My cat scans have all been normal and I have CP. Have you had an EUS which is an endoscopic ultrasound? This test is much more sensitive for the changes in the pancreas from CP.

Thank you for your reply. I haven't had any other tests. I am hoping there will more when I go back in 6 weeks so I would think an EUS or an ERCP might be next. I did have an MRCP almost 2 years ago, just before I had my gallbladder out to check for trapped stones, which was normal too. I have had the pain since before then.

Whilst I am very pleased there is nothing serious so far and don't want CP I am at a loss right now.

Try to do the ercp last if possible. It's the most risky even though it's usually the best in diagnosing. The eus is basically harmless, but doesn't always show pancreatic problems. As far as scans go, I have never had an abnormal one show up. Other than high enzymes and symptoms. Some people are different though.

My CT was normal but ERCP and MRCP both showed physical abnomalities the CT didn't

When I was first diagnosed 4 years ago the only thing that showed anything was an MRI-- now after 9 ERCPs and stents in and out 3 times it shows up on everything. I had a chest Xray last year that showed signs of chronic pancreatitis! Good luck on your journey it's a difficult one and you learn to appreciate the good days.

Thank you all. Time is passing until my appointment. In the meantime my GP has upped my pain medication and is referring me to our local pain clinic. Mind you he said that could be a 3 month wait!!!

My CT scans and my labs have all been normal except for the one time I was hospitalized. Lipase was elevated but CT was normal. From what I read it is not uncommon to have normal test results. It makes this journey much more frustrating. I went to a University hospital, saw the "specialist" who said he would do an EUS but said he "guaranteed 100% that it would be normal because my labs were normal". He refused any other treatment. The doctors focus too much on the numbers!!

I have fat malabsorption (based on a one-time stool test not the 72 hour test) but thankfully no pain. A US showed normal pancreas, ducts, and gallbladder. GI doc recommended an EUS but I haven't done it because I suspect it won't show anything or only mild changes that wouldn't warrant treatment. Also, from what I've read here and elsewhere, if they mess with the pancreas at all during an EUS (such as taking a biopsy), it can trigger an attack. So if I decide to have one, I think I'd write on my consent form that they can only look/explore!!

My issues were triggered by abdominal surgery so I'm going to pursue having my intestines evaluated.

I am here cuz of my son he has had one million imaging tests done,,( ct mri uper gi mrcp...chest exray....nuclear something... along with a thousand ercp's and endoscopes with dilation) and out of all of them not one showed that he had annular panc he was sitting in hospital bed for years before a surgeon decided to take a chance and open him up to find he had annular panc...
because of this I do not believe in imaging but i know it has to be done its a tuff life good luck my son has no life and i am a very sad mom...

I'm so sorry to hear that. It is horrible seeing your child suffer. How is he now, you say he has no life?

pootie
well he is recovering now from another bypass surgery at UCSF with Dr Corvera.... I just dont have a good feeling , but I hope that this will be the end of his road....I say he has no life because he is not able to attend school full time, or do things with his friends. He started his hospital roller coaster at age 12 he is now almost 17.
But after reading all of the stories on this it kinda makes me think he will never be "cured" .. but you never know...
I hope you have a pain free day :)
crzy

I am sorry to read that. It is hard watching your child suffer like that.

Have they ever mentioned the total pancreatectomy and auto islet transplant? It seems to be having good results.

yes, we talked with dr. sutherland in minisota and he of course wants to do that, but the docs here say no because his pancreas stll looks good, but it this bypass does not work, they say they will remove the portion that is "strangled" which is basically half of the pancreas and a portion or all of the duodenum. so that will be the next step.