📣 Discussion Post: What is the Hardest Part About Having Pancreatitis?

[Olivia_MC]

Living with pancreatitis comes with its share of struggles, but you don’t have to face them alone. We’re a community that supports each other through the toughest times. What has been the hardest part for you? Your voice matters, and sharing your experience can help others feel less alone. Together, we’re stronger. 💙

[Smiley316]

The toughest part for me is changing my diet I had to stop drinking wine, I really loved drinking wine with dinner, and remembering to take enzymes every time I eat, sometimes I just want to snack on something, but I don't because I don't want to take more enzymes, eating fried foods is another thing I really miss, and Italian deli meats,if I eat something I shouldn't eat I get nausea and pain, I especially hate waking in middle of night with nausea!

[Beekepper in reply to Smiley316]

Hi Smiley,

I am similar. Can I ask how long you have had CP?

[JonFox in reply to Smiley316]

THIS! You nailed it. Can especially relate to wanting to snack on something but then just not doing it because I don't want to take more enzymes.

[JOSANDY40]

I seem to manage well for a few days then I get various issues with eating, pain, abdominal inflammation and bowel emptying issues. I can't find reasons for the up and downs. I eat plain food, in small amounts, no large meals, things easy to digest. I tend to stop eating when I feel this way. I can't take enzymes as that makes it worse. I can't digest Lactose or Gluten, Mushrooms anymore. I am finding I have histamine problems with foods too. My heart enzymes changed after my 2nd Pancreatitis. So take blood pressure tablets. Having also a serious form of Endometriosis. At the moment waiting more tests due to bowel emptying and colitis. Years of Steriods originally caused the Pancreatitis taken for the Endo. My body doesn't work very well with Adhesions, scars throughout my trunk.

[Epiguy]

You know when I think about the hardest part (aside from the occasional pain and bloating) it’s actually the frequency of passing gas. This is embarrassing and not always easy to control. But following a good diet and watching alcohol consumption (when others are drinking) keep me mindful—and this not very hard.

[Keeping_It_Real]

For me the biggest challenge have been little to no discussion on how to manage pancreatitis thru food choices we make! For example, most people w/ AP or CP are not informed or instructed in detail on what they should eat. The average GI doctor will tell you, you can eat just about anything, including drinking a minimal amount of alcohol! News Flash!!! If you are drinking alcohol, you should stop immediately, this is not an option! But what will the GI doctor tell you, just make sure to take your Zenpep or Creon as recommended before, in the middle and at the end of your meals, and drinking a small of amount of alcohol beverage is okay…. The average AP or CP patient eats a Standard American Diet which is sad and is highly inflammatory food, and then add alcohol on top of it, my goodness! Do you know while eating your food, you should not drink anything? Eating and drinking at the same time interferes and dilute the chloric acid in the stomach. I’m sorry, let me get off my soap-box! My hope within the HealthUnlocked community and other platforms that are geared to supporting AP/CP patients will come to a realization that food is medicine.

In the spirit of unity!