Dear Friend,

I first started research into pancreatitis after my Dad passed away from what we thought at the time was a one-off attack of pancreatitis. Little did we realize that Dad had displayed many of the signs of chronic pancreatitis well before this final episode.

My Father had a long history of stomach ailments... but pancreatitis was never diagnosed!

For as long as I can remember my Father suffered from continuous bouts of pain especially around meal times. I have an enduring picture of him seated at the kitchen table bent over with elbows on the table and hands shielding his eyes. "What's the matter, Dad?" I would say. "Oh, it's just heartburn!" he'd say. Or "hiccups", or in later years, "My ulcer’s playing up" or "My hiatal hernia's giving me curry!"

The pains seemed to strike more and more often and the doctors always seemed to come up with some explanation for the cause. He'd been given the run down - "It's heartburn. Go home and take a couple of paracetemol for the pain". So off he'd go and take the aspirin, or Mylanta, or some other drug that seemed to have little overall effect whatsoever.

You see my Dad, Les, had a history of gastro-intestinal ailments and had been prescribed a load of different drugs over the years, none of which seemed to fully fix his problems. Among other things, he'd been diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer, hiatus hernia, appendicitis and diabetes and despite a cocktail of drug treatments he never really got 100% well.

It took us ages to understand that Dad probably had chronic pancreatitis all this time...!

It wasn't until he was diagnosed with a major attack of pancreatitis in July 2004 that all the family started to think that maybe this was what had been causing his problems all these years and that for all that time he had been having pancreatitis attacks and no-one ever knew!

Unfortunately, Dad never recovered from his latest battle with pancreatitis! After having breakfast with his granddaughter, he became violently ill. He was taken to hospital by ambulance and placed on an intravenous drip and given pain medication. He had blood tests, an ultra-sound and CT scan - all of which pointed to major pancreas problems!

He was placed into a medically-induced coma hoping that this might allow the organs to repair themselves. It turned out to be a forlorn hope!

Finally, after a further 2 days, it was decided to operate. Dad’s body had been filling with toxins and infection from the malfunctioning pancreas. We were told that if Dad had surgery he could die, but if he didn’t then it was certain that he would.

Surgery discovered that the damage done by the malfunctioning pancreas was too widespread. The pancreas had ‘turned on itself’ and had become gangrenous. We later discovered that this was called necrotic or necrotizing pancreatitis. Pancreatic enzymes released by the pancreas had eaten into the intestines. Surgeons removed over three feet of large intestine and it was all black. Dad had lost a lot of blood. There was no hope! Unfortunately, my Dad passed away on Tuesday 13 July, 2004, just over 5 days after an attack of acute pancreatitis.

Believe me, I’m not sharing this sad story of my Dad’s passing to scare anyone who currently has or suspects they might have pancreatitis. Rather, it’s my strong belief that with proper, earlier diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, Dad might still be with us today.

By telling this story it’s my sincere hope that others might be saved. Even though there are a percentage of pancreatitis cases that are from unknown (idiopathic) causes and even though acute pancreatitis can be known to kill, I strongly suspect that Dad had several warning signs in the lead up to this final attack which claimed his life. There’s just too much evidence suggesting that he had the symptoms and was suffering from pancreatitis and didn’t know it.

It still distresses me to think that it was probably chronic pancreatitis that affected Dad’s quality of life so much over a number of years and that he was not suitably treated for it. If only the doctors had picked it up earlier!

Ever since, I’ve torn myself apart with more 'IF ONLY' questions:

• If only we’d known how to ask the right sort of probing questions of those providing treatment. Perhaps Dad was a chronic pancreatitis sufferer and just didn't know it! Maybe this latest event was just the last in a long history of undiagnosed pancreatic attacks?


• If only he’d been able to tell the doctors more about how he was feeling (something I’ve discovered is essential if you are to get a quick and proper diagnosis) maybe that could have alerted them to the possibility that he had chronic pancreatitis pain.


• If only he’d known more about the dietary requirements in treating on-going chronic pancreatitus – the right types of food to eat, the foods that caused the most aggravation and pain could have been eliminated and replaced with others that could help alleviate it and reduce the effects of the pancreatitis. If this was suspected he may have been able to try treatments such as pancreatic enzyme therapy (amylase and lipase etc). He might have been able to seek some of the common diagnostics for pancreatitis such as MRCP and ERCP.


