IF you are searching for gallstone pancreatitis information and want to learn about pancreatitis you have found the right site and article because …
The leading cause of acute pancreatitis is a gallstone (or stones) that creates an obstruction in the common bile and/or pancreatic ducts. Thus the name gallstone pancreatitis.
Obstruction occurs when gallstones or gallbladder sludge are expelled from the gallbladder and travel down the common bile duct and get stuck in the Ampulla of Vater creating a blockage in the outflow of pancreatic juices from the pancreas into the duodenum.
The back flow of these digestive juices causes lysis (dissolving) of pancreatic cells and subsequent pancreatitis.
The victim goes from unpleasant pain, nausea and possible vomiting due to gallbladder disease to a potentially life threatening situation called acute pancreatitis.
Gallstone Pancreatitis Information Video
Here’s a short (less than a minute) gallstone pancreatitis video that will show you what happens to cause gallstone pancreatitis. Even though it’s short you’ll quickly get the picture. No pun intended.
This is why, if you are diagnosed with gallstones, it is a good idea to get rid of them but before we get into how to remove gallstones let’s learn about gallstones, what they are and how they form.
What Are Gallstones?
Gallstones are hard stone-like particles that range in size from a grain of sand to golf balls! And they come in two types.
The most common are cholesterol stones which are yellowish green in color and consist primarily of cholesterol. Approximately 80% of the stones seen in the U.S. are cholesterol stones.
Pigment stones are the other type and are dark and made of bilirubin.
Gallstone Causes
WHAT causes gallstones anyway?
Why do they form?
Bile imbalances.
If your bile substances are out of whack you could soon have a gallstone or two hanging out in your gall bladder.
Scientists do not fully understand why these imbalances occur but gallstones may form if bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, or not enough bile salts. Gallstones may also form if the gallbladder does not empty completely or often enough. If you are white, female, over weight and over 40 your chances of having gallstones increases dramatically.
Gallstone Symptoms VS Gallstone Pancreatitis
The symptoms of gallstones can vary depending upon circumstances. Many people who have gallstones present with no symptoms. The gallstones are often found in these people with asymptomatic gallstones while they are having abdominal scans such as CT scans or ultrasound for other reasons. For example:
An aging man, who has been a smoker for years, has a yearly check up and his doctor orders an ultrasound to check for abdominal aortic aneurysm and a CT to look for early lung cancer. He’s fine except for the gallstones that are discovered hiding in his gallbladder.
People who present with symptoms often have:
- upper right quadrant pain
- pain comes and goes or can be constant lasting for a short time or hours
- some experience shoulder and/or back pain
- some experience chest pain that mimics a heart attack
- nausea is common
- vomiting is common
- some have fever
- Some have jaundice
Symptoms arise when a gallstone blocks the flow of bile out of the gallbladder or through the bile ducts. A gallstone in the common bile duct is called choledocholithiasis and may cause intermittent or constant discomfort.
The pain of choledocholithiasis is usually localized in the upper abdomen, and can radiate (be felt in another location) in the right shoulder, may last from 30 minutes to hours, and be associated with sweating, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of skin and or eyes).
chest pain from gallstones
Gallstone attacks can produce chest pain that may feel like a heart attack. If a pain is new and different than other pains the symptoms should be discussed with a physician. Actually, if you have chest pain you should seek immediate medical attention in case it is a heart attack.
An inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis), infected material trapped within the common bile duct (cholangitis), or a stone blocking outflow of pancreatic juice (gallstone pancreatitis) can result in fever, chills, severe abdominal pain or jaundice. Individuals with these complaints should have an urgent evaluation by a physician because an inflamed gallbladder can burst causing massive infection.
Symptoms of gallstones and gallbladder disease, especially if infection is present (cholecystitis), can closely resemble gallstone pancreatitis. Cholecystitis can become life threatening due to complications.
sap-severe-acute-pancreatitis w/ Cullen’s sign
Like pancreatitis, cholecystitis isn’t something to take lightly. There are subtle differences in symptoms between the two. For example moderate to severe right upper quadrant pain that can be felt in the right shoulder versus gallstone pancreatitis which usually presents with a quick onset of severe, constant abdominal pain located dead center under the rib cage or in the left upper quadrant when the tail of the pancreas is involved.
Acute pancreatitis can also present with upper right quadrant pain when the head of the pancreas is involved and becomes damaged.
The pain often penetrates to the middle of the back, gets worse with laying down and can last for days. In severe acute cases the pain can last for weeks even months.
Read what patients say about pancreatitis symptoms and experience.
