Browse
Health Pages
Categories
Menu

is there anyone living without a pancreas?

By hanks | 242 posts, last post
Irfan Tariq, MD answered this Life Without Pancreas Needs Modifications
Read more
New Reply New Topic

Guest

My cousin was having pancreatic cancer and got his pancreas and spleen removed in surgery..Is there anyone living there without a pancreas who can give us some tips about their lifestyle?? He is very young- about 30 years.
Reply

Guest

Glad to know you survived, but my concern right now is the confusion and delirium my loved one is experiencing. Will they come back from that?
Reply

Guest

Creon may be a better rx for you
Reply

Guest

I had to have my spleen out and the mess from my body eating my pancreas away. This was done when I was 45. I will tell you I have had a lot of problems keeping my blood sugars up. I eat constantly to keep them up. I can not work any more. I have had many seizures at work. I was considered to be a liability. I have a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump. I recommend if you are having troubles with your sugar levels to get a continuous glucose monitor. It has saved my life many times. Hopefully you are having betting luck at keeping your levels where they need to be. There are days it is very tough to deal with. I was told 5 years ago I would be lucky to make it 10 years without all of my parts. I am bound and determined to prove them wrong. I thank God for every day I have and I live as if there is no tomorrow.

Reply

Guest

At John Hopkins in Baltimore they are removing them and putting the islet cells into the liver which takes over for the pancreas. You have to take enzyme pills and probably insulin injections but people say it's the best thing they've ever done.
Reply

Guest

By the way, they specialize in pancreatitis there
Reply

Guest

Hi Sheila iam 32 yrs old and have condition known as MEN type 1. I have multiple endocrine tumors all non-function atm however one in the neck of pancreas is being naughty.I see surgeon tomorrow to discuss treatment Iam petrified
Reply

Guest

hi kayla are you still doing well?
Reply

Guest

I had total pancreas, speen, duodenum and 1/3 of stomach removed 4/22/2011. Gallbladder was removed in 1987 or they would have taken it also. I have had all of the problems as you stated. I do know that a fatty meal will cause loose bowel movements and take extra enzymes to prevent this. I take 25,000 units (Lipase) ZenPep before each meal. Of course, this amount would vary with each individual, needing more or less. Hopefully this helps. Also, being tired all the time, I recently had Dr check my iron levels, and this turned up the fact that I am slightly anemic and now taking multi-vitamins with iron (18mg). Just learned that w/o a deuodnum you might not absorb enough iron, which I was not.
Reply

Guest

I had the bottom 2 sections of my Pancreas removed and my spleen. It is almost 6 years now and the problem I have been having is the doctors don't think I need enzymes but my food just isn't digesting right. I started talking multi-enzyme tabs from puritan's pride. It's been about 2 months since I started taking them daily and it seems to be helping. I also take 2-5 shots of insulin a day. I had a newish problem called nesidioblastosis that comes from gastric bypass. It makes your Pancreas spew tons of insulin. They finally decided to take out the bottom 2 segments before it spread to the top. (just a little thing that I was told and wonder if others were too, I was told the head makes all the enzymes). This could return any time in the head and I would have to have the rest removed. I had mine done in Jefferson hospital in Philly. No one in my area would touch this surgery. It's hard and I was in Icu for 5 days then stayed another 5. I have a lot of scar tissue and it hurts deep in by my back when I bend over to far but hay I am alive. I was looking for a forum as well.
Reply

Guest

Have you checked with the John Hopkins in Baltimore?
Reply

Guest

Normal food as in what? Fatty foods too?
Reply

Guest

I had acute pancreatitis 2/'12 years ago. I started going to the local hosp. about 6 mo. before it really got so bad I could't take the pain no more The pain would get better and then come back. The last I went they had a licensed MD there and found out my problem. He immeatditaly and sent me to another Hospitaly where they treated me. This was about 6 month odreal at my local Hospital. They could not operate because I was so weak. I don't know how much of my pancreas I have left. I'm having pain with it and take vicodin..and scared I'll get addicted to it. When I was in the Hospital I went crazy with the pain and had to take the strongest pain medicine they could give me. I hardly remember much about what happened and my wife filled me in on what happened. I pray nobody has to go through what I did. May God bless all of you.
Reply

Guest

HI. I had my entire pancreas removed in 1993. I have to take digestive enzymes, especially to digest proteins. I am also insulin dependent. Doctors told me I may live 5 years. Obviously, they were wrong! There is always hope for a productive life; never doubt the power of prayer and human determination .

 ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private info not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

Reply

Guest

I have had my pancrease removed in 2014. It's a live and learn experience you will never be well. I feel I get worse every year. But have good primary care DR. My medication is about 8000.00 a month. Would love to help NB anyone problems. Billy. 

 ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private phone numbers not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

Reply