Re: some more info

[Guest guest]

> yesterday i had appointment with my surgeon as i couldnt

sleep all the night having pain on my upper abdomin. Surgeon

asked me to check my blood amylase, stool, take xray and

ultrasound. My amylase was 238..... now does it mean i have

pancreatitis?? As the surgeon told me.. that's normal and he

gurantees that i wouldnt have any further attacks as i've already

had my gall bladder removed

And the doctor advised me that i should be consuming low fat

diet....... .. i asked him if i came upon having high fat diet then?.....

He answered me that i'd simply have digestive problem but not

the future pancreatitis attack....... Now this is what i really am

confused about......

He told me that my x-ray showed that i have intestinal obstruction

on left part of my abdomin what made me have pain..... and it

would recover itself. The intestinal obstruction is due ot the

collection of fluid on my left lumber area as the time i had

pancreatitis.

So, now, i have 238 amylase,.... what does it mean..... please

help.......

> Rajeev

Dear Rajeev,

Labs have different ratio levels for testing amylase. The lab I use

considers any amylase between 16-87 u/L as normal, anything

above 87, amylase levels are considered high. Your score

would depend upon the criteria used by the lab where your test

was done. That's why it is difficult to answer your question.

The x-ray ordered is not a definitive test for pancreatitis, but it is a

good test to determine any abdominal or bowel obstruction. I

am not a doctor, so I cannot determine whether the abdominal

obstruction that is still seen in your films will " go away " with time.

Personally, I would be highly suspicious of this, and the

continuance of your pain.

As we have reiterated in our posts, a low fat diet with abstinence

from alcohol is imperative to your healing at this time. Eating

high fat could surely trigger considerable discomfort, and for a

person with chronic pancreatitis, bring on another acute

pancreatitis attack.

I sense that you are not satisfied and are very confused with this

surgeon's interpretations of your condition. Since he is a

surgeon, and unless he specializes pancreatic surgery, he is not

as well informed on pancreatic problems as a

gastroenterologist would be. Is it possible for you to get an

appointment with a gastroenterology specialist for a second

opinion?

I would suggest that you continue to be vigilant in monitoring

your daily activities, pain, symptoms and food by keeping a daily

journal. This would be very helpful for any clinician to review

while seeing you for follow up, or for a new appointment with a

gastroenterologist. You may have to continue to search and will

need to be proactive about your condition, after all, it is your

health, and your body, and you alone know how you feel. If this

pain continues, it indicates that something else is going on that

you may need treatment for.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

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

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

Rajeev,

The normal average range for amylase that the doctor told me is

between 25 and 115. I have had levels of 325 and doctors have told

me that is normal, or borderline on being admitted for pancreatitis.

I also have tumours in my small intestine which doctors have said

could be causing my pain when they cause an intestinal blockage.

I asked one doctor (my GI who saw the tumours first hand when they

had me cut open on the operating table) if the pain would be the

same as pancreatitis. He told me that yes the pain would be similar

to that of pancreatitis, but would be highly unlikely to cause my

amylase and lipase levels to rise. 8 times out of 10 they have

risen, so I have put it down to my pancreas.