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 was first diagnosed with pancreatitis in November 2013. I developed pneumonia and ARDS - acute respiratory distress syndrome while in the hospital. I was there a total of 9 days.
I then had test ran for gallbladder problems as I do not drink. It was just barely functioning so we removed it in December of 2013.
The first week of January I went back to the ER, my amylase and lipase numbers were 7000+ and I think 3000+. I spent almost 2 weeks in the ICU as my lungs and heart were not functioning well, along with other complications. I then started having severe gas pains and and hurt every time I ate.
I spent a total of 27 days straight in the hospital and ultimately got transferred to another hospital for more testing that was not done until after I was released as they were afraid to do anything with as inflamed as I was.
I just recently had the EUS done and they are saying it is still gallbladder related, as there may have been sludge left over or they may never know what keeps causing this.
I keep having what I call mild attacks that I have been able to control at home with medication and a very low fat diet but still hurt, it only dulls the pains.
I am looking for any information for doctors around Illinois or other options on what I should be asking for as far as testing goes.
My levels are currently high and tend to run on the high end of acceptable when they are not over the acceptable range.
I know have gas, bloating and a very hard time going to the bathroom without a laxative.
Please help! I am tired of being sick and not knowing what will set this off again.
I then had test ran for gallbladder problems as I do not drink. It was just barely functioning so we removed it in December of 2013.
The first week of January I went back to the ER, my amylase and lipase numbers were 7000+ and I think 3000+. I spent almost 2 weeks in the ICU as my lungs and heart were not functioning well, along with other complications. I then started having severe gas pains and and hurt every time I ate.
I spent a total of 27 days straight in the hospital and ultimately got transferred to another hospital for more testing that was not done until after I was released as they were afraid to do anything with as inflamed as I was.
I just recently had the EUS done and they are saying it is still gallbladder related, as there may have been sludge left over or they may never know what keeps causing this.
I keep having what I call mild attacks that I have been able to control at home with medication and a very low fat diet but still hurt, it only dulls the pains.
I am looking for any information for doctors around Illinois or other options on what I should be asking for as far as testing goes.
My levels are currently high and tend to run on the high end of acceptable when they are not over the acceptable range.
I know have gas, bloating and a very hard time going to the bathroom without a laxative.
Please help! I am tired of being sick and not knowing what will set this off again.
You've definitely had a tough time! When you had the EUS did they say if you had any signs or markers for CP? When I had my EUS, they found 4 markers for CP which meant that it was very likely and I was subsequently diagnosed with CP. I also had a barely functioning GB, no stones, and they took it out. I was healthy for almost 7 years then I started having problems. Turned out I had micro stones in my common bile duct, which they found with the EUS. I had 2 ERCPs, the first caused an episode of AP and the 2nd was to clear the micro stones from my GB. You are on the right track, try to find a pancreas doctor in your area. Somewhere on this site there is a list of doctors by state with the doctors people felt were good and also they didn't like. If you search for GI doctors list you should find it.
good luck
GG
From what I've read, it's very hard to diagnose CP in the early stages of the disease. They thought it was my gallbladder inititally...but the HIDA was normal. I'm wondering about the micro-stones you mentioned.
Good luck to you. I hope you get some answers and relieve very soon!!!
Keep us posted on your EUS. Just fyi all 6 of mine have been dead normal, the secretion test apparently is the very best as the EUS even "misses" min change CP