Some advice needed about how to help a person with pancreatitis?

my dad has pacreatitis and he has gotten diabetes as a result of it how can i help him if i can in any way?Some advice needed about how to help a person with pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis as I am sure you are aware is an inflammation of the pancreas. This can be acute or chronic, sounds like this is a chronic issue. Diabetes mellitus is related to the destruction of the islet of langerhans cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.


The only suggestions that I can make about helping someone with pancreatitis is to offer support where ever you can.


This disease is terribly painful, most physicians don't have a clue how bad it truely hurts. He may need help with things that he would have never asked for help with prior. Such as grocery shopping, lawn mowing, anything needing extremely physical. Pancreatitis totally debiliated me at the age of 32.


Learning about diabetes mellitus and the signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugar and how to treat them.


There are support groups on the internet for the person and their families or support people. Here are a few


http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pan鈥?/a>


http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/The鈥?/a>


http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Tot鈥?/a>


There is no cure for pancreatitis, although there are treatments most don't work. The only real help is having the pancreas removed. See here


http://www.surg.umn.edu/diabinst/treatme鈥?/a>


http://www.surg.umn.edu/diabinst/learnpa鈥?/a>


Good luck to you and your father. The first step to learning anything is to care about the issue at hand. You obviously do care about your father. This is a terribly trying disease and again, most health care providers don't understand. I suffered with pancreatitis for almost 11 years, and had my pancreas removed in 2006. If your interested it is chronicled here.


www.mypancreatitisjourney.blogspot.comSome advice needed about how to help a person with pancreatitis?
if your dad is computer saavy,its best if he reads up on his condition,since chronic pancreatitis needs alot of attention.i run a webgroup,along with im partnered with a diabetic web group.there is great information in both groups,active postings as well as live chats. your dad and you are welcome to come in, ask questions, search the databases and links. you also can educate yorself so that you can help him with his condition.if you have trouble finding me,email me and i will be glad to send you and dad an invite.otherwise goodluck,keep up your readings as knowledge is power.


;)michele
Wow, I feel for you and your Dad...and wish ya both the very best.


Best thing is to talk w/ the doc who is treating him. Both conditions are too serious to just believe anyone on here...Sounds harsh, I know. But why take the chance?


But in general, the best you can do is make sure he takes his meds like he is supposed to..make sure he eats right...and make sure you know what to do in case of an emergency...have the Dr's number handy...have a written list of all his meds...and their strengths/doses...if he is wearing a med ID bracelet or necklace?.....if not, then he needs to carry something in his wallet.


Good luck.
I'm sorry your dad is going through this. I hate being the one who is going through this illness, but knowing what I know I cringe at the thought of watching anyone else go through this illness.





There are a lot of things that can be done to help keep pancreatitis at bay. One important thing is diet, mainly a low fat diet. I have found that other things that are hard to digest are hard on my pancreas. There are surgeries that can help too.





If you are interested I also have a group that you are welcome to join and ask more questions. We all have a lot of experience dealing with this illness and like to share and support people and caregivers going through this.





Jenny


http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sphincterofoddi-pancreatitis/
My roommate had pancreatitis, it is a very serious condition. If left untreated and the levels of enzymes are not brought down to a normal level it can cause death. Because the enzymes begin to eat/break down the body's organs. Diabetes, if kept in check and he maintains the treatment set by his doctor will be fine for the most part. Many people live with diabetes and lead a normal life.





The best thing for you to do is support the life style changes he will have to make. For pancreatitis he will need to start eating a lowered fat diet, meaning McD's is out of the question for the most part. If he drinks alcohol he should stop as soon as he humanly can, drinking too much can also cause pancreatitis to flare back up. And for the diabetes he will need to eat smaller more portioned meals and certain types. This will be based on how bad the diabetes is.





I wish you both the best of luck.
You just need to be patient with him and let him know that you are there for him. Men are stubborn, so give it some time. Let him come to you for help or else he may think you are stepping on his toes. Pancreatitis can be painful so keep him comfortable.