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Chronic Pancreatitis; Gastroparesis; IBS
I have recently (finally) been diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis. The diagnosis was not made until I underwent a secretin (spelling?) test in March. At that time I was told that my bicarbonate level was within normal range, but that the amount digestive enzymes I produce is well below the normal range. Unfortunately I cannot remember the amount I was told and I have not actually seen the doctor since I had the test done. I don't go back to see him until 6/17.
I have also previously been diagnosed with gastroparesis; gastritis; IBS and a small hiatal hernia. I am currently taking the following medications:
Librax (4X a day)
Nexium (40 mgs 2X a day)
Fibercon (3 pills 4X a day)
Viokase 16 (4 pills 4X a day)
Darvocet or Ultracet for the pain (Darvocet when I have a break
through attack)
Ambien (as needed)
Erythromycin (1 and 1/2 Tsp - 4X a day)
Since beginning the Viokase approximately four weeks ago I have found that I have some relief with the pain in my back and my overall day to day pain/discomfort has improved.
My question is does chronic pancreatitis eventually lead to diabetes or is it possible that only one function of the pancrease is impaired?
Any information or web pages with good research would be greatly appreciated. I have been doing research off and on for the past 9 and 1/2 months since having an acute pancreatitis attack and having my gallbladder removed. My liver and pancreas enzymes have pretty much returned to normal. My liver enzymes ocassionally run over the high end of the scale, but not by much (a few points) and my surgeon explained that it may be that I am just one of the people who fall outside the standard scale.
I have not had an abnormal blood sugar test in more than 6 years and back then it was low.
I have never been a heavy drinker. Until last June I probably had 12 drinks a year total. I have had NO alcoholic beverages since June of 2002. The doctor has told me that to the best of his knowledge my pancreatitis is ideopathic. My tryglicerides are within normal range. My trypsin level is outside the normal range, but not in the chronic range that is why I had the secretin test done.
If anyone can tell me any other possible "companion diseases/conditions" related to chronic pancreatitis I would appreciate it. I'm trying to get a better picture of what to expect in the future before I go back to the doctor so I can ask him educated questions.
THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE.
I have also previously been diagnosed with gastroparesis; gastritis; IBS and a small hiatal hernia. I am currently taking the following medications:
Librax (4X a day)
Nexium (40 mgs 2X a day)
Fibercon (3 pills 4X a day)
Viokase 16 (4 pills 4X a day)
Darvocet or Ultracet for the pain (Darvocet when I have a break
through attack)
Ambien (as needed)
Erythromycin (1 and 1/2 Tsp - 4X a day)
Since beginning the Viokase approximately four weeks ago I have found that I have some relief with the pain in my back and my overall day to day pain/discomfort has improved.
My question is does chronic pancreatitis eventually lead to diabetes or is it possible that only one function of the pancrease is impaired?
Any information or web pages with good research would be greatly appreciated. I have been doing research off and on for the past 9 and 1/2 months since having an acute pancreatitis attack and having my gallbladder removed. My liver and pancreas enzymes have pretty much returned to normal. My liver enzymes ocassionally run over the high end of the scale, but not by much (a few points) and my surgeon explained that it may be that I am just one of the people who fall outside the standard scale.
I have not had an abnormal blood sugar test in more than 6 years and back then it was low.
I have never been a heavy drinker. Until last June I probably had 12 drinks a year total. I have had NO alcoholic beverages since June of 2002. The doctor has told me that to the best of his knowledge my pancreatitis is ideopathic. My tryglicerides are within normal range. My trypsin level is outside the normal range, but not in the chronic range that is why I had the secretin test done.
If anyone can tell me any other possible "companion diseases/conditions" related to chronic pancreatitis I would appreciate it. I'm trying to get a better picture of what to expect in the future before I go back to the doctor so I can ask him educated questions.
THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE.
Sorry for the delay in posting any responses that I have, but I have been on vacation and recooperating from same. I had to postpone my vacation three times last year due to pancreatits and gallbladder surgery. FINALLY I GOT TO GO!!!!!!!!