• If only we’d found out more about alternative treatments and how they might have eased the pain and decreased the chances of further attacks as they have for so many others with the disease


• If only we’d known more about the possible complications of pancreatitis (such as diabetes - which Dad also suffered from) and the side-effects of various treatments, we might have been able to control and minimize attacks


• If only we’d been able to talk to others who had pancreatitis we might have been more attuned to how it is caused and how you can still live a productive and enjoyable life despite having pancreatitis


• What is the association between alcohol consumption and drug taking and pancreatitis risk?


• What makes up the pancreatitis diet and what dietary habits and foods are best for the management of the condition?


• What's the link between gallstones and pancreas problems? What treatments are recommended for gallstone related pancreatic symptoms?


• What is the risk that gallstones can cause on-going problems with acute and chronic pancreatitis?

Finally, I could take no more and since then I have dedicated myself to finding out the answers to such questions and providing solutions to other sufferers.

And, the first solution was to put together an e-book called "Beating Pancreatitis – How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again!" In it you’ll find the incredible stories of 9 ordinary, every-day people from different walks of life who share in one thing – they are all living with that most debilitating and frustrating of medical conditions – Pancreatitis.

For many, living with Chronic Pancreatitis (CP) means a sentence of regular pain from on-going attacks and a diet of rice and potatoes and no fun! There is light at the end of the tunnel – YOU can CONTROL Chronic Pancreatitis. Chronic Pancreatitis DOES NOT have to CONTROL YOU!

So if you’re worried about having this disease and concerned about the quality of your life, your ability to socialize, to eat well and enjoy the simple pleasures in life because of pancreatitus - then relax. You’re not alone. And help is at hand. Read on to discover how others have fought and shielded themselves from the most harmful and incapacitating aspects of this condition.

If someone you know and love is suffering from Chronic Pancreatitis then this could be the most inspiring and life-changing message you’ve ever read.

Finally, YOU Can Get Your Life Back After Pancreatitis!

After almost two years of extensive research all these questions have been answered in the new e-book 'Beating Pancreatitis – How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again'. This e-book can help you take CONTROL over your QUALITY OF LIFE and help those you love to know what it's TRULY like to have pancreatitis.

• 'Beating Pancreatitis – How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again' provides comprehensive details about this most unusual of health conditions AND it does so in a user-friendly, non-intimidating and positive way. It includes a section on Frequently Asked Questions which gives well-researched, practical answers to all those questions that had been going around in my head!


• What causes pancreatitis and who is most at risk of developing it? I wanted to know what had caused my Father’s pancreatitis and whether I or any other relatives should be worried about the risk factors. Alcohol consumption can cause pancreatitis but my Dad hadn’t been a great drinker of alcohol. He’d not really had any issues with gallstones either so another cause could be discounted. My research led to the development of a profile of the risk factors for both chronic and acute pancreatitis.


• How can pancreatitis be prevented? What should we be doing to prevent getting pancreatitis? This was important to me to know so that those at risk could take steps, get advice and assistance that would help prevent pancreatitis.


• How do I know if I have pancreatitis? Inflammation of the pancreas and pancreatic problems in general are notoriously difficult to diagnose. So, I really wanted to know what the signs and symptoms of the disease were. Why is it so difficult to diagnose and how can diagnosis be improved? I realized that many pancreatitus sufferers have a very difficult time in the early stages of their condition. Dealing with the uncertainty and with some medical carers who just think you are either alcoholic or on drugs can be very frustrating. I also discovered that Diabetes is a symptom or result of having pancreas problems. But, more than that, I learnt a lot about the possible causes of pancreatic illnesses, such as:
  • the effects of pancreatic cysts
  • how gallstones can result in chronic pancreatitis problems
  • how sometimes it's just not clear what the causes of panc problems are (known as idiopathic causes)
  • what the true relationship is between alcohol and pancreas pains


• What tests will be carried out to see if I have pancreatitis? The reading I’d done said there were a lot of possible options and that early treatment was essential in serious cases. So, which tests are most relevant and why and what do they measure exactly? I also wanted to know what complications there might be with these different forms of treatment. I outline a typical treatment protocol for pancreatitis and go through the spectrum from the physical examination, the different pancreatic function tests - both the direct and more invasive such as the secretin-stimulation test and the Lundh Meal and the indirect, non-invasive such as the fecal fat determination test. There’s also much to know about the various imaging techniques that are now used including Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP), Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography (MRCP) and Computed Tomography or CT Scans that are now being widely used to identify changes in the size of the pancreas or pancreatic duct.


