Pancreatitis
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Pancreatitis
My GI called - never a good sign. My pancreatic enzymes were higher than ever. He is calling the pancreatic/biliary specialist and seeing about what to do. He is also calling my endocrinologist. I'm so depressed. Last time I saw the pancreatic specialist, my levels were not as bad and he told me there was nothing he could do for me. I will probably have to have another endoscopic ultrasound now - like an EGD, but more invasive. Not too many doctors do them, as they are risky. I wouldn't even mind having all of this stuff done if an answer and treatment could be found. But, I guess they have to check again for tumors or whatever else. The symptoms that seem like IBS, are most likely the pancreatitis. I'm just hoping they can figure out something. They never saw gall bladder issues, but perhaps it is something like that. Will find out more next week I guess. Good thing school is almost over. I can't take much more and it is hard to balance my schedule and to for appointments when I need to be working. Like yesterday, there was a cancellation with the pancreatic/biliary specialist, but I did not want to miss more work, so I told them I would keep my appointment in June, but to call if they had another cancellation. He only sees patients on Thursdays. The other days, he does procedures and teaches. Had I known about the high levels, I would have taken the appointment. I think it is better if my GI speaks to him first though. Doctors pay attention to other doctors, not always so much to the patient. This time I'm very nervous. IBS is one thing, but this is way more serious.
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Re: Pancreatitis
Very sorry to hear this.
Allison
Allison
If your illness was preceded by use of a medication, e.g., an antibiotic, please fill out an FDA Adverse Event Report at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm
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Re: Pancreatitis
So sorry, Beth. Let's hope it isn't as serious as it sounds. Talk tomorrow night?
Hang in there.
Hang in there.
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Re: Pancreatitis
Liz, you hang in there. I know it never seems to end but just try to focus your trust on Him who always brings us good and wonderful things. I'll keep you in my prayers. In the meantime until you see the Dr. can't they prescribe anything to at least make you feel a little better? It seems like your GI could do this for you. I don't know much about pancreatitis, only it can be painful. I have a dear friend who had it very badly and was hospitalized and he takes a pill everyday for it. He has taken this med for years but I don't know what it is. I always have you close in prayer. Hoping you get some relief soon.
CAROL
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Re: Pancreatitis
The doctor repeated the pancreatic enzyme tests on Monday and they had normalized. The funny thing is I felt worse after that. Could be that it started up again or it is something else. Now, to top it off, GI's office called and said that the bismuth in the Pepto that I've been on for so long is showing in my blood and that is not good. It is not at toxic levels, but it should not show. I will see the SIBO specialist tomorrow and ask what to do. I never liked the idea of being on Pepto for so long (years), but when I only took it once a day 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. it was ok. Since taking the levaquin/vanco combo in February, most days I took it twice, so I am trying to cut down. I will ask if there is something else I can take instead. For all I know, maybe this is what is causing the pancreatitis.
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Re: Pancreatitis
Yes, another question to ask the Dr. I would get off the Pepto and try something else. Glad the enzyme levels are down, thats good. Hopefully he can give you something instead of the pepto.
CAROL
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Re: Pancreatitis
Good luck tomorrow, Liz. Think positive. School is almost out! Let us know what he says,
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Re: Pancreatitis
Beth, I am so glad that your pancreatic enzymes have normalized. That's a relief. Good luck with finding something else to substitute for the pepto, or cutting it down.
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Re: Pancreatitis
I saw the doctor and interestingly enough, he said to continue the Pepto Bismol. The therapeutic range for bismuth in the blood can be from 4 - 30 and mine is 1.2 If you are not taking any bismuth, then 0.5 is normal. But, toxix is 50 or higher. He told me that the culture that he had taken with my EGD did show some growth. The duodenum had white blood cells and coliforms. Coliforms do not belong in the small intestine or stomach and this needs to be treated and is probably causing my digestive issues, or at least some of them. I will take Xifaxan for 10 days when school is out and do stool enemas at the same time or right after finishing the 10 days in order to avoid c diff. When I took Xifaxan back in 2009, I had worse food intolerances, and it helped me. The problem is, a few weeks or months later, I took Cipro and relapsed with c diff. so I did not follow up with the specialist.
So, that is the plan and I am hoping it helps. He said that the overgrowth of bacteria could also be causing the pancreatic or bile ducts to swell and that would make the pancreatic enzymes higher. I am supposed to have an ultrasound next week to see if they can see anything like that or gall stones.
I feel a little more optimistic. Xifaxan goes right through me, but last time I took calcium with it and it helped. Will have to check if I can do that again. How I got the coliforms? I don't know, but having an ng tube stool transfer did not help and may have contributed. However, I had those symptoms after vanco, way before that transfer, so I'm really not sure. I just hope the treatment works.
So, that is the plan and I am hoping it helps. He said that the overgrowth of bacteria could also be causing the pancreatic or bile ducts to swell and that would make the pancreatic enzymes higher. I am supposed to have an ultrasound next week to see if they can see anything like that or gall stones.
I feel a little more optimistic. Xifaxan goes right through me, but last time I took calcium with it and it helped. Will have to check if I can do that again. How I got the coliforms? I don't know, but having an ng tube stool transfer did not help and may have contributed. However, I had those symptoms after vanco, way before that transfer, so I'm really not sure. I just hope the treatment works.
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Re: Pancreatitis
Sounds very hopeful Liz, lets hope the Xifaxan helps. Maybe this will be the magic bullet for you and you can finally begin to feel better. Praying for you.
CAROL
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Re: Pancreatitis
This does indeed sound encouraging. Just the fact that there are now some actual findings and a treatment plan seems like an improvement over the nebulous situation you've been having to contend with for so long.
If your illness was preceded by use of a medication, e.g., an antibiotic, please fill out an FDA Adverse Event Report at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm
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Re: Pancreatitis
Sounds like good news - a plan.
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Re: Pancreatitis
Really sick today - nausea, etc. I'm not sure if it is a virus or what. Will have ultrasound tomorrow and be seeing my internist. At least one good thing - mammogram post surgery and check up was fine. Now if I can just get the GI stuff healed!
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Re: Pancreatitis
Hope for a better day for you tomorrow. Good news about tests that are in so far. Hang in there.
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Re: Pancreatitis
I'm sick also, must be that virus going around. Lets hope today is better for both of us.
CAROL
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