Pancreatitis and malabsorption
Common Questions and Answers about Pancreatitis and malabsorption
pancreatitis
00AM
Oily or floating stools (steatorrhea) suggests malabsorption or chronic pancreatitis. I would suggest tests to look for this.
For chronic pancreatitis, one can obtain a plain abdominal film to look for any calcifications. Serum amylase and lipase levels can also be obtained. If this is the case, pancreatic enzyme supplementation (using medication) is indicated.
For malabsorption, it would be a good idea to send the stool off for analysis.
Now its been basically non-stop, confirmed by mri, that it is chronic pancreatitis, and fatty liver. Im being sent to a pain specialist for the pain, and hoping he can offer relief, because Ive been recieving very little help from my doctor with that. Im 5'5", used to be about 138lbs, and now am 162, with gain of 10lbs a month on a low fat diet, no meat, no bread, soft food. I dont understand except unless wieght gain is from thyroid going wrong, im hypothyroid.
Hi, understand your concern. With pancreatitis usually the lipase and amylase values are increased many folds. And if chronic the imaging studies will usually show pancreatic fibrosis. In the absence of these findings its unlikely that you have chronic pancreatitis. The other causes for the pain could be infections of the bowel and bladder, prolapsed intervertebral disc or inflammatory diseases of the colon. So, if your symptoms persist discuss these options with your doctor. Regards.
I have been having bad upper stomach and mid chest pains for about 2 and a half weeks, which is coming from the pancreatitis diagnoses i got a couple or 3 years ago. The last couple of bowel movements I had looked weird. They looked like a whole lot of pieces glued together, really ragged, not smooth as they normally are. Does anybody know if that's a normal part of pancreatits?
Medical, there's got to be an underlying reason for whatever is going on with you. It might be a good idea to try to look into the 'cause' for either the malabsorption or maldigestion you're experiencing. If you have all the enzymes you need, you'd be throwing your money down the toilet, so to speak.
May also be given vitamin supplements, especially fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, since chronic pancreatitis is associated with lowered fat absorption. A diet low in fat and high in protein and calories might be recommended to help patients gain and maintain weight.
This is just my opinion, with the problems you've listed above. But defently tell your Dr.
I have had multiple rounds of LFTs done including one taken 2 weeks after I quit drinking all with in normal ranges, a ultrasound and CT scan (for a kidney obstruction but would have incorporated my liver) preformed a month after I quit drinking and a colonoscopy all normal. I have had a test for Bile acid malabsorption and a test for coeliac.
Okay, sorry for bumping this up, but I'm reading more on oily farts/ stool and everywhere says pancreatitis or a tumor. I HAVE to know if I'm in desperate need of medical attention.
I did call the doctor and said I had orange in stool, and she said it was probably the peach tea I was drinking, but I had forgotten to mention it was oily and came out with gas. I remember this happened before, and I was told fat malabsorption, but it went away after a few days.
Causes other than pancreatitis can be considered. Malabsorption and celiac disease can also cause mucous-based and oily stools. Sending the stool off for such analysis, along with obtaining blood tests to exclude celiac disease can be discussed with your GI physician.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
I am checking into Celiac disease, fructose malabsorption and now sulfite allergy-thanks guys. I also have trouble with water hurting my stomach. Sulfite allergy would explain that. I will post more after my GI appt.
You really don't want to put off treatment for a dog with pancreatitis. One, it's extremely painful; and two, it is easily fatal. The pancreas needs to rest, which means NO FOOD until it's over. Since your dog is not drinking, she needs to have IV fluid support and possibly IV nutrient support as well. This condition is very dangerous, so please don't wait any longer and get her to a vet!
but I am still very anxious and nervous when I read about the serious side effects such as liver congestion, fatty liver, pancreatitis, malabsorption, colon cancer (???). The things that they don't teach you about in textbooks obviously, and things you don't see after you discharge the patient. Can anyone out there ease my mind about these fears?
Thank you!
I have had a history of digestive problems for years, mostly with loose stool, gas, acid re-flux and constant nausea. I was recently diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, and I have changed my diet dramatically.
I no longer eat fatty, spicy or acidic foods, and I have cut alcohol and caffeine out of my diet completely. My current diet is now oatmeal for breakfast. Raisins, a turkey on wheat sandwich (no other toppings) and a pudding for lunch.
I also had severe acute pancreatitis (normal lipase is under 300 and mine was over 39,000) due to stones in my bile duct for which I had an ERCP the day prior to the surgery. A sphincterotomy was performed at this time (Sphincter of Oddi). At my 2 week surgical follow-up I had no pain whatsoever. Pain in the right upper quadrant developed within the next few weeks. I have now had the pain every day for over 4 months.
I and in fact, my husband and one of my sons had chronic diarrhea and the doctor ordered for all three of us a stool test. We went at home and packaged it, they then sent it to the lab. Surprise, all three of us had a parasite. And then we found out that about 70 people at a party we had gone to on a friend's farm also had the parasite (giardia). We all got it from a huge fruit salad washed in contaminated water. Awesome, right?
If the specialist can access the tubes they can break down and flush out stones and debris. Also i was precsribed Questran (colestyremine) which helps remove bile and alleviate jaundice. It helped reduce my Bilirubin numbers. Hope this helps. The spyglass is a day stay and available on NHS in UK, even Private I think its under £2000.
s, hypothyroidism, chronic pancreatitis, malabsorption, atrophic gastritis/pernicious anemia, Celiac and other food allergies, etc). I have an enlarged thymus, which is what, to my doctors, indicates that this is autoimmune in the absence of antibodies.
My TSH has never been through the roof. The highest it's ever been was 6.0. My T4 is always at the very bottom of the range.
However, if your diarrhea is persisting, then other tests which should be carried out are stool test for parasitic infections, and tests (blood tests and endoscopy and other specialized tests) for irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, malabsorption syndromes, pancreatic diseases, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and lactose intolerance. Autoimmune component can be ruled out through an ANA panel.
I would advise you to take a list of your symptoms and see your doctor and have full blood and stool screening tests. You might also ask if you can have tests for Celiac disease, other food intolerances and Lactose. Re the white tongue - might be useful to exclude overgrowth of Candida. I also am suffering from malabsorption at the mo - but I don't have some of the other symptoms you mention. I have digestive ones.
Recommended
