When I was 25, I was diagnosed with my first bout of acute pancreatitis which started a long journey with multiple ups and downs. I was hospitalized 5 times in 6 months, with a cancer scare due to a mass on my pancreas (thankfully benign) and a trip to the Mayo Clinic to ultimately be […]
Julie’s Pancreatitis Journey: From Diagnosis to Life Without a Pancreas Read More »
How Has Pancreatitis Impacted You? It has taken me a while to get the courage to share my story. Today is a particularly bad day, I am in bed with my kids and dog while we cuddle and watch tv shows. They know that I can’t help being sick, and they are all so supportive
Megan’s Pancreatitis Story: Battling Pain with Resilience Read More »
My journey with pancreatitis began with intense abdominal pain, relentless vomiting, and fever. Initially misdiagnosed as gastritis, I endured six months of endoscopies while my weight dropped from 67 kg to 40 kg (148 lbs to 88 lbs), and my creatinine levels soared due to excessive medication. A turning point came when a new doctor
Pragya’s Autoimmune Pancreatitis Story: The Power of Support & Hope Read More »
My first pancreatitis attack began with constant stomach pain radiating to my back for weeks. My dad thought I was having normal gut issues and gave me antacids. Then, one day, I stood up and began puking. The pain I felt – I’m scared looking back on it. The next thing I knew, I was
Bhuvan’s Pancreatitis Story: Managing Symptoms with Lifestyle Changes Read More »
When I was pregnant with my second child, Levi, I had gallstones. I was always told it was gas by my OBGYN. I had immense pain every single night that would take my breath away. It lasted for hours. All I could do was curl up in a ball and cry. After he was born,
Jessica’s Pancreatitis Story: A Mother’s Journey Through Pain and Perseverance Read More »
Despite how isolating and painful having pancreatitis is, I pursued a career as a scientist, traveling across Europe to work. In my work, I saw many different approaches to treating pancreatitis. I wanted to do something for people like me. Since I had become an expert in stem cells, I worked on turning them into
My story with pancreatitis began when I was diagnosed at 17 years old. For me, it’s hereditary. My mom, son, and multiple family members have it too. After many years of severe pain, my pancreas had undergone so much damage that I no longer suffered from the intense pain. I still have soreness daily and
Angie’s Pancreatitis Story: Finding Strength and Hope through Advocacy Read More »
Rhiannon Bending, 31, Shares Her Story with Hereditary Pancreatitis Although Rhiannon’s father had chronic pancreatitis, doctors were unaware that hereditary pancreatitis can be passed down through genetics and kept reassuring that her that she will not suffer from the disease. Genetic testing gave her the answers she so badly needed– she has hereditary chronic pancreatitis.
Rhiannon’s Pancreatitis Story: Diagnosing Hereditary Pancreatitis Read More »
Ashlynn Nieve, 18, Shares Her Story with Pediatric Pancreatitis Chronic pediatric pancreatitis patient Ashlynn Nieve (18) talks about how long she had to wait for her diagnosis, how her chronic pain often kept her from attending school and how she coped with prejudice and discrimination without losing hope. Ashylnn has been suffering from chronic pediatric
Ashlynn’s Pancreatitis Story: Chronic Pediatric Pancreatitis and Chronic Pain Read More »
My First Pancreatitis Complications My first (diagnosed) pancreatitis complications occurred in 1998 after I had eaten lunch. It was a shooting pain that rendered me immobile. I was in excruciating pain and later learned I had been in a coma for a few hours. Doctors told me that I had suffered an episode of acute
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