What is your experience with pain & pain management?

[ChronicPancAdmin]

Being in pain can be hard to deal with. If you experience this, how long does the pain last for you? What do you do when you feel pancreatic pain?

[KarenB12 Ambassador]

Hi, Maddie. I'm so sorry I missed this discussion when it was posted.

Pain. My lifelong nemesis. Mine comes with each meal. Every time I eat, I hurt.

Other than that, I get panc. pain when I overdo anything. Too much bending, squatting, sitting, and act that puts pressure on the pancreas.

And lastly, stress. I shouldn't really say 'lastly' because stress seems to be my number one cause of flare-ups.

It can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours or a couple of days, depending on what I've done to irritate it.

Most of the time when I get pain like that I do two things.

1. I take my pain meds.

2. I S-L-O-W down. Less movement, less food intake, less worrying, anything I can do to calm down my system.

[ChronicPancAdmin Administrator in reply to KarenB12]

Hi KarenB12 , no need to apologize! Thanks for taking the time to respond.

That must be really tough to get pain with every single meal. Have you noticed any specific food groups that cause more pain or is it any type of food?

It's great you listen to your body and take the time to properly slow down. It is such an important thing to do!

[KarenB12 Ambassador in reply to ChronicPancAdmin]

There are the 'obvious' ones, fatty, greasy food sets it off often, as do overly sugary foods, but I don't eat much of that anymore with the diabetes. 🙂

Too much of certain foods can set it off as well. Too much meat, for instance. Or too much cheese. For me, anything that slows down the digestion causes more problems.

I appreciate the praise for listening but I have to admit, it's only recently I've been able to do that. For years, my husband has told me when I'm doing too much or something he knows will cause problems, and I'd shrug it off thinking I knew more about my body. But he was generally always right

😂

Now I try to pay closer attention. Of course, my age and other health issues have played a part in that too.

[madonbrew Pioneer in reply to KarenB12]

Hahaha to your husband bless him! Trying to help and us women think we know best...(well we often do 🤣🤣🤣)

Fatty foods are definitely my biggest trigger for pain...I used to enjoy a KFC every now and then but that’s definitely one that’s a big trigger. Also just generally eating a big meal...as in restaurant size portions.

Funnily enough my period too can seem to trigger it...or a few days before. ...they have lots to answer for as there’s also research going on about them being linked with worsening asthma.

Sitting up seems to help slightly...I mainly can’t lie down with pancreatitis pain. So more pillows!

Hope you’re both doing ok? I nearly missed this post too Maddie.

🌺 Dee x

[KarenB12 Ambassador]

Thanks, Dee.

Lying down seems to be the nemesis for most of us with panc. pain. I know the first thing people tell me when they're trying to help, is why don't you go lie down? 😂

"More pillows!" Yes!

[Nanny23]

I have to sleep sitting up from acid reflux. Fatty foods a no no and if meals too. They treat with PPI but don’t really work

[ChronicPancAdmin Administrator in reply to Nanny23]

Thank you for sharing your experience Nanny23 ! Your tips on how you manage your acid reflux are really helpful for others who may not know how to manage theirs yet.