Re: NEW HERE - to Denny

[Guest guest]

Dear Denny,

There's a very strong possibility of developing chronic

pancreatitis after a series of acute pancreatitis attacks. I find it

very perplexing that your doctor's haven't considered this. As far

as the fact that you don't show elevated amylase or lipase levels,

this, too is not an accurate indicator of chronic pancreatitis. I can

direct you to medical websites that explain that amylase and

lipase levels can be low, normal or elevated with chronic

pancreatitis, and that it is very common for there to be no

elevation when the condition is more advanced. Many of us here

don't show elevated enzyme levels, yet we've had chronic

pancreatitis for years.

The pain you describe in the middle of your ribs is identical to the

pain that I experience in the midst of a severe episode, and I

think you'll find many others that complain that their pain is in this

area, also. The same goes for the upper back pain in the

shoulders. I have mine the worst in my shoulder blades of my

upper left back, but when it gets really severe, it's in the right side

also. I've heard a few members say that their back pain can be

more painful and disabling than their abdominal pain.

One thing you need to understand is that while we all seem to

have some particular pains related to our individual problems

with the pancreas, nearly all of us have similar back and upper

abdominal pain, it's just worse for some than it is for others.

Denny, I'm sorry you had to seek us out for these reasons, but I

do think you've come to the right place to seek some validation

of your symptoms and support of what you're going through.

We've got some wonderful, caring people here, and many of

them have had doctors who doubted them and have had to go

through a lot of testing and indecisiveness from the medical

profession before they were able to get a firm diagnosis.

You've been going through this for six years and I think it's time to

get your doctor to look seriously at the possiblility of your having

chronic pancreatitis. Unfortunately, though, it's not possible to

have only " some " chronic pancreatitis....is you have it, it's pretty

much of an all or nothing type of situation. Have they done a

triglyceride blood test on you? That's one test that sometimes is

overlooked, but if it comes back showing high triglyceride levels,

it could be confirmation of the presence of CP.

Let us know how we can help you, and keep us in mind with any

of your questions. The place to go to read about the enzyme

levels is in our " files " section on the left side of the message

board. Click on that, and then go to the Hopkins Medical

University link. There is a section called Biochemical

measurements that explains how the amylase and lipase levels

can be low, normal or elevated during an attack.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for consultation with a medical

professional.

Denny wrote:

I have a long history of problems with my bile duct and

pancreatic duct. I have had 12 ERCPs, stents, spincterotomies,

etc. over the past 6 years. I have had acute pancreatitis many

times from duct blockage and from the ERCPs.

I started having pains again. Even though my liver and

pancreatic enzymes were normal I kept telling my doctor I felt

like I had pancreatitis.

So....my question for you all is.....do you think I could have some

chronic pancreatitis as a result of all the other episodes of

pancreatitis? Maybe it doesn't show up on any test?

I get real bad right upper back pain as well as pain right in the

middle of where my ribs meet. Does anybody get this pain

(ezpecially the back pain) with chronic pancreatitis?