Confused and Seeking Advice
Hi all, I'm 19 years old and I've been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Nobody seems to be giving me any clarity or a good explanation as to what's going on - I'm afraid and I just want to know what is happening.
A little over 10 days ago, I started experiencing what I then thought was an episode of bloating or indigestion. After I nearly keeled over after having a burrito, I was taken to an ER.
They did some blood tests on me, and something must have indicated I had pancreatitis. I was told that my symptoms were very mild (could still eat) and was kept under observation in hospital, my pain didn't really ease up and quickly become agonizing.
An ultrasound found no gallstone, though they did find small polyps in my gallbladder. A surgeon later told me he felt an MRI or other scan would not be necessary, seeing as I only drink 3-4 times a month on social occasions. I was given the option of having my gallbladder taken out anyway and declined.
I'm very confused about where to go from here. I've been discharged and am at home, the pain seems to be steadily going down but oftentimes spikes so much that it's agonizing. I'm trying to eat smaller portions and less fat. My bowel movements are now all over the place, and I'll rarely be able to poo out an amount anything meaningful when I have a bowel movement.
Did the doctors miss something? Should I have fought harder for an MRI scan? What if there's a gallstone there that the ultrasound missed?
How long until I can feel better and the pain goes away? I find I feel great in the morning but progressively get worse and worse as the day goes on. What do I need to do to speed up my recovery
How long until I can go back to work?
I have a family history of type 2 diabetes, could this have anything to do with that? How screwed am I generally?
Thank you for the help. I really don't want to have to deal with this chronically and would rather not take my gallbladder out except as a last resort.