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...
Hello all,
I have not been diagnosed with either yet. I am here looking for help because something is wrong, but I am not sure what it is. My father passed from pancreatic cancer 5 years ago at 59. I am a 26 year old male. I drink occasionally (1-2 drinks a week) and am very fit. For the past 6 months, I've had this dull ache on my left flank, right below my rib cage. It is around a 2 on the pain scale. I also have nausea and tan colored stools, which all float (not sure if this has any significance).
Recently the dull ache has become a 4, and when I press on it, the nausea and ache wrap around to the left side of my abdomen. It is particularly worse when I am sitting and laying down. It also intensifies when I am about to have a bowel movement.
My last blood test came back normal, except for slightly elevated amylase (3 points higher than the normal range) and Vitamin D sufficiency. The doctor said this is unremarkable but did mention pancreatitis. He said to mention when I see my GI doc. I have an endoscopy scheduled for next week.
So far I've had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, lower back MRI, and CT scan of the abdomen with contrast. Everything came back okay except for an H. Pylori infection, which I've been treated for and cured. Symptoms still persist.
After the endoscopy, what should be my next move with my doc to check out my pancreas? Should I ask for an EUS? For those of you than have a familial history of PanCan and pancreatitis, how do you deal with the anxiety?
I have not been diagnosed with either yet. I am here looking for help because something is wrong, but I am not sure what it is. My father passed from pancreatic cancer 5 years ago at 59. I am a 26 year old male. I drink occasionally (1-2 drinks a week) and am very fit. For the past 6 months, I've had this dull ache on my left flank, right below my rib cage. It is around a 2 on the pain scale. I also have nausea and tan colored stools, which all float (not sure if this has any significance).
Recently the dull ache has become a 4, and when I press on it, the nausea and ache wrap around to the left side of my abdomen. It is particularly worse when I am sitting and laying down. It also intensifies when I am about to have a bowel movement.
My last blood test came back normal, except for slightly elevated amylase (3 points higher than the normal range) and Vitamin D sufficiency. The doctor said this is unremarkable but did mention pancreatitis. He said to mention when I see my GI doc. I have an endoscopy scheduled for next week.
So far I've had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, lower back MRI, and CT scan of the abdomen with contrast. Everything came back okay except for an H. Pylori infection, which I've been treated for and cured. Symptoms still persist.
After the endoscopy, what should be my next move with my doc to check out my pancreas? Should I ask for an EUS? For those of you than have a familial history of PanCan and pancreatitis, how do you deal with the anxiety?
Sorry to hear that your father passed away due to pancreatic cancer and I can imagine what you are going through right now. I work for a healthcare research firm and we are interested in talking to individuals who have taken care of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients (like your father) to understand a care givers perspective on this disease.
If you have a few minutes this afternoon, we would love to speak with you. Let me know if you are interested.
Thanks for your time.