Door, autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is an unusual form of pancreatitis that has only recently been recognized as a distinct disorder. AIP is an unusual form of chronic pancreatitis. The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy pancreas tissue, causing inflammation and hardening. Symptoms closely mimic pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma), but the disease process is different. It can be a multisystem disorder in which the disease can affect other parts of the body. So the possibility of AIP needs to be checked out.
The same happened to me 2 weeks ago. I went to the ER because of pain on left side. My lipase and amylase were much higher than normal. I drink, but only occasionally. I do not have diabetes or high triglcyerides. My CT Scan was normal, same for my ultrasound, and endoscope. Yet, almost 2 weeks after my attack, my lipase and amylase levels remain very high. I have not been in pain for about 1 week. So what caused the attack? My doc has no idea. CalGal, what is autoimmune pancreatitis -- I never heard of it...
Make sure you are checked for autoimmune pancreatitis.