Chronic ? Pancreatitius

[captain102]

In April 1999 I was rushed to the hospital with what turned out to be acute pancreatitus (pancreatitis).  Within weeks a very large (football sized) pseudocyst formed on my pancreas.  After attempts to drain it endoscopically, it had to be handled surgically.  Within weeks of the surgery I began to have bouts of pain and fever.  Ultimately (November 2000) I was transported to a large medical center where surgeons went in and cleaned out a very nasty fugal infection.  Except for type 2 diabetes which is well controlled with insulin and oral medications,I remained fairly normal for a year and then began some reoccuring problems.  

It begins with muscle aches and pains lasting a couple of weeks; then my bowel movements become loose to the point of diarrhea for a few days;  then, without warning, I'm in severe pain centering in the lower left back and radiating up to the neck;  pain becomes sharp from time to time in pulsating bursts from the lower left back area.  The pain encircles my lower abdomen where it settles.  My temperature rises to 100-102 during these episodes and blood sugars jumps 50 points or more.  So called "sympathetic" pneumonia accompanies the pain causing pain when I take deep breaths.  I also have an ache in the jaw.

My doctor has tried a variety of anti-biotics and anti-fugals to deal with the condition that sometimes last 6 to eight weeks, but they don't seem to be efftective.  I take Vicondin for pain.  

OUESTION:  Is my pancreas becoming inflamed and, if so, what my I do to prevent it from becoming so.  If not, what is your best reasoning for this condition?

[Nanny]

It does sound very much like you may have developed chronic pancreatitis by the description of your symptoms. This is the way is acts when it starts.  I had an acute attack, and later developed chronic pancreatitis and experienced most of the same symptoms, and others.  Some of your description of locations of the pain and the way it pulsates and goes into your upper chest, and causes an ache in your jaw, also sounds suspiciously like the same complaints of two of my good friends who have chronic pancreatitis that is caused by Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction.

My two friends that have CP and Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction say that one of the first things they feel when they are starting a flare up is pain in their jaw.  The SOD pain too, is somewhat different than that of a chronic pancreatitis patient whose CP is caused by other reasons.  It pulsates, which is caused by pressure in the sphincter.  Antibiotics do little help this condition.  Most of us that have CP are on enzyme supplements and prescription pain medications to help us with both digestion and the pain it causes in the pancreas, and we also have to maintain strict low fat diets and abstain from all alcohol.

I would suggest that you consult a pancreatic specialist for further testing, and would also suggest that you have this specialist look into possible SOD problems, and do the appropriate testing to determine whether this is causing it.

[stormy69]

A related discussion, pseudocyst was started.