I need some information on pancreatitis

Since august I have been having severe pains just in my upper abdomen. I was in the hospital for a week and a ct revealed that my pancreaus was enlarged. I went to a specialist and had an EUS which revealed an enlarged bile duct. At a second procedure the bile duct was streched because of a narrow opening. All that happened in Sept 2008. I have had reaccurring severe pain and nausea at least two weeks of every month since then and in the past two weeks have had nausea and vomiting. I call the doc when I have the worst attacks but all he says is to wait to see if it gets better. He said that I could be put in the hospital for a few days NPO and to see if that helps. I have been increasing my pain meds when I have the attacks but I want to know if any one has had recurring problems and how to approach the doc about doing something about it.

Frankie

If you are worried, you should get a second opinion.

I have pacreatic divisum, which is a genetic disorder, my pancreas never fused together before I was born like it was suppose to. They did an ERCP and put a stent in. So I understand that pain, it's the worse. It started when I was 14 with gallstones, and then after I had my gallbladder removed when I was 15, the pain came back, so we knew it wasnt my gallbladder anymore cause that was gone, so they thought maybe a stone was stuck in my pancreas, which I heard is common with gallstones. Well they found out I had this pancreatic divisum and put a stent in cause the ducts where too small. It took a while for the pain to finally subside, about 4 years. The GI doctor had to refer me to a pain specialist cause my insurance wouldnt pay for him to do anything else to my pancreas, and was right away put on oxycontin and pancreas enzymes and actiq for when I had breakthrough pain at 19 years old. It was not a fun few years, but now I do suffer drom time to time with pain, but also being on a low protiene and low fat diet is a MAJOR thing your going to wanna follow, I'm sure your doctor has already told you this. And it's embarrassing sometimes for me to have this because when I tell people I have a history of chronic pancreatitas they automatically think It was due to drinking too much, so I always have to excplain to the doctors and nurses who have no idea what pancreatic divisum is. But I feel for you, pancretitas has been known to be one of the worse pains a person can go thru, nothing worse then the high fevers and vomiting up that brown bile, it feels like the pain is in your chest and back, and it hurts to move, breathe, or even scream. I know I will never forget that pain, much worse then gallstones, migraines, and childbirth with no drugs, 100 times worse!!! I know the GI doctor even talked about putting in a feeding tube to help with the pain, he even wanted to do some botox in a few places around my pancreas, but of course my iinsurance wouldnt touch that, they said I could be helped with a medicine that I'm allergic to, but they said I could take benadryl, so I told them to forget it, I was not taking that med, even if my life depended on it.

-hellokitty

It sounds like you may have chronic pancreatitis. Do you have loose stools with fat rings surrounding the toliet bowl? I have the same kind of pain and have finally been given a diagnosis. Viokase is a pancreatic enzyme that was rx'ed for me along with Zofran and Reglan for the nausea. You have to take the Viokase with each meal and you have to take a Prilosec every day for the Viokase to work. After 6 months it seems to be helping some. The nausea meds help a lot. Also try to notice foods that may aggrivate it. I can't tolerate anything carbonated. And I have found that lying on my left side helps when the pain is bad. Remember that chronic pancreatitis is a completely different animal from acute pancreatitis. By the screen name, I take it you are in Alabama? I live in the Montgomery area.

Would chronic pancreatitis cause daily pain for over a month w/out nasua? My pains are also upper left and they come and go throughout the day, like light stabs also some upper centered burning. Sometimes I seem to set it off by bending over. My EUS did not show any inflammation. I am scared its PC

Thanks for your response. I am petrfied of PC as my dad died of it. My lipase has been slightly elevated and CA 19 (tumor marker) is dbl normal-though Ihave been told this rises with any inflammation to the pancreas or other areas. I have read of PC being missed on scans etc. so of course I think the worst!

I dont really get naseua. Mainly its this nagging upper left pain that comes and goes throughout the day, and I get centered burning too. If I bend over it can set it off-is that odd?

I was dx as having GERD 2 yrs ago due to upper stabbing pains around heart area and some burning, for the most part I could control it with aciphex but did have breakthrough pains. I wonder--could it have been pancreatitis this whole time.

Wondering if my birth control could be a factor too

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us...

HSmom- I noticed you have widespread joint pain. I have had this for 8 plus months, but they are random stabbing pains. Are yours similiar?

I wanted to jump in here given that some of you seem well versed in pancreatitus.  I would really like some comments on my deal and compare them to what I am reading.  Had gallbladder removal in August of '13 after enduring 5 months of abdominal cramping, distention, and pain whenever using my core muscles.  The HIDA scan revealed a slightly low functioning GB.  Given I was so tired of dealing with the symptoms, I had it removed.  For 5 months after this, everything was back to normal (even my diet).  Then in early January of this year, I started getting the massive stomach bloating and cramping again (out of nowhere mind you). This progressed as though my GB grew back.  GI doc noted some pancreas enzymes were high in my blood test, suggested an ERCP.  So, went ahead with this mid March.  Felt decent for a week after, then bam, the same symptoms set in but this time with more nausea.  Pacreas enzymes high again.  One item I did not see with others is the bloating of the stomach.  Anyone else have this mixed in? I was then put on a small dose of Remeron, an SSRI medication that can regulate the digestive system.  Curious if anyone else has tried this.  Seemed to work for the past couple of weeks (reducing symptoms, not eliminating) but then yesterday the same symptoms came roaring back.  This is really affecting my quality of life and ability to carry on my job.  The CT scans and MRI test reveal nothing serious, but that I am backed up with stool.  I contend that the stool deal is a byproduct of something else...possibly chronic pancreatitus?  It seems like my ordeal fits this set of symptoms.  Not sure where to turn if the symptoms continue at this level.  I get the feeling my GI doc is tired of treating me.  Couple things....scar tissue in the bile duct from the ERCP?  Would a genetic test help to see if I have the markets consistent with chronic pancreatitus?  Could bacteria be doing something here?  Like most of you, I am just looking for answers given that I know something has broken down internally.