Re: Re: hello....?/thank you

[Guest guest]

Hi, some times with Cassie (she's 12) her amyl. and lip are under 200 but her

pain lasts much longer when her levels are only slightly elevated. I have

always put it off to the fact that when she's hospitalized she's nothing by

mouth and on IV and digestion stops. Also, she's given a privite room

because smelling food starts the digestion process. At home she she is

allowed clear fluids and I have a 3 year old that needs to eat and her

digestive system does not rest. Which at times I wish they would put her in

when they are low so she can hurry up and feel better.

You should be aware that alot of people with pancreatits never find out why.

If your really interested in try to reduce the number of attacks and the

amount of pain you have to make a life style change where you diet is

concerned. Fat is bad! For the average adult the recommended guide line is

30% fat in your diet. You should try not to go over 20% a day including

snacks, remember to include good fats in those you do eat like omega -3. The

less processed your fruits and veggies are the better don't over do it on

carbohydrates. Take vitamins suppliments, especially antioxidants. Some

poeople have had great success with antioxident therapy though Cassie hasn't

she still takes them.

I believe that in your post you said you were from Canada. I'm not sure what

province your from but I live in Bangor ME. And I know we have a great deal

of Canadians come to the hospital here for treatment so they don't have to

wait so long. It's approved by both Canada an US. Is there possible some

program in your province that may work for medical care in a connect US

state? I could tell you where to go in Portland for adults but not Bangor.

Just and Idea.

Also don't be afraid to point your DR's to this web site or any other members

here may lead you to. You'd be amazed at how little most Dr.s know about CP.

And the less they know the less the understand your pain. Oh yeah! NO

ALCOHOL ! Also, I get E-mail address for all Cassie's Dr.'s. That way if I

have questions I want to discuss but they are not urgent, I e-mail them.

They answer me when they have time and I don't have to get the the wall of

nurses on the phone.

I hope this helps a bit. I hope to god you find your answer for your pain.

God Bless

Patty in Bangor ME

[Guest guest]

Hi, some times with Cassie (she's 12) her amyl. and lip are under 200 but her

pain lasts much longer when her levels are only slightly elevated. I have

always put it off to the fact that when she's hospitalized she's nothing by

mouth and on IV and digestion stops. Also, she's given a privite room

because smelling food starts the digestion process. At home she she is

allowed clear fluids and I have a 3 year old that needs to eat and her

digestive system does not rest. Which at times I wish they would put her in

when they are low so she can hurry up and feel better.

You should be aware that alot of people with pancreatits never find out why.

If your really interested in try to reduce the number of attacks and the

amount of pain you have to make a life style change where you diet is

concerned. Fat is bad! For the average adult the recommended guide line is

30% fat in your diet. You should try not to go over 20% a day including

snacks, remember to include good fats in those you do eat like omega -3. The

less processed your fruits and veggies are the better don't over do it on

carbohydrates. Take vitamins suppliments, especially antioxidants. Some

poeople have had great success with antioxident therapy though Cassie hasn't

she still takes them.

I believe that in your post you said you were from Canada. I'm not sure what

province your from but I live in Bangor ME. And I know we have a great deal

of Canadians come to the hospital here for treatment so they don't have to

wait so long. It's approved by both Canada an US. Is there possible some

program in your province that may work for medical care in a connect US

state? I could tell you where to go in Portland for adults but not Bangor.

Just and Idea.

Also don't be afraid to point your DR's to this web site or any other members

here may lead you to. You'd be amazed at how little most Dr.s know about CP.

And the less they know the less the understand your pain. Oh yeah! NO

ALCOHOL ! Also, I get E-mail address for all Cassie's Dr.'s. That way if I

have questions I want to discuss but they are not urgent, I e-mail them.

They answer me when they have time and I don't have to get the the wall of

nurses on the phone.

I hope this helps a bit. I hope to god you find your answer for your pain.

