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Series of unexplained GI issues, back pain, could it be chronic pancreatitis?

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DivisionSt
DivisionSt

looking for some insight on a series of issues Ive been having for a good 12-18 months or so. I have my suspicions that it might be chronic pancreatitis but I'm not sure.

It started with an upper right abdominal discomfort under my rib and a mid back ache on either side of my spine. Then I started getting moderately fatigued after meals, primarily lunch. Finally, I started noticing soft and light colored stools. Sometimes there's a bit of undigested food in there. Ive had all sorts of blood work done. Glucose looks normal, amylase/lipase look good. Lipase is sort of on the lower end of normal at a 22 (used to be higher in the 30s/40s). Liver enzymes fine too. Multiple Ultrasounds/CTs are unremarkable aside from some intestinal gas. I do get a bit gassy quite frequently. I even had a heptobillary scan to assess my gallbladder. And a colonoscopy and endoscopy a few years back. All good. Stool samples for fat and pancreatic insufficiency are ok too. My bilirubin was mildly elevated for a few months but looked normal last time I had a metabolic panel.

Given my extensive workup I feel like something should've been caught at this point. Because of the abdominal and back ache, which are pretty mild in the grand scheme but still persistent despite diet changes, I worry about chronic pancreatitis since I know its hard to catch issues with it. I'm also mildly anemic. It all has persisted for over a year now.

I'm set to see a new GP next week as my last primary care doctor moved away. And my GI doctor doesn't seem too concerned atm. Am I worrying about nothing? Im only 34 with no other conditions so any real issue seems unlikely. I used to smoke/drink but quit both last year.

I don't even know what to do at this point but ask for things to just be re-tested and re-tested until some red flag finally pops up. Would the Lipase being slightly lower than it used to be be a sign of early insufficiency in my pancreas or is that within the normal margin of change from one test to the next? Anyone have a story similar to mine? Just looking for some insight on all of this.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • jim05207
    jim05207 DivisionSt

    Posted

    similar symptoms to you, i have back pain yellow stools, weight loss had every test including a EUS but nothing

  • Clint31
    Clint31 DivisionSt

    Posted

    i would think its a good sign as pancreas pain should be on the left so if yours is on the right that doesnt suggest just pancrras. mine is very focused on the left hand side and left lower back its very pronounced and doesnt hide

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