Pancreatitis

[sickofsick]

Has any of you that have Crohn's been disgnosed with Pancreatitis? I have not, but I have all of the symptoms and I am wondering what to do at this point. I have a doctors appointment this coming Wednesday and will ask to be tested, but at the moment, I have excrutiating pain the goes around my left side right under my rib cage on my back. When I eat or move the wrong way, it gets worse and I cannot sleep on either side or my back period. I have to sleep sitting up in a recliner. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Bamagrl]

I had it in 2009

Went to a doc in the box who diagnosed it with a blood test

They gave me some pain pills and told me to follow up with my regular doctor that coming Monday

Went to my regular doc on Monday and the tests came back normal - I was headed to FL on vacation that very afternoon and my doc told me to just watch it and if I was still hurting to come back and see him when I got back but there really isn't much they can do for Pancreatitis

When I got back, I went to my GI who ran a bunch of tests to see if it was Chronic or an Isolated occurrence - mine was isolated and the doc could not say why it happened and it has not happened since

It is extremely painful but Loratab's do get rid of the pain and DO NOT drink any alcohol - in fact excessive alcohol use is the first thing that doc's look for in determining why you have Pancreatitis

Good Luck and hope you get to feeling better

 

[sickofsick]

I had it in 2009

Went to a doc in the box who diagnosed it with a blood test

They gave me some pain pills and told me to follow up with my regular doctor that coming Monday

Went to my regular doc on Monday and the tests came back normal - I was headed to FL on vacation that very afternoon and my doc told me to just watch it and if I was still hurting to come back and see him when I got back but there really isn't much they can do for Pancreatitis

When I got back, I went to my GI who ran a bunch of tests to see if it was Chronic or an Isolated occurrence - mine was isolated and the doc could not say why it happened and it has not happened since

It is extremely painful but Loratab's do get rid of the pain and DO NOT drink any alcohol - in fact excessive alcohol use is the first thing that doc's look for in determining why you have Pancreatitis

Good Luck and hope you get to feeling better

Thank you. No I don't drink. I used to drink about 20 years ago, but it was just every now and then because I really don't like alcohol. I agree, nothing takes the pain away, but I'm just scared I had cancer or something.

 

[Bamagrl]

Just having an attack of Pancreatitis doesn't autoomatically lead to cancer;however I had friend who died from pancreatic cancer and it was basically caused from chronic pancreatitis that was brought on excessive drinking in her younger days - very difficult to treat

 

[DustyKat]

Pancreatitis is an extra intestinal manifestation of Crohn's. I wrote the following a little while ago in the context of my daughter but it can still be an issue for a small number of people post diagnosis when flaring...

It would appear that pancreatitis is one of the lesser known extra intestinal manifestations of IBD. I am speaking of pancreatitis outside the realm of a known diagnosis of IBD and medication prescribed that may precipate the condition.

I have been reading up on this for a while now as Sarah was admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of Pancreatitis 10 days prior to her emergency surgery and diagnosis.

Articles that discuss the link between the two point to pancreatitis either being acute or chronic but regardless of it's presentation it was an extra intestinal manifestation that often preceded the clinical manifestations of IBD.

Although this EIM ocurs in only a small proportion of patients it may be something to consider if you are undiagnosed and have persistent upper abdominal pain, particularly if it is epigastric (stomach area). It may also radiate through to the back.

Tests to help diagnose pancreatitis include ultrasound and bloods that test for serum amylase.

Dusty. xxx

 

[kllyeve]

Are you on IMURAN? This is a possible side effect of this medication. I know BTDT.

 

[sickofsick]

Are you on IMURAN? This is a possible side effect of this medication. I know BTDT.

No they have put me on Lialda and I used to be on Asacol which seemed to help, but now they tell me Asacol does not have the financial help available anymore, so that is why they switched me, but I have only been on it for one month.

 

[Jenny41]

I had it in June and it was acute. I do not drink so the e.r. doc was not sure why I got it. My G.I. explained it as as being cause by gallstones. My GI doc was correct. I had my gallbladder removed Monday. It turns out I had 0 function from my gallbladder.

 

[sickofsick]

I had it in June and it was acute. I do not drink so the e.r. doc was not sure why I got it. My G.I. explained it as as being cause by gallstones. My GI doc was correct. I had my gallbladder removed Monday. It turns out I had 0 function from my gallbladder.

Thanks for the info. I have been sitting in my recliner for the last four days with a heating pad on the spot and it has finally subsided, but I can still feel like a bruise where it was hurting. I guess I will wait and see if it completely goes away. How long did you have to stay in the hospital for the gallbladder surgery?

 

[Jenny41]

I had surgery on Monday and was released on Wednesday. I guess they kept me a few extra days as a precaution because of the crohn's.

 

[Manzyb]

I had pancreatitis last year. They never really ended up finding out why. It was at the end of my pregnancy though, and things subsided about a month later. I do have a dilated bile duct that has some sludge in it still from when I had my gallbladder removed, that could have caused it.

When i had my surgery, it was outpatient. In and out the same day.

 

[Amylou]

Ive had pancreatitus by ek it was painful. Mine was brought on by azathioprine not touching that again made me so poorly!! My stomach felt like it was doing somersalts and the pain went through to my back I couldnt stand for the pain ended up in A&E then started being sick. Spent weeknd in hospital dosed up on morphine while it calmed back down!! Hope your feeling better soon!!!

 

[sickofsick]

Ive had pancreatitus by ek it was painful. Mine was brought on by azathioprine not touching that again made me so poorly!! My stomach felt like it was doing somersalts and the pain went through to my back I couldnt stand for the pain ended up in A&E then started being sick. Spent weeknd in hospital dosed up on morphine while it calmed back down!! Hope your feeling better soon!!!

Thank you. I can definitely relate to the pain. I cannot afford to go to the ER, so with the heating pad, it helps alot for right now. Without the heating pad, I am yelping out in pain with every movement. Hopefully, it will subside. I'm trying to stay on the liquid diet, so my intestines are not trying to process too much food at one time.

 

[Amylou]

Realy do feel for you!! Being on this forum makes me realise how lucky we are in UK with the NHS. I ended up having to go theatre 9 times last year due to problems with crohns god knows how I could have afforded it if I had to pay. Hope the pain subsides soon!! Keep us updated on how your getting on!!

 

[Manzyb]

Try to stick to very low in fat foods. If you do have pancreatitis, low fat food is best. I know you said you are doing liquids. Try some sherbet or some Popsicle, things like that will be really good for you.