God Bless

Patty in Bangor ME

[Guest guest]

Joia,

Thanks for more on your story. The acute attack with the highest amylase level

was only 514 (i think - it was in the 500's anyway). They kept me in the

hospital for 3 or 4 days with that one. For me, the numbers don't always

indicate the worst pain. I've been in the hospital longer when the numbers were

lower. They have even admitted me with normal labs simply because the pain,

nausea, and vomiting is so bad. In fact, I have been in the hospital 10 times

since July and the amylase was only elevated on 3. Several of the other times,

the liver enzymes were very elevated, but a couple of times the enzymes were all

normal.

Personally, I'd pay attention, gather information, and maybe find another GI.

Just my opinion.

W

Re: hello....?/thank you

Thank you for answering. I am just feeling a little despaired. I

phoned the lab today to find out what their normal values for an

amalayse test are and they told me anything less than 100 is normal.

My last level was 168. The last time before that it was 132 and the

time before that it was 111. It seems to be going up each time I get

it tested, but I don't know if that means anything. The GI said not

to give it another thought, but I don't know how to do that because I

am getting different information all over the place. I had an

ultrasound done and the head of my pancreas looked a little bulky,

but there was no sign of fluid abnormalties. Doc said the " bulky "

didn't necessarily mean anything either. I don't know what to

trust. Maybe I should just leave it alone because I don't have the

huge pain, and I have never had an attack where my amalayse would

indicate an emergency. (the lab tester told me it would have to be

300 before they alarmed the doc and it would have to be 1000 before

they would send me to the emergency). I don't trust the doctors

anymore. But if I leave it alone and go on with life as normal and

they are wrong and I have a mild case that I could make worse by not

attending to it.....? Has anybody heard of a more accurate method of

testing? I live in Canada so not everything will be available to me

that is available in the states, but maybe I could pass on

information to my doc, or a new GI. I read something about Edoscopic

Ultrasonaography, but don't want to push it unless I have information

from people with experience that say it is worth pushing for. I wish

I could trust the doctors. I will check your site that you

recommended. Thank you again.

Joia

PANCREATITIS Association, Intl.

Online e-mail group

To reply to this message hit & quot;reply & quot; or send an e-mail to:

Pancreatitis (AT) Yahoo

[Guest guest]

Joia,

Thanks for more on your story. The acute attack with the highest amylase level

was only 514 (i think - it was in the 500's anyway). They kept me in the

hospital for 3 or 4 days with that one. For me, the numbers don't always

indicate the worst pain. I've been in the hospital longer when the numbers were

lower. They have even admitted me with normal labs simply because the pain,

nausea, and vomiting is so bad. In fact, I have been in the hospital 10 times

since July and the amylase was only elevated on 3. Several of the other times,

the liver enzymes were very elevated, but a couple of times the enzymes were all

normal.

Personally, I'd pay attention, gather information, and maybe find another GI.

Just my opinion.

W

Re: hello....?/thank you

Thank you for answering. I am just feeling a little despaired. I

phoned the lab today to find out what their normal values for an

amalayse test are and they told me anything less than 100 is normal.

My last level was 168. The last time before that it was 132 and the

time before that it was 111. It seems to be going up each time I get

it tested, but I don't know if that means anything. The GI said not

to give it another thought, but I don't know how to do that because I

am getting different information all over the place. I had an

ultrasound done and the head of my pancreas looked a little bulky,

but there was no sign of fluid abnormalties. Doc said the " bulky "

didn't necessarily mean anything either. I don't know what to

trust. Maybe I should just leave it alone because I don't have the

huge pain, and I have never had an attack where my amalayse would

indicate an emergency. (the lab tester told me it would have to be

300 before they alarmed the doc and it would have to be 1000 before

they would send me to the emergency). I don't trust the doctors

anymore. But if I leave it alone and go on with life as normal and

they are wrong and I have a mild case that I could make worse by not

attending to it.....? Has anybody heard of a more accurate method of

testing? I live in Canada so not everything will be available to me

that is available in the states, but maybe I could pass on

information to my doc, or a new GI. I read something about Edoscopic

Ultrasonaography, but don't want to push it unless I have information

from people with experience that say it is worth pushing for. I wish

I could trust the doctors. I will check your site that you

recommended. Thank you again.

