Pancreas Test Results

I've had CT's, Amylase, the attached results was for a CEA test from the fine needle biopsy. I really don't have symptoms other than bloating feeling full. A "cyst" was found while having CT for gallbladder issues. It started at 1.6cm and is now at 2cm. The cancer dr. is telling me everything is okay and will scan again in another year.

Maybe that's the issue, it's the cancer doctor and not a pancreas and/or a GI doctor that specializes in the pancreas. Usually a cyst is closely monitored when it comes to the pancreatic duct. Depending on the location, they will remove them. I'm surprised they haven't already, but you're not having typical pancreas symptoms and that could be another reason they're doing the wait and see approach. Some doctors don't give a ton of CTs because of the radiation too. However, be thankful you're only experiencing bloating, you don't want anymore symptoms. The medication listed in the other comments work great, I'm on them too even after my pancreas was removed. I agree with the other comment regarding the fecal test and digestive enzymes. You may need the enzymes and the bloating will go away.

Thank you Shortie79! I'm gonna sit down and write everything I've had done (dr., test, etc.)and be more precise as to all that I have been through at this point and then I think you will be able to advice me because you have sadly been through this. Thank you so much for your responses this far! 😃

You're welcome but Vedawms has been through it too, she's be through the ringer! We actually text each other lol. She checked up on me after my pancreas was removed, she's a sweetheart!! Everyone's journey will be different, it took me over a year to get my pancreas diagnosis and I was born with a rare condition that caused chronic pancreatitis. I had two pancreatic ducts and did everything possible for treatment but removal of the pancreas was a last resort option. I had a major major surgery, they took my pancreas, spleen, 5-10% of my intestines and transferred my islets to my liver. I'm a little diabetic for roughly 5 years then I'll be a permanent diabetic after my islets die. I'm dependent upon digestive enzymes (no matter what I eat, I have to take the enzymes). I would journal your foods and symptoms too, just to see if you start to notice any foods that might trigger bloating. A CT is a good test but a MRCP is the gold standard for a noninvasive test for the pancreas.

Haha, Shortie is right, I've been around the block, too. I've been sick about 13 years, diagnosed about 2 1/2 years ago.

Mine is hereditary, made worse by alcohol. I no longer drink or smoke. After 40+ hospitalizations, a PVT (blood clot), an abdominal aneurysm, distal pancreatectomy (tail removal), splenectomy, and a horrible infection, all in the last two years, I'm feeling a little decrepit. However, I've learned to manage with heat and Tylenol. I follow a strict pancreas-friendly diet, and it helps. It takes constant maintenance.

If you don't get a timely response here, I'm also a member of Living With Pancreatitis group on Facebook. There are a lot of helpful people there, too.

Feel better!

Veda

Thank you and I was thinking they should scan more often too. It's very scary!

Every three months is usually what insurance will cover. You should double check with them so that you don't owe out-of-pocket.

If the bloating is excessive, you may want to ask about getting a fecal elastase to see if you need digestive enzymes. You can also try GasX. I take Bentyl (Dicyclomine) for it, and it's well-controlled.

Also, if you do not have a gastroenterologist who is a pancreatic specialist, you should look for one.

Be well!