• What kind of doctor do I see if I suspect I have pancreatitis? It’s really easy to feel like you’re on the ‘medical merry-go-round’ when you have or are suspected of having pancreas problems. It’s important to know who to see and why, and what questions to ask! Usually you'll see your general physician, but often times the process of diagnosis can be lengthy and uncertain. Ultimately, you'll want to see a gastro-enterologist.


• What are the stages of the disease and can it spread? With my Dad’s history I really wanted to know about how pancreatitis problems can progress over time. I was sure my Dad had shown symptoms of pancreatitis in the past that hadn’t been diagnosed. This raised questions in my mind about the differences between chronic and acute pancreatitis. Being aware of the different paths these conditions can take makes decisions on what to do about them much simpler. I’ve outlined a process on what to do in the first week of being diagnosed.


• How is pancreatitis normally treated? What are common side-effects from the various treatments? I knew there had to be some standard treatment protocols but this problem seemed to have a lot of treatment options. It’s so important to know what the options are and what the possible implications of each might be. Diet modification, pancreas enzyme therapy and pain management are important for those with pancreatitis problems, however each of these has implications that are important in successfully treating pancreatitis.


• What dietary changes are necessary and what alternative treatments are available? I’d heard of some sufferers getting remarkable results from alternative treatments so I investigated many of these including the use of antioxidants, dietary changes and vitamins and massage and meditation therapies for pain management. Further options that can really add to one’s quality of life.


• What are the latest treatments being developed and who is carrying out clinical trials of these new treatments? Many sufferers have found traditional medical treatments very limited – pain drugs and enzymes!! Find out where the latest treatments are being developed and the trials that are going on currently.


• What do I do in the first week after being diagnosed? Positive, immediate action can make a lot of difference to managing pancreatitis.


• How do I get in touch with others who are going through the same thing? What support groups are available for pancreatitis sufferers and their families? Those people successfully managing pancreatitis all recommend the benefits of getting in touch with support groups.


• How/Where do I get counselling? Counselling support can greatly assist rehabilitation. Learn about how this can be obtained.

'Beating Pancreatitis – How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again' combines all this together with an extensive description of things like:

• What the pancreas does and what pancreatitis is (including the different forms it takes), the different causes and symptoms of the disease


• The number of ways it can be diagnosed


• What stages it can take over time


• What different medical procedures are used to test for pancreatitis and to track its progress (and the positives and negatives of having these tests!)


• The different ways of treating pancreatitis – from traditional pain medications and pancreatic enzymes through to different surgical options and


• Several alternative treatments including a number of NATURAL THERAPIES that are now being used to help treat both the pain and the risk of on-going pancreas attacks.


• Several things you can do to prevent getting pancreatitis


• Numerous tips and ideas on diet modification and nutritional treatments that help ease the pain and prevent future attacks.


• All the medical words and jargon broken down into easily understood language

My frustration with all this led me on a voyage of discovery….with more and more questions to be answered such as:

• How is pancreatitis diagnosed and what can be done to make its diagnosis easier and earlier?


• What exactly are the signs and symptoms of pancreatitis?


• What exactly can be done to diagnose pancreatitis accurately?


• Are there variations to this condition? If so, what are they and how do they work? For instance, what are the differences between acute and chronic pancreatitis?


• What causes pancreatitis anyway? That is, what's the etiology of the pancreatic condition? I also wanted to know how specifically what causes pancreatitis in children.


• What treatments are available, and which treatments offer most success?


• Are there alternative ways of treating pancreas problems?