45% Of Severe Acute Pancreatitis Is Caused By Gallstones
Gallstone pancreatitis can manifest as either mild or severe. Mild gallstone pancreatitis is no picnic however severe acute pancreatitis can kill you and encompasses about 25% of acute pancreatitis cases.
The most common cause of severe acute pancreatitis is gallstone pancreatitis (pancreatitis caused by gallstones).
In one study of 204 patients with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis 45% of those with NP (necrotizing pancreatitis) had gallstone pancreatitis.
For those interested in learning about severe acute pancreatitis this video explains SAP.
Gallstone Remedies?
There are only a few of ways to remove gallstones. One way is surgically (open, laparoscopic, endoscopic). The other ways are what might be termed as gallstone natural remedies. I know the invasive forms (surgical) seem to work. The efficacy of natural remedies for removing gallstones seems to be a crap shoot. But in order to give you the most relevant and current gallstone pancreatitis information I believe it is important you have all possible remedy information.
Endoscopic Treatment
Endoscopic therapy has emerged as an alternative to surgery for the subset of patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis whose disease is due to gallstones or other mechanical processes that obstruct the outflow of the pancreas. Endoscopic procedures can cause anxiety, carry a risk of bleeding, perforation, and pancreatitis. The risks, benefits, and other treatment options need to be considered.
Cholecystectomy
One way is to surgically remove the gallbladder. All surgeries (open, laparoscopic) carry risk and of course unpleasant side effects, from the surgery itself or the anesthesia. The mortality rate for cholecystectomy is usually low (2% or less) but can be as high as 19% in ill elderly patients.
My own father died on the table during a cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery). Granted there were some complications which increase the risk of death from cholecystectomy. He had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and his system was already compromised due to previous treatments (surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation etc). They resuscitated my father but he suffered brain damage that he never quite recovered from before he died about one year later.
Gallbladder Flush
Another way, supposedly, to rid the gallbladder of stones is via a flush. I personally know little about liver, kidney or gallbladder flushes except that they sound unpleasant at best and potentially dangerous at worst, especially for someone already diagnosed with Pancreatitis.
Promoters of flushes say that flushing gallstones isn’t like passing them normally and supposedly doesn’t carry the risk of obstructing the common bile duct thereby causing gall stone pancreatitis but I personally don’t have their confidence.
I have read where chemists have indicated that the passing of gallstones, using a flush, may not be actual stones but instead are small lumps of what is basically soap? From what I understand the combination of oil, lemon juice and epsom salts produces a soap like formation that may look like someone is passing a soft stone but is actually passing a lump of soap. Just so you don’t think I’m a complete idiot here is what The Lancet has to say on the subject.
If anyone reading this blog has concrete evidence, such as actually smashing the so-called stone with a fork (for example) to in fact determine its consistency and can actually testify as to the efficacy and safety of doing a gallbladder flush I’d like to hear it in the comment section.
Chanca Piedra (chancapiedra)
Supposedly chanca piedra or chancapiedra is another wonder of the Amazon and remedies conditions from tumors to the common hangnail. It supposedly breaks up gallstones and kidney stones and is known as “stonebreaker.” However I can find NOTHING scientific that remotely suggests that chanca piedra works on gallstones or kidney stones or much of anything. Some actual scientific evidence would be helpful.
I’d like to know if there is any truth behind the usage of chanca piedra in order to dissolve gallstones. I have found some intriguing testimony for chanca piedra from those who sell it but I am always looking for more from those who use it. This is why I have done some research and have found some interesting information in regards to both flushes and chanca piedra but …
Since I have no reason to actually do a flush or try chanca piedra it could prove valuable, to those with gallstones, to hear from those who have successfully used either remedy.
Here are some Gallbladder Flush Reviews (aka liver flush)
Here are some Chanca Piedra Reviews From Verified Purchasers
Hi.Here are the latest news from me.I was in 7 hospitals with AP until in last one the doctor understood that my pancreatitis was caused by gallstones.He made ERCP and cut the sphincter of ODDI.I was pain free for two months but now I have severe pains in my abdominal.I made medical exams and everthing is normal including my amylase. The CT scan shows no problems with pancreas.But I still have a lot of pain in my abdominal.Doctor said that pain is from my gallbladder and he will remove it next week.But I am still afraid that pain is from pancreas.What do you think-is it possible CT scan to show no damage and my medical exams to be fine but the pain to come from pancreas? Unfortunately when I take GSE I cant tolerate it-I have awful nausea and vomoting and my blood pressure is very low.But GSE helps me excellent with pain.I cant take curcumin as well because of problems with SOD and gallstones.I am so desperate-the cure GSE is so close but I cant use it.What is your advice-what shall I do?