Joia

PANCREATITIS Association, Intl.

Online e-mail group

To reply to this message hit & quot;reply & quot; or send an e-mail to:

Pancreatitis (AT) Yahoo

[Guest guest]

Joia,

Thanks for more on your story. The acute attack with the highest amylase level

was only 514 (i think - it was in the 500's anyway). They kept me in the

hospital for 3 or 4 days with that one. For me, the numbers don't always

indicate the worst pain. I've been in the hospital longer when the numbers were

lower. They have even admitted me with normal labs simply because the pain,

nausea, and vomiting is so bad. In fact, I have been in the hospital 10 times

since July and the amylase was only elevated on 3. Several of the other times,

the liver enzymes were very elevated, but a couple of times the enzymes were all

normal.

Personally, I'd pay attention, gather information, and maybe find another GI.

Just my opinion.

W

Re: hello....?/thank you

Thank you for answering. I am just feeling a little despaired. I

phoned the lab today to find out what their normal values for an

amalayse test are and they told me anything less than 100 is normal.

My last level was 168. The last time before that it was 132 and the

time before that it was 111. It seems to be going up each time I get

it tested, but I don't know if that means anything. The GI said not

to give it another thought, but I don't know how to do that because I

am getting different information all over the place. I had an

ultrasound done and the head of my pancreas looked a little bulky,

but there was no sign of fluid abnormalties. Doc said the " bulky "

didn't necessarily mean anything either. I don't know what to

trust. Maybe I should just leave it alone because I don't have the

huge pain, and I have never had an attack where my amalayse would

indicate an emergency. (the lab tester told me it would have to be

300 before they alarmed the doc and it would have to be 1000 before

they would send me to the emergency). I don't trust the doctors

anymore. But if I leave it alone and go on with life as normal and

they are wrong and I have a mild case that I could make worse by not

attending to it.....? Has anybody heard of a more accurate method of

testing? I live in Canada so not everything will be available to me

that is available in the states, but maybe I could pass on

information to my doc, or a new GI. I read something about Edoscopic

Ultrasonaography, but don't want to push it unless I have information

from people with experience that say it is worth pushing for. I wish

I could trust the doctors. I will check your site that you

recommended. Thank you again.

Joia

PANCREATITIS Association, Intl.

Online e-mail group

To reply to this message hit & quot;reply & quot; or send an e-mail to:

Pancreatitis (AT) Yahoo

[Guest guest]

Joia,

read your post to . I'd get another GI based on those

symptoms. They may be a mild form of CP, but still

suspicious. With CP, you can have normal amylase and lipase

levels and still have an attack.

I know that when my pain is just starting, it feels like a

really bad hunger pain and occassionally I mistake it for

hunger (bad idea! as it makes it worse). Hope you have many

pain free days ahead of you.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Southwest and California Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

[Guest guest]

Joia,

read your post to . I'd get another GI based on those

symptoms. They may be a mild form of CP, but still

suspicious. With CP, you can have normal amylase and lipase

levels and still have an attack.

I know that when my pain is just starting, it feels like a

really bad hunger pain and occassionally I mistake it for

hunger (bad idea! as it makes it worse). Hope you have many

pain free days ahead of you.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Southwest and California Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

[Guest guest]

Joia,

Yes, I've heard of the endoscopic ultrasound but have never had one. The ERCP

is probably the most definitive diagnostic tool but it has risks. Your symptoms

are not like mine for the most part but that doesn't mean it's not CP. If it is

CP, there is still hope and things that can be done to improve it. You really

need to go to the ER during one of the bad times and have the levels tested.

They could be much higher if they are elevating even when you feel okay.

