Pancreatic duct dilation
Posted , 18 users are following.
I've had pancreatitis several times in the last 5 years and bile duct pain previously. Recently I've had three different CT Scans and all three show dual duct dilation (both pancreas duct and bile duct) but my blood work was normal not showing pancreatitis. Of course I'm concerned I have dual duct dilation that seems to be getting a bit worse with each CT Scan, however my doctors say they'll just keep an eye on it, they don't know why. I get frequent attacks that aren't all out pancreatitis attacks, but I'm worried and feel like I'm just sitting around waiting for the pancreatic cancer diagnosis due to the very high percentage of dual duct dilation resulting in pancreatic cancer. The last full on attack I had I was taken to ER. My lipase etc. we're in normal range, just blood in urine so they gave me meds and sent me home. Anyone else have this issue? Thank you
0 likes, 52 replies
crazycatperson emusedone
Posted
Hello, thought it was my duty to update.
I went to the gastro Dr, he ordered blood work and did a endoscopy. The day that I got that done he said I had 2 ulcers in my stomach and my duodenum was red and inflammed. He perscribed meds for that.
Just saw him yesterday for a follow up appointment to discuss in more detail. He said I had multiple ulcers (more then 2), a small hernia, and the inflammation. Because of my pain and continued nausea he doubled the dose of my medication for the acid. He also said he did biopsy in a few places in the lining of my stomach and they all came back ok.
The blood work came back all fine except for the liver, he said that is was elevated but he sees that a lot and because all of my other blood work came back fine he's not worried about it. He also said that my dilated ducts are only mildly dilated so he's not concerned about anything sinister there either. He's ordered a hida scan for next month and then go from there. He does not want to do the ultrasound where they go inside to do it because he said it's too invasive and could cause a pancreatic attack. I also have a pancreas MRI protocol being done, but because I live in Canada, the wait list is longggggggggggggg, my appointment is at the end of March 2017.
How is everyone else doing?
So for now, I'm going to trust what my Dr says, and not worry about it anymore.
NixKiwiWolf crazycatperson
Posted
Finally saw a consultant after waiting six weeks after my MRI - I've been switched to a new one and let's just say his bedside manner wasn't up to much. Blood has come back fine, nothing showing on the MRI except the same as all the other tests (inflamed head of pancreas and dilated common bile duct). No stones, gallbladder and liver fine. Brushed off my new flank pain as "nothing." Wants to do an EUS (his speciality - I bet he does) to look for growths in the pancreas. I asked outright "cancer then?" And he said "probably not but I want to look." Said it wouldn't necessarily show up in my bloods. So I don't know anymore than Ivsid at the start. He kept going on that it must be drink even though I didn't drink much, which my husband backed up. I don't know what to think - I still have pain but I was made to feel it's all in my head.
Reefsider crazycatperson
Posted
Thank you for reporting back, many don't bother.
Sounds like a throrough reprt with a relatively positive outcome so far. If thought necessary I'm sure the MRI would have been fastracked. I agree that invasive procedures should be avoided whenever possible. Let us know how you're going especially how the MRI goes. Take care.
Reefsider NixKiwiWolf
Posted
I don't know why you have an issue with an EUS, it's quick, painless and clearly shows what's happening.
I hope it's clear. Keep to diet and no alcohol regime.
I encountered a ghastly GI at the beginning of my journey, it was only one appointment whilst I waited for the guy who was to be my specialist to arrive in the country. That man was a beast, rude, loud, and accused me of being an alcoholic when I'd never consumed alcohol in my life. He announced that I had pancreatitis. I had no idea about it. He didn't explain what it was and I was terrified and left shaking. A couple of weeks later I met my current doc, a pancreas specialist with a totally different character, and all's been well between us since.
I discovered later that many GI's don't have more than a general knowledge of the pancreas and that is why I always suggest people here hunt around for a GI who specialises in the pancreas. It's a game changer regarding how the disease is approached, how it's dealt with and how you're treated.