Miroslav I can’t tell you what to do. Yes, your pancreas could be inflamed, especially since you have SOD. The grape seed extract causes you to have nausea, vomiting and low blood pressure? I’ve heard of some folks having problems that’s why I warn people of the “cleansing effect” and to start out slowly with 100 mgs daily and working up to higher doses that work for them but if you are one of the folks who just can’t take it or curcumin because of SOD you might want to try grapefruit juice – IF – you aren’t taking medications that could interact with it. So be sure to check with your doc AND pharmacist BEFORE you use grapefruit juice or grapefruit seed extract.
Ibuprofen, 800 mgs usually knocks out pancreas inflammation. If it’s your gallbladder that is inflamed it will probably help that too. If it were me I’d be taking the Ibuprofen and when the inflammation subsided start drinking a lot of grapefruit juice. If I couldn’t take those I’d be doing some research to find something else to eliminate the inflammation. Good luck 🙂
Hi Paul:
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this website and to share your story. I wanted your advice. I have been through hell and back since March 2014 in which I had a horrible attack in the middle of the night. I was sweating, had a fever, vomiting, had excruciating pain in my chest that felt like a heart attack. I have had my gallbladder removed about 4 years ago. This pain sent me to hospital by ambulance. Tests were done and showed my liver was enlarged and my enyzemes were through the roof. I also had a white blood cell count of 19000. They gave my heavy duty antibiotics along with morphine, told me I had some type of infection, kept me 2 days and sent me home. Not a damn answer WTF happened to me. I have had numerous blood test, MRCP, CT scan, HIDA scan, and as of yesterday an Endoscopic ultrasound. Said i could have retained stones from my gallbladder, or maybe i passed one back in March. Every test comes back empty. I have pain every single day, right in the same spot on my right side into my back, now it radiates under my rib cage to my left side. I cant even sleep on my right side. I have been reading about the pancreas and how difficult diagnosis can be. The damn doctor yesterday said to me he cant explain my pain but wants to put me on meds for pain and pain management clinic. WTF, shouldn’t they find out what is wrong before doing that. He said my pancreas looked like out of a text book!?! I am worried that the pain I feel is from my pancreas, since I read that some of my symptoms back in March sounds like a pancreatic attack. I think I have been misdiagnosed and could use your opinion. God bless you and hope you are in good health.
Take care,
Lora
Hi Lora sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. I know it sucks. Your liver was enlarged and enzymes through the roof, which enzymes? Liver or pancreatic? Has anyone checked to see if you might have scar tissue buildup in your Sphincter of Oddi which may be causing SOD. It’s just a thought because most of your pain seems to be right sided, like you can’t sleep on it and SOD seems to be more common in those who have had gallstones and/or have had their gallbladder removed. If it is a class 1 or 11 the endoscopic ultrasound should have shown some indication but if class 111, not so much. SOD can and does cause acute pancreatitis.
hi Paul
thanks so much for getting back to me. They told me prior to my test past Monday that they would look for sod but the doc said he can’t see any reason for my pain. As far as class goes I don’t know. this doc looked happy to pass me along. it was my liver enzymes that were high. I am trying to contact my surgeon who removed my gb. I have nowhere else to turn but wait to end up back in the er. Sometimes feel like they think I am making up all this crap. Thanks for your time in answering me.
You are welcome Lora. Sorry I’m not more help. It surely can be frustrating at time. Liver enzymes can be elevated for quite a number of reasons, including GB disease, pancreatitis and a host of others. Hang in there and good luck 🙂
The Chanca Piedra works.
Here is a link with some data that has been gathered on it: http://www.rain-tree.com/chanca-techreport.pdf
I have gallstones. I received 100ml Chanca Piedra tincture (1:1, glycerin) yesterday. I began taking 2ml per dose (5 times yesterday and again, 5 doses today) – followed by a glass of room temp, filtered water.
Tonight, I passed one walnut sized stone (greenish yellow) – and one very large – flattish but about 2.5+cm thick – circumference about the size of an orange; it was the shape of part of the gallbladder). I was astounded when I saw it!
Immediate relief, though I can still feel more stones, so will continue taking it until the gallbladder is clear and I’m symptom free.
I have done liver flushes over the years, but I have learned by experience, that one flush doesn’t completely clear all stones. Mine have been cumulative and never before have I experienced passing such a large one as described above. Generally, I’ve passed soap stones in the past – but these today were starting to crystalize and harden into actual stones. I’m glad I took the decision to try the Chanca Piedra and am extremely optimistic that the rest of the stones will break up and pass in due course.
You may have your doubts about the effectiveness of Chanca Piedra – but I have satisfied my own clinical curiosity by virtue of having gallstones and opting to treat myself with it. In short; it works! (I’m a qualified Homeopath, incidentally).
