Pancreatitis ?
Posted , 11 users are following.
i saw a Gastroenterologist/ Hepatologist today. he examined me and asked me lots of questions. Then he told me i had Chronic Pancreatitis and he was going to prescribe Creon enzyme therapy. i was glad to finally get an answer after three years and five other Gastroenterologists but im slightly confused as hes not doing any scans. Does he not need to do a scan to find out if it definetly is Pancreatitis and how bad it it?
0 likes, 34 replies
HumanBeing sharon2510
Posted
what are your symptoms, kindly explain in detail.
heather38380 sharon2510
Posted
that does not sound right i would think the only way to definitively know you have a pancreas disease is by a scan otherwise you could have something completely different and he could treat you for the wrong thing. I would ask him if he could do scans to know for sure.
steven_86915 sharon2510
Posted
i got diagnosed with Crohnic pancreaitis 4 years ago after doing a endoscope nothing showed up until they done a CT-Scan then i got put on creon and Morphine
Shortie79 sharon2510
Posted
The doctor may have looked up all your prior information/tests (ER visits, blood work) read notes written by other doctors. If your blood work shows a pattern and the symptoms as well, then he may not need further testing. However, if this GI doesn't specialize in the pancreas, I suggest you find a pancreas specialist. There's a lot of doctors that aren't educated in the pancreas and don't fully understand it. You may be chronic but might not need enzymes … usually there's a test performed to make sure your pancreas is still producing them (fecal test).
sharon2510 Shortie79
Posted
The Doctor was a Pancreas specialist and the only information he had wad that i had a small bowel MRI but it was clear. In January i had a Fecal Elastase test but it was negative. The consultant was only going by the examination and my decription of symptoms. They are pain sort of in the middle below my ribs but above my navel, sometimes its under my left rib. The pain goes to my left shoulder. Pain starts after i eat and gets really bad if the food is high in fat or greasy. My stools are yellow and smell really bad and sometimes look oily. I can only eat a very small amount of food before i feel full up and i have constant nausea. I believe it could be Pancreatitis but i too thought i would need some sort of imaging test to confirm it.
steven_86915 sharon2510
Posted
HI The decription you have said sounds like CP I have had these symptoms as well im on a Facebook page Crohnic Pancreatis UK Its a really good group where u can ask anything about CP Alot of people on there are really clued up about this and a few have been through surgery to help them
sharon2510 steven_86915
Posted
Thanks for the info i will have a look.
Shortie79 sharon2510
Posted
Sounds like CP and if it's a pancreas specialist then they know what they're doing. It took the doctors over a year to diagnose me and I have a rare congenital anomaly where I was born with two ducts that never fused together called Pancreas Divisum which caused the CP. In my case my blood didn't show anything because I was already chronic but I had clay/pale stools, pain after eating, constant nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, bloating, getting full very quick, hair loss, itching and more. It's my new normal but I will be having my pancreas removed because my two ducts keep causing attacks. We are all unique with symptoms but usually a pancreas specialist knows what he/she is doing. I actually got better once I started seeing a pancreas specialist because he was able to educate me on what to do at home when getting an attack, etc. The digestive enzymes can be pricey depending on insurance but if you go to the Creon website and register you can get a discount coupon. I hope you feel better soon.
sharon2510 Shortie79
Posted
Thanks for the advice but as i live in Scotland i dont need to pay for my medication. I do trust the specialist but just thought it strange he wasnt doing any imaging tests or scopes to confirm the diagnosis or make sure there wasnt any other problem with the pancreas.
Su2 sharon2510
Posted
I'm glad for you that you are getting treatment but not sure how the specialist has reached the diagnosis without scans. I am being investigated for pancreatic problems and have had a CT scan, now waiting for an endoscopy.
Reefsider sharon2510
Posted
I can understand why you're a bit sceptical especially when so many people go through years of tests and not receive a diagnosis. I think you have to ask the consultant how he came to his decision, it's as simple as that. Remember too that people with his qualifications have had years of specific study as well as clinical experience so whilst probably not a guess, even an educated guess coming from him just might be accurate.
I think I'd rather have the diagnosis, given your symptoms, and start on treatment if it settles things down as a result. I wonder if he's waiting for your symptoms to dissipate before ordering an endoscopy which is a little invasive and can trigger a flare? Who knows, ask.
A CT can show some features of pancreatitis, mine showed calcifications so that was followed up with an endoscopy which confirmed my Chronic Pancreatitis diagnosis. Starting on the Creon afforded me almost immediate relief. Starting those asap may bring your current issues under control sooner than waiting for another round of doctors and possibly reduce the chance of further damage to your pancreas (without Creon).
It's not like the enzymes are heroin or antibiotics all they do is provide digestive assistance. Pain can stop but not because the enzymes are painkillers so if you're concerned you might be taking a drug when you don't have what you classify as a firm diagnosis, don't be, they will help your symptoms as you've written them. See how you go before shopping around for yet another expert. Good luck
sharon2510 Reefsider
Posted
Thanks for the advice. The thing is i really trust this consultant so i figure there must be a reason hes not doing a scan. Maybe he thinks theres no point doing one if it is Pancreatitis then nothing can change that.
Reefsider sharon2510
Posted
Trust is very important. Sharon communication is a large part of it so don't be shy about asking questions. Your doc may assume, incorrectly it seems, that you understand exactly why he made the decision to give you a firm diagnosis. Ask him what happens from here regarding follow up and tests.
John-1 sharon2510
Posted
Mayo Clinic says in their health letter 12/2016 is is not always necessary to have a scan to diagnose Chronic Pancreatitis. Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Pancreatitis
clivealive sharon2510
Posted
Hi Sharon,
If having taken the Creon you have problems with constipation try sprinkling a couple of teaspoons full of Linseeds (or Flax seeds) onto your breakfast cereals. They can be bought from supermarkets or health food stores.
I wish you well.