Chronic Pancreatitis?

Hi tomjohn, your symptoms sure sound like pancreatitis.  It's good that your doc did those tests but it sounds like he's now dismissing the issue which isn't good.  

My gall bladder has never been a problem either although I understand it's commonly one of the first signs.  The ultrasound would/should have shown any obvious issues with your pancreas like calcification or blockage.  You need someone to look closer or even outside the box.  If your doc is a GP ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist and emphasise that you want to get to the bottom of it, preferably with his help.

You may need to have an endoscopy which looks further than a gastroscopy.  Stress can make symptoms worse so try to keep calm.  Follow diet guidlines for pancreatitis and see how you feel. 

Sorry my response is so general others might have more specific ideas about your next step.  Don't give up, good luck and report back. 

Hello,

To my knowledge and I have been learning as much as possible about Chronic Pancreatitis as I had it diagnosed in 2011 after suffering symptoms since 2009 also. But as I was saying, to my knowledge MRI's show up any issues better but even with that it can be a very long time, several years infact until some of the physical damage/reasons will actually show up on any tests at all. 

I would suggest that you go back to the gastro doc you were seeing and ask him to look further into it or ask your GP for a second opinion.

Good Luck and I hope you don't suffer without the support you deserve.

Jo  

You'd think it would show I agree. 

The point then really is that you need a doctor who will go the distance with you, who believes your symptoms are real and wants to find out what's going on as much as you.  I don't know where you are, whether you can easily change your GP if you don't think he/she is putting in 100%.  We can change easily here in Australia it's not about location so that's good.  If you're confident with your GP then it's a matter of him/her being more proactive on your behalf with other specialists.  Don't be pushy however that never works (voice of experience haha)

I have another weird disease I was born with, scares doc's witless and it throws all sorts of symptoms.  I'm lucky to have a good GP now, well better because she still tends to blame almost every complaint on that disease rather than look further until I pull her up, but I'm lucky she allows me to do that, many don't. 

Appointment times are short and doc's are under pressure to move on so I always book a double appt, it's worth it to have time to discuss options more fully.

Took years of complaining before I got to the bottom of my chronic pancreatitis just the same.  Even my specialist didn't look so I dumped him when I found another specialist who would take on my other disease (rarer than hens teeth).  I have to do most of the research so I can 'sublty' suggest what to look at most of the time.  I learned long ago one can't 'tell' a doctor anything even if you're right, and sometimes especially if you're right. 

Because of the complicated situation with my other issue I always suggest that others find a doctor who will look 'outside the box' because I know there are many ills besides the obvious list that GP's especially tend to go to. 

You've had this issue since '09, wow, you deserve better, tell your doc you won't be satisfied until it's resolved and to get on with it (very very sweetly of course otherwise you risk triggering a flare up of 'fragile ego syndrome' haha).  Having a sense of humour is essential too.  As before, sorry I can't throw any real light.

Just to give you guys an update.

I went to the radiologist yesterday and got a very thorough ultrasound of my abdomen. He told me that everything looked perfectly fine. Pancreas, Gallbladder, Liver, Spleen, Kidneys. All good.

He did however say that he personally believed it to be some sort of IBS. He looked at my colon, and told me the limitations of the ultrasound regarding the intestines, but also told me I had a fair amount of gas in my colon (despite not having eaten anything for 12 hours due to the procedure).

He said it was not uncommon for IBS attacks to have similar pains as a gallbladder attack, and that the way I was experiencing things didn't add up to pancreatitis. He also told me that after six years untreated, I would feel very ill.

So its back to my GP and figure out whats next from here.

You sound much happier tomjohn, I think the conversation with the radiologist (a rare feat!) has put your mind at rest regarding pancreatitis and given you the confidence to proceed to the next step. 

Sometimes having that kind of conversation when you know you're being listened to and are getting good feedback is more helpful than any medicine.  I'm glad you had that opportunity. 

I hope you can get to the bottom of it soon and find something to either control your symptoms or cure them altogether.  Good luck

I am glad your pancreas and other organs look good. However, if you are still having problems you might want to check out sphincter of oddi dysfunction. It can mimic pancreatitis and gallbladder attacks. It took me over a year to get diagnosed. Right now i am having trouble convincing doctors that I have pancreas problems as well.

Hopefully you get some relief from your attacks.

So I had another attack today. Very mild in pain, but an attack none the less. I have been following a lower carb/higher fat diet for the last few days with no issues, but after my breakfast this morning (consisting of healthy fats and proteins) the attack started creeping up on me.

One thing I have noticed is that I have pain if I press inwards just below might right ribcage (During or up to hours after the attack. Not every day). Isn't this the location of the gallbladder? And why is the pain only felt there when pressed, but when not pressed it is centralized? Im confused..