I can't remember who asked what, but these are the answers (I have from my experience) to the questions I remember:
IDIOPATHIC - means there is no known cause. If I remember correctly approximately 20% of all pancreatitis cases are termed idiopathic because there is no know "cause" for it. In my case they never found a gallstone which may have been the cause, I do not drink, my cholosterol is just about perfect, no psydo cyst to be found, etc. I do have an abnormal Trypsin level (not quite in the chronic range, but boarderline (it's not normal either). I also suffer from what the doctor told me is "small duct" chronic pancreatitis.
SECRETIN TEST - this test was developed by the specialist I see and according to him is only performed in approximately 10 medical facilities in the US. For this test you are not sedated, you are given two solutions to numb your throat and mouth (lydocain and xylocain I believe). One the rub on certain parts of your mouth and the other you gargle with. Once they have numbed your troat and mouth you are given a tube with a metal weight on the end to swallow. You sit up, tilt your chin to your chest and just begin swallowing until you get the tube down. You than are laid down and a floroscope (sp) is used to insert a "wire" down your throat and through your body until it reaches the small intestine (I belive) - the technican has certain "markers" they have to line up during the process. They then tape the tube with the floroscopy "wire" to the side of your mouth and you are "hooked up" to a machine that stimulates your pancreas and also "sucks" the biproducts out. You are given a suction tube (like at the dentist) to help keep your saliva under control. Every 1/2 they empty the biproduct container and tests are run on the contents. It is my understanding that they measure the amount of biproduct and also test the bicorbonate level. Depending on the results of these tests they can determine whether or not you have chronic pancreatitis. THIS IS VERY ELEMENTARY UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEST I'M SURE. I work in the area of law, not medicine, so my knowledge and understanding is limited, unfortunately. It is my understanding that although my bicarbonate level came back norm, the amount of enzymes my pancrease produced was insufficient, therefore I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. I'm not quite sure of all the criteria for "small duct" versus any other type, but the doctor did tell me that I am not really at any increased risk of full blown diabetes because I don't suffer from the same type as alcoholics. He also told me that I probably will not get any worse, but that I will most likely never get any better either. (A little bit of mixed news!) He and my regular GI seem to feel that at this point I am at maximum medical improvement and from here on out it is a matter of managing the conditions and pain.
ENZYME LEVELS - It is my understanding from what I have been told that if you suffer from chronic pancreatits your pancreatic enzymes will not necessarily elevate during an attack. Actually, you will probably have elevated pancreatic enzymes with an ACUTE attack, but not with a CHRONIC attack. This was the case for me. The first attack I had was acute and depending on the doctor you talk to ranged from "moderate/severe" to "severe". At the time I was admitted to the hospital I had a Bilirubin of 2.8; Alkaline phosphatase of 226, SGPT of 780, SGOT of 628, Lipase of 1919 Amylase of 658. My gallbladder was removed and I was discharged. The second time I was admitted to the hospital all my labs came back normal. I spent five days in the hospital having various tests done (this was before my diagnosis) and all were "normal". I was told by one of my GI's partners that it was not possible that I had chronic pancreatitis. Luckily my GI is a competent doctor an went above and beyond and sent me to a specialist when he couldn't find out what was wrong with me. He had several things he suspected, but sent me to the specialist who could do the more sensative testing for the conditions.
BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE. I understand what it is like to battle the unknown. Unfortunately I am also still going through it to some extent (they don't seem to be able to explain why I can't get rid of the pain I have every single day) I am now on an anti-inflammatory in an effort to control some the "smooth muscle pain" I have been experiencing. I never had any problems before the gallbladder/acute pancreatitis attack - I could eat anything, do just about anything - now I find it hard to eat quite a number of foods and have to be careful with my activities. Some cause more pain and tenderness than others. I am very grateful that I have as much of a diagnosis as I have. I remember all to well what it was like not knowing anything. I wouldn't want to go back to that for anything.
I can't remember who asked what, but these are the answers (I have from my experience) to the questions I remember:
IDIOPATHIC - means there is no known cause. If I remember correctly approximately 20% of all pancreatitis cases are termed idiopathic because there is no know "cause" for it. In my case they never found a gallstone which may have been the cause, I do not drink, my cholosterol is just about perfect, no psydo cyst to be found, etc. I do have an abnormal Trypsin level (not quite in the chronic range, but boarderline (it's not normal either). I also suffer from what the doctor told me is "small duct" chronic pancreatitis.
