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Pancreatitis/bile duct stones/pain

Posted , 5 users are following.

kate20950
kate20950

Hi- Last year, I was very ill, had rt side pain and chest pressure/fullness/burning. By the time I had labs, my Amylase was elevated and Lipase 3x., but it was the end of the episode. An ultrasound showed a dilated bile duct of 10mm. The Dr.’s weren’t concerned and didn’t see stones. 6 months later, I got more imaging and the duct was still dilated.

I continued to get episodes of the pain and horrible chest pressure, burning and an inability to eat because I was so full. I kept loosing weight. I couldn’t get an answer for the chest pain fullness/pressure/burning.

In Feb., I was very dehydrated and the abdominal pain started. The chest fullness/burning/inability to eat came back. It was hard to breathe. I was very ill and in intense pain for two weeks, then I had labs done and had high Amylase and Lipase, so I was admitted to the hospital for Pancreatitis. Duct still 10mm. The levels went down and I was released, but there was no explanation. I don’t drink at all. 

Three months later, I finally had an endoscopic ultra-sound and they found several stones in my bile duct. The bile duct is no longer dilated! The Dr. says the bile duct stones probably caused the Pancreatitis and pain and stones were dilating my duct.

My question now is:  Is the chest pressure/burning/trouble eating Pancreatitis? It’s become chronic at this point and I’m worried. It’s the same symptoms I had when my Lipase and Amylase were high. I don’t understand why I can’t get a straight answer! I’m in such pain now!

Any insight would be so great! Thank-you.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Flibety
    Flibety kate20950

    Posted

    Hey from my experience I get pain like that severe a the time. They said its chronic pancreatitis. Never drank no stones. I have a non functioning duct. They said it genetic. Ive had 5 surgeries now a pain pump.
    • kate20950
      kate20950 Flibety

      Posted

      How do they know if it’s chronic? Do you have similar symptoms with attacks?
  • Shortie79
    Shortie79 kate20950

    Posted

    Pancreatitis causes acid reflux. If no one told you, one attack can turn into chronic pancreatitis. I would ask for a prescription for it. Over the counter stuff doesn’t work. 
    • kate20950
      kate20950 Shortie79

      Posted

      A prescription for the acid reflux? I started a PPI. Thank you!
    • Flibety
      Flibety Shortie79

      Posted

      Shortie79. I have been dealing with this since 95. I have tried everything from every kind of dr there is. The condition has gotten beyond acid reflux.
    • Shortie79
      Shortie79 Flibety

      Posted

      If you have chronic pancreatitis then you’re going to have acid reflex. I have been dealing with pancreas issues my entire life because I have a condition called Pancreas Divisum (born with two pancreatic ducts that never fused together) which caused the chronic pancreatitis. It took the doctors over a year to find it. I was having attacks and didn’t know what it was because my blood always came back normal. When they finally discovered the two ducts then I saw a pancreas specialist. He performed an ERCP which found the chronic pancreatitis. He also explained it causes acid reflux and gave me a prescription. When you have chronic pancreatitis you need to be on digestive enzymes because your pancreas stops producing them. That too will help with the pain. Furthermore, stick to a low fat diet. If you feel any pain then rest your pancreas for a couple days and stick to clear liquids and no solid foods. I’m not going to lie, that burning sensation might always be there but it won’t be debilitating. 
  • Shortie79
    Shortie79 kate20950

    Posted

    If you can tolerate oranges, they help with inflammation. I eat one a day and it really does help. Due to my two ducts, I suffer with pancreatitis symptoms almost every day but I don’t get a full blown attack. The bile drains down the wrong duct and I get horrible pain, bloating, fullness, nausea, etc. When it initially started I lost nearly 50 pounds but finally stopped losing weight because of the enzymes. I have to take prescriptions for the acid reflux and nausea every day. Sometimes the pain medication doesn’t even help. I actually travel to see my pancreas specialist because there’s no specialist in my area that can perform an ERCP (which I have to have done every 2 months to widen my ducts). Unfortunately chronic pancreatitis is a very painful condition and very hard to diagnose. 
    • kate20950
      kate20950 Shortie79

      Posted

      Thanks so much, sorry you’re going through this- horrible. I finally have an ERCP scheduled next week to get the stones out. Maybe the Dr. can determine the state of my pancreas. 
  • maytas66418
    maytas66418 kate20950

    Posted

    Hey kate,

    I am not a doctor but i would reply you the truth because i am also suffering pancreatitis , 1st point is that its not a theory that multiple episodes of pain can make it chronic pancreatitis , i also never drink and i had no cause , you are gratefull that stones were found and they were removed , because pancreatitis attacks can be stopped only after the cause is elevated. Second the symptoms you were faceing can be due to pancreatitis depending on your physical strength to resist the attack , I would suggest you toh give a big break fatty foods and its good you don't drink cause that can cause you another episode of pain , keep away from fatty foods and after a month or two try giving your pancreas stimulus , by having some fatty food like start a bit of oil in food and check whether it effects you, if it dosent keep that for a while in food and then increase some amount of it , try some snacks for some rare parties , just ignore alchol and very much fatty food . I am having pancreatitis from 1 year and haven't felt any episode from 3 months because of these tricks and before that i had multiple episodes of pain but my pancreas was ok and was not damaged , preventing from development of chronic, also give yourself a morning walk amd physical exercises . Never loose hope , there js nothing that can't be cured , this disease needs just our patience for food and stuff . Just have a healthy diet , nowdays all people are leaving fats for getting slim amd trim xD Lol we have a advantage of that , take that as a blessing . I hope you would feel better , get me a reply here or on my email , and also feel free tk contact me if you feel pain ,

    All the best of luck!

    Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

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