• Does pancreatitis occur with one distinct attack or can it accumulate over time and if so what are these stages?


• Can pancreatitis be prevented?


• Are there natural alternatives to having to take pain-killing drugs and pancreatic enzyme medications for the rest of your life?


• When is it that pancreatic surgery is necessary and how do you decide between different types of surgical procedures such as the Whipple Procedure, Puestow Procedure, and the Frey Procedure?


• I'd heard about the links between alcoholism and pancreas problems and how gallstones can affect pancreas functioning. How important are these issues and how do they affect treatments given?


• How important is diet to the pancreatitus sufferer and what aspects of diet should be controlled?


• Pain management and pancreatitis seem to go hand in hand, but what types of pain management techniques work best?


• How common are acute and chronic pancreatitis?


• What are the risk factors associated with pancreas disorders?


• What range of severity can pancreatitis attacks have? Is it possible to just have a relatively minor attack and then, if so, what's the best way of then ensuring that you don't have any more?


• What advice can be given to help pancreatitus sufferers or those concernedc that they might have a pancreatic condition?

Finally, YOU Can Get Your Life Back After Pancreatitis!

This new e-book ‘Beating Pancreatitis – How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again’ provides comprehensive details about this most unusual of health conditions AND it does so in a user-friendly, non-intimidating and positive way. It includes a section on Frequently Asked Questions which gives well-researched, practical answers to all those questions that had been going around in my head!

• What causes pancreatitis and who is most at risk of developing it? I wanted to know what had caused my Father’s pancreatitis and whether I or any other relatives should be worried about the risk factors. Alcohol consumption can cause pancreatitis but my Dad hadn’t been a great drinker of alcohol. He’d not really had any issues with gallstones either so another cause could be discounted. My research led to the development of a profile of the risk factors for both chronic and acute pancreatitis.
• How can pancreatitis be prevented? What should we be doing to prevent getting pancreatitis? This was important to me to know so that those at risk could take steps, get advice and assistance that would help prevent pancreatitis.
• How do I know if I have pancreatitis?Inflammation of the pancreas and pancreatic problems in general are notoriously difficult to diagnose. So, I really wanted to know what the signs and symptoms of the disease were. Why is it so difficult to diagnose and how can diagnosis be improved? I realized that many pancreatitus sufferers have a very difficult time in the early stages of their condition. Dealing with the uncertainty and with some medical carers who just think you are either alcoholic or on drugs can be very frustrating. I also discovered that Diabetes is a symptom or result of having pancreas problems. But, more than that, I learnt a lot about the possible causes of pancreatic illnesses, such as:
  
  • the effects of pancreatic cysts
  • how gallstones can result in chronic pancreatitis problems
  • how sometimes it's just not clear what the causes of panc problems are (known as idiopathic causes)
  • what the true relationship is between alcohol and pancreas pains


• What tests will be carried out to see if I have pancreatitis? The reading I’d done said there were a lot of possible options and that early treatment was essential in serious cases. So, which tests are most relevant and why and what do they measure exactly? I also wanted to know what complications there might be with these different forms of treatment. I outline a typical treatment protocol for pancreatitis and go through the spectrum from the physical examination, the different pancreatic function tests - both the direct and more invasive such as the secretin-stimulation test and the Lundh Meal and the indirect, non-invasive such as the fecal fat determination test. There’s also much to know about the various imaging techniques that are now used including Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP), Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography (MRCP) and Computed Tomography or CT Scans that are now being widely used to identify changes in the size of the pancreas or pancreatic duct.
• What kind of doctor do I see if I suspect I have pancreatitis? It's really easy to feel like you’re on the ‘medical merry-go-round’ when you have or are suspected of having pancreas problems. It’s important to know who to see and why, and what questions to ask! Usually you'll see your general physician, but often times the process of diagnosis can be lengthy and uncertain. Ultimately, you'll want to see a gastro-enterologist.
• What are the stages of the disease and can it spread? With my Dad’s history I really wanted to know about how pancreatitis problems can progress over time. I was sure my Dad had shown symptoms of pancreatitis in the past that hadn’t been diagnosed. This raised questions in my mind about the differences between chronic and acute pancreatitis. Being aware of the different paths these conditions can take makes decisions on what to do about them much simpler. I’ve outlined a process on what to do in the first week of being diagnosed.
• How is pancreatitis normally treated? What are common side-effects from the various treatments? I knew there had to be some standard treatment protocols but this problem seemed to have a lot of treatment options. It’s so important to know what the options are and what the possible implications of each might be. Diet modification, pancreas enzyme therapy and pain management are important for those with pancreatitis problems, however each of these has implications that are important in successfully treating pancreatitis.