Incidentally, I had an episode 3 weeks ago (following a liver flush) of pancreatitis. The central duct became blocked by a stone I had passed during the flush (a first for me). Needless to say it was incredibly painful – and dangerous. I knew what to do to deal with it – and I knew what signs to watch for carefully should I have needed to go to ER. Thankfully, the measures I took that night enabled the stone to pass, unblocking the duct. But frankly, in future, because of my experience with the Chanca Piedra – I feel it’s much safer that the stones start to break up, enabling them to pass without much risk. (Chanca Piedra also seems to work much like Mag. in that it relaxes).
Yep Lisa – I had bad feelings about flushes especially for those who had already suffered damage from AP because that much olive oil could kill us and there is always the risk of a stone becoming stuck – you are proof! By the way …
What did you use to dislodge the Gstone?
Generally, if one prepares for a few weeks, by eating a specific diet, the gallstones (and soap stones) will start to soften and break up. THEN a liver flush is safer to do. I always always use epsom salts. However, most people just dive straight into the liver flush -without preparing (impatience!) and this can create a dangerous situation.
To dislodge the gallstone here is what I did. However, keep in mind – I had it in my mind that I might have to go to ER. This worked for me – but it is in NO WAY advice for anyone else (as each case is unique):
I felt a gradually building, burning type of pain in my pancreas. My abdomen was grossly distended quite suddenly. Immediately, I knew why the pain had shifted to the left – and was so intense. I did some pranayama (yoga breathing), which helped a bit. Then I massaged beginning by sort of digging my fingers up under the right rib cage, moving in short, gentle circles across to just under my sternum — then pressed in rather firm strokes straight down (which would be over the central duct – where the pain was) from beneath the sternum down to the navel. I repeated this many times times. It was tender and painful – but i knew it had to be done. I felt a sharp, distinct pain on one of the downward ‘strokes’.
Within another minute or so, I then took about 3 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar, followed by some water. A few minutes later, I took 1 tsp of Epsom salts in water – followed by another 4oz or so of water. I continued the pranayama (breathing in and out rhythmically thru my nostrils only), and noticed the burning pain was lessening, but not gone. Then I laid down and continued the breathing and massage. The pain passed away from the pancreas in about half an hour and all was well.
I remember feeling a sort of ‘pop’ at one point (while in bed, continuing the massage and breathing), and I wondered if that was the stone dislodging (I think it was!).
I passed a few stones after a coffee enema a couple of days later. Several were almond sized along with some ‘gravel’…
Realising my gallbladder was full of stones…and of course, because I had been eating in a way to facilitate breaking up the stones – I knew more were trying to come out. So, I continued drinking apple cider vinegar daily – and my diet consisted mostly of lentil soup – and greens smoothies.
Then a few days ago, I ordered the Chanca Piedra….realising my gallbladder was full.
Lisa – cool thank you – that should give readers with Gstones at least an idea what can be done to dislodge a stone because I KNW the ER wouldn’t do anything they’d just watch you get worse. I had read where apple juice, apples etc help soften stones so they can pass easier. Epson salts can become poisonous in high does like are used for flushes so that bothered me about flushes plus like I said people with pancreatitis damage could have a bad AP attack due to the olive oil anyway … good info, thank you 🙂
I have never had a problem (nor any of my patients) with the small amounts of magnesium used during liver flushes. I would never recommend a liver flush without the magnesium (and most people are deficient in magnesium to boot!).
I’ve never had a problem with the olive oil either (myself, or patients).
Liver flushing is goo, however, preparation is key along with following careful instructions. Unfortunately, a lot of people take shortcuts because they are impatient.
Thanks Lisa – I missed this until now.
Hi Lisa – hey THANK YOU! THAT is the most and best quality info I’ve seen on the “stone breaker” Chanca Piedra. AWESOME! And you have used it with great results, even better. The ONLY doubts I had came from so little info that wasn’t hooked up with someone trying to sell a case of $50 bottles. Thanks again cuz I think I had asked for info from anyone who had used the stuff. GOOD info for those who have gallstones and don’t want them. The ONLY thing now that concerns me is the chance of AP due to a stone passing, even sludge can cause AP. But since you have used the stuff and are a qualified homeopath, please keep us posted about your results. I’m serious. I am ALWAYS interested in remedies that don’t involve surgery. I imagine those who actually have gallstones may be as well. 🙂
I’m still in the process of moving stones out of my gallbladder. Today is day 4 of taking Chanca Piedra (as described in my initial post above). Day 3 was good; I felt energy – and no pain. I even felt true hunger (appetite returning). My tongue was clear and my bowels moved normally (previously sluggish). All good signs.
