could be cp and may not be cp and could be some kind of bowel issues or other type of gastric issues. I am day 6 in ICU and I didnt have elevated amylase or lipase but alot of pain and dumping syndrome stools......my triglycerides were over 3000 (normal is not >200) so I was put on an insulin drip to break down the fat in my blood ...i have genetic problem with it.
What does the dr say when you tell him these symptoms....he def needs to be told so he can decide how to work you up regarding that. Good luck

Sorry- that sounds awful:(

I two diff drs I'm seeing one says he has no clue if its cp as there aren't good dx tools for it , the other says its not since my scans and various eus to date are clear. However whenever I'm in pain my lipase goes up a tad, when I'm not in pain it's normal. This last flare of pain doesn't seem to want to go away. I used to be able to eat fat and now it seems to bother me at least the last few months.

I've never noticed these oil spots - just the last two times I've had loose bm

I too have clear abdominal CT scan and clear EUS but the docs can't explain my hi fat stools. I too have dumping syndrome, it is awful. Best drug I have found is Lomotil-- it gives you a day of acting like a normal person.

Skip does the oil droplets happen every time or just when you have random D? Ive only noticed it twice and its only been with D though have never looked before.

Whats dumping syndrom?

Do you have elevated enzymes?

Sesser, The oily, fatty stools was almost all the time before I started Creon. Creon has helped to reduce it a lot. Now it's only when I have a high fat meal. This is frustrating because 2 docs have said they don't think I really have CP or pancr. insufficiency because I don't have a lot of pain. But then WHY is the Creon so effective in controlling the symptoms?? Nobody can explain that.... I've heard that CP is extremely difficult to dx and now I know it.... My pancr enzymes were tested in March and were in normal range.

Sesser, Not to get all TMI but dumping syndrome is when you have urgent, profuse, complete bowel evacuation. Usually very fatty and loose and you are basically voiding your guts in about 3 or 4 sessions in the bathroom within 10 minutes of time.

Does any damage at all show on your scans? Mine doubt its cp too-because my scans are clear. However, my labs and pain say otherwise. Ive pretty much ruled everything else out

Why do you think you have CP ? Not everyone w CP has pain in the beginning. Mine is on and off, and Drs claim thats unusal too-though now its more of an every day occurance of some pain. You are lucky to not have pain!

My scans were clear too. It wasn't until I had an ERCP that I was diagnosed.

Hi Sesser and jojobobo,

I had a CT scan in March and an EUS in June and both showed a normal looking panc. Last time I had blood work done, the panc and liver enzymes were in normal range too. CP is suspected because of chronic steathorrea and weight loss and dumping syndrome, and history of alcoholism. I was hoping for an ERCP but was told by 2 docs that test isn't merited unless the CT and EUS indicated a panc problem. But the main reason I think it's CP is because the Creon really, really makes a difference. What else besides cp could explain why my panc enzymes need so much help? I don't have cystic fibrosis...

JoJo-Did you have an EUS prior to ERCP?

From my understanding an EUS is as good if not better IF in the right hands, ie an expert doing the EUS. Its also less invasive. ERCP is good if they also want to do something, stent etc.

Have you had a HIDA scan? Gallbladder disease can cause all your symptoms- and enzymes would help. I have a low functioning GB, but my pains are left sided so my pain isnt related to that.

Id say if you have never had elevation and totally normal scans it could be something else, though CP is a tricky disease. Even with my labs pointing to CP (including a t marker which can be elevated to panc inflammation) Im still looking for other causes in hopes its something else, though most things have been ruled out

Sesser,

What is a HIDA scan, what is a t marker in your blood labs, and what are triglicerides?

A couple ?s?
What is your pain pattern?
Does it start in front below ribs and then go to the back?
Does it feel better if you bend over foreward and hurt more if you lie on your back?
Does not eating at all for a day or two help?
Does having a physically busy day go better than a day where you are sitting around a lot?
Does stress making it more likely that you will have a bad day with your gut?
These are some of my observations.

Has anyone mentioned Sphincter of Oddi (SOD) dysfunction to you?
This could easily explain the inconsistent responses you have to fats. If the SOD spasms and doesn't let enzymes out when you have eaten then they go for the pancreas flesh! If it is having a good day and responding to signals from your digestive tract then ou pancreatic juices will flow into the small intestines where the food is waiting to be digested and your pancreas is off the hook.

The GB question is a also a good one too....do you still have a GB? I had mine taken out after having an "equivical" HIDA scan result. It took an hour for the GB to process the tracer fats and move it through my system. I had sludge in the GB but no big stones and of course more of the same pain after the surgery. (This is another way (process of elimination) that folks are able to close in on a diagnosis.

It took me another 6 years to get my CP or in my case Acute on Re-current pancreatitis diagnosis after that. (I'm official now with multiple ER quick fixes and one 4day hospital stay with elevated liver chems, enzymes and classic pain patterns and swollen belly.

One of the other theories to explain your symptoms (and mine) is that we are making micro-stones that irritate the biliary and pancreatic ducts and make them not work right. But definitely the fat consumption is connecting too, even if not consistently.

Hope this helps. Keep looking for answers, good, kind,skilled docs and listen to the bod. It's important!
And congrats on sobriety
lynette2

A Hida checks GB function, I had a panc tumor marker elevaed (dad died of pc)-which can be elevated w inflammation (went down to normal range but does bounce around)

Lynette-
My pain pattern is quick stabbing/quick deep squeezing pains-about 3 fingers under left breast. During flares I get these pains hourly to only a few times a day. For yrs I could go months without pain, and could have wine (again drs said wasnt panc and to not worry), but this last "flare" has been never ending. I seem to get some sort of pain daily with a few stabs a day to many in an hr. The pains never go straight through though I have had pain stab my back only at times.

Leaning forward doesnt make it better. The quick pain takes my breath away! Stress may make it worse but hard to tell as the only time I stress is when Im in pain.

Oddly, I rarely had pain when I was pregnant but the pain started again towards the end of my labor and the flares have bee worse since.

I still have my GB though it was low functioning per my hida but at 28 percent so not grossly low, plus my pains are mainly left sided.

Wouldnt an EUS see micro stones?

Thanks for your insight!

Oh and laying off food doesnt seem to help-my flares last a very long time typically over a month of pains

what is the pain out of 10 ?