And of course there are numerous tips and ideas on diet modification and nutritional treatments to help ease pain and reduce the chances of further pancreatitis attacks!

'Beating Pancreatitis – How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again'combines all this together with an extensive description of things like:

• What the pancreas does and what pancreatitis is (including the different forms it takes), the different causes and symptoms of the disease
• The number of ways it can be diagnosed
• What stages it can take over time
• What different medical procedures are used to test for pancreatitis and to track its progress (and the positives and negatives of having these tests!)
• The different ways of treating pancreatitis – from traditional pain medications and pancreatic enzymes through to different surgical options and
• Several alternative treatments including a number of NATURAL THERAPIES that are now being used to help treat both the pain and the risk of on-going pancreas attacks.
• Several things you can do to prevent getting pancreatitis
• Numerous tips and ideas on diet modification and nutritional treatments that help ease the pain and prevent future attacks.
• All the medical words and jargon broken down into easily understood language

So if you’re worried about having this disease and concerned about the quality of your life, your ability to socialize, to eat well and enjoy the simple pleasures in life because of pancreatitus - then relax. You’re not alone. And help is at hand. Read on to discover how others have fought and shielded themselves from the most harmful and incapacitating aspects of this condition.

If someone you know and love is suffering from Pancreatitis then this could be the most inspiring and life-changing message you’ve ever read.

PLUS: SPECIAL FREE BONUSES!
When you purchase a copy of 'Beating Pancreatitis - How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again!', you'll receive the following bonuses for FREE:
			Value
Bonus #1		COOKING HINTS & RECIPES FOR PANCREATITIS provides detailed information on the importance of cooking and nutrition therapy in the treatment of pancreatitis.  This book helps you determine what modifications you need to make to improve your condition.  There are numerous hints and tips on cooking and diet, all the facts about different nutrients and food groups, plus OVER 90 RECIPES for healthy, easy-to-prepare meals.	$35.00
Bonus #2		NUTRITION & DIET FOR PANCREATITIS is an interview with respected dietitian, Ruth Logan.  In this interview Ruth provides the answers to most of the questions pancreatitis sufferers have, including which foods to avoid, how to determine how much fat you can handle in your diet, what protein choices you should make and important things to consider if you're on pain medication.	$15.00
Bonus #3	FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO OUR PANCREATITIS E-NEWSLETTER. We'll send you up to date information in relation to major issues affecting the quality of life of pancreatitis sufferers.		$19.00 per month
TOTAL:			FREE

Then there’s the interviews conducted with eight people who have ‘been there and done that’ as far as pancreatitis is concerned.  You’ll be inspired by these real, ‘warts and all’ stories of sufferers who are taking charge of their lives again after being diagnosed with pancreatitis.

Mark’s Story

First there’s Mark who has been living with pancreatitis for nearly 20 years.  Diagnosed in his early 20’s, he has a lot of experience about how pancreatitis can affect your lifestyle and how you can best keep it under control.  Spending over a year in hospital when first diagnosed (with four pseudocysts removed during his stay), Mark describes how he has found a number of alternative, natural treatments and lifestyle changes extremely helpful in managing his condition.  “I firmly believe that these treatments have kept me out of hospital for years now and have allowed me to keep going on with my life without much difficulty”.

Laurie’s Story

Then there’s Laurie’s story.  Laurie was 43 when first diagnosed with pancreatitis.  Laurie talks extremely openly about how she reacted to confirmation of her condition which was caused through a combination of a birth defect (pancreatitis divisum) and surgery for a diseased ovary.  Laurie speaks about the difficulties faced with the variety of medical treatments she had, her successes with alternative Chinese medicines and therapies and the ‘good and bad’ experiences with the medical fraternity.  She describes the trials and tribulations of dealing with being labeled a ‘drug addict’ to handling accusations from friends and family that she was being ‘complacent’ about getting the right care.  As Laurie now says, she’s working to “achieve the perfect combination of lifestyle changes, medication, other treatments and changes to her inner perspective” so essential for beating pancreatitis.

