Inflamed Pancreatic duct

[dbates]

Hi I know that this discussion occurred a long time ago, but it had alot of similarities to my condition, so wanted to post and see what has happened with the people that posted on here. I am a 46 yr old female, nonsmoker, non drinker that was in great health before I had gyne surgery 3 yrs ago that resulted in periotinitis, sepsis and drug resistent C difficile.  I have had chronic upper, right side, back and flank pain for 3 years.  I just had my 2nd endoscopic ultrasound that showed an inflamed pancreatic duct. I have had gastro/colonoscopy/CAT scans/HIDA scans.  The Dr woun't take out my gallbladder because they haven't seen any stones and it appears functional on all the tests.  Did anyone have good results from getting their gallbladder out?  The gastro says that he can't diagnose me with chronic pancreatitis at this point because there isn't enough damage done to the pancrease, so I have "possible early chronic pancreatitis".  How long has it taken most of you to get a chronic pancreatitis diagnosis?  Has anyone found anything that can slow down the progression of this disease?  I read where someone posted that taking enzymes left them with cravings for sweets and carbs, that has been so true for me.  I also find if I go on a liquid diet I have way less pain. My new gastro is in the process of repeating all my tests and we have had talks about doing an ERCP.  Do the benefits of an ERCP outway the risk?  Anyone with Spincter of Oddi disease find having a spincterectomy to be helpful?


This discussion is related to Pancreatitis � SOD.

[leighanne1120]

I can sympathize with you--I was 48 when I started having severa abdominal pain attacks.  After 4 trips to the ER, I saw a GI--he had me do the HIDA scan and after another attack,(without the HIDA scan showing anything) took out my gall bladder.  Two months later, the same thing happened, I was teaching (7 yr olds) every day and taking up to 4 percosets.  After every GI test, swallowing a camer and a week in the hospital--nothing showed up.  My GI said to take the amytriptalene for pain, which does help.

I chose to stop going to doctors after losing 25 lbs. I went on a gluten free/dairy free diet with no processed foods.  

I have tried several times to take myself off the amytriptalene and end up in the ER.  

I live with having no appetite and have to make myself eat--most of the time.  I am taking probiotics and amitiza for chronic constipation.

After 7 years, I am able to maintain, but my quality of life is sorely affected.  I'm am no willing to go to another doctor and be put through tests which make me sicker.  

Hope you are doing better.

[dbates]

Thanks for your feedback.  I have been put on 2 antidepressants, one an upper that helps stimulate endorphines -sertraline and another a downer to block neuroreceptors- amitrytyline.  Neither help with the pain.  I decided to go on them even though I was very against it also, because I was taking morphine(which I hate also, so I thought I would give the other 2 a try).  I am staying on the sertraline, because I find it has helped with PMS/cramping, and cold sore outbreaks(only one small one in 2 yrs. I had been having them all the time because of how much stress my body was under with chronic infections).  I am taking the amitrytyline becausde it has reduced my migraines and helps me to sleep at night when the pain is bad.  
I am having a gastro and colonoscopy done end of Feb. probably followed by another HIDA scan and then we will be discussing ERCP and splenectomy.  I just wonder if there is any way that the damage to the pancrease can be slowed down.
I have been doing liquids again, but today we went out to eat with friends and even with eating no fat and very little I had to take morphine. Staying on liquids seems to be a great answer to the pain issue, but it is alot harder to do than people realize.  Food is such a social part of our lives and people feel uncomfortable around you if you aren't eating..
I am going to go on and join the web sight you recommended.
Thanks again for the response.

[CalGal]

Catherine, were the antidepressants the doc suggested anything like elavil and did the doc say anything about trying to use it to calm the spasms that might be accompanying possible SOD? Many docs are now trying the use of certain 'head meds' to control spasms without bothering to explain. It's infuriating! But there are some benefits of using some of the head meds - in lower doses - since the same neurotransmitters and many of the same receptors for those neurotransmitters are found in the head and the gut. There's a good book out on the subject if you're interested - "The Second Brain" by Gershon.

[Catherine63]

Depending on how much pain, nausea you have I would really think hard and search for a reputable surgeon before removing the gallbladder.  Not saying everyone has issues I have heard some real positive stories on gallbladder surgeries.  I joined a group dealing only with pancreatitis issues http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ThePancreatitisPlace
Further to eating liquid is best for me too although in all my research a low fat high carb diet is suppose to be the best but seriously have not found anything other than liquid.. Please keep in touch let me know how your own feat is going to getting answers/better.  If I find anything new I will forward the information to you.  
I am a 47 yr old female experienced abdominal pain upper mid right quadrant for 2 yrs prior to having my gallbladder removed for a small stone in 2008.  Immediately following the removal I awoke in the recovery room with INTENSE spasms in the upper quadrant the more morphin they would give me the worse the pain.  This continued for months subsided for a few weeks now back with greater intensity. I have had every test HIDA Scan , ERCP x2 when this test was done in Feb 2010 the doctor could not get through the Ampulla Vater (bile duct), the second attempt March 2010 another ERCP was done 3 different size scopes could not get through the Ampulla.  Later that day I was back in emergency with pancreatitis hospital stay 2 weeks, feeding tube, intensive care for my heart rate it was a nightmare.  I now suffer from chronic pancreatitis and spasms. A surgeon suggested possible SOD explantion for the spasms spincterectomy suggested by one of the surgeons to cut the duct in half but he would not do it and did not know anyone who would.  So he suggested I take antidepressents, calmly think my day over every time this happens.  I refused the antidepressents my quality of life has suffered.
I would like to add you to my mailing list if you would like more correspondence on your related issues.  

Praying you have a good day!!

Catherine