Folks,
as a single male, when chronic pancreatitis (cp) is diagnosed, there is always a medical supposition that the condition is alcohol-related. In my own case however, I could see no obvious correlation between my alcohol consumption patterns and my symptoms. Where I could see obvious linkage however, was between extreme stress and cp symptoms (note: I am not denying that alcohol is a significant trigger). So, I concluded that in my case at least, there seems to be a direct link between pancreatitis and stress.
Reflecting on a recent event however, i’m beginning to think that I may not have been entirely correct concerning this linkage, and that the real culprit may be st. John’s wort. My theory goes like this:-

over the years I have been prone to occasional bouts of depression. I have always associated my depression with stress. So at times of actual or potential stress, I have tended to use anti-depressant agents to treat or pre-empt the condition. Some years ago I made a decision (about the same time as my pancreas started playing up) to abandon the mainstream pharmaceutical anti-depressives (e.G. Seroxat) and try out the leading herbal alternative instead; namely st. John’s wort. The timing of this seems to correspond fairly well with the start of my pancreatic troubles. So, looking back at my own medical history, while there is an apparent correlation between stress and pancreatitis, there also seems to be a strong link between st. John’s wort and my periods of illness.

Anyway, I had been free of both pancreatitis attacks and st. John’s wort for some time, until recently, when I discovered a bottle of st. John’s wort tablets in a cupboard. I wasn’t feeling depressed, but the expiry date was near, so I thought I might as well use them. They might put an extra spring in my step and anyway, what harm could it do? I started taking some every morning for 3 or 4 days, then my pancreas flared-up. I felt so lousy that I lost all interest in the st. John’s wort and stopped taking it; and after a few days I felt fine again. In all likelihood, this is all simple coincidence, but it has set my mind wondering. I could of course, start taking the tablets to see if I get ill again, but somehow I am reluctant to do that.

Has anyone else noticed a correlation between st. John’s wort and pancreatic inflammation?

Andy