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How Can Acute Pancreatitis Be Treated?
My husband was recently hospitalized with acute pancreatitis (April), and, as a result, was diagnosed as diabetic. One doctor commented that he has calcium deposits (?) that would indicate chronic pancreatitis. He is taking insulin shots and was somewhat better for a couple of months, but has been experiencing significant pain, especially in his back. I am thinking that it may be chronic pancreatitis as opposed to a side-effect of diabetes. What pain medications are available to managed the pain for chronic pancreatitis (he has adverse reactions to morphine or morphine based drugs)? Also, what can been done to achieve a better quality of life with this condition?
Tue, 16 Jan 2018
Hello and welcome
Pancreatic calcification is a common sign of chronic pancreatitis. Pain management along with life style modifications is very important in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. Following group of medications can be used for the pain management in chronic pancreatitis. If the pain is mild paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken. If the patient is allergic to morfine, fentanyl is a drug of choice in severe pain. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, somatostatin-analogues (octreotide) and gabapentinoids (Gabapentin, Pregabalin) are also effectively used for the pain management in chronic pancreatitis. Gabapentinoids decrease central sensitisation of pain. Antioxidant therapy with selenium, β-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and methionine may also be used as a safe and effective therapy for pain relief in chronic pancreatitis.
Among the lifestyle changes alcohol cessation and smoking cessation are very important to decrease disease progression and may have beneficial effects on pain. A low-fat, high-protein, high-calorie diet with fat-soluble vitamin supplements is usually recommended with pancreatic enzymes. The patient may also need lipid lowering therapy, and referral to endocrinologist for parathyroid gland inspection.
I hope the above information will be helpful for you. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.
Thank you,
Malik Amonov MD
Pancreatic calcification is a common sign of chronic pancreatitis. Pain management along with life style modifications is very important in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. Following group of medications can be used for the pain management in chronic pancreatitis. If the pain is mild paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken. If the patient is allergic to morfine, fentanyl is a drug of choice in severe pain. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, somatostatin-analogues (octreotide) and gabapentinoids (Gabapentin, Pregabalin) are also effectively used for the pain management in chronic pancreatitis. Gabapentinoids decrease central sensitisation of pain. Antioxidant therapy with selenium, β-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and methionine may also be used as a safe and effective therapy for pain relief in chronic pancreatitis.
Among the lifestyle changes alcohol cessation and smoking cessation are very important to decrease disease progression and may have beneficial effects on pain. A low-fat, high-protein, high-calorie diet with fat-soluble vitamin supplements is usually recommended with pancreatic enzymes. The patient may also need lipid lowering therapy, and referral to endocrinologist for parathyroid gland inspection.
I hope the above information will be helpful for you. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.
Thank you,
Malik Amonov MD
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