Pancreatitis?

So I've been in a flare of my UC since August. Just bleeding and some mucus. about 3 weeks ago it started getting better, following use of probiotics. Dramatic reduction in bleeding, no mucus. Then last Thursday I began having diarrhea - I thought it was a new UC symptom. But then my husband and kid got it too over the weekend, so then I figured it was a bug. They had it for about 48 hours. Up through yesterday, I've had it about a week (none yet today, doing somewhat better.) Wednesday morning, about 2 am, I went to the ER with severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. The most common causes evidently are alcoholism and gallstones. I don't drink and I had my gallbladder out a few years ago.

I googled pancreatitis and UC and found some sites mentioning a rare link between these 2 illnesses. I found a few more links saying that Asacol (which I am taking for the UC) has been known to cause pancreatitis.

The ER doctor could not explain why I have pancreatitis and sent me home with instructions to follow up with my GI. Can't see the GI until Monday. Getting alot of conflicting information in general, though, so wanted to check in with you all.

Does anyone have pancreatitis? Know of a link to UC or to mesalamine? Have advice?

Thank you!
Laura

I didn't realize that pancreatitis leads to pancreatic cancer?

I think you have a higher risk of getting pancreatitis if on 6MP. But I know many people who have had it that don't have IBD and aren't on medications.

Sue

My one older brother had multiple pancreas attacks, no known cause or reason, at first they thought diet would help but it didn't make any real difference. He wasn't on any drugs that I know of. They even removed his gall bladder thinking it would help, but that wasn't it either.

Mesalazine can cause pancreatitis - I think you will find it as a rare side effect on the drug package insert, and it did cause pancreatitis in my daughter.
She had been on Pentasa but then swapped onto Mesevant XL when the symptoms started to show. As soon as she came off it the pancreatitis resolved, but when she was re-challenged the pain returned and her amylase began to rise again.
Acute drug induced pancreatitis has no link with pancreatic cancer, it is ongoing chronic pancreatitis that can be associated with it.
Do you know how high your amylase reached? I would get in contact with your GI to discuss, and if the pain returns don't delay and get checked out in ER.
Sue

Hi Laura
My daughter was taken off all oral mesalazine when she was hospitalised with pancreatitis.
When she came out of hospital she was still getting very bloody diarrhea and she used pentasa enemas that had been previously been given, because in theory they should not have been absorbed enough to cause problems. But they did - she flashed fevers and her amylase started to increase again. She stopped them and the fever/amylase settled once more. Some people react to the different formulation ingredients and so by changing brand things can improve - but if you are sensitive to the mesalazine you cannot ever take it again.
Acute pancreatitis can develop quickly and is VERY painful in the upper middle abdomen to the upper left under the ribs. It can be life threatening - and so if you are getting new symptoms of severe pain in that area it is better to get it checked out rather than ‘wait and see’
Sue

Post Edited (suenew61) : 11/19/2010 2:58:19 PM (GMT-7)

So I'm 22 yrs old I got pancreatitis, esophagitis, and gastric ulcers
I don't no wat caused it cuz my doctor doesn't no.I'm from Wisconsin. I need help I can't stand the pain anymore.

Wahoo: My 8 yr old son has eosinophilic esophagitis...he is on special formula (Neocate) and takes swallowed flovent to help keep his calm.

Did they tell you what kind of esophagitis? They would need multiple biopsies.