However, last night (end of Day 3), after a meal I had eaten about 2 or 3 hours before, I could feel yet another large stone trying to move out of the gallbladder. This was accompanied by the typical distinct pain (in back/under shoulder blade) and tenderness in the abdomen. When I palpated – there was a sharpish pain around the neck of the gallbladder – and along the central duct.
I suspect I have actual stones that are now softening and breaking loose from each other – as well as from the wall of the gallbladder. I massaged as described above – took another dose of Chanca Piedra. I also applied the hot pack to my abdomen and did the pranayama breathing. It wasn’t an easy night, but the Chanca and the heat pack helped ease the pain.
I did finally sleep some. I feel tired today – but am in no pain.
Today I will continue dosing with Chanca Piedra – drinking plenty of water, AND follow up with another coffee enema – as I don’t want the stones sitting in my bowel for too long. (I will post follow ups in case it’s helpful to anyone).
Keep in mind, I am experimenting on myself – and so far, I’m very impressed with the Chanca Piedra. I was surprised by the pain I had last night. However, I’m 51 years old – and like I said above, I suspect being my age, I had more stones tightly packed in the gallbladder than I perhaps anticipated initially. So it’s interesting to observe the whole process.
For anyone interested – I’m taking the same dose previously mentioned in my initial post.
p.s. apologies – I meant to include, that I felt another 2 ‘pops’ when massaging last night……
I felt a ‘pop’ at the neck of the gallbladder and instantly the pain subsided there. I suspect that was a stone passing through the neck of the gallbladder.
A short while later, while continuing massage down the central duct area, I felt another pop. I suspect that’s when it spilled into the bowel because that’s when the pain eased off in my whole abdomen, allowing me to finally sleep.
Mind you, I was acutely focused, paying attention to the pain and sensations.
Still have tenderness on palpation – but no pain today.
Thanks again Lisa – say would you mind IF I copied and pasted your whole ordeal and what you did into a regular blog post? I may like to do that so that people with Gstones have the info if they want it. It’s your story so I’m asking for that reason.
I don’t mind, but I prefer to wait until I’ve finished dosing with the Chanca Piedra. I want to see how my case continues to unfold and resolve. Also, it’s better to present a case from start to finish – wouldn’t you agree?
(Btw, one gallstone about the size of an almond was passed today after doing a coffee enema. I suspect what I felt last night will be a larger stone or a mass of sludge and it hasn’t come through yet. Will do another coffee enema tomorrow.)
I will keep notes, and provide it all to you once my case is reaching the finish line. You have my email – so feel free to email me if you want. 🙂
Thanks again and yes please do keep us posted. I’ll try to be more timely in aprroving your next comments. Somehow these got lost in the shuffle. 🙂
Any updates from Lisa?
Hi HG,
Well I had my Hida scan last Wednesday (in a machine for 2.5 hours whilst pictures were taken) the Nurse and technician performing the test said my gall bladder is inflamed and I have sludge. I did have the bacon and eggs for breakfast plus 3 glasses of full cream milk midway test to get my gall bladder doing its thing so they could take photographs of it. Very risky I know but I figured I needed to know if it’s my pancreas or gallbladder that is the problem. Keeping in mind my pancreas scans are normal and my amylase & lipase levels etc are always normal.
This has been going on since February & I need a diagnosis. So basically what I know is the fat makes me nauseas and sore but not extremely ill like the first few attacks. So maybe now my specialist can pinpoint my gall bladder and I can have it out and problem is solved.
Wish me luck. I need it to convince these bloody Drs I’m not okay and I can’t continue living like this. Now only 108 pounds. If I get really sick again I hate to think what will happen.
Hey Stacey – well at least you know what is going on. So are you gonna have that little GB taken out?
I have multiple mobile gallstones, diagnosed via ultrasound. Have used chanca piedra tea for a month, had to go to emergency due to increasing pain and NO difference in size or amount. My symptoms increase despite all the herbal remedies and things I have tried. So hasnt worked for me. All I have read on the flush, it appears fake and dangerous, so thats the only thing I am not prepared to do with large stones, so surgery is looking likely for me.
Hi Nat – thank you for visiting and commenting on chanca piedra. Sorry to here it didn’t work. Flushes do NOT appeal to me either and I agree they sound dangerous.
Pear juice.
I had a gallbladder attack in 2006. Was told to get surgery. Well I didn’t have insurance.
Fasted. Then went to creme of wheat and things with no fat at all, no meat at all, no milk.
I gradually added rice, then over time vegetables, then after about 6 months chicken and turkey bacon.
