Pancreatic malfunction.

Well, so far the tests I've had done so far, are showing the above problem. The hospital called today, and are bringing
the MRCP, colonoscopy and endoscopy forward. Which I'm extremely happy about. The pains in my stomach seem to
worsen by the day. The DX of chronic pancreatitis is scaring me, as well as knowing that my cd is flaring as well.
I thought Id bring you up to date. Hope you're all well. LOL.

Hi Judy,

The tests were stool samples, which showed an abnormally high fat content, which indicates pancreatic insufficiency. They are
putting me on pancreatic enzymes, which hopefully, will help with digestion. I am off all meds apart from pain medication.
Depending on how my bad my malabsorption is, I may need some IV help. I presume they mean TPN.
As far as treating cd, I guess that's going to depend on what the scopes find, but he has already told me, that because of
my reaction to remicade, I won't be given Humira. 6mp has already destroyed my pancreas. So I guess I'm stuck between
a rock and a hard place, I either have to hope the disease is fairly mild, so I can take something like Entecort, or if it's bad
it needs to be bad enough for more surgery.

I tell ya!! I'm getting so tired. Not just physically, but with all the "what ifs" and the "maybe's". I'm about ready for a whole
body transplant!!!

BTW, did you just become an EMT, if you did, many, many congrats.LOL

Vicky,

I'm so sorry for everything you're going through, my abdominal pain has really gotten a lot better (not gone), but I'm still going through all the same sh!t. I'm still waiting for my test results, though I imagine if anything "big" showed up I would have heard by now. I don't have a Dr. appointment until the end of the month.

When I had to stop Remicade, I was unable to go back on 6MP because of my liver enzymes also, so I ended up getting so sick that I did have to have the surgery. Sometimes no matter what you do you can't win.

I had the darned liver biopsy which was "inconclusive" and when I had my MRCP, my doctor said it would probably also be inconclusive. I'm not sure why I keep having these tests.

Now I'm having joint pains again. It's starting out very similar to my antibody reaction I had with Remicade. The problem is, I'm not on Remicade, I'm on 6MP (have been on it now for a full 2 weeks, I went back on it because my doctor told me we had to try something to try to control this disease because I can't afford another surgery and/or to lose any more intestine). 6MP is supposed to prevent antibody reactions, but it's also supposed to help arthritis pain, so I have no idea what's going on, or even what doctor to see if this continues.

I just want someone to say, "okay this is exactly what's wrong and here's what we're going to do to fix it", lol.

I've been told in the past that I have fat malabsorption, I'm not sure how my doctor figured that out because I certainly didn't give a stool sample, and I'd remember that, lol.

Anyway, I'm really sorry you're still in pain, and it's getting worse. I hope they can do SOMETHING to help, at least to alleviate your pain. Keep me posted as you feel up to it.

P.S. I became an EMT at the beginning of the year. I did it so I could work in the ER as a tech and get some patient care experience under my belt (which one of the nursing schools requires it), but I've been sick ever since. I keep telling myself I'll apply for a new job when I know what's going on so I won't have to miss too much work at a new job, HUH!!

Wow, good time for this post. I have also been experiencing some problems in this area. I went to to er last wednes for ruq pain and fever. Fever gone but RUQ nagging pain persists. My U/S of the abd showed dilated common bile duct. My labs revealed an elevated wbc 13.5 and elevated sgpt of 38. Borderline lipase elavation. I had a ct abd on Fri and finally got the results on Tues. My common bile duct is dilated to 15 mm, normal being 3 mm, (my gall bladder was removed 20 yrs ago) I saw my GI this AM and am having an ERCP on Tues. I was on remicade and then recently started humira, 2 weeks before problems started. I was hoping it wasn't the humira. The doc thinks I need a dilatation of the bile duct. I went to the hospital where I had the tests done to get the results, I was so upset I had to wait so long. You could die waiting for them otherwise. I do know that bile helps fat absorption, so maybe you have a stone/stricture like me.

The hospital called, I have to now do another stool sample called fecal fat, this will be no.8. They've also forward my scopes
to next week. I'm really interested to see shat they find, as this new guy thinks all my present problems are due to pancreatitis.
We shall see....

The GI is going to treat me with enzymes to help breakdown fats and help with digestion, in fact to do what my pancreas is not
doing. My risk of getting type 1 diabetes is increased to about 50%, as the pancreas worsens, as do it's function, so the production
of insulin is affected. My main concerns right now is the pain!! I'm hoping by taking the enzymes, it will also help my pain levels.
Like you I'm really unsure of what the scopes might find, but I already know there is new thickening in the sigmoid area, from the
last MRI I had, and I'm still having LRQ pain, which is telling me, that, the ileum is still inflamed. I can only hope it's mild....

Hi Vicky Hoping that the fat enzymes do the helping you need to get you working better perhaps it will also help with your intestines too . I am hoping the Best for you and stay in touch we are keeping our best thoughts going for you and care about you .lol gail

Hey dunny,

I feel for you, girl.  I worry about you doing a fecal fat test with these problems you're having!  It can be pretty hard on you if you're having pancreatic or gallbladder issues.  You've had these in the past (was it seven of them you've had?!)  I don't recall your gallbladder history, have you had it removed?

Dunny have you ever used cholestyramine to control your fat mal-absorption?