Pain in the Absence of Elevated Labs

[Guest guest]

Rhonda,

You wrote, " I just got a call from my GP. He said that all my labs look

good. I am still in pain and feel like garbage. Why does this happen again? "

The labs that your GI may be referring to are called the Amylase and Lipase

enzyme levels. These are produced by the pancreas. When the pancreatic tissue

is destroyed by chronic inflammation, the cells within the pancreas that

produce these enzymes are also destroyed and can no longer produce the enzymes.

Therefore it is by nature of the disease process itself, that your labs are

normal. It certainly is not always indicative of no problems. It is very common

for persons to present to the ER in pain and have normal to low labs. I do

not know why this concept is hard for the healthcare professionals to

understand?

Another reason that the labs may be normal is that the pain may not

necessarily be pancreatic pain. The indigestion many have spoken of recently can

mimic pancreatic pain and does not cause a change in enzyme levels. The other

reason that pain can be present in the absence of elevated enzyme levels is

neuropathic pain. This pain is due to the spinal nerves that enervate into the

pancreas being damaged from chronic inflammation.

However, pain can be present in the absence of elevated enzyme levels and be

serious requiring medical attention. So it should not be dismissed purely on

lab values alone.

Karyn E. , RN,

Exec. Director, Pancreatitis Association International

5th Annual Symposium on Pancreatitis: September 16 & 17, 2005

[Guest guest]

,

Do you have any ideas on how to communicate that to the Dr's?

If you do please let me know. I just get this aweful feeling that they

think I'm making up the pain. It's so frustrating!

Rhonda