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Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
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chronic Pancreas pain.
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MedHelp Member's Question

chronic Pancreas pain.

by jeannie, Aug 31, 1999 12:00AM
My husband has been having chronic pancreas pain for the last 2 years. He has had 7 ERCP's. His doctor is now saying that it is possible that he has sphincter of oddi dysfunction
Doctor's Answer

by HFHSM.D._gastro-RF, Sep 02, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Jeannie,

Your posting allows me the opportunity to provide some general comments on pancreatitis.  Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas.  Acute pancreatitis refers to a condition in which there is sudden onset of abdominal pain.  In North America the most common identified causes are common bile duct stones, alcohol use, and  abdominal trauma.  There are other causes but they are not common.  Included among the unusual causes are drugs and idiopathic.  There are certain medications (e.g. sulfa drugs, lasix, tetracyclines, estrogens. thiazides), vasculitis, infections, metabolic causes (high calcium, some patients with very high triglyceride levels)and genetic conditions.



Chronic pancreatitis refers to a condition in which there is irreversible structuraldamage to the pancreas.  A physician may see pancreatic calcifications or changes in the pancreatic duct by ERCP.



There is a conditi0on of chronic recurrent pancreatitis.  These patients have recurrent attacks of pancreatitis but do not have structural abnormalities.



Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a condition in which the opening of the pancreatic duct (the sphuincter of Oddi) does not function properly.  Patients have recurrent attacks of abdominal pain and slight elevations of pancreatic enzymes.  The diagnosis can be made by measuring the pressures in the sphincter (Sphincter of Oddi manometry is the formal name for the test.  Treatment consist of cutting the sphincter during the ERCp.



This information is presented for educational purposes.  Ask specific questions to your personal physician.

HFHSM.D.-Gastro-RF
Member Comments (3)

by Kathy, Sep 18, 1999 12:00AM
I had pancreatitis 3 years ago.  Since then I have had pain in the mid epigastric region of my abdomen.  Under my ribs and by the xyphoid process.  Is this where your husbands pain is?  I no longer have elevated lipase/amylase levels, all I have is pain.  Especially after eating (especially fatty foods), but sometimes any food.  I am on Creon, and it helps some, but here is where the weird part of the pain comes.  I can stimulate the pain by doing a lot of bending.  Does your husband or anyone else ever experience this?  Or am I just crazy.  The pain is a milder version of the pain I had the night of the acute attack, but all my tests are coming back negative, so I just wanted to hear from another pancreatitis patient. If I could avoid eating or bending I bet I could get rid of the pain, but I've yet to figure out how to do this. ha

by jeannie, Sep 20, 1999 12:00AM
My husbands pain is constant. Lately nothing seems to help. It doesn't seem to matter what he eats. His doctor has recommended he see a surgeon. Which is really scary. He has been in the emergency room about once a week with severe pain that his medications are not helping. The pain goes through to his back. Every blood test he has comes back within normal range. I am hoping that the surgeon has good news for him. My main concern is cancer, even though there is no sign of it in the blood work. Any further information would be helpful. Thank you Jeannie

by jean, Nov 19, 1999 12:00AM
Any other symptoms?  I am having same thing and have ruled out GERD, diet and ulcers, bowel. Don't drink, don't take medications.



1) constant pain radiating out mid-back (worsens when I lie down)

2) bloating

3) change in stool (size/colour) but no constipation, ibs nor diarrhea

4) unexplained weight loss

5) odd skin odor

6) swelling out the left upper back (just below shoulder blade)

interferes with breathing only when I lie on it (nothing found in lungs)



No sign of pancreatitis, nor lesions on Chest X-ray nor CT Scan.



My gall bladder was removed many years ago so I suspect that makes tracking down signs/symptoms a little more difficult. (or so it seems).

by sue, Nov 26, 1999 12:00AM
I suffered with chronic