1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Disorders

Elevated Pancreas Enzymes/ Left Side Pain

Posted , 5 users are following.

e92425
e92425

For the past year and a half I have felt off. Every single day with no break. I have been to cardiologists...endroconologist...rheumatologist...and Gastro. I couldn't quite identify what was wrong until about 6 months ago. I have a dull ache in my left side which has increased over time and bouts of nausea that last days to weeks at a time and after stress tests, ct tests, ultrasounds, endoscopy, and tons of blood the main red flag is slightly elevated pancreas enzymes. I am told they are not high enough to be pancreatitis but my pancreas is inflamed. It has consistently come back high for 4 months. I have no idea what it is. I have general aches and pains daily in my back and legs along with the left side pain. I fight my nausea daily. I have developed anxiety over this and I am currently prescribed Xanax. The Xanax does not eliminate the physical symptoms. It is not anxiety. These are very real. Any idea where to go from here??

I should note I have also discovered these things in my tests

- I have a small nodule on my lung...needs follow up scan in a year

- I have small ovarian cysts

- I have kidney stones not currently blocking anything

- I am low in zinc

- my liver enzymes are low

- I am hypothyroid for the past 10 years and it is under control

-

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • manda1030
    manda1030 e92425

    Posted

    Please get a second opnion from a GI Dr. That is how my CP started ....took them 10 years to figure it out my enzymes were 600 to 800 at that time. Now I am in a real mess my pancreas is causing havoc on my body. In the next two weeks I have to see 4 specalists. Then a new GI in July. Please listen to your body elevated enzymes even slightly especially with pain below left rib cage could indicate CP it is hard to diagnosis some times. Best of luck to you!!!
    • e92425
      e92425 manda1030

      Posted

      Have they been able to tell you what caused your CP? I am not much a drinker and for the most part a pretty healthy eater. I have times in my life where my diet hasn't been great mainly when I was younger...I am now 35....but for the past decade or so I eat very healthy and only occasionally have high fat meals or red meat. I may have a glass of wine every 3-4 months. Other than diet what solutions are there? I am very proactive about my health I have two small children and I want to be as present as possible.
    • manda1030
      manda1030 e92425

      Posted

      Well with me it started also when I was around 23... They say mumps can cause it... I had mumps. Auto amune disorders I have RA...and my dad has it. So...... They aren't 100% sure which caused it. Sometimes there is no reason they can figure out. You are far from a heavy drinker so I don't think that is it. Best of luck to you.
  • Nina55437
    Nina55437 e92425

    Posted

    Until you know for sure what it is, try changing your diet. If you have CP the doctors tell you no alcohol, eat very low fat, less than 20g a day. Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also eat no beef, just a little chicken or fish. I also won't eat any preservatives or anything I can't pronounce and no coffee or chocolate. That really helped me.
  • Pattypill
    Pattypill e92425

    Posted

    Hi. First of all I want to say I am so sorry for your pain. I can empathize with you because I too have had that pain for many many years on the left upper quadrant. However mine has not come with nausea. I too have slightly elevated pancreatic enzymes, but I too am told that they're not high enough to be considered pancreatitis. But now after 18 years and NURSE PRACTIONER ordered an Endoscopic ultrasound. In which they discovered that I have mild to moderate chronic pancreatitis. I have an appointment with the specialist on May 6th, 2016. I am very upset that for 18 years that I've had this pain they kept telling me it was irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). My enzymes have been normal up until the past year they became slightly elevated six points over. But even then they tell me they were not high enough to be pancreatitis.

    How did they discover that you have an inflamed pancreas? I also had the pain radiate to my back it caused me to also have tachycardia and have spent thousands of dollars going every six months to see the cardiologist where they do an echo, EKG, and a stress test. I just come to find out that pancreatitis can cause tachycardia so it has never been my heart.

    You did mention a lot of things that you have but I don't see any of those causing the pain and nausea that you have. I've gone to three or four different GIs who all did CT scans it tell me my pancreas were normal and they are supposed to be the specialists no one ever bothered to order an Endo scopic ultrasound. I too was given Xanax how funny, but my cardiologist for me to relax. No one has our bodies no one lives inside of us to know what we go through I hope that you can get some relief in a diagnosis please let me know how this goes

    • e92425
      e92425 Pattypill

      Posted

      I am so sorry you have suffered so long. The tachycardia is so interesting to me. One reason I kept pursing a cardiologists was a rapid heart rate. It would be over 100 at rest at times and then go back to my normal resting heart rate of 65. I had no idea that was part of CP I'm so new at learning all this. I had an endoscopy this week and was told all looked good I don't meet with the GI Doctor for another two weeks to discuss our next step is an endoscopic ultrasound different? I also have horrible back pain that I thought was unrelated and I am beginning to think is. The doctor did advise me to stay on a low fat and no alcohol diet until we meet which makes me wonder if he suspects CP. Keep me posted on how your appointment goes I will send positive thoughts your way that they can provide some answers and solutions.
  • pete70517
    pete70517 e92425

    Posted

    Hi !

    Sorry to hear you are in pain. I know all about it! Not nice! Having read your post , can I suggest that you don't drink any alcohol whatsoever until you know exactly what is causing the pain. Sometimes, some people are extremely sensitive to alcohol and a very small amount can trigger pancreatitis.  That is what happened ot me. Animal fats from beef, pork and lamb are also a cause and by substituting white fish and lean chicken you would be following the recommended diet for pancreatitis sufferers. Digestive enzymes are also excellent as they give your pancreas a rest and allows healing to take place. If, having done so, your condition improves and pain is elimininated or reduced, then pancreatitis would certainly be a possibility. Good luck and good health to you!   

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.