided to burst. So now all I can do is wait for the bloodwork and x-ray to come back. I'm glad it appears to be nothing to serious but at the same time it makes me feel like a hypochondriac.

Thanks for your concern and advice!

Jeff

cmhjeff · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2006, 03:26:52 pm »

So I'm not sure what all this means but I had a voicemail from the doctors office. The message said the bloodwork and X-ray were clear but it did show an incidental Kidney Stone and that I'm slightly anemic. Hopefully we'll be able to get ahold of someone at my doctors when my partner gets home from work to find out if this is anything to worry about.

RapidRod · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2006, 06:00:22 pm »

Oh Jeff you better hope that kidney stone isn't beginning to move or you'll be one sick boy. I've had three kidney stone attacks. I had one blown up and had a stent put in for 30 days. I had medicine to pass one and one I just passed. They start with a dull pain then it just keeps going on as time goes on. It's the worse pain that you'll ever go through. Drink as much cranberry juice as you can, it will help pass it. Lay off the caffine of all types for awhile. I hope it's a small one or I'll hear you down here.

Rodney

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2006, 06:32:39 pm »

Jeff,

Kidney stone? Sweet merciful Christ! I have one word for you babe:

MORPHINE

Fondly,

MtD

cmhjeff · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2006, 04:38:04 pm »

Hello ladies and gentlemen

I just got back from my follow up appt and I saw the doctor and her med student sidekick. I think I said before that my primary care doctor moved to San Diego so I'm seeing a new doctor for my non-HIV care. I was very happy with the doctor I saw today. I had seen her years ago when my doctor was out of the office. I like her and will make her my primary care doctor going forward. So she tells me the x-ray I had last week showed a small build up below my abdomen on my left side. Last week I was told it was an incidental kidney stone because the x-ray just wasn't clear enough to definitely say I had kidney stones. As for the slightly anemic she said it was nothing at all to be worried about and most likely just a side effect from the meds. Since my stomach and back are doing much better she ordered no other tests for now besides a urine test. She said if thing flare up again I should call so they can set me up for a CT scan and a possible colonoscopy to check for diverticulosis and diverticulitis. So I guess that's all for now.

Jeff

frenchpat · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2006, 06:41:57 pm »

Jeff,

I am happy about your news and hope you won't need any more probing for a while (well, that kind of probing at least

)

Pat

jordan · « **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2006, 07:39:22 pm »

Quote from: cmhjeff on August 09, 2006, 04:38:04 pm

So she tells me the x-ray I had last week showed a small build up below my abdomen on my left side.

Hi Jeff:

Glad to hear nothing needs to be done at the moment. So indeed the small build-up is a kidney stone or something else?

I hope you're not in pain

Eldon · « **Reply #16 on:** August 09, 2006, 09:47:34 pm »

Hello Jeff, it is Eldon. It is good to hear that it was not Kidney Stones. This is good news. Drink plenty of fluids, eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of rest. Glad things worked out for you.

aztecan · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2006, 12:05:27 am »

Hey Jeff,
I'm glad it turned out well for you and it wasn't a kidney stone. The most I have ever had was "gravel and sand"

I guess I hadn't yet made it to "stone" stage.

But, I can tell you, even the gravel and sand a not much fun. I would still drink plenty of water (not sodas) and cranberry juice. It is just good for you.

Oh, and by the way, you did not sound like a hypochondriac. We, who are living with the bug, have to be vigilant and catch things in the bud before they blossom.

You just keep doing what you're doing.

HUGS,

Mark

Life · « **Reply #18 on:** August 10, 2006, 12:09:05 am »

Jeff... My partner William had a bad bout of pancreatitis.. I had to take him to the ER and he was admitted for 4 days. They basically shut down Will's digestive system for 4 days and just fed him intravenously so things could be restarted... Very painful for Will and very painful for me to see him in the hospital. This was unlreated to HIV..

monmon · « **Reply #19 on:** September 17, 2006, 12:04:08 am »

Hello forum members:

Haven't been posted anything for a while.. it is almost 1st year anniversary for my partner diagnosis and mine..

Anyway, I picked him up at ER yesterday again... I was so scared.. it is almost like a re-run of last year dramatic event.

This time around he has kidney stone, he is in pain now, the ER people just gave him pain killers.. and says it is a small one and hopefully
it will flush out the system by itself.

I just ordered URIFlow... what else can he do? He is in tremendous pain. What kind of cranberry juice will help? Does it have to organic or low sugar level ones? what brand will be the best?

Please kindly help.

mon

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Author Topic: Pancreatitis (Read 6990 times)