Being admitted for more tests...suggestions?

September 10, 2004

Hi,

My surgeon is admitting me to the hospital today for more testing. I

had gallbladder surgery 3 weeks ago and am back to the same symptoms

and more. I haven't been eating solid food for 4 of the last 5

weeks.

They are planning on doing a CAT SCAN, an MRCP, an upper GI and go

from there. I have had all of these done before at one time or

another and the only thing that showed up was polyps in my stomach.

I had liver tests done 2 days ago and they are within normal limits.

He mentioned that one possible problem could be the sphincter of

Odi? If nothing shows up on the first set of tests, they may think

of tryihg to diagnose that. He said that is difficult to diagnose

and treat. Does anyone here have a history of that problem?

He is wondering if I have an ulcer. ?? I have asked him how that

could be possible, because from my POV, my symptoms are not

suggestive of that. I don't have a burning pain, it doesn't get

better when I eat, and then get worse again, it is on my right side

and my left side. Besides I have had an endoscopy the last time I

had similar but milder symptoms and no evidence of that.

Besides, 6 months ago I was having so much trouble eating, I started

using digestive enzymes and bile tablets and found I could eat fairly

well when doing so. Not everything, but more foods, less trouble.

IF that is the case, then I would think my pancreas must be involved

somehow.?? But my lipase and amylase have been within normal

limits..high normal. I told the doctor this and he said maybe they

would have me eat in the hospital and then measure my amylase and

lipase.

Curiously, I have always had a slightly elevated bilirubin. About

1.6, which is just above normal. Since the gallbladder removal it is

down to 0.6. It has not been that low in many years. I wonder what

that is all about. Doesn't bilirubin have something to do with bile

production?

I also have had an elevated ANA for many years. I have not had a

diagnosis of Lupus though, but in the back of my mind, I am always

thinking auto-immune, when I get into problems.

Can anyone add any comments or suggestions about what further testing

besides an ERCP might give us more information to get to the bottom

of this?

Thanks,

Adam

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