Swollen feeling in left abdomen/slightly elevated lipase level

[Lynzeelou]

In December of 2011 I went to my family doctor because I was experiencing a constant dull pain on my left upper abdomen. It felt as if something were swollen.  My doctor did lab work and found out my lipase were slightly elevated (60's range) She sent me to have a sonogram on my kidney's, spleen, liver, stomach and pancreas.  All came back normal.  As time went on, my lipase continued to elevate, so they did a CT and that came back normal.  Because I already had issues with IBS, she sent me to a gastro dr.  He did a EDG and colonoscopy and that came back normal.  Shortly after that, my lipase returned to normal and discomfort went away.  My levels returned to normal with no medication.

Now after a few months of relief, the discomfort is back and my lipase are elevated. (80's range) I have had a ton of blood work and it all comes back fine except my lipase. My lipase have never gone over 100.  No one seems to have a clue what is going on.  They are now going to do a sonogram on my pancreas to get a better look at it.  Any ideas or suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated.  

Thank you!

[ksueh]

I know this is an old post, but i am having these same issues. What did you find out?

[Lynzeelou]

Thanks for the information, I will check it out.

[Dave2436]

Do some research on "Splenal Flexure Syndrome". I had a mild pain/pressure in my left side just below my rib cage. I went to the doctor and had ultrasounds done of my liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas and all came back normal. A colonoscopy was also normal. My blood tests were also normal. I got fed up and did some searching myself and found out about this syndrome. It sounds pretty much like what I have, so I'm no longer worrying about it.

http://*************.com/health/topic60275.html

[Lynzeelou]

Thank you for your suggestion.  I eat pretty health for the most part and exercise 5 times a week.  I kept a food journal for the doctors and it did not seem to matter what I ate, the pain was still there.  I do think if I eat too much fatty food, I can tell some difference.  I had a hydro scan on my gallbladder a little over a year ago and it concluded that my gallbladder was working at 98%.  I guess I will just have to wait and see the results from the sonogram on my pancreas. I am just really nervous and was hoping someone had a similar case so I could maybe figure out what is going on.  Tired of having so many tests, but glad that nothing serious has come up yet.  

[sweetsarahnade]

Call Dr. Brian Prebil in Phoenix AZ.  He's a general sergeon.  I had same thing for 2 years constantly. Tons of hospitals,  surgeries and every test for GI tract known to man. my hyda scan was at 86. Went to see Prebil for exploratory surgery and within 10 minutes of the office visit, he diagnosed me with a SUPER rare form of gall bladder disease. He took my GB out and it fixed it. He said anything over60% ejection fraction rate means gallbladder is bad.  He said there are only a few Dr.s in the US that recognize the ejection fraction rate over 60% as bad.

[CalGal]

Lynzeelou, when lipase is elevated it may indicate something is going on with the pancreas or in some cases it could be the result of gallbladder issues that impact the pancreas. While you're trying to sort things out, you may want to ask your doc is you should try a low fat diet or one that might be suggested for someone with pancreatic issues to give your system a bit of a break.

[Lynzeelou]

I mean December 2010.