Pancreatitis Support Group
Chronic pancreatitis can present as episodes of acute inflammation in a previously injured pancreas, or as chronic damage with persistent pain or malabsorption. Patients with chronic pancreatitis can present with persistent abdominal pain or steatorrhea, as well as severe nausea. Some patients with chronic pancreatitis often look very sick, while others don't appear to be...
I don't know where to turn. I have not been on here in a long time. I am scheduled for my 3rd ERCP on May 1st. But I am not sure if I should go thru with it. My last one was 1 1/2 yrs ago with pancreatitus and 2wk hospital stay following it.
I would like to run thru my symptoms and get other patients opinions on whether you think it is the pancreas or something else. I go thru cycles. I get diahrea and constipation. When I eat, usually a bigger meal, I will get a pressure pain below my sternum that radiates through my back. Sometimes this is worse when I lay down or I will wake up with this pain. This pain seems to happen more hours or a day later. Sometimes I will get sharp shooting pain in my right side below my rib and this pain comes usually 10 to 20 minutes after I ate and usually only with the morning meal. Sometimes I just feel achy all over and it seems to stem from my mid abdomen and radiate through my body. My stomach will rumble and rumble and rumble. Sometimes I get a pain in my abdomen just in from my right hip. I just went through a week and a half of diahrea, pain and weight loss, during that time the doc scheduled an ERCP because he feels it is time to open the pancreas ducts again. The last 2 days I have felt much better and now wonder if I should go through with it. But I know another cycle if illness is sure to come. What I do know is that I have IBS, I have certifiable SOD (manometry showed this without a doubt), I have pancreas divisium and very small pancreas ducts. I take Creon and bentyl. Any Suggestions. Terri
I would like to run thru my symptoms and get other patients opinions on whether you think it is the pancreas or something else. I go thru cycles. I get diahrea and constipation. When I eat, usually a bigger meal, I will get a pressure pain below my sternum that radiates through my back. Sometimes this is worse when I lay down or I will wake up with this pain. This pain seems to happen more hours or a day later. Sometimes I will get sharp shooting pain in my right side below my rib and this pain comes usually 10 to 20 minutes after I ate and usually only with the morning meal. Sometimes I just feel achy all over and it seems to stem from my mid abdomen and radiate through my body. My stomach will rumble and rumble and rumble. Sometimes I get a pain in my abdomen just in from my right hip. I just went through a week and a half of diahrea, pain and weight loss, during that time the doc scheduled an ERCP because he feels it is time to open the pancreas ducts again. The last 2 days I have felt much better and now wonder if I should go through with it. But I know another cycle if illness is sure to come. What I do know is that I have IBS, I have certifiable SOD (manometry showed this without a doubt), I have pancreas divisium and very small pancreas ducts. I take Creon and bentyl. Any Suggestions. Terri
tsj444
I was going to leave your posting alone but I know how it is wanting to stay away from those ercp's. I have a different pancreatic problem than yours, mine is genetic and the tail of my pancreas isn't hooked to anything, so it's never been able to function properly as it were so the internal damage is pretty extensive and the pain constant and most days very severe at times. I suppose I'm lucky that I managed to get to this age before it decided to bench me, and feel terribly sad for all you younger folks who are starting your journey with this disease so early in life. I for one had such a negative reaction to my ercp that I just don't consider them anymore, and truly they can't help what is wrong with me anyway so there truly isn't any point for me. I know there are several folks on this forum with you same type of pancreatitis and they are sure to chime in when they see your posting. I can only say this, it is your body and your decision what is done to it not the doctors decision, YOURS.....Now having said that if you feel it will help you well like I said it's your decision but I do know every single time they have messed with my pancreas it has shown it's displeasure in a most spectacular fashion, and I'm truly not fond of being in hospital on npo. I pray you will continue to feel well and not need anything done, Be well and pain free...
deleted_user
I have had almost the same problems. I have had four stents placed over the last three years and always doubt whether to do it again or not because of the immediate pain/discomfort/hospitlaization, but always seem to get pretty long term (6mths or so) relief. Many of my symptoms are similar to yours and I also have SOD with pancreatic strictures. I just had a stent placed last in Feb and had it removed 4/6 only to be replaced with a smaller temporary stent. It is supposed to fall out on its own. I, of course, get pancreatits any time they mess around in there so it's usually a hospital stay but I still feel worth it. I also have pain after eating despite a low fat diet but Reglan has helped with fullness and pain following meals. I do not take enzymes any longer because I could not see an improvement. Hope that info helps! Do lots of research and make the right decision for you.
tkiser
Thank you both for your help. You stories have helped me. This group really helps me feel like I am not alone and crazy.
kelsmom51
They do my ERCP's as way to tell what my pancreas is doing. I can't do the c-scans. I am alergic to the contrast dyes. They can tell what shape the pancreas is in by the ERCP's but its up to you only you know how your body reacts to it. This last one I did not have an attack so it must be the doctors. Hope you have a painless day.lynn
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