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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
chronic Pancreas pain.
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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Doctor's Answer
by HFHSM.D._gastro-RF, Sep 02, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Jeannie,
Your posting allows me the opportunity to provide some general comments on pancreatitis. Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis refers to a condition in which there is sudden onset of abdominal pain. In North America the most common identified causes are common bile duct stones, alcohol use, and abdominal trauma. There are other causes but they are not common. Included among the unusual causes are drugs and idiopathic. There are certain medications (e.g. sulfa drugs, lasix, tetracyclines, estrogens. thiazides), vasculitis, infections, metabolic causes (high calcium, some patients with very high triglyceride levels)and genetic conditions.
Chronic pancreatitis refers to a condition in which there is irreversible structuraldamage to the pancreas. A physician may see pancreatic calcifications or changes in the pancreatic duct by ERCP.
There is a conditi0on of chronic recurrent pancreatitis. These patients have recurrent attacks of pancreatitis but do not have structural abnormalities.
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a condition in which the opening of the pancreatic duct (the sphuincter of Oddi) does not function properly. Patients have recurrent attacks of abdominal pain and slight elevations of pancreatic enzymes. The diagnosis can be made by measuring the pressures in the sphincter (Sphincter of Oddi manometry is the formal name for the test. Treatment consist of cutting the sphincter during the ERCp.
This information is presented for educational purposes. Ask specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-Gastro-RF
Your posting allows me the opportunity to provide some general comments on pancreatitis. Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis refers to a condition in which there is sudden onset of abdominal pain. In North America the most common identified causes are common bile duct stones, alcohol use, and abdominal trauma. There are other causes but they are not common. Included among the unusual causes are drugs and idiopathic. There are certain medications (e.g. sulfa drugs, lasix, tetracyclines, estrogens. thiazides), vasculitis, infections, metabolic causes (high calcium, some patients with very high triglyceride levels)and genetic conditions.
Chronic pancreatitis refers to a condition in which there is irreversible structuraldamage to the pancreas. A physician may see pancreatic calcifications or changes in the pancreatic duct by ERCP.
There is a conditi0on of chronic recurrent pancreatitis. These patients have recurrent attacks of pancreatitis but do not have structural abnormalities.
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a condition in which the opening of the pancreatic duct (the sphuincter of Oddi) does not function properly. Patients have recurrent attacks of abdominal pain and slight elevations of pancreatic enzymes. The diagnosis can be made by measuring the pressures in the sphincter (Sphincter of Oddi manometry is the formal name for the test. Treatment consist of cutting the sphincter during the ERCp.
This information is presented for educational purposes. Ask specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-Gastro-RF
1) constant pain radiating out mid-back (worsens when I lie down)
2) bloating
3) change in stool (size/colour) but no constipation, ibs nor diarrhea
4) unexplained weight loss
5) odd skin odor
6) swelling out the left upper back (just below shoulder blade)
interferes with breathing only when I lie on it (nothing found in lungs)
No sign of pancreatitis, nor lesions on Chest X-ray nor CT Scan.
My gall bladder was removed many years ago so I suspect that makes tracking down signs/symptoms a little more difficult. (or so it seems).