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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Szyman 10/13/2013

Deat all,

I have a question. Is it possible to have chronic pancreatitis with negative CT scan, negative MRCP, negative 3x EUS (without secretin test), never have elevated amylase and lipase in blood, never had acute attack??? I have still abdominal and left back pain, it is getting worse after food. Stools are four smelling, I lost 10kg in 6 months. I have this problems for one year and nobody can help me. It started with litle stomach ulcers and helicobacter, but it was treated with antibiotics and pantoprazole. My pain is in all my abdomen like cutting, stitch, burning. This pain in constant and increase after meal. The back pain is lower and upper concetrated on the left side. The back pain is periodic, I had it four months ago for two months and it started now again. I had also gastrofibroscopies and it shows only mild chronic inactive gastritis. Thanks for your answers, advices and opinions.

tsj444 10/13/2013

The short answer is yes, but there are alot of things other than CP that can cause the same sort of symptoms. Do you have a pain management specialist to control your pain? That is ultimately the most difficult thing to get handled with CP and will probably be your biggest hurdle. If you don't have a primary care doctor you will need to get one as well as a Gastroenterologist who understands pancreatitis and is willing to treat you. There is a test an ERCP that can provide a positive diagnosis for CP, but many folks have a rough time after having one. I wound up in the hospital for a week after mine, but some folks do just fine with it. I suspect part of the reason is the caliber of doctor doing the procedure. I hope you get to feeling better and are able to get relief from your pain. I'm sure others on here will be able to provide you with answers to your questions, their a knowledgeable and very giving bunch of nut jobs. lol

lsjjm 10/14/2013

hi szyman.........Troy is right... yes it could be...but it could be something else too hun.... I would continue in your search for a good doc until he can lead you to some real answers...but I know one thing for sure..... those scans DO NOT always show everything....and... you could have had elevated enzymes BEFORE you ever started going to the docs....and IF it has turned chronic now...then the enzymes will not show up..... like Troy says sometimes an ERCP shows a lot more....also have you had an endoscope yet? that is a little easier to take.....good luck hun... dont give up till you find yourself a good doc!!

Szyman 10/14/2013

Hi, I didn't have ERCP, I spoke with 4 Gastroenterologists, they told me, that EUS ( endoscopy ultrasonography) is the most sensitive examination of pancreas, they didn' t want to do ERCP, because of high risk of this procedure. They told me, that they don't think it is CP, but they didn't know, what it could be.What do you think about this situation? Some recomendation?Thanks a lot.

deleted_user 10/14/2013

Have you tried Creon? Many of us with CP take it before meals. It is suppose to help the pancreas rest because it does not have to make enzymes.

Szyman 10/14/2013

Yes, I have tried Creon 25000 3 times per day, for one month, but there was only very little improvement.

dcockfield59 10/19/2013

u could have CP when I first got it my levels were through the roof one of the doctors in the er said with hronic pancreastitus u don't have high levels he said we just take your word for it then another doctor at the same hospital calls me a drug addict

deleted_user 10/21/2013

are u talking upper abdo or lower abdo pain?
could it be gall bladder / they would have looked for gall stones with Eus - but the stones can pass

normally to dx pancreatitis you have to have an attack which is painful beyond belief and your lipase and amylase be elevated even a tiny bit
I have avoided the ERCP for the moment - and will have EUS next time
I have to go to a 4th GI specialist for the EUS .

there is a whole grey area though to quote gi doctor ( I have been to 3 thus far)
what about gastroparesis

have u stopped the abx for

I have a friend who is vomiting and she is losing weight and they have no idea why?

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