NixKiwiWolf Reefsider
Posted
I have a vomit phobia and my last endoscopy was horrendous and extremely painful. I wasn't sedated though and I was assured I will be for the EUS. Can't say I'm thrilled to have it but I'll do anything to get to the bottom of what's going on.
The gruff consultant is a pancreas specialist which is why I've been switched to him. The GI guy I saw first was lovely but if they get you on the road to recovery I guess you just have to ignore the personality!
crazycatperson emusedone
Posted
Another update:
Had the hida scan to see if I have stones that could be causing the dilation, no stones in the gallbladder, but the radio tracer was slow to reach the small intestines. The radiologist suggested that I have get a MRCP and close look at the pancreas because of the noted dilation on the CT scan. My Dr tried to get me into an earlier appointment for the mrcp but they could only put me on the cancellation list, he said March 27th is too long to wait, so now he's going to do a ercp on me this coming Thurs, Dec 15th. He said he's going to completely drain my ducts out, the only thing is that is could cause a pancreatic attack, if so then he would admit me and give me IV fluid for that. He said that the chances for that happening is pretty low, he's never had a patient that has needed that, so I am feeling quite confident this will be the end of this chapter. I will update you all what transpires.
How is everyone else doing, hope all is well.
trishbod emusedone
Posted
hear from you .
trish
mary41498 trishbod
Posted
patty43325 emusedone
Posted
Hey, I am in the same boat... I do not know where to turn to next. I have the same problem, all I get is " are you a alcoholic???? I have never drank. I will be 51 in a couple of months. I am a female. I have never had any major health problem. About a year ago, I had my first attack. I was sitting at my desk at work. It was the worst pain, worse than childbirth!!!! I could not move, any position that I tried did not improve the pain. I thought that I was having an heart attack!!!! It lasted for a lest an hour if not longer. I am one that does not go to the Dr. I used to a couple of years ago. They messed me up bad and I almost died. Anyway, I did not go to the Dr. Then I started having these attacks more frequent and the attacks lasted longer. This went on for months until July of this year. I started having them daily and it got to the point where I was up every night for a week with a pillow mashed against my chest and walking the floor sobbing. I went to the ER. I could not take it any more.
They have been doing all kind of test since then. It is 2 months later, After all kinds of Drs, including GI Dr, they tell me that I have pancreatitis , I need to know what to do about it.... The Drs sure are taking their time, they do not know why the ducts are dilated. Please HELP????
NixKiwiWolf patty43325
Posted
Well, I'm back. and guess what? Turns out I had cancer after all, masked by the pancreatitis. Chicken and egg, did the tumour growing kick off the pancreatitis or vice versa? We'll never know. I did get to see my family in New Zealand in February but became ill on the last day (that was a fun 30 hour flight home) and just get getting worse, ending up in hospital with severe jaundice and biliary sepsis. Thankfully had a stent fitted by my horrible consultant's colleague and he found the tumour. It was huge! 7cm! Things swung into action very quickly after that - luckily Imwas suitable for surgery and I had a Whipples procedure at the Churchill in Oxford within three weeks. I was so lucky - the tumour (a T3) was completely contained, all clear margins, no lymph node involvement (and they took out 35 of them) and no metastasis. I was out of hospital in five days and have made a remarkable recovery but it's a long road ahead. I'm having six months of adjuvant chemo to help prevent recurrence but recurrence is high so I'm just hoping I'm doing everything I can.
somther you go. Keep badgering your doctors, keep digging, don't let them fob you off. My GP never gave up on me even when the consultant wasn't that bothered. Needless to say, I haven't heard from him since. I'm under a great oncologist whom I feel very comfortable with so hopefully our paths won't cross again.
Reefsider NixKiwiWolf
Posted
Oh Nix I'm so sorry to hear about the cancer but thrilled it was found contained before it spread. You didn't give up perhaps you should change your name to 'the badger'. I hope you defy the odds re recurrence too, stay in touch, keep us in the loop. I'll be thinking of you. Cheers
Gldnrule emusedone
Posted