Combination of Selenium 300 – 600 mcg, Vitamin C 540 – 600 mg, Beta Carotene 12 – 54 mg, Vitamin E 100 – 188 mg, and perhaps methionine 1.6 – 2 gm can lead to considerable reduction in chronic pancreatitis pain and attacks. It had lead to a new theory of pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis pain. Spinal cord stimulation can result in good relief of pain in chronic pancreatitis.
JOP. 2010 Mar 5;11(2):99-112.
Micronutrient therapy for chronic pancreatitis: rationale and impact.
Braganza JM, Dormandy TL free full article here Hold onto your hat reading that one…
The review the studies on use of miconutrient treatment which in its simplest for uses a brand name called Selenium-Ace Vitamins taking 6/ day “most often controlled symptoms”
That vitamin complex can be gotten off ebay:
The theory is involved – involves free radicals – you are welcome to read it all…
Now for the spinal cord stimulation:
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Jul;42(6):750-1.
Spinal cord stimulation for chronic visceral pain secondary to chronic non-alcoholic pancreatitis.
Kapural L, Rakic M. abstract here
Implantation results were spectacular:
Median pain scores decreased from time of implant testing from 8 to 1 and was so at 3 months after the implant. Pain Disability Index changed from 62 to 15. Opiate use decreased to none .
Comments – I was at a pain program 2 years ago when the issue of chronic pancreatitis came up – did not seem to be any ideas on how to treat it. Here are some new treatment options.
Bacterial overgrowth can aggravate the problem as is written up here:
Bacterial Overgrowth causing Chronic Pancreatitis and Rosacea – New treatment? And, for elderly, a quick way to get rid of lactose intolerance link here
Another recent article found that Extracoporeal Shock can be used to break up pancreatic stones and hence prevent recurrent pancreatitis from stones – just like they do to break up kidney stones:
Pancreas. 2010 Mar;39(2):153-5.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for prevention of recurrent pancreatitis caused by obstructive pancreatic stones.
Parsi MA, Stevens T, Lopez R, Vargo JJ. abstract here
“RESULTS: Ten patients underwent 13 sessions of ESWL. Complete and partial ductal clearances were achieved in 7 and 3 patients, respectively. The mean length of follow-up was 20 months (range, 12-36 months). Three patients had recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis during the follow-up period, caused by recurrence of obstructive stones in 2 and presence of main duct stricture in 1 patient.”
Of course there are pancreatic enzyme and such – any other options for chronic pancreatitis?