“My name is Rebecca and I spent months in ICU and in hospital with severe acute pancreatitis. Before my attack, I didn’t have a clue what dietitians did. I assumed they might help people get healthier or lose weight. I’d never have thought they might help people with digestive diseases.
I am now back home and on the road to recovery, but not too long ago, I didn’t know what my pancreatitis diagnosis meant short and long term. I didn’t know what I could and couldn’t eat. After my attack, I had lost a lot of weight and was malnourished. I was also diagnosed with Type 3c diabetes (a type of diabetes associated with pancreatic disease). There was so much conflicting information. I felt really overwhelmed.
I first saw a dietitian as part of the NHS team looking after me in hospital. My dietitian spoke to me about the importance of increasing certain food groups temporarily to return to better health. My dietitian explained that they needed to move me from being malnourished to healthy again. I was given great advice on what I should eat short-term to do just that, including which meals were best to order off the hospital menu. They discussed so many food options, so I didn’t feel like I was eating foods I didn’t enjoy. We also tried a variety of shakes, to work out which I enjoyed.
I was extremely malnourished and struggling to eat. My dietitian explained the need to put me on a feeding tube at one point. I really didn’t want to do this, but looking back – it was the best decision that was made. In short, my dietitian essentially saved my life.
I finally had someone I could ask questions, whenever I felt confused. I explained that I was confused between managing the diabetes/sugar intake, versus consuming enough calories and protein after losing so much weight during my hospital stay. My dietitian explained that the priority is getting me back to better health, and then we can discuss the diabetes. This was such a relief. I had answers, a support system.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a digestive disease and you’re confused by the conflicting (and often dangerous) information online, I’d encourage you to see a registered dietitian. They can really help and personalise what you need.”
This is Rebecca’s experience with a dietitian. You can read Rebecca’s full story about her experience with pancreatitis here.