pancreatitis - how do you know if you have it?

just wondering b/c I thought I had gall bladder problems, but they did an ultrasound and everything looked ok and Doc gave me prilosec to take and I feel better, but I still get a pain right beneath my right rib cage.

You would have right upper quadrant pain and jaundice if you had pancreatitis, certainly if it was acute. Blood tests for liver function would show raised liver enzymes. The fact you have no gallstones would suggest it unlikely, or at least unlikely as a result of a common bile duct blockage. I'm only familiar with pancreatitis as a result of gallstones or alchololism, but I'm sure your bloodwork would show up any biliary tree abnormality

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Current meds

Asacol Supps x 1 500mg nightly
Ferrous Sulphate 200mg x3 daily
Fish Oil 1000mg 1 cap
Acidophilus 2 tabs
Yakult


Diagnosed '96 ?colitis?crohns (biopsies inconclusive)
Remission for 11yrs, no meds
Current flare since April 07, Scope Sept. confirms ulc. proctitis

Hi Beth....have you had an MRCP (abdominal liver/pancreas..etc MRI with specific contrast) done?

quincy

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I was having pain in my mid-chest. My doctor said it could be the pancreas and ordered bloodwork to check my pancreatic enzymes (I think that is the correct terminology). If it would have been elevated two tests in a row I would have had a CT scan next.

My regular Imuran bloodwork doesn't check for that kind of thing. I usually have a CBC (just did one today). So this was extra bloodwork.

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Tabitha (Tab)

100mg Azathioprine, 2 Fibercon, Colazal-9 a day, Acidopholis Pearls, Nexium

http://www.healingwell.com/donate
Co-Moderator UC Forum

thanks so much Coalfire, Quincy and Tab for the information.

I get worried sometimes since the kidney disease (I know I can't play the odds) and just wonder what else I will get. I feel comforted, thank you! I want to be able to stay on Imuran.

Quincy, no I have not had an MRCP done or MRI, I will discuss w/GI next time I see him. I was thinking about the MRCP (could not remember the acronym) too, thank you. I did have an MRV done, but that was for my kidneys.

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Beth, 32 ~ Major Flare Sept/Oct 07 ~ in remission

Definitely get on it sooner than later because that should answer more questions. What I'd hate for you to have done is an ERCP before the MRCP.

Maybe your doc has pull....please consider..seriously.

quincy

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Years ago I had pancreatitis from Asacol. Mine was not painful. Just a dull pain in the left side. But constant. My case was not common b/c most people have LOTS OF PAIN in their stomach. Sometimes even the antipication of touch there hurts.

You can also get a blood test and they can check for Amylyse and Lipase enzyme

You can get pancreatitis from pancreases divisim (birth defect- my brother had it), sharp blow to belly (like a car accident), drug allergic reaction (i had it this way), and gall stones can also cause it.

Every blood test I take I get those 2 enzymes tested.

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