Does pancreatitis have to mean a hospital stay?

[SinkGirl]

Due at GPs in a couple of hours and think there’s a good chance I have acute pancreatitis. I had it before nearly a decade ago at the same time as an infected gallbladder - I was really unwell as I waited 5 days to see a doctor and ended up admitted for ages then had my gallbladder removed.

The symptoms I have now are so similar, I think it’s pretty likely to be pancreatitis as it can’t be my gallbladder!

NHS info says most cases require inpatient care. I really want to avoid that it possible - we have disabled twins, DH works from home so he can take care of them or take time off but it’s very full on on your own. I really hate being in hospital.

I’m not vomiting, I’m able to drink water so not dehydrated, I’m just very nauseous and in pain.

Anyone had it and been able to have treatment at home?

GP agreed it may be pancreatitis and they’ve sent off some blood tests. Waiting for a call with results. I really don’t need a hospital stay right now! FFS!

Sorry but it sounds like hospital is the best place for you. My understanding is that it can quickly become sepsis if not treated properly.

I know :( I was just hoping they could give me antibiotics and have me look out for symptoms but I am also terrified of getting as sick as I was when I had it 10 years ago. It’s definitely not that bad yet. Hopefully I’m mistaken and it’s not that.

Op fingers crossed it's not but if it is I'm sorry to say that hospital is probably the best place for you as it can ( as you know get quite serious.

Wishing you better soon.

Thank you - right this second I don’t actually feel seriously ill so it feels crazy to think I might need to go into hospital, but I haven’t eaten since Monday and I know how bad it can get. I think it’s the fact they can’t actually treat it other than fluids and oxygen, but I guess they do need to monitor vitals etc.

Crossing my fingers - typical really, have my first night out in months planned for Friday, either way it’s unlikely I’m going!

My dad is in the hospital for an acute necrotic pancreatitis. Has been for three weeks, wont be going home soon.It took a while before they diagnosed him and he is now really very ill, can't walk through the corridor because its too far, lost 20 kgs, has no energy to take care of himself. He lived on those drinks with lots of vitamins in it for a while. Please let yourself be admitted to hospital, even if the timing isnt great. It can become so much worse. You really want to be well cared for asap.

I’m so sorry Cranston, that’s awful and you must be so worried. I was very unwell when I had it before - far worse than I am now - but the cause was obvious (infected gallbladder) so treating that improved things. I have no idea why I would have it now (I rarely ever drink, have had about 3 glasses of wine this year) and it sounds like there’s nothing they can actually do to treat it - it would just be monitoring and managing symptoms. But if that has to be in hospital then obviously I’ll go. Just waiting impatiently for the results now and hoping for the best.

I truly hope your dad recovers soon. It’s such a nasty illness.

it sounds like there’s nothing they can actually do to treat it - it would just be monitoring and managing symptoms.

They can, but they won't because it's not protocol. My dad opted to be treated experimentally for a study in the Netherlands (where we live). They put three stents in and gave him extra fluids to flush it clean. His bloodwork improved immensely and he stopped getting sicker after that, but he is so ill and weak (and was that before they treated him) that recovery will take a long time. I don't know if this experiment is done internationally but it might be worth asking if they do it in the UK as well and if you cam sign up. It wasn't fun though, he had to keep a thin hose (dont know english word) up through his nose, down through his throat for a week but he is happy that he did it though.

my ex ended up in icu with an oxygen hood on because of it so I feel the potential seriousness really should mean hospital

They didn't bother doing anything with me apart from a repeat blood test to see if my levels were improving. Oh, and the gp offered me some oramorph. I just dealt with it myself.

I have oramorph already for another condition, thank goodness. Since I can keep fluids down I’d be happy staying at home and reviewing it tomorrow / calling for help if it worsens overnight but I’m not sure they’ll do that. Guess maybe it depends on the results and how elevated levels are.

I'd imagine it will be a hospital stay especially as you have other conditions , my mum had it last year (she has other conditions too) she was in hdu she was that unwell but she left it and left it till it got really bad !

It’s only endometriosis, which is awful but not something they’re ever concerned about!

That was my mistake last time - I didn’t know what I had, thought it was “just gallstones”, I’d had a couple of flare ups before and they just gave me pain relief so I figured I’d ride it out at home. Big mistake!

No results yet, still holding out hope it’s not that, but then no idea what it is.

I’m peeing constantly so trying to keep drinking so I don’t get dehydrated. Fingers crossed.

Well apparently it’s not pancreatitis - serum amylase is 90 (normal range 0-100) so apparently fine.

Which is great that I don’t have to go into hospital but also slightly worried that I’m having these symptoms for no known reason. Hopefully it’s just the tail end of this awful bug from last week and it will go away. I hope!