SECRETIN TEST - this test was developed by the specialist I see and according to him is only performed in approximately 10 medical facilities in the US. For this test you are not sedated, you are given two solutions to numb your throat and mouth (lydocain and xylocain I believe). One the rub on certain parts of your mouth and the other you gargle with. Once they have numbed your troat and mouth you are given a tube with a metal weight on the end to swallow. You sit up, tilt your chin to your chest and just begin swallowing until you get the tube down. You than are laid down and a floroscope (sp) is used to insert a "wire" down your throat and through your body until it reaches the small intestine (I belive) - the technican has certain "markers" they have to line up during the process. They then tape the tube with the floroscopy "wire" to the side of your mouth and you are "hooked up" to a machine that stimulates your pancreas and also "sucks" the biproducts out. You are given a suction tube (like at the dentist) to help keep your saliva under control. Every 1/2 they empty the biproduct container and tests are run on the contents. It is my understanding that they measure the amount of biproduct and also test the bicorbonate level. Depending on the results of these tests they can determine whether or not you have chronic pancreatitis. THIS IS VERY ELEMENTARY UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEST I'M SURE. I work in the area of law, not medicine, so my knowledge and understanding is limited, unfortunately. It is my understanding that although my bicarbonate level came back norm, the amount of enzymes my pancrease produced was insufficient, therefore I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. I'm not quite sure of all the criteria for "small duct" versus any other type, but the doctor did tell me that I am not really at any increased risk of full blown diabetes because I don't suffer from the same type as alcoholics. He also told me that I probably will not get any worse, but that I will most likely never get any better either. (A little bit of mixed news!) He and my regular GI seem to feel that at this point I am at maximum medical improvement and from here on out it is a matter of managing the conditions and pain.
ENZYME LEVELS - It is my understanding from what I have been told that if you suffer from chronic pancreatits your pancreatic enzymes will not necessarily elevate during an attack. Actually, you will probably have elevated pancreatic enzymes with an ACUTE attack, but not with a CHRONIC attack. This was the case for me. The first attack I had was acute and depending on the doctor you talk to ranged from "moderate/severe" to "severe". At the time I was admitted to the hospital I had a Bilirubin of 2.8; Alkaline phosphatase of 226, SGPT of 780, SGOT of 628, Lipase of 1919 Amylase of 658. My gallbladder was removed and I was discharged. The second time I was admitted to the hospital all my labs came back normal. I spent five days in the hospital having various tests done (this was before my diagnosis) and all were "normal". I was told by one of my GI's partners that it was not possible that I had chronic pancreatitis. Luckily my GI is a competent doctor an went above and beyond and sent me to a specialist when he couldn't find out what was wrong with me. He had several things he suspected, but sent me to the specialist who could do the more sensative testing for the conditions.
BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE. I understand what it is like to battle the unknown. Unfortunately I am also still going through it to some extent (they don't seem to be able to explain why I can't get rid of the pain I have every single day) I am now on an anti-inflammatory in an effort to control some the "smooth muscle pain" I have been experiencing. I never had any problems before the gallbladder/acute pancreatitis attack - I could eat anything, do just about anything - now I find it hard to eat quite a number of foods and have to be careful with my activities. Some cause more pain and tenderness than others. I am very grateful that I have as much of a diagnosis as I have. I remember all to well what it was like not knowing anything. I wouldn't want to go back to that for anything.
Hello,
My name is Conner. My guitar teacher got diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis; Gastroparesis a while ago.
He doesn't have insurance, he coughed up a glassful of blood last friday, and the doctor wants to take out 1/2 of his pancresis and then he would become diabetic. He would then need to take insulin every day.
He really needs help, and I'm his best friend and his student. I don't know what to do to help him. The doctor says that he could live off Ensure, but he doesn't buy it. And he has to take pills so he could digest his food.
Please help.
Conner Huff
conner.***@**** (work)
***@**** (personal)
My name is Conner. My guitar teacher got diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis; Gastroparesis a while ago.
