Is my diagnosis wrong

[Cici3]

I am a 33 year old female. In February of 2004 I started experiencing what I thought was heart burn. Several medications later the problem was only getting worse. After several months and every test imaginable, my pancreas showed to be enlarge and covered in some finger like scar tissue and there were stones in my gallbladder. Sept of 2004 my gallbladder was removed. Within a week of that I went to the er with hoffific chest pain and right side upper abdomen pain. An ERCP was done showing some sludge in my bile duct and that was removed. Still I continued with the terrible chest pain, which the doctors believe to be some kind of spasm and right side abdominial pain. I sought the attention of another gasto specialist. This doctor believed that I had SOD(sphincter of odi dysfunction). Jan of 2005 I had an ERCP and the doctor cut my sphincter muscle. Two weeks after this procedure my symptoms got worse. In April and June the procedure was repeated with the same results, my symptoms getting worse. In Aug I went in for and ERCP and a stent was put in my pancreas. My symptoms are worse then ever before, requiring heavy medication and I am unable to work. Since June I have lost about 32 pounds. All throughout my care and hospital stays my blood work has shown my levels to be all over the board. I am scheduled to go in 3 days to have the stent removed. Is it possible that there is something else causing my condition? I have pain whether I eat or not, but it does worsen with certian foods. My current weight is 122lbs, I am afraid of losing anymore wieght but am at a loss on how to prevent it.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have clearly been through a thorough evaluation including several operative procedures.  It is difficult to say exactly what is going on without the benefit of lab reports or an examination.  

Other possibilities can include the various causes of dyspepsia - including inflammation of the upper digestive tract or an ulcer.  An upper endoscopy would be the best test to evaluate this.  

More uncommon causes can be esophageal dysmotility or delayed gastric emptying.  Specialized tests like a 24-hr pH study with esophageal motility studies or a gastric emptying scan be help evaluate these conditions respectively.  

If the pancreas is enlarged, you can consider more thorough imaging studies like an MRI or an endoscopic ultrasound of the affected area.

You can also consider non-GI causes (i.e the heart).  An echocardiogram or a stress test would be reasonable initial tests for this possibility.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[carmen rajon]

You have to clean out your liver and get the excess bile moving out of your liver. Try liver cleanse with olive oil and epsom salts its under liver cleanse on line. This will also dispel the stones in your liver. You will get less cramping and pain your liver is under duress with all the medication your taking. Doctors only know surgery and medication. Try a natural approach that will not disabilitate you forever. Unfortunate they took out you GB did they not tell you there are other ways of getting the stones out. Stones are found to be caused by parasites. It is found in the core of every beginning of every stone. Also try enzymes the plant natural kinds they will help you digest your food. Im not familiar with your pancreas that is a big one. But also look into chrons disease. Medication is killing your liver. So look up herbs to clean it out, you are over toxic over tired and need help. Doctors will not help that. Did you know china has found herbs that almost cure hepetitis (hepatitis) c. That is rare, it is also used for toxic liver and alcholics recovery. Under nu-liver check it out. Good luck! By the way try the health food store for your digestion. Im 32 and have been sick many times im ok now cause i used the natural approach no surgery.

[JackieG]

Please be careful about posts like the one above that advocate "liver flushes" and other 16th century approaches.  YOU SHOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR.  

If you want more information on the "liver flush" perspective, go to quackwatch.com and do a search for Hulda Clark.  She professes to be a "Doctor", but had to flee the US to escape prosecution for multiple fraud-related offenses. She continues to peddle all manner of potions, "flush" recipes, books and gadgets from her exile in Mexico that she claims cures all diseases. She employes people to join sites like this one and actively peddle "liver flushes", etc.. so that other people will ultimately be steered to her web site, from which she can profit from their plight.  It is sad, but one of the harsh realities of relying on the Internet.

Best wishes,
Chicken Soup

[Ardublu]

I am a 32 year old female - going through much the same circumstances as you. Started 2 years ago with just severe nausea then worked up to pain through my middle, just below my sternum. My LFT's have been elevated all along and get worse when I have an "attack." I have also had every test; the lastest procedure in August was an ERCP. They believed I had SOD and did a spincterotomy. The pain after the procedure was awful. Then I had the most severe attack yet, 2 weeks after the ERCP. (Alk phos off the charts this time and my red blood cell count was low??) They expect to have to perform another ERCP and this time tackle my pancreas. After reading your post I am not very enthusiastic. This can't get any worse. It must be a terrible strain to be unable to work (at our age?!) Please continue to update us . . .

[jbaatking]

I to have been experienceing similar health problems. It was shocking to see someone else going through the same thing. I have been dealing with this for 5 years now. I still do not have a solid diagnosis. The doctors are now saying poss PSC with non specific colitis (maybe Chron's). I'm tired of having no answers. It's starting to way on me. Hope all is well.