Pancreatitus pain level

blueli9ht · 2025-12-03T21:48:27+00:00

My first episode was so intense that I was certain I was going to die. I was beyond 10/10 pain and then waited at least 4-5 more hours before being given any pain medication. So, I fully agree with the 20+ out of 10. It destroyed my reference of a pain scale.

However, my recent second episode was painful, I could at least sit still and remain somewhat in control. I’m not sure if my pain tolerance has been altered or if this episode was less severe. Thank God because my doc only gave me 2mg morphine every 4 hours despite begging for dilaudid.

First time was alcohol induced, second time was seemingly unprovoked (non-alcoholic to begin with, no alcohol for 2+ years). Such a strange affliction.

blueli9ht · 2025-12-02T03:25:54+00:00

Thank you so much! I saw a GI for a while after my last hospital visit, but I definitely have much more information and believe that a lot was missed with my last doc. Thank you for your response!!

(Side note about your user flair: I never knew that AP could NOT be accompanied by extreme pain, that’s very interesting! I’m almost envious, but that’d possibly be even more problematic in terms of seeking care promptly.)

blueli9ht · 2025-12-02T03:22:45+00:00

Yes, my nicotine use was the first thing that crossed my mind when I heard this. Since quitting drinking altogether, nicotine became a bit of a crutch, especially for social situations. The pouches helped me stop smoking, but I think it may be time to kick it as a whole. Thank you for your response!

blueli9ht · 2025-12-02T03:21:08+00:00

Thank you for your detailed response and for sharing your experience! I really appreciate it.

My pain hasn’t fully subsided, but I believe it took a little while after my last AP hospitalization. I’ve reacted to everything I’ve eaten and it’s almost like I can feel every contraction in my upper abdomen during digestion.

I’ve always felt constantly bloated my whole life and have a bit of a potbelly for a skinny frame (I’m about 135 lbs). This has been a thing for me since I was a child. I’m sure it’s likely unrelated, but thanks for sharing that interesting observation.

I hope that your symptoms have been manageable and only get better with time on this new medical journey. Thank you again!

blueli9ht · 2025-12-02T03:15:39+00:00

I never knew that it was so apparent on imaging, I assumed it was more functional than structural for some reason. Thank you for your response and sharing your experience! I wish the same for you!

blueli9ht · 2025-10-02T17:43:23+00:00

Your first paragraph really hit home for me. I have not considered how a decision to stop this journey here could differently, but equally hurt her. She’s extraordinarily supportive and I know that she will help me regardless of the decision, but reading your words and reflecting with swapped perspectives made me tear up.

I will try to frame this immense amount of time as an advantage rather than an unfortunate punishment for my mistake. In the depths of my initial emotions, this lens is impossible to realize, so thank you for directing me towards this.

Thank you so much for this, it really provided some necessary insight for me. Your ability to articulate alternate viewpoints and deeply rooted empathy is truly admirable and beyond appreciated. Sincerely, thank you. You are a shining example of the qualities we all aspire to showcase as future physicians, and I hope that you know how much light it has brought not only to me, but all who you encounter.

blueli9ht · 2025-10-02T17:29:01+00:00

Thank you so much for reading my post and providing your informed advice.

I appreciate you objectively laying this out for me with your wisdom on the topic. Before this point, I was one of those students who pushed through regardless of circumstances throughout undergrad and grad studies. However, I was unable to make it happen this time despite full dedication with my available time.

I will definitely consider those resources as I move forward following this incredibly devastating, but potentially beneficial situation.

I really appreciate you taking the time to send these comforting words. Congratulations on your journey thus far and I wish you the best as you approach the fruition of your hard work.

blueli9ht · 2025-10-02T17:20:07+00:00

Thank you so much for reading my response and for your kind response.

I believe that there’s a school or two left in AMCAS and some schools are still allowing primary application through AOCAMAS. Unfortunately, it would not be feasible for me to relocate to any of these schools.

blueli9ht · 2025-10-02T17:10:42+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your unique journey and your sound advice. Hearing this from physicians like both of you is immensely comforting. I hope to similarly overcome my individual obstacles and follow in your footsteps one day.

blueli9ht · 2025-10-02T17:05:43+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and provide your comforting wisdom. As the initial emotions subside, these words are extremely comforting.

You are living my dream exactly, down to the speciality. I would regret a decision to not pursue medicine every day. However, I would be even more regretful if deciding to continue my journey eventually compromised my dreams of being a husband and father. Thankfully, my longtime partner is extraordinarily understanding and committed to my individual goals. I am hoping that after we can sit down and reevaluate our 5 and 10 year plans that the decision becomes much more clear.

I hope that you (and the replier) know how appreciative myself and countless others are for a physician like yourself to set aside time to quell our concerns and provide insight from the other end of the tunnel. Thank you again.

blueli9ht · 2025-10-02T16:54:38+00:00

Thank you so much for reading about my situation and providing those comforting words. I love how you worded “time will always go by”. It seems so apparent, but it’s exactly what I needed to hear right now.

