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...

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New member's questions

LopLop
LopLop
A friend suggests I have a sedimentation rate blood test, but I've also read blood tests are inffective for diagnosing pancreatitis. --What tests do I need beside an endoscopy to diagonise pancreatitis?

Until then, I'm nervous about my periods of shortness of breath. Should I have a lung x-ray?

What else ?
barbray10
barbray10
You need a good gastro dr. who specializes in pancreas. He'll know what tests to do. Not sure of the first step. I was doubled over with pain when I had my first ERCP. Had to have a stent in bile duct with some cutting on duct. You may need an EUS. Blood work should show whether pancreas enzymes are high. Good luck. Hope it's something else.
yeuker
yeuker
An endoscope can't diagnose pancreatitis as far as I know, it can just rule out some things. There is no silver bullet for diagnosing pancreas problems but these may help find the problem (or find nothing, even though you indeed have pancreatitis):

- MRCP
- CT Scan
- EUS
- ERCP
- Blood Tests
- Fecal Fat Test
- Fecal Elastace Test

While you are waiting for testing, might as well switch to a low fat diet full of foods that are easy to digest, and stop on the booze (if you drink). I agree with Barb, you need a good gastro doc who specializes in the pancreas. Good luck.

Yeuker
angelica6257
angelica6257
I live in Canada. Here the lists to see a specialist is over three to four years long, I have been waiting 3 1/2 years to see the specialist of my choice, and am still waiting. I have found that the ultrasound is a very effective scan that is fairly accurate especially if you suspect you have stones. They show dilations of ducts, stones, cysts, tumors, etc.
The technicians do remark on the tests and will give their opinions of what is happening. So your regular GP should be able to fit you in for an ultrasound. (Also less risk for radiation) until you can see the specialist. It worked faster for me. Without that I'd still be undiagnosed.