I had a CT scan in October 2023 along with lab tests. Both showed unexpected results.
The CT scan shows "atrophy" pancreas. The report uses the words "end-stage chronic pancreatitis". At the doctor's appointment, he described it as no longer functional. I don't quite believe that, so the words I use are nearly 100% non-functional. Reason for that is that it seems to still be producing some insulin, not much, but some. I am needing increasingly more insulin injections regularly. Please don't read this the wrong way. Atrophy and end-stage chronic pancreatitis does not mean I am ready for the clover yet. It means my pancreas is at or nearing no longer functioning. That means I will be relying more on prescription medicine to digest food and control blood-glucose levels. I have been taking prescription digestive enzymes for almost 13 years now, so it's not new. I've been on both forms of injectable insulin, so that's not new either.
Pain is still the major issue – I continue my self-treatment program, with doctor's involvement. I also have modified it slightly.
The modification came about as a result of kidney stones. I have compromised kidneys (until recently, stage 3 kidney disease). Not sure if the kidney damage is from all the meds. I had some pain in the area of my kidneys. I did have kidney stones surgically removed from the left side in 2021. The pain returned in early 2022, and also affected the right side. An ultra sound showed enlarged kidney stones in the right and left sides that required surgical intervention. In February 2022, I was brought to my knees while securing a wheelchair student in the school bus. It didn't last long, seconds really, before I was able to resume. I did some research on dissolving kidney stones and started a regimen of adding Apple Cider Vinegar with a glass full of water – that also contained my baking soda. To be clear, each time I took my baking soda (at least 3X daily), I also added 1 1/2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The apple cider vinegar worked wonders, as "magical" to the kidney pain as baking soda worked magically for the pancreatic pain. Relief measured in seconds.
One of the surprises in the lab tests is that my kidneys are nearly back to normal functionality. The CT scan showed the kidney stones are completely gone. The apple cider vinegar did its job: dissolved the kidney stones.
The apple cider vinegar will remain a part of my DIY self-treatment. I've been monitoring my urine pH levels on the lab test results since this all started back in 2011/2012. The urine pH levels have never been over 5.6 ... they should be closer to 7.4 (same as serum blood pH). Since starting on the apple cider vinegar, the urine pH levels show upticks. the last one had urine pH at 6. Exactly 6. I can only attribute that to the apple cider vinegar mixed with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
Quite frankly, I am stumped why this works. Apple cider vinegar, like all vinegars, has a pH of between 2 and 3. That's quite acidic. It should have a counter effect to the sodium bicarbonate, but it doesn't – it seems to enhance the alkalinizing properties of taking baking soda.
If you have any idea why the apple cider vinegar with baking soda combination has this effect, let me know. My research into this isn't yielding any results.
As you read this, keep in mind I am not a doctor and I am not involved in the health care community. This is MY results only, and I am only providing this information for education purposes. Do your own research. For example, apple cider vinegar may not work for you. There are several types of kidney stones, it just happened that apple cider vinegar was able to disintegrate mine. Consult your doctor, get his advice and do your own research.