Pancreatitis
Posted , 2 users are following.
I have epi which came six years before my first known episode of pancreatitis, both are idiopathic. At the time my pancreatitis was duct destructive pancreatitis. I recently read there are several types of inflammation that can cause pancreatitis.
I often feel my pancreatitis comes and goes so even with taking enzymes I'm careful about my fat intake.
So I'm curious if anyone knows:
will elevated lipase appear in blood work to indicate pancreatitis when there is also epi or will epi prevent elevated lipase even though the pancreas is inflamed?
Also, if there are different types of inflammation that can cause pancreatitis, wouldn't that mean the pain can vary too? Meaning the type, location (the whole length or just the head for example) and intensity of pain is directly related to the type of inflammation.
0 likes, 4 replies
vedawms robinann
Posted
Hello,
I cannot answer your question about epi, but I can tell you that my pain moves around. it was consistently in one place (stabbing pain on the left) when I had pseudocysts on the tail. These days, my left ribcage hurts consistently, along with a patch on the left of my spine. It does "crawl around" like a snake, though, and can be unpredictable.
FYI, I have "diffuse" pancreatitis.
Hope that helps.
robinann vedawms
Posted
Yeah, that helps some. I think my pancreastitis come and goes but the pain is fairly different to the pain i had with duct destructive pancreatitis. Its in the same area but somehow different, or just more mild. And at times i wonder if its my stomach instead. Right now im constantly nauseous and turned off of food. And fat and/or protein makes it worse . But i know if i go to my GP she'll test my lipase levels. So before i waste my time i want to be well informed since GP's often are not.
vedawms robinann
Posted
Definitely find yourself a pancreatic specialist. Even my GI is largely in the dark about the disease and how it manifests.
You need to work on your diet, very seriously. Fat is a real problem, as is alcohol:
https://www.pancan.org/facing-pancreatic-cancer/living-with-pancreatic-cancer/diet-and-nutrition/ may help.
Lipase is a vague indicator, but can't hurt:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/28720341/
For more information on pancreatic pain:
https://www.pancreapedia.org/reviews/pathogenesis-and-treatment-of-pain-in-chronic-pancreatitis
Sorry to hit you with a bunch of links, but these few have been quite useful to me.
robinann vedawms
Posted
Thanks. I already do tons of reading about the pancreas and more is always welcomed.