I avoided surgery.
Another thing that helped me? Pear juice. A friend recommended pear juice, or anything with lots of pectin. I got some pear juice at the grocery store, and drink it several times a week.
Still, as you say – you can’t go back to eating bad foods again, never. I did and finally, 11 years later had a slight attack, either gallstones or pancreas. Not much pain like the attack in 2006. So based on what I read here I thought maybe it was pancreatitis.
The attack was last Saturday. But not painful but I felt just awful. Tired, green behind the gills. Stopped eating.
I’m reading your site now for the advice on diet, supplements and enzymes. But I don’t dare take anything that would inflame my gallbladder.
Thanks for going to the trouble to run this website. 🙂
L Roslin – thanks for sharing. Sounds like you did things right. Stay well 🙂
appreciate that your site explained that pancreatitis can be caused by gallstones.
Since then I’ve been reading up on what helps to dissolve gallstones and what helps to prevent them.
To prevent: I read that organic apple cider vinegar + apple juice each day can help prevent the stones that are actually caused by the liver secreting cholesterol.
To dissolve: read that pectin (like in Pear juice) binds to the stones in the gall bladder to help dissolve them.
These organs, the pancreas, gallbladder, the liver, any in the gut, are connected and it seems to me if one goes “down” the rest may also.
Thanks for the great comment L Roslin – interesting stuff.
Thank you so much for all this information. I found your site tonight while I’m suffering an attack (have been for almost two weeks on and off), and doctors aren’t any help. I found the cause of my pancreatitis when five other doctors didn’t in a year just from googling. A medication I have been taking for ten years has a small chance of causing it, but when I looked it up, it seems more like 10-20% of long-term Depakote patients get this. How could nobody put all this together?
The diet information is gold. Thanks for that, too. I’m learning with each spasm, because when it hurts really bad like right now, I research it. Takes my mind off the pain, makes me feel like I’m taking action against it, you know what I mean. I ordered 3 of the supplements you suggested off Amazon, and have Vitamin C.
Looks like the last comment was from 2015, but if you still check these messages, and want to help someone who understands biology pretty well but is on a fast learning curve in a speciality disorder out of desperation, please feel free to send an email or write here. I found your site by looking deeper into if coffee is bad for pancreatitis, and your studies link was compelling. I tried some, and I’m hurting pretty badly. But it was really nice at the time!
Thank you again for sharing your knowledge.
Lisa H.
Hi Lisa – yep I still answer sometimes people don’t like my answer but I do it anyway lol. Sorry to hear you are in pain. It sounds like you are eating while in pain? Stop eating! NPO (nothing by mouth) is the ONLY good thing ERs do for acute pancreatitis patients. Even if you have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and are having CP flares go without eating till the pain and symptoms pass. Eating only aggravates the pancreas. Food is NOT your friend. If you are still eating high fat trigger foods it may NOT have been the coffee. IMMEDIATE triggers are rare BUT drinking coffee while in an attack isn’t a good idea anyway. In fact, you should only be drinking water or sucking ice chips to stay hydrated. NO FOOD. Actually you should be in the ER – that would be the most prudent course of action. And yes, Depakote does cause acute pancreatitis. There are class action suits against Depakote so you may want to check that out too.
By the way Lisa 800 mgs of Ibuprofen should help within 60-90 minutes
Since March I decided to stop eating fats, red meat, milk, processed foods (like potato chips or snacks), butter, margarine, and I stopped cooking with oils. I eat more vegetables and fruits. Lots more.
This has helped tremendously, so that I don’t get sick, and don’t have the symptoms. It has also caused my GERD to go away (after over 10 years).
It seemed that the foods I was eating were causing the problem, so I made a choice. Also, by eliminating these bad foods, it is possible to prevent or reverse heart disease, so there’s lots of pluses.
Hi L Roslin – it is always good to hear that when good choices are made that good results happen! Thank you for sharing 🙂
L Roslin
On week four of what you exactly described on changingof eating habits
Had an event (gall or pancrease – I do not know)
Just hurt in ‘stomach’ and nausea fatty stool.
One week after diet change, felt night and day different – have only had GERD six or so times when eating food WAAY late in the night.
Thx for sharing
Ibuprofen raises my BP. And I am having problems with that right now (along with gallbladder and I think inflamed pancreas). Symptoms not severe, but started with a bad GB attack.
Dr’s know nothing, and I don’t want to waste my time going to ER unless it gets worse and I absolutely have to. Everytime I ever go in the past they are useless.
Trying to make sense quickly what to do fast. I probably can take ibuprofen for a day or 2 -but probably only 2 pills (400mg), not the 800 you say. Is it worth it to bother taking that?