The GI is probably trying to see if other things are going on to cause your

symptoms. I think you should pay very close attention. Avoid all alcohol and

limit your fat intake.

Please take care and let us know how things progress. As you will learn from

the group, it is very unusual to be given a diagnosis of CP so quickly.

W

Re: hello....?/thank you

Hi ,

Thank you for your reply. The doctor that diagnosed me did the test

because I was feeling ill on a reacurring basis. My husband made me

go in. I probably wouldn't have gone in of my own volition just

because when I am feeling ok I think it wasn't that bad. When I'm in

it I really don't like it. The way it feels is like a bad flu. I

get a really bad headache, nausea(vomited only once), dizziness and

indigestion. I also get pain in my upper gut that feels like an

extremely bad hunger pain with a third degree burn. This has

improved, but then I tend to avoid eating because I avoid the

discomfort by doing so. I have also lost 10 lbs since July. I have

had the floaty stools. A couple of times they were bulky and greasy

looking. I didn't have them tested, so I don't know if it actually

was the steatorhea that I have read about. So, with those symptoms

and the slightly elevated amalayse, the doc said I had CP and gave me

no hope. I have been tested for other things like ulcers and some

kind of stomach bacteria, but both turned up negative. The GI is

sending me for another barium swallow, but one that will show the

whole small intestine, not just the stomach and duodenum. I don't

know what he is looking for, but I do know that it isn't a test that

would try to prove CP. I have been feeling pretty good lately

so.....I don't know. Have you heard of " Endoscopic

Ultrasonography " ? I read somewhere that it is much better than a

regular ultrasound for diagnosing CP.

> Joia,

> Thanks for more on your story. The acute attack with the highest

amylase level was only 514 (i think - it was in the 500's anyway).

They kept me in the hospital for 3 or 4 days with that one. For me,

the numbers don't always indicate the worst pain. I've been in the

hospital longer when the numbers were lower. They have even admitted

me with normal labs simply because the pain, nausea, and vomiting is

so bad. In fact, I have been in the hospital 10 times since July and

the amylase was only elevated on 3. Several of the other times, the

liver enzymes were very elevated, but a couple of times the enzymes

were all normal.

>

> Personally, I'd pay attention, gather information, and maybe find

another GI. Just my opinion.

>

> W

>

>

PANCREATITIS Association, Intl.

Online e-mail group

To reply to this message hit & quot;reply & quot; or send an e-mail to:

Pancreatitis (AT) Yahoo

[Guest guest]

I am also Canadian which province are you in? I live in Toronto, Ontario.

[Guest guest]

I am also Canadian which province are you in? I live in Toronto, Ontario.

[Guest guest]

I am also Canadian which province are you in? I live in Toronto, Ontario.

[Guest guest]

Serum Complex of Trypsin-2 and a 1-antitrypsin: A New Sensitive Marker of

Acute Pancreatitis

Johan Hedstr?m, M.D*., Jari Leinonen, M.Sc., and Ulf-H?kan Stenman, M.D.

Departmetnt of Clinical Chemistry, Helsinki University Central Hospital,

Helsinki, Finland

Introduction: Pathological intrapancreatic activation of trypsinogen to

trypsin occurs in acute pancreatitis (AP). When reaching blood, trypsin-2

forms a complex with a1-antitrypsin (AAT). The trypsin-2-AAT complex can be

specifically measured by a recently developed double antibody sandwich

assay.

Purpose: To estimate the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of serum

determinations of trypsin-2-AAT in AP. Serum CRP, amylase and trypsinogen-2

were used as reference methods.

Design: A retrospective study on consecutive patients during March 1992 to

November 1993.

Setting: Patients treated for AP and other acute abdominal disorders at the

Second Department of Surgery at Helsinki University Central Hospital.

