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Chronic Pancreatitis?

Posted , 4 users are following.

sharon2510
sharon2510

Hi everyone I’m looking for some advice. 3 Doctors have said I may have CP but they won’t do a MRCP. My faecal Elastase was normal and and Ultrasound and MRI I had done last year were clear. I explained that my condition changed after I had the tests done. I have Epigastric Pain, early satiety, Nausea, no appetite, can’t tolerate anything high in fat,yellow stools that are smelly and sometimes bulky and greasy. Now my question is just before my period the pain eases off. Is this indicative of CP as everything I’ve read says it usually gets worse before or during a womans period. Any help would be great as I’ve had this since September 2015 and my weight recently dropped to 95lbs. 

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • judith50134
    judith50134 sharon2510

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Chronic Pancreatitus in June 2016. I was shocked as I went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. The doctor decided to do extra blood work, ultra sound and a cat scan. The result was an abundance of calcium deposits in the tail of my pancreas. Since that my life has changed drastically. I went from 115lbs. and this morning I weighed 95 1/2 lbs. They obviously saw something on my tests. Even though I very seldom had a drink I completely stopped drinking any alcohol and haven't smoked for over 30 years. I have most of my pain in my back and around my rib cage. However, I don't have the issue with my stool.  What was your original weight? Also do you have any auto-immune diseases? I was recently diagnosed with Sjogrens disease which can be an effect of pancreatitus or visa- versa. Unfortunately I can't help you with pain eases or getting worse with your period as I have never heard of that happening. Good luck and I hope you feel better.

  • Shortie79
    Shortie79 sharon2510

    Posted

    You’re actually lucky you got a diagnosis. Chronic pancreatitis is very difficult to diagnose. The MRCP is usually only ordered to diagnose CP. It took the doctors over a year to diagnose me but I have a rare pancreas condition. Depending on how long you have had CP your pain will vary. If you’re not already seeing a pancreas specialist then I suggest you look for one. There’s many doctors who may know about chronic pancreatitis but don’t understand it. Only a doctor who specializes in the pancreas can truly help. I am now to the point where I suffer from pancreatitis symptoms but don’t get a full blown attack due to having two pancreatic ducts. The next step for me is having my pancreas removed. I’ll be solely dependent on insulin and digestive enzymes but hopefully I won’t have constant debilitating pain. I don’t have any female parts left so I cannot help you regarding your monthly visitor. However I did develop kidney stones due to my pancreas issues and bladder spasms. We’re all unique and will all have different symptoms but only you know what you’re capable of handling. If no one has told you, try resting your pancreas for a couple days. You do that by not eating solid foods and staying hydrated. After a couple days then slowly incorporate low fat meals. Don’t eat three meals but six small meals. I have to do this every time my abdominal area hurts. I also eat an orange as it helps with inflammation. I hope you feel better soon. Good luck. 
    • Shortie79
      Shortie79

      Posted

      I’m sorry I didn’t read the “may” have CP. Are you seeing a GI specialist that specializes in the pancreas? I had blood work, ultrasound and even an endoscopy all come back normal. I then had a CT Enterography show atrophy of my pancreas. I researched it which found was associated with chronic pancreatitis. I was referred to a GI who then performed the MRCP which revealed my Pancreas Divisum (born with two pancreatic ducts that never fused together). My GI specialist still thought my symptoms were IBS related (I went from weighing 154 to 106 in 4-5 months and I’m short so now my ribs pop out) so I asked to see a pancreas specialist. I saw the pancreas specialist who performed several ERCPs and that’s how I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and also how I was being treated (I was able to gain some weight back once I started the enzymes). Unfortunately with my condition the ERCPs weren’t helping. Since my blood and fecal tests were coming back normal they didn’t know I already had chronic pancreatitis. Most doctors don’t know your blood work won’t show anything when it’s chronic. However, you have to have at least one acute attack before you can be diagnosed with chronic. I looked over my past blood work and noticed my liver enzymes were elevated in multiple hospital stays over the years but never the pancreas panel. I’m thinking that’s probably when I was having attacks and didn’t know it. Do you have pain after eating? That was the biggest indicator for me. The pain would be so bad, I would be scared to eat. It’s a debilitating pain and a lot of vomiting. 
  • ada7777
    ada7777 sharon2510

    Posted

    To sharon2510   I was diagnosed with EPI back Dec 2017.  My beginning symptoms was diarrhea for 2 weeks.  I could not eat anything without it making me sick. Doc could not see me for a month.  So I had to take Imodium until my appt.  I was diagnosed after a blood test and stool test but I did not believe that I had EPI.  Yes I had all the symptoms you had. I went from 110 to 95 in 3 months. Things that contain fat made me sick.   Dr. put me on medicine that cost the insurance company $3000 per month.  I failed to believe that I had EPI.  It just did not make sense.  Medicine he put me on did not help at all so I went  to see another doctor. This doctor told me to get off the medicine and take probiotics. I did and I’ve been fine sense. It took over a month before I started to see a change.  I gradually added fat back into my diet.  That’s to make a very long story short.  I’m not saying that you don’t have what they’re telling you. I’m just saying be cautious, eat healthy and it there’s another alternative to the drugs they are prescribing you then try that first.  
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