Re: Below normal Amylase & Lipase

[Guest guest]

Dear Steve,

When ever I have an attack my levels are never elevated. I have

panc divism and when the duct clogs up, the enzymes can't get out.

When I go to the ER I tell them I have screwed up ducts in my

pancreas that clog and this is what happens. Is always nice to end

the speech with a barf on their shoes. Sorry you were treated that

way. There is no excuse. We need to get the message to the medical

schools about panc pain. And get the message to exisitng ER

pysicians. This is nuts.

Love,

W

[Guest guest]

Hi Steve: While I know others here will have better answers

regarding this for you....(I'm relatively new to this myself)..I

just wanted you to know that my a & l levels only rose once in the

very beginning (which was February of this yr!) and never have risen

again. I just got back from seeing Dr. Lehman at the University of

Indiana Med Ctr, and he found that I have SOD. So, just because the

levels don't rise..that is not an indication that something isn't

going on with the pancreas. Just my humble opinion/experience.

best wishes

[Guest guest]

Steve wrote:

I was in horrific pain (as in acute) but was told that my pancreatitis was not

exacerbated due to my amylase being only 33 and my lipase only 6. I was

under the belief that after three years of CP, the pancrease no longer

functions normally and does not produce normal levels of enzymes.

Can I have an acute attack yet show normal or below normal enzymes?

Steve,

Wish I could say that you should tell them to take a hike, but let's just say

that

these doctor's aren't very experienced with advanced pancreatitis, and you

can only hope that they won't be on duty the next time. One word of advice is

to call your GI first before you ever have to go to the hospital. You need a

professional who knows what's going on to back you up when this happens.

At my last 5 day hospitalization with an acute attack, both my lipase and

amylase were below normal. The numbers were quite similar to yours. There

was no question that it was an acute episode and I was put on a pain pump

with dilaudid, which was in steady use for three days. Fortunately my GI was

there and he made sure that I was comfortable and appropriately medicated.

I haven't had elevated levels during an attack for the past two years.

Fortunately my doctor is aware of this and realizes that this is to be expected

with advanced pancreatitis, and he tells the other doctors on staff that the

levels of are no importance in determining whether or not I need to be

medicated.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep

PAI

Note:

All comments or advice is based on personal experience or opinion, and

should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional.

[Guest guest]

Hi Steve,

I really don't know my first reading because I suffered a year before a good

doctor asked for a pancreatic enzymes blood levels.

When I done it was 2 times upper than the normal range, for along the years

stay in the normal level, or only 20 points up.

My doctor said that now I'm chronic with acute flare-ups.

By the way I think that very low level it's not so good, this could mean

burn out pancreas, as I know.

So sorry about your bad time in the hospital, we know that you're not

looking for drugs. Some docs are so silly!!!

Sometimes a sheet of paper means more than what we're feeling. This is

stupid.

All the best,

Liane

you wrote:

Dear Group:

Can anyone share their experience or shed light on what exactly constitutes

an acute attack as opposed to chronic pancreatitis given that my enzyme

levels were at or below normal. I just got back from a two day hospital

visit where I was in horrific pain (as in acute) but was told that my

pancreatitis was not exacerbated due to my amylase being only 33 and my

lipase only 6. I was under the belief that after three years of CP, the

pancrease no longer functions normally and does not produce normal levels of

enzymes.

Basically, these MD's told me to take a hike and that I was merely " drug

seeking " . They cited my problem as " opiate dependence " and proceeded to

grossly undermedicate me and belittle me. I know what I was feeling and this

infuriated me.

What is the truth behind this. Can I have an acute attack yet show normal or

below normal enzymes?

Please help!

Steve