He doesn't have insurance, he coughed up a glassful of blood last friday, and the doctor wants to take out 1/2 of his pancresis and then he would become diabetic. He would then need to take insulin every day.
He really needs help, and I'm his best friend and his student. I don't know what to do to help him. The doctor says that he could live off Ensure, but he doesn't buy it. And he has to take pills so he could digest his food.
Please help.
Conner Huff
conner.***@**** (work)
***@**** (personal)
Hello,
My name is Conner. My guitar teacher got diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis; Gastroparesis a while ago.
He doesn't have insurance, he coughed up a glassful of blood last friday, and the doctor wants to take out 1/2 of his pancresis and then he would become diabetic. He would then need to take insulin every day.
He really needs help, and I'm his best friend and his student. I don't know what to do to help him. The doctor says that he could live off Ensure, but he doesn't buy it. And he has to take pills so he could digest his food.
Please help.
Conner Huff
conner.***@**** (work)
***@**** (personal)
My name is Conner. My guitar teacher got diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis; Gastroparesis a while ago.
He doesn't have insurance, he coughed up a glassful of blood last friday, and the doctor wants to take out 1/2 of his pancresis and then he would become diabetic. He would then need to take insulin every day.
He really needs help, and I'm his best friend and his student. I don't know what to do to help him. The doctor says that he could live off Ensure, but he doesn't buy it. And he has to take pills so he could digest his food.
Please help.
Conner Huff
conner.***@**** (work)
***@**** (personal)
Hello,
My name is Conner. My guitar teacher got diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis; Gastroparesis a while ago.
He doesn't have insurance, he coughed up a glassful of blood last friday, and the doctor wants to take out 1/2 of his pancresis and then he would become diabetic. He would then need to take insulin every day.
He really needs help, and I'm his best friend and his student. I don't know what to do to help him. The doctor says that he could live off Ensure, but he doesn't buy it. And he has to take pills so he could digest his food.
Please help.
Conner Huff
conner.***@**** (work)
***@**** (personal)
My name is Conner. My guitar teacher got diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis; Gastroparesis a while ago.
He doesn't have insurance, he coughed up a glassful of blood last friday, and the doctor wants to take out 1/2 of his pancresis and then he would become diabetic. He would then need to take insulin every day.
He really needs help, and I'm his best friend and his student. I don't know what to do to help him. The doctor says that he could live off Ensure, but he doesn't buy it. And he has to take pills so he could digest his food.
Please help.
Conner Huff
conner.***@**** (work)
***@**** (personal)
Hello,
My name is Conner. My guitar teacher got diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis; Gastroparesis a while ago.
He doesn't have insurance, he coughed up a glassful of blood last friday, and the doctor wants to take out 1/2 of his pancresis and then he would become diabetic. He would then need to take insulin every day.
He really needs help, and I'm his best friend and his student. I don't know what to do to help him. The doctor says that he could live off Ensure, but he doesn't buy it. And he has to take pills so he could digest his food.
Please help.
Conner Huff
conner.***@**** (work)
***@**** (personal)
thanks,
Conner
My name is Conner. My guitar teacher got diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis; Gastroparesis a while ago.
He doesn't have insurance, he coughed up a glassful of blood last friday, and the doctor wants to take out 1/2 of his pancresis and then he would become diabetic. He would then need to take insulin every day.
He really needs help, and I'm his best friend and his student. I don't know what to do to help him. The doctor says that he could live off Ensure, but he doesn't buy it. And he has to take pills so he could digest his food.
Please help.
Conner Huff
conner.***@**** (work)
***@**** (personal)
thanks,
Conner
I have also had a lot of the same symtoms. I have landed in the hospital twice as well. They kept sending me home telling me that I had the flu or some kind of virus. I finally refused to leave untill they found the problem and was admitted to the hospital. After three days of testing they finally did a pipida scan and they found that the function of my gallbladder was only at 7% and did surgery two hours later. This scan measures the function of most of your internal organs. Gallbladder problems were the last thing that anyone had thought of because I had had all of the other tests done and I don't fit the norm. I am 22, thin and healthy with no known family history of gallbladder problems.
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