Best doc's in northern CA?

Hi,

I’m new to this forum and glad I found it. Two years ago I had an attack of acute pancreatitis that landed me in the hospital and have been miserable since. I’ve had a recurrent bouts of pancreatitis (lots of pain and tiredness, but mild symptoms otherwise), and every test in the book except the ECRP. Other than mild elevated Lipase levels and my symptoms during bouts, everything looks “normal”. My gastro has been as helpful as he can, but waffles between a diagnosis of “something between chronic and acute” pancreatitis and just tries to treat the symptoms–he is not really a specialist in this area. So I am hoping that someone can point me to the best specialist in the northern CA area (I’m in San Francisco). Any ideas?

[As you all know, this is all very frustrating and lonely–my wife has been supportive but she just really doesn’t understand how miserable this all is. I’m glad there is a group out there who cares.]

Thanks for your help in advance,

Archer

jaques van dam at Stanford

good luck

jay

Can someone please pass this on to the person asking for the best ? I use the Pacific Pain Treatment Center in S.F. Dr. Eliot Krames. This is by far the best pain clinic in California if not the U.S. I went to them when my life was hell 5 years ago after having C.P for 35 years and they worked a miracle as far as getting my pain under control and allowing me to have some semblance of a normal life ! It’s at 2000 Van Ness Ave S.F. 94109 415-567-1219 They also have a Web sight at Pacificpaintreatmentcenter.com You must be referred by your main doctor. I hope this helps, don’t live with the pain, it will suck you dry if it goes untreated for the ones who have recently got the disease. Take care and good luck !

Archer,

Hello and welcome. I live in Ohio and don’t have any suggestions as far as docs, but I bet many here do. I just wanted to say I am where you are. I have had “acute recurrent pancreatitis” for 3 years~that sounds like you. I have had 3 major attacks with signifigant enzyme levels that landed me in the hospital 4 different times. I have also had MANY mini flare ups that didn’t raise my enzymes at all. I have also had all the tests several times each, with the exception of the dreaded ERCP. I have had my gall bladder removed (sept 08) and still experienced symptoms. My pancreas “looks” healthy so our last resort is the ERCP with manometry. Because it is very invasive and can cause an acute attack, I have chosen to wait until Jan '09 to have it done. It is scheduled for 1/12.

Anyway, I am glad you found this board. It is a great place for answers to questions and support. My husband and other family members are supportive~ but don’t always understand. They do try though. Tell your wife she is welcome to read through the posts, it may help her understand.

Take care and God bless.
Keri

Hi all,

Thanks for the kind encouragement and advice…I’m hoping more folks can chime in and offer me additional options. Has anyone been to UCSF?

Archer

Hey Archer,

I was doing one of my “research sessions” on the net about pancreatitis. I stumbled on these 2 names

Dr. Hobart Harris
http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/cgi-bin/prd.cgi?action=DISPLAYDOCTOR&doctorid=496

And…

Dr. James W. Ostroff
http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/cgi-bin/prd.cgi?action=DISPLAYDOCTOR&doctorid=922

They are at the UCSF you mentioned. They both specialize in different things, one is ERCP, and the other is acute/chronic pancreatitis.

You may already have info on them. You will have to cut and paste the links, I don’t think they “linkified” for some reason. I hope you find the right doc!!

Keri

Okay, the links did work ;o)

Keri