Kathleen’s Story

Kathleen was doing yoga and cycling 10 miles each day when she got sick.  She suspects she has had pancreatic attacks since she was a small child but these all went incorrectly diagnosed.  Accused of being an alcoholic and drug seeker because of her pancreatitis, her response is awe-inspiring as she says, “I was unwilling to accept that there was nothing more that could be done”.  Despite the severity of her condition, Kathleen is fighting back and is determined to get back into her outdoor pursuits such as hiking and water rafting.

 

Sam’s Story

“It felt like a grenade had exploded in my stomach”

Sam has been living with pancreatitis for over 9 years.  She states that pancreatitis is “a very strange disease” and that “most people just do not know enough about it”.  The key to improved lifestyle is KNOWLEDGE.  As Sam say’s, “Know that you will need to understand this disease as well or better than your doctors.  You may even have to teach them”.  However, “I have learned that others have gone through the same thing and can help me see the light at the other end of the tunnel”.

Steve’s Story

Steve admits he was not in the healthiest state when diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis seven years ago.  “I was scared and did not know what my options included.  I really felt like I had ruined my llife and could only look forward to more pain and many more complications." He felt left out of discussions with doctors who presumed that he continued to drink.  Steve talks about how he has dealt with his poor decisions in the past and how he is now coping with his condition.

Theresa’s Story

Being diagnosed with hereditary pancreatitis, Theresa is fearful of having passed pancreatitis onto her children.  She speaks about how she is managing the disease and educating herself, her children and her doctors.  Even though she was “..never a real drinker..”, Theresa was able to deal with hospital staff who she says, “..had suspicions that I was an alcoholic”. Theresa has adopted a stress and worry free attitude to life which she believes helps keep her pancreatitis at bay.

 

Jennifer’s Story

Despite being given medical advice that she might be sick from pancreatitis forever, after over 5 years with the condition, Jennifer has, in her words, “..learned to control my illness at home”, even though for quite some time, "..hospital visits became a little commonplace..".  Jennifer outlines excellent advice on dealing with the disease from initial diagnosis, understanding the role of obtaining differing medical opinions and testing alternative treatments and says that, “Overall, the quality of my life has improved since making these changes”.

 

Tony’s Story

Like Mark, Tony is a long term sufferer of chronic pancreatitis (over 34 years).  First diagnosed with obstructive biliary disease, Tony's story exemplifies the journey of someone who comes to pancreatitis through gall stone problems. In this chapter, Tony describes how lifestyle changes including diet, exercise and supplements have helped him keep his pancreatitis under control.

 

Les’s Story

And finally, the story of my Dad, Les’s struggle with this unpredictable condition. As I've mentioned, we strongly suspect Dad had signs of chronic pancreatitis for years beforehand. In this chapter we outline his medical history and treatments as well as the details of his last battle with this most unpredictable and frustrating of conditions - pancreatitis.

By The Time You’ve Finished Reading “Beating Pancreatitis – How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again”…You’ll Feel Like A New Person, With Renewed Vigor and a New Outlook On Life!

 

While all of the stories are from 8 different people with different experiences and backgrounds, one of the things that impressed me most about them was what they all shared.  Sure, their stories include some details about the clinical stuff, about the ‘medical merry-go-round’ they endured and their general ignorance about what pancreatitis is and what it can do.  But what impressed me most were two things that they all had in common.  Firstly, they all found within themselves a strength of spirit that they never knew they had before their diagnosis.  And secondly, that they are all extremely keen to see things improve, not only for themselves but for all sufferers and they all have a common desire to see improvements in the knowledge and general awareness of pancreatitis.  It’s amazing how they all shared intimate details about how they have and are, beating pancreatitis even during the low times.  Despite my years of research, I found things in these stories that I had not found anywhere else.