Pancreatitis - alcohol alternative

Digestive health
1

Hello.

I'm hoping someone can help and will not be annoyed with this post, I am fully aware of the seriousness of this condition but hopefully someone can relate to how it affects your social life, general lifestyle and happiness.

I have been diagnosed with pancreatitis, not sure whether acute or chronic. I am waiting to have my gallbladder removed due to gallstones. The cause is unknown as I am quite young and have always been healthy. I have not been given much advice, apart from absolutely no alcohol.

I have never been a consistent drinker, It is the occasional social event which I would drink, I suppose what a doctor would say is a binge but in social terms it's not excessive.

To sum up- I like drinking, I had a high tolerance for it and would never get so drunk but just the happy tipsy/ energetic feeling.

I have never taken drugs, illegal or even legal highs. However pretty much everyone I know has cocaine now. I'll admit I have never liked drugs and never been tempted.

I am hoping someone will understand where I am coming from. I am young, every social occasion involves drinking/ having a good time. I miss it and it is affecting me.

I will say that one of the doctors when stressing how important it was that I not drink. Did say there are other ways, as if to suggest drugs, at the time I was shocked, now I'm curious/ desperate to know what he meant!

What I would like to know is, are there any alternatives that is safe to my condition that would mimic the feeling of alcohol. I have googled but nothing has come up that suggests it would be safe with pancreas and gallstones problems.

Honestly I would be happy for anything that gives me just a bit of energy as I am physically and mentally exhausted from being in pain every day and not eating, I would just like to be able to go out, have a good time and forget for the rare occasion that I am able to. Its also Christmas soon so lots of socialising that I can't get out of!

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any suggestions or advice would be very much appreciated.

Thank you again for all the help provided on this forum. It has helped me a great deal these last few months.

2

Hi - having pancreatitis sucks, eh! I'm in a similar place as you (although I'm 51) - healthy, very moderate drinker, enjoys socialising so my pancreatitis has been a shock. It's a real lifestyle change and unfortunately you have to come to terms with it and adapt. Afraid that alcohol is off the menu now, for good. Sure, you can drink but you'll suffer for it and do your pancreas more damage. Drugs the same. It's really hard, especially around this time of year, and at the moment you probably feel the gloss has gone off your life when it comes to the things you enjoy. I was always a foodie and now that fine dining is pretty much closed off, I'm having to find alternatives.

What you have to do is focus on what you can eat and drink and not what you can't otherwise you just make yourself miserable. Find the restaurants where there may be a couple of things you can tolerate and socialise there. Drink mocktails and search out interesting non-alcoholic drinks. Just enjoy being alive - seriously, it could be worse even if at the moment you don't think so. You have a serious condition which has to be managed. I know that's not what you want to hear but it is what it is. Believe me, I know what it's like but you just have to get on with it.

3

I find myself agreeing with NixKiwiWolf yet again! 

I've never been able to drink or take drugs even medically prescribed ones unless closely supervised so I guess that makes my life seem pretty droll by your standards Rel.  The thing is it's not been that way at all.  I've had an amazing life, been to the best parties, had some pretty great times and through it all most thought I was as drunk/high as they all were.  I guess I got high on the mood of others, the music, the total vibe, and the fact that I told myself I was going to have a great time of course.  I really felt drunk believe it or not only I didn't wake with a hangover.  I don't know if one can teach that but it is all about state of mind.  You can feel any way you want, our brains are pretty open to suggestion actually, you can have as much fun as your friends if you don't confine that emotion to what you can't have, that will drown your high in a second.  When my daughter was young and feeling glum I'd tell her to 'change channels', it's as simple as that, really.

4

Ask yourself is that feeling of being drunk is worth dying for. I used to work in Hospice and have seen many people die because they didn't stop drinking.

As far as drugs go is that a road you really want to take? They are highly addictive and you build a tolerance so you have to take more and more for same effect.

5

Hello REL,

Mike has made a good point, Please don't drink, I think there is no alternative for drinking that does not damage your panceeas. I have made the mistake of continue to drink, when I had CP. It turned my life upside down.

Alcohol worsens your condition, belive me, I have gone through that.

I know it is hard not to drink when you are socialising or in a party. It will be tough initially, but it will get better.

Try to hangout with people who don't drink and try not to think about alcohol.

6

Hi, sorry for late reply, I fully understand where your coming from, I had acute pancreatitis 2 1/2 years ago, to quickly say, it was idiopathic so they didn't know what caused it, was told to stay off alcohol for 6month to let the pancreas heal, I too was not a big drinker but did enjoy a drink and it helped to be sociable, after the 6month I slowly started the odd glass of wine on a night out or with a meal , and as the months went by, slowly increased . To cut a long story short I now drink as I used to ,socially. So there is light at the end of the tunnel for you. Firstly check wether your pancreatitis is acute or chronic, acute can be a one off, but chronic is more serious. Yours sounds like it was caused by gallstones NOT by alcohol so when you get your gallbladder out give it time to heal but hopefully by next xmas you'll be enjoying a drink. Hope this helps and doesn't upset anyone .

7

hi how are you now? i have CP from alcohol and i am so worried! i have a young daughter and obviously i will never drink again but i just cant bear the thought of not being here for her , looking for some possitive words if there are amy... i hope you are well debs