Is This Pancreatitis?

[Guest guest]

Matt,

You wrote, " The doctors say they do not know what is wrong with me and that

it can't all be my pancreas because my blood work is normal "

I appreciated reading your story. It sounded so familiar. Gallbladder induced

pancreatitis or biliary disease is one of the most common reasons for

developing pancreatitis. Usually, this is acute pancreatitis and it resolves.

The

fact that you have been having problems for two years, and on repeated CT scans

have indicated pancreatic damage is very suggestive that your disease is of the

chronic nature.

As pancreatitis progresses and further damage occurs to the pancreas, the

organ, by nature of the disease itself, is unable to produce the enzymes

anymore.

The enzymes were autodigesting or eating the exocrine cells alive that were

producing it in the first place. In almost every medical textbook that is for

the Gastroenterologist, it explains this. In medical textbooks that are for the

general MD, it does not explain this, because in acute pancreatitis, it does

not progress this way. Most doctors are only trained to care for acute

pancreatitis.

What area of the country are you from? Did you see a pancreatologist or a GI

specialist?

I am impressed that they had an ERCP, MRCP, and CT Scanner. Each of these

test see a different aspect of the pancreas. Interpreting the morphological

changes in the pancreatic tissue requires a skilled practitioner. I wouldn't

wish

this disease on anyone, and I would hope that you only had residual biliary

disease from the gallstones, but with the data that you shared in your post

supports the likelihood that it has either damaged the pancreas or your body

produces pancreatic sludge and pancreatic stones like the gallbladder did.

Glad you found the site.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your reply. I am in central Florida, I have an appointment with a GI

specialist next week. He is the one who would of done the ERCP if it was working

when I had my gall bladder out. I am trying to make sure I ask the right

questions. I am feeling better today and have only taken Zofran for nausea. My

PICC did not flush well today, my veins are so shot I am going to ask my doctor

for a port. Is this common? My wife has Gastroparesis and my attack last week

was so similar to hers I was beginning to think I was getting something else on

top of the Pancreatitis. Right now they have me on Dilaudid as needed, Reglan,

Phenegran, Zofran, Pancrease, Neurontin, and Prevacid. I really am quite

whipped. Thanks for your note.

Matt

Florida