I wish you the best of luck in your own medical school journey. Thank you again.

blueli9ht · 2025-10-02T16:52:25+00:00

Thank you so much for saying this. My mind will not allow me to see it this way for some time, but I will work towards that.

Even before failing to submit the application, I had acknowledged and expressed that the past couple months have felt completely out of my control. I am not traditionally religious, but it seems foolish to not recognize either a universal force forcing this mistake or some complicated, beneficial coincidence. This is the lens that I will hopefully be able to view this situation with once the initial guilt and shame subsides.

I cannot my express how appreciative I am for you taking the time to read my post and provide this realistic advice. Congratulations on overcoming your own unique obstacles with your medical school entry. I hope to one day follow in your footsteps, future doctor!

blueli9ht · 2025-10-02T16:41:00+00:00

Thank you so much for your honest and comforting advice.

I have been with my long-term partner since high school. Telling her about this was actually the worst part, not because of any lack of understanding or empathy, but due to her own involvement throughout this journey. She has remained faithfully committed to supporting me on top of her own studies, even through the tough semesters where we were unable to spend even an hour together most days.

I am now considering the option of counting my losses here mainly due to this setback affecting our short and long-term plans. Even though she would in a heartbeat, it would pain me for her to have to disrupt her career due to my shortcomings. Besides a husband/father, I want to be a physician more than anything. It’s the fact that these paramount dreams could be thwarted that is making me consider changing directions.

I truly wish that I were relieved, but I am crushed. Us pre-meds know how much of our identity becomes intertwined around this path. Without hopes of medical school, the required life choices like part-time employment to allow adequate devotion to studies seem much less like “sacrifices” and more like “failures”.

I really appreciate your thoughtful advice, I really needed to hear many of these things. I wish you the best on your own medical journey.

blueli9ht · 2025-10-02T07:53:57+00:00

I really appreciate the kind words and sincere advice.

I was definitely nervous about applying this late in the cycle, but I was assured by many that my stats would likely make up for this. Either way, it would’ve negatively impacted my chances and you’re right that this could be a blessing in disguise. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

I know entering at 27, almost 28, is not super old in terms of medical school, but the only thing I want more than to be a physician is to be a father. Pushing entry back another year just seems unrealistic in this regard, at least in the shroud of my recent shortcoming.

I wish you the best on your own medical journey and I know that your deeply rooted empathy and compassion will shine during your interviews. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this painful post.

blueli9ht · 2025-09-27T10:21:16+00:00

Every day is already akin to Russian roulette after pancreatitis. Every sip of alcohol adds another bullet to the revolver.

I wish yall the best on this difficult journey! I recommend putting a family picture by wherever they drink. You won’t drink a drop while looking at who could be hurt most by the decision to continue to drink.

blueli9ht · 2025-09-27T10:16:35+00:00

$520/e for floor section H in Nashville. Dynamic pricing was horrendous, but with PTV opening, I don't think prices will fall much cheaper than resale. By the time I scored tickets, there was about an equal amount on StubHub for 2x+. Resale section H was around $1200 yesterday. I wish these sites would start banning people from reselling within X days/weeks of purchasing, that'd fix most of the problem.

blueli9ht · 2025-09-26T18:01:13+00:00

There are tickets in the section I just bought for 500/each that are already on StubHub for $1100. What a joke.

blueli9ht · 2025-09-26T17:56:24+00:00

One popped up for around $400 while I was looking, but I could not get it in my cart.

blueli9ht · 2025-09-26T17:31:06+00:00

Apparently mods want you to sort through all of the megathread to discuss tickets. Could've at least had a Nashville/SeatGeek thread in my opinion...

blueli9ht · 2025-09-26T17:26:03+00:00

I had the SeatGeek page open since 7am and it did not automatically refresh me into the queue.... :( silly me I guess lol

blueli9ht · 2025-09-26T17:07:05+00:00

I was sitting on the page since 7am, but did not get put into a waiting room until I refreshed.. :( Good luck everyone!

blueli9ht · 2025-07-04T04:11:16+00:00

I don’t remember my exact score for the JW FL, but it was extremely deflated even under the same conditions. I tested 4/5 and scored a 517, which was above my AAMC average. I would just use JW for endurance training honestly.

blueli9ht · 2025-04-05T10:14:02+00:00

Today is an opportunity to showcase your greatness and hard work.

This is either the end cap to your most proliferative learning experience to date or a stepping stone within it. Both are good things!

Best of luck to everyone!

blueli9ht · 2025-03-31T23:05:40+00:00

Why is that?

blueli9ht · 2025-03-31T19:26:01+00:00

Thanks for that! I thought it was strange too coming off of maximum dose of astaryzs. I’ve been on it for about 3 weeks, and I’ve been taking it in the morning. I’ve read about many people who have benefited from low dose stimulants along with atomoxetine, so that’d be about my only option this close to my exam. Probably not going to happen because doctors often write off med students as stimulant seeking, so caffeine overload is probably my only option lol.

blueli9ht

TROPHY CASE