Chronic Pancreatitis: Hope on the Horizon

For Wendy Kandell the stomach pain was constant and debilitating. After years of not knowing what was wrong, the Florida teen turned to Dr. Steve Freedman, a GI specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Freedman diagnosed her with Chronic Pancreatitis. Now, Wendy is enrolled in a clinical trial for a potential treatment -- a treatment that is not targeting at her pancreas, but her brain. While the technique is still under study, for the first time, Wendy has felt what it's like to be pain-free. Watch her remarkable story.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• pancreatitis
• beth Israel
• beth Israel deaconess
• bidmc
• boston
• digestive disease center

[crazycats657110]

Wendy i have the same thing.it is truly extreame pain.i am only 10 years old.i am better now.im praying for you.God Bless You Wendy!!!

[BarbBare]

This was very informative.I have Hereditary Chronic Pancreatitis, 6 generations identified. looking at doing the celiac plexus block, after MANY spincterotomies there's nothing left they can do for fear my pancreas will fall apart leving us with no option but removal so,this procedure that wendy had has given me some new hope I am going to discuss it with my Doctor and the pain clinic I now go to at UCSF medical center in San Francisco Ca. i HOPE its something they can do and that it works..

[JessiKkaTye]

i have been there wendy. im still dealing with doctors thinking im crazy, everyone but my specialist. who happens to be hours away when the pain becomes unbearable. however even my specialists do not have this treatment available. instead they insert tubes into my pancreatic duct. i wish it worked as well as this apparently does.instead it makes mine worse, you should feel blessed to have Dr. Steve Freedman. i wish i did. keep hanging in there girl.

[ReeAnnBetts]

This sounds like a good treatment for one aspect of pancreatitis - the pain. But there is a lot more to pancreatitis - especially in the chronic condition - than just pain. I have dealt with pancreatitis for mre than 45 years and finally had the Total Pancreatectomy with Autologous Islet Cell transplant surgery. Since this surgery I am off my deathbed, no more feeding tubes, went from an uncontrolable Type 1 diabetic to a well controlled hereditry Type 2 diabetic.

[cdbicdb]

@Medic25MK

WOW...my husband had the IV feedings and the whipple surgery. Praying for you, this is a long, tough, lifestyle changing road...you can see several of our videos on my page, one is our story in picture, some graphic, most are in sign language. God be with you!

[Sogden78]

You can't cure pancreatitus. Idon't care what you say this is coming from someone who was born with it and i'm 32 yrs. old know and it still has not let up. But of course i'm knothing but an addict to these doctors

[Shredderific]

So proud to be marrying you Wendy. It's a shame to see pancreatitis ravage you and all these posters but you're so strong. Do everything you can to help as many people as possible as I am doing with my Tourette's. You're a tough girl. Keep on living the life you live and giving all the love you give. You have an amazing future that I'm proud to be a part of. Love always, T.

[506jimbob]

i have just come out of hospital myself today! its a killer! the pain is like only what i can decribe as a chestburster inside you from the film alien,all they do for me is take blood,and give morphine followed by codiene which i have been on for 6 yrs!

my advice is when having a pancreatic attack,dont eat! drink fluid! then hopefully it will pass after a wk or 2! its awful,im in so much pain now!

[Ditch1221]

My daughter has suffered form stomach pain for two years after gastric bypass surgery.We seen scores of Dr's and specialist.Her story is long.Can anyone please help this girl? I will write the whole story if anyone can help.Thank you.

[whorun218]

man pancreatitis is fucking killer i feel mine coming on i hate going to the hospital cuz all they do is take blood and tell me to go home see my dostor but i dont have a doctor i just dont think they like helping me cuz im native american but i dont know