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...

623 Members
2,803 Posts
0 Online
Gastrointestinal System
/ Pancreatitis Support Group

Significant bone loss

angelica6257
angelica6257
Hello there,

Yesterday I was shocked to find out that since I have been diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis a year ago, I have significant bone loss. Not only my teeth, by hygienist, but my skull is shrinking and it is visible for all to see the sutures on my forehead widening. Is there anything one can do about this?
Bagok
Bagok
Hi Angelica,

I did a little research on osteoporosis and CP a couple of months ago after a chest xray was interpreted as showing bone loss and mild curvature (bad xray by the way). It seems CP with enzyme insufficiency does have some kind of connection with osteoporosis, probably through malabsorbtion. There are other GI absorption diseases that have a proven causative relationship, ie Chron's disease, and they actively screen for it.

There didn't seem to be a lot of research (here's a google scholar search http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=bone+loss+chronic+pancreatitis&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C6&as_sdtp=) but what's there seems to agree bone density screenings would be appropriate.

I think they treat osteoporosis with hormone therapy, progesterone or something, but I really don't know anything about it. I'm sorry you have another thing to deal with, insult to injury.

Good luck,
Joe
angelica6257
angelica6257
Thank you Bagok,

I have been totally beside myself as first Chronic Pancreatitis, then Diabetes, and now bone loss. The specialist was terribly unhelpful and lazy and I need to go to someone who knows what they are doing. Please do not waste any time going to someone who doesn't listen to you or help in any way.
Without this support group, I'd be totally lost. Thank you all for your contributions.
angelica6257
angelica6257
The doctor that I have called in another doctor and when I showed the visible reclining of the skull bones and sutures opening, they claimed it was because I was on a low fat diet and also because I had lost so much weight. I told them I had it before the low fat diet and weight loss and they dismissed me without any other recommendations. It took the dentist and hygienist to see the significant damage and recognize it. I tell you,,,,,,it has been a nightmare....