Or I can try aspirin, as I can take that. Enteric or plain? Or doesn’t matter?
No food at all? Even soft? What about bland homemade chicken broth made with chicken, celery, and carrots -just drinking the broth, only?
Going to get some grapefruit juice today, if I can. May have to squeeze some fresh myself (get my son to). -Is the made from concentrate kind just as good? Or is fresh better? … Does it matter?
Have had GB attacks every so often. Then not for awhile. Really haven’t had that many til recently maybe every few months. It had been a couple years before that. … Wish now I would have changed my diet. I would really like to NOT have surgery if at all possible. I probably have a lot, I am guessing. … Can gallstones over time be dissolved with these ACV etc you read on other sites?
Right before I found your site, I read papaya juice heals pancreas and helps pancreatitis. I just ordered (sigh) 6 bottles of Dynamic Health Certified Organic Papaya Puree -supposed to take 3 oz. 2 to 3 times a day. I guess that is a no-no? Something to do later, maybe?
I see you haven’t been on here in awhile but maybe no one has left a comment.
Hope you see this and can reply. Thanks. ~ Cathy
Oh, and one more thing. I am having a bad toothache. May need to take an antibiotic. Dont know when I can get to dentist. But I was going to take Vicodin (5mg) -or maybe even a half, just so I can get some sleep. The pain (from the tooth, not the GB or other symptoms) is killing me and don’t think I can sleep, but now I am afraid to take that, as you say opiods can cause or make it worse. Is that even if it’s not an attack, and just inflamed, like I think?
Also, I take Fioricet for migraines. I have found they also help when I have had a bad GB attack in the past. They contain barbiturate, not opioid, but they do have caffeine. Should that be avoided? Even though it’s a small amount?
I also take many different herbs for various issues I am trying to help (my adrenals, stress, anxiety, etc.) -shou;ld I stop all these? Or only if they seem to aggravate it?
Any quick help as to what to do in a sums up basic, because I am reading but I have been reading so much I am not retaining it all too well, (I’m getting older and my brain doesn’t work quite as well as it use to, lol, I’m only 51 years old -but sadly feel older) and I also have insomnia and so am sleep deprived as lately it has been worse.
Sorry this is so long. I imagine since today is the 4th of July you probably won’t even be on here today, but I do hope you see this somewhat soon and can give a reply. Thanks so much if you can.
And have a Happy fourth of July!
~ Cathy C.
Hi Cathy – sorry to hear you are ill and feeling like ____ especially on a holiday (4th of July). Doctors have gotten better in the last 30+ years but I hear what you say HOWEVER IF you become more ill I would urge you to seek emergency care (ER) because AP can be quite dangerous (severe AP). With that sais I’ll answer your questions as best I can … REMEMBER I am NOT a doctor, I can not diagnose nor recommend treatment.
Since you know Ibuprofen increases your BP use aspirin instead which doesn’t do that. four (4) 325 aspirin, 1300 mgs, works almost as well as 800 mgs of Ibuprofen. I have done both so I know. DO NOT take that dose of aspirin TWICE in a 24 hour period. I did that and I’ll never do it again. It is too much aspirin!
Since you are ill I would NOT eat. IF it were me and it has been, I would fast for at least 3 days (no food by mouth), stay hydrated (water only), take a 1300 mg dose of aspirin daily IF needed or if pain lessens in severity lower the dose to half and keep fasting for at least 3 days. I’d also have someone hit the nearest health store and get vitamin C (100 mg caps), grape seed extract (100 mg caps), and curcumin (400 – 500 mg caps). Make sure they are stand-alone products. Don’t buy combination formulas because many ingredients in combo formulations are toxic in high doses and you need to be able to take higher doses at times. Then start taking them one pill, one dose, daily for a couple days and then increase if necessary in numbers of doses per day NOT pills until you see relief. IF you hit 4 doses daily without relief then up the pill doses on one dose at a time, not all at once.
Save the papaya until you have fasted and pain has resolved. I never ate food till pain resolved. I can not even imagine being hungry during an acute pancreatitis attack. I was always way too sick to even think of food. The vicodin and fioricet should be fine.
I hope you feel better very soon. 🙂
Hi Cathy! It’s all related. Some people, myself included, should NOT eat fatty foods or processed foods.
If you are having pain now, stop eating anything with fat, including soups. (They have a lot of fat!)
Drink a few shots of beet juice or about 8 ounces of pear juice.
Don’t forget that it is the food we eat that causes this. If you over eat fatty foods, your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may form into crystals and eventually into stones.