Methods: 110 patients with AP and 66 patients with acute abdominal diseases

of extrapancreatic origin were studied. The final diagnosis of AP was based

in findings of upper abdominal pain accompanied by the typical appearance of

AP in ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT). Based on the clinical

course, AP was classified as mild (n=82) or severe (n=28). Trypinogen-2 and

trypsin-2-AAT were determined by time- resolved immunofluorometric assays

(IFMA). The upper reference limit was 12 ?g/L. The ability of various tests

to differentiate between mild and severe AP and nonpnacreatic disease was

estimated on the basis of sensitivity and specificity at clinically relevant

cut-off levels and the validity of the test was further evaluated by

receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results: At admission, all patients with AP had clearly elevated values of

trypsin-2-AAT (= 32 ? g/L), whereas only 5% of the controls had such values.

In AP, trypsinogen-2 and trypsin-2-AAT increased earlier than CRP and

remained elevated longer than amylase. There was also less overlapping

between patients with AP and controls for trypsin-2-AAT than for the other

markers. Time course profiles of trypsin-2-AAT showed that in severe cases

it mostly peaked in the initial sample and slowly decreased during the next

days. In patients with mild AP the peak was mostly observed in the second

day. Of the markers studied, trypsin-2-AAT showed the best accuracy (largest

area under the ROC curve) both in differentiating AP from controls and mild

from severe disease. At presentation, trypsin-2-AAT differentiated between

mild and severe AP much more accurately than CRP, AUC being 0.82 and 0.73,

respectively.

Conclusion: Of the markers studied, trypsin-2-AAT displayed the best

accuracy for differentiating between AP and extrapancreatic disease as well

as for predicting a severe course of the disease at presentation. If

available on automated instrumentation and on emergency basis, the assay

could markedly improve the diagnosis of this common and potentially lethal

disease.

Re: hello....?/thank you

>

> Thank you for answering. I am just feeling a little despaired. I

> phoned the lab today to find out what their normal values for an

> amalayse test are and they told me anything less than 100 is normal.

> My last level was 168. The last time before that it was 132 and the

> time before that it was 111. It seems to be going up each time I get

> it tested, but I don't know if that means anything. The GI said not

> to give it another thought, but I don't know how to do that because I

> am getting different information all over the place. I had an

> ultrasound done and the head of my pancreas looked a little bulky,

> but there was no sign of fluid abnormalties. Doc said the " bulky "

> didn't necessarily mean anything either. I don't know what to

> trust. Maybe I should just leave it alone because I don't have the

> huge pain, and I have never had an attack where my amalayse would

> indicate an emergency. (the lab tester told me it would have to be

> 300 before they alarmed the doc and it would have to be 1000 before

> they would send me to the emergency). I don't trust the doctors

> anymore. But if I leave it alone and go on with life as normal and

> they are wrong and I have a mild case that I could make worse by not

> attending to it.....? Has anybody heard of a more accurate method of

> testing? I live in Canada so not everything will be available to me

> that is available in the states, but maybe I could pass on

> information to my doc, or a new GI. I read something about Edoscopic

> Ultrasonaography, but don't want to push it unless I have information

> from people with experience that say it is worth pushing for. I wish

> I could trust the doctors. I will check your site that you

> recommended. Thank you again.

>

> Joia

>

>

>

> PANCREATITIS Association, Intl.

> Online e-mail group

>

> To reply to this message hit & quot;reply & quot; or send an e-mail

to: Pancreatitis (AT) Yahoo

>

>

[Guest guest]

Serum Complex of Trypsin-2 and a 1-antitrypsin: A New Sensitive Marker of

Acute Pancreatitis

Johan Hedstr?m, M.D*., Jari Leinonen, M.Sc., and Ulf-H?kan Stenman, M.D.

Departmetnt of Clinical Chemistry, Helsinki University Central Hospital,

Helsinki, Finland

Introduction: Pathological intrapancreatic activation of trypsinogen to

trypsin occurs in acute pancreatitis (AP). When reaching blood, trypsin-2

forms a complex with a1-antitrypsin (AAT). The trypsin-2-AAT complex can be

specifically measured by a recently developed double antibody sandwich

assay.

