Re:Your Help Needed Please to Bikerblue

[Guest guest]

wrote:

I believe I have pancreatitis although the doctors disagree with

me and tell me I have IBS.

In the last year and a half I have had several attacks of severe

vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness and pain radiating to the

back with severe, severe stomach pain that I thought I was going

to die. Now the pain is there almost every day after I eat

I had a comprehensive stool test done that showed my fecal fats

and triglycerides to be elevated.

The doctors don't believe I have pancreatitis as I just don't " fit "

their profile. I know my body and I know this pain is not in my

head but they make me feel like I am out of my mind and I don't

know what I am talking about.

if your fecal fats and triglycerides are elevated is that a definite

sign of pancreatitis and why then are my doctors ignoring

that???

just so frustrated with this whole process that I just cry!!!!

Hi Bikerblue,

Finding help from our physicians when we are in pain and

symptoms indicate pancreatic problems can be difficult. Many

physicians leap to the diagnosis of IBS, even when other

indicators show otherwise. I am sorry you cannot find a doctor

that will believe you. My GI gave me a handout on my first visit to

him with CP. Here is his list of symptoms of chronic

pancreatitis:

*Abdominal pain

*Weight loss

*Diarrhea

*Symptoms of poor pancreatic function; to include fat

malabsorption (determined by fecal fat test) and glucose

intolerance (high blood glucose)

*High Triglycerides (test to determine)

*Elevated Serum Amylase and Lipase levels (test to determine)

As I presented myself during an acute attack with a visible

abdominal mass and pseudocysts, there was little questions as

to my diagnosis. Yet in the months prior to this attack, I " had

several attacks of severe vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness

and pain radiating to the back with severe, severe stomach

pain " . Your symptoms, exactly. All seem to be food related, but I

was foolish in not seeking help.

You may want to seek another opinion from a gastroenterology

specialist who is willing to look at your high triglycerides and

fecal fat results and look beyond the dx of IBS. I personally feel

that is a cop out diagnosis used by too many doctors with

alarming frequency when other problems exist that are beyond

their realm of specialty.

The suggestion of an EUS procedure was a good one. Often an

ultrasound or CT-scan can show pancreatic problems. As you

have already learned, amylase and lipase tests are not always a

good indicator. The Hopkins Gastroenterology research

already acknowledges that A & L levels can even be low or

normal during chronic pancreatitis. If you go to our " Files "

section, you can read much supporting information from the

Hopkins research on pancreatitis.

In conclusion, all I can say is that I can understand you

frustration. Yet for the sake of your health and your peace of

mind, you need to keep persuing a clear explanation for your

pain, symptoms and other indications that may confirm your own

suspicions.

We are here to help and to listen, so feel free to post again with

any questions.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

Southeastern Representative

Pancreatitis Association, Intl.