” The gallbladder acts as a reservoir for bile, a substance produced by the liver which helps the body digest fat. It’s believed that high-fat diets contribute to the bile becoming over-saturated, causing gallstones to form.”
https://www.bmhvt.org/gallbladder-disease-increasing-and-trending-younger/
I had my first gallbladder attack in 2006, At that time, I stopped eating most foods, only ate things with almost no fat. I ate cream of wheat for weeks. I only drank water – no juices or coffee for awhile.
When I felt better, I gradually re-introduced other foods.
I learned that gallstones are caused by the food we eat, so instead of treating the gallstones I decided to stop making them. I eliminated red meat, fatty or fried foods, potato chips, white bread, cheese. Then in 2017 I cut out almost all meat, except for some turkey, and eat a lot more vegetables and fruit.
Read the book “How Not to Die” by Dr Michael Greger. (all proceeds go to his educational non profit). He’s got some great videos on youtube and a website nutritionfacts.org . Also visit website Forks Over Knives. I’m not full vegan but still I eat mostly whole healthy foods, eat all I want.
→ Don’t do those ridiculous “cleanses” that tell you to drink lots of oil. That can trigger an attack.
Pectin in fruit, especially pears can help dissolve the existing gallstones. It can relieve an attack too.
And keep in mind what irritates the gallbladder can often irritate the pancreas. So both can be healed by diet.
→ I’ve lost 40 pounds since Aug 2017 just by eating properly.
Read labels. They show how much cholesterol and fat is in the product.
If you mess up and eat the wrong thing and it triggers an attack, drink about 8 ounces of pear juice (cans sold in Asian or ethnic food aisle) or a similar amount of beet juice (sold in juice aisle, not cheap but worth it). This will stop the attack within about 15 minutes.
I now drink beet juice every day because it helps fight high blood pressure, plus it’s loaded with anti-oxidants. I feel good for my age 59 and still push mow my yard every week, don’t get out of breath either.
I also drink some pear juice every week to help keep my gallbladder from getting sludge.
If you can’t go full vegan do at least cut out red meat,fried foods, battered foods, potato chips, CHEESE, and cows milk if you can. Almond milk, soy milk are good and have the calcium etc in them. Read labels.
I found that my hayfever is almost gone, as is my GERD. (Acid reflux). And my blood sugar and BP are nice low numbers.
I’m not saying don’t get surgery but I am saying that diet caused this and correcting your diet may very well reverse this.
Good luck!
Hi Health Guy,
Thanks for the help with all this. For the last year, I’ve had what I think is pancreas inflammation every few months. I also have Celiac and Sjogrens… so the pancreas pain seems to come when I’m having an autoimmune flare, but I’ve just been diagnosed in the last two years so I’m still new to all this.
As part of the detective work, I have had my gallbladder looked at closely and know that I have a low ejection fraction (18%). Can a low ejection fraction irritate the pancreas? I don’t think I’ve had acute attacks – nothing been caught on MRIs, ultra-sounds, CT scans or in blood. But my pain is dull under left rib / right rib and on left back. I have another endoscopy scheduled for next week…
I’m thinking no matter what a low fat diet could help… and clearly getting my autoimmune disease under control. But at the end of the day I can’t help but wonder if my gallbladder not working well is causing my pancreas some unhappiness…
Hi Morgan – sorry to hear you are not in tip top shape. Gallbladder disease can cause issues but usually only stones or sludge causes acute pancreatitis. Celiac Disease on the other hand and Sjogren’s as well can BOTH cause acute pancreatitis. Lucky you huh? Celiac Disease makes you more prone to gallstones too. AND Celiac Disease is a systemic autoimmune disease which means it doesn’t just attack the small intestinal villi compromising digestion and absorption of nutrients. It also attacks other organs such as your liver, pancreas, lungs, heart, kidneys etc. Sounding awesome right? Hopefully you are Gluten free? Most doctors have no clue what Celiac Disease can do to your body. Like pancreatitis celiac disease only gets a small nod in med school and seriously what can you really learn in an hour lecture? I’ve even met rheumatologists who have very little knowledge about Celiac Disease. They may know a lot about arthritis but the other autoimmune diseases which they supposedly specialize in is usually quite lacking.
You’re right Morgan. The no fat, low fat diet will help lessen even resolve pancreas and gallbladder inflammation. When the inflammation subsides you have less pain and nausea etc this is especially true of the pancreas but the gallbladder can sill develop stones and spew them which could result in one or more becoming stuck causing gallstone pancreatitis. You may want to consider having your gallbladder removed if stones begin causing an issue. You can find information about diet, supplements and how they and Ibuprofen work to resolve pain and other symptoms by resolving the inflammation. Please keep me posted on how you are doing.