Purpose: To estimate the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of serum

determinations of trypsin-2-AAT in AP. Serum CRP, amylase and trypsinogen-2

were used as reference methods.

Design: A retrospective study on consecutive patients during March 1992 to

November 1993.

Setting: Patients treated for AP and other acute abdominal disorders at the

Second Department of Surgery at Helsinki University Central Hospital.

Methods: 110 patients with AP and 66 patients with acute abdominal diseases

of extrapancreatic origin were studied. The final diagnosis of AP was based

in findings of upper abdominal pain accompanied by the typical appearance of

AP in ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT). Based on the clinical

course, AP was classified as mild (n=82) or severe (n=28). Trypinogen-2 and

trypsin-2-AAT were determined by time- resolved immunofluorometric assays

(IFMA). The upper reference limit was 12 ?g/L. The ability of various tests

to differentiate between mild and severe AP and nonpnacreatic disease was

estimated on the basis of sensitivity and specificity at clinically relevant

cut-off levels and the validity of the test was further evaluated by

receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results: At admission, all patients with AP had clearly elevated values of

trypsin-2-AAT (= 32 ? g/L), whereas only 5% of the controls had such values.

In AP, trypsinogen-2 and trypsin-2-AAT increased earlier than CRP and

remained elevated longer than amylase. There was also less overlapping

between patients with AP and controls for trypsin-2-AAT than for the other

markers. Time course profiles of trypsin-2-AAT showed that in severe cases

it mostly peaked in the initial sample and slowly decreased during the next

days. In patients with mild AP the peak was mostly observed in the second

day. Of the markers studied, trypsin-2-AAT showed the best accuracy (largest

area under the ROC curve) both in differentiating AP from controls and mild

from severe disease. At presentation, trypsin-2-AAT differentiated between

mild and severe AP much more accurately than CRP, AUC being 0.82 and 0.73,

respectively.

Conclusion: Of the markers studied, trypsin-2-AAT displayed the best

accuracy for differentiating between AP and extrapancreatic disease as well

as for predicting a severe course of the disease at presentation. If

available on automated instrumentation and on emergency basis, the assay

could markedly improve the diagnosis of this common and potentially lethal

disease.

Re: hello....?/thank you

>

> Thank you for answering. I am just feeling a little despaired. I

> phoned the lab today to find out what their normal values for an

> amalayse test are and they told me anything less than 100 is normal.

> My last level was 168. The last time before that it was 132 and the

> time before that it was 111. It seems to be going up each time I get

> it tested, but I don't know if that means anything. The GI said not

> to give it another thought, but I don't know how to do that because I

> am getting different information all over the place. I had an

> ultrasound done and the head of my pancreas looked a little bulky,

> but there was no sign of fluid abnormalties. Doc said the " bulky "

> didn't necessarily mean anything either. I don't know what to

> trust. Maybe I should just leave it alone because I don't have the

> huge pain, and I have never had an attack where my amalayse would

> indicate an emergency. (the lab tester told me it would have to be

> 300 before they alarmed the doc and it would have to be 1000 before

> they would send me to the emergency). I don't trust the doctors

> anymore. But if I leave it alone and go on with life as normal and

> they are wrong and I have a mild case that I could make worse by not

> attending to it.....? Has anybody heard of a more accurate method of

> testing? I live in Canada so not everything will be available to me

> that is available in the states, but maybe I could pass on

> information to my doc, or a new GI. I read something about Edoscopic

> Ultrasonaography, but don't want to push it unless I have information

> from people with experience that say it is worth pushing for. I wish

> I could trust the doctors. I will check your site that you

> recommended. Thank you again.

>

> Joia

>

>

>

> PANCREATITIS Association, Intl.

> Online e-mail group

>

> To reply to this message hit & quot;reply & quot; or send an e-mail

to: Pancreatitis (AT) Yahoo

>

>