Posted , 61 users are following.
My doctor thinks I may have chronic pancreatitis and is sending me for an ultrasound scan. Please can you describe your symptoms and pain please. From reading online the pain is horrendous, my pain is mild to moderate but constant with no rest from it. It is worse with walking etc and slightly better when resting.
Thanks
0 likes, 92 replies
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Toniamarie mark75690
Posted
During the initial acute attack, my lipase levels went high enough that when the dr called with the test results (next morning), he told me to get to the ER. Hadn't been eating during that time except for liquids, so lipase was near normal when I arrived at ER. Again, ever since I was diagnosed as chronic pancreatitis and went on Creon, haven't had any blood tests come back elevated. I did forget to mention that In the year prior to the first acute attack, I had daily issues with loose stools, sometimes oily and sometimes very pale. This also subsided after Creon.
I do want to share with those that continue to drink alcohol, please reconsider. The specialist I go to said that if I go two months with no pain, I can have one glass of wine. That comment was enough for me to decide never to consider having any alcohol. Plus there is no such thing as going one month without pain, let alone two. Smoking is also showing up more and more in research as an issue for pancreatitis.
mark75690
Posted
I had a good chat with my GP about my pancreatic concerns and he said he doubts it is pancreatic related and sent me for more blood test this week and an ultrasound. My GP said if my amylase levels are raised he will sent me for a CT scan and not ultrasound. Anyway I got a call asking me to go for a ultrasound scan on Friday. The guy who did the scan said all was looking fine and nothing jumped out. or caused concern.
On Tuesday Wednesday Thursday this week I had 3 pain free days and it felt great, however on Thursday I was moving some items around at home that took a full day, I felt fine doing this but on Friday the usual pain and discomfort started again. I was extremely nervous about my ultrasound scan on Friday which seemed to aggrevate the symptoms. Today I have suffered all day again. I am back to see my GP on Wednesday and see where we go from there.
I am puzzled as to why the symptoms started up again on Friday after a busy day on Thursday, yet Tuesday Wednesday Thursday I felt great.
Any suggestions because now it does not seem like a pancreatic issue?
Thanks
lotus15549 mark75690
Posted
I haven't been diagnosed but with 7 months of chronic pain I don't know what else would cause it. I have had I lot of work up. My gastro says my pancreas is normal on ct scans. I used to work out up to 7 days a week but I notice that too much movement makes me worse. I am tired, in pain scared and frustrated. I have an endoscopy with ultrasound scheduled on 6/22.
Kimghds mark75690
Posted
I do hope that you see this and that you are able to respond, I have read your posts and I felt like I was reading mine own thoughts, fears, and an exact description of my symptoms. I have this dull but constant discomfort under my left rib cage, that at times radiates through to my back... my lipase and amylase tests have all been normal, had ultrasound with only mild fatty liver, even had a CAT scan with contrast that showed normal... the discomfort is there almost all the time, and seems to be aggravated after a lot of movement... have you had any success with diagnosis ? I am starting to get down, as I am beginning to wonder what is all this .... I hope that you are further along with recovery and good health.
mark75690
Posted
rick71536 mark75690
Posted
Mark, Imhave chronic Pancreatitis, I've had it since 2016. I live through the Whipple procedure, not because I had cancer but the head of my pancrease
was as hard as a golf ball and stints could not be used.
I still have attacks, mine are in the left side under the rib cage and around in my back. The only relief is getting in a hot tub or bath and rolling up in a ball.......sound familiar? I actually bought a outdoor hot tub just for my pancreatitis..... If so, you probably have either acute or chronic pancreatitis. Best thing is not to drink alchol, avoid greasy foods, get a good GI doctor who will understand the pain and give meds for it.
Hang in there and let me know if you have any questions Immay be able to answer.....;,.
Rick
rick71536
Posted
john1954 mark75690
Posted
I just joined this forum and saw your request. My chronic pancreatitis (CP) was diagnosed earlier this year (I'm 62 now). When I ate I felt full almost immediately, sometimes felt an ache in my abdomen within a few bites, and I felt nauseous or queasy, which usually subsided. That was and has been the extent of my CP pain. When I eat a meal that is fatty, for instance, olive oil on a salad, I feel sick to my stomach for anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours. I've been limiting fat intake since my diagnosis in April and have been taking creon 3X per day since then. Small meals are best, heavy meals and I feel an ache in my abdominal area. I'm still fairly active bicycling, going to the gym, and hiking (I live in New Mexico, which has fairly good mountains). I've lost 30 pounds since this time last year and while it's slowed, has not stopped. Hope some of this helps.
mark75690 john1954
Posted
Fatty meals make no difference than healthy options.
leigh74005 mark75690
Posted
mark75690 leigh74005
Posted
Scan all clear and boods also ok. My GP said he believes this is a bad flare up of IBS. I did explain my pancreas concerns and he said he did suspect this but now my results are back he no longer suspects pancreaitis.
I have been prescribed Amitriptiline which seems to help but not cleared the discomfort completely.
leigh74005 mark75690
Posted
I still no closer to a diagnosis. I had an eus on Monday. Don't think the doc checked pancreas though. He only checked gallbladder and billary system. Don't know when my next appointment is. On the positive side. All bloods scans are fine. Had ultrasound, ct and eus.
mark75690 leigh74005
Posted
I had a good long discussion with my GP about my concerns about my pancreas and he posted my concerns to the radiologist who was performing the scan. My GP is very good and knows is stuff, its the locum doctors that I think are a waste of time to be honest.
From what my GP, radiologist and the internet says is, If you have an ultrasound and anything is suspicious with billary, gallbladder, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder then a CT scan will be ordered immeadiately.
I feel better physcologically knowing this, however the pain and discomfort is still with me but not severe.
Good luck and I hope you get answers soon. I will update you also.
john1954 mark75690
Posted
barry30818 mark75690
Posted
As I write this I am lying in bed with severe left upper abdomen pain. I have never been a huge drinker, smoker and class myself as fit. I am 14 stone and 5,11 so could do with losing a few pounds. Reading this forum I am concerned that I may have pancreatitis. The biggest marker is when I drink alcohol the pain flares up. I have not drank any booze in a week but the pain is there constantly but 100% worse at night, any advice?