Could this be chronic/mild pancreatitis?

[Guest guest]

Hi all!

It's hard to make a long story short...but here goes.

My mother has been having severe pain (upper left hand

quadrant)nausea, vomiting, diareaha, severe back pain

for over two years now, sometimes worse than others.

She has had CT's, ultrasounds, blood workup, x-rays...

the whole nine yards to no avail. She has been passed

around from specialist to specialist with no answers

other than she's " depressed " or has fybromyalgia and

the latest she's allergic to gluten. This week has

been the worst for her. She experiences sharp stabbing

pains (across the upper front quadrant) radiating to

her back, accompanied by abdominal bloating, and nausea

usually right after eating. She often will hold her

abdominal area or lean over to alleviate the pain. It

is becoming impossible for her to get to the doctor's

office because riding in the car is unbearable. Sitting

is unbearable. The doctor has given her percoset (sp?)

which has absolutely no effect. She refuses to go to

the ER because they treat her like a " nutcase " and send

her back home in pain. Her recent blood work is fine

showing no abnormalities. She is awaiting a test result

for her hyperparathyroid. My search of the hyperparathyroid

led me to chronic pancreatitis which can be a result of a

malfunctioning hyperparathyroid. I have read many of your

experiences, including misdiagnosis, years of suffering

before finally discovering what was causing the pain, nausea,

vomitting, attacks,etc., numerous " normal " test results and

doctors thinking that you're just out for the pain medication.

And quite honestly I am thinking that this may be her problem.

My mother does NOT drink, eats pretty healthy, and is only 58

years young. Before all this happened she was happily retired

enjoying trips to Greece and gardening during the spring &

summer. She is far from a pain med addict, is not " nuts, "

and wants nothing more than to enjoy her life the way it was.

Unfortunately, the doctors haven't a clue as to WHY she is in

so much pain or what is causing it.

I would appreciate ANY help you all have to offer. Does this

sound familiar? Am I heading in the right direction?

Thanks and God Bless!

le

[Guest guest]

le:

I am sorry your mom feels so bad. From what you say, it sure

does sound like she might have a problem with her pancreas.

Especially the part about leaning forward to alleviate the

pain. That is classic with a pancreas problem......leaning

forward to lower the pain.

Also, just because she has normal enzymes does not mean she

does not have pancreatitis or any other kind of pancreas

problem. Plesae keep pursuing this and let us know. Please

let us all know where you are from. That way, it is easier

to recommend medical help.

Take care and God bless you and your mom

Kaye

NC

[Guest guest]

Thanks all for your help. I live in Tacoma Washington and would appreciate

ANY references/resources that may help me in my search to find my mother some

relief.

Thanks & God Bless

le

[Guest guest]

Dear le,

Many of the symtoms you describe, i.e.; the leaning forward to

alleviate the pain, diarrhea, nausea after eating, abdominal pain

that radiates to the back, etc. are classic symptoms of chronic

pancreatitis or gallbladder difficulties. I presume they have

thoroughly checked your mother's gallbladder while they did the

other tests.

As you have probably read here, sometimes even the ct-scans

and ultrasounds don't show a pancreas problem, and quite often

enzyme levels show normal when pancreatitis actually exhists.

This makes the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis very difficult to

determine. When the symptoms persist, this is when an ERCP

is usually suggested. I have also known of a CP patient who

tested clear on all the routine tests and then was diagnosed with

CP by use of an Endoscopic Ultrasound. Both of these

procedures need to be done by highly specialized and heavily

experienced specialists. The ERCP has been known to cause

another bout of pancreatitis for some patients, this is why it is

recommended that it be done at a medical facility that

specializes in the procedure.

In all this testing, was a 72 hour fecal fat test performed? This is

where the percentage of fat remaining in the stool can indicate

whether there are malabsorption problems.

My advice would be to keep trying to find a specialist who isn't

satisfied until he or she finds the answer, and a diagnosis, of

your mother's problems. If you tell us where you are, we may be

able to direct you to some doctors or medical facilities where this

could be possible.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

Southeastern Representative

PAI, Intl.

Note: All advice or comments are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation..