Pancreatic Disorders Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Hello All,
I was just diagnosed with a 10mm x 14mm mixed type IPMN. I also have a dilated main duct at 8mm.
I have a EUS with needle aspiration scheduled in 2 weeks.
Prior, they found a cystic lesion that was 5mm in size on a routine MRI. I have been going in yearly for the last 3 years for an MRI to monitor. It during this it was upgraded to an IPMN.
I am starting to find out as much info as I can about an IPMN and asking questions.
I have a lot of upper abdomen dull pain and back pain in between my shoulder blades. Wondering if anyone has this and has a recommendation that might work to relieve the pain? Thanks

@heidenout - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You've come to good place to interact with others who also have experienced or whose loved ones have experienced a pancreatic disorder.

On this Mayo Clinic page on pancreatic cysts, you'll find the following information on IPMN:

- Pancreatic cystshttps://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cysts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375997

"An intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a growth in the main pancreatic duct or one of its side branches. IPMN may be precancerous or cancerous. It can occur in both men and women older than 50. Depending on its location and other factors, IPMN may require surgical removal."

I'm tagging a Connect member who has talked about IPMN before to meet you, @hopeful33250.

You've been through quite a bit of medical discoveries and monitoring now. How are you doing emotionally with all of this?

Hello @heidenout,

I'm glad that @lisalucier tagged me when she responded to your post. I have had IPMNs for a number of years now with only minor changes in size, so I have not done much besides an MRI every other year. When they were first discovered, I had an EUS (without biopsy or needle aspiration), then for several years I had annual MRIs, and now just every other year.

I was very concerned about them at first, as I have had three surgeries for a rare form of cancer in the upper digestive tract, and I feared that these cysts were more of the same, but there has been no evidence of that after many years.

You mentioned upper abdominal pain and back pain between your shoulders. I have never had any discomfort that I can attribute to the IPMN, but perhaps someone on this forum can relate and respond to your post.

Have you been having regular blood tests that monitor pancreatic functioning?

@hopeful33250 What blood tests monitor pancreatic function? Thank you

Hello @ahnni and welcome to Mayo Connect.

Here is an article from the Cleveland Clinic's website that lists the type of blood work that can help determine pancreatic functioning:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/23476-pancreas-blood-test
I encourage you to read the entire article, however, here is a quote from that article:

"Your pancreas produces many different digestive enzymes. Two important enzymes are amylase and lipase. Two types of pancreas blood tests are the amylase test and the lipase test.

Amylase: The amylase enzyme helps your body digest carbs. The amylase test checks for elevated levels of the amylase enzyme.
Lipase: The lipase enzyme helps your body digest fats. The lipase test checks for elevated levels of the lipase enzyme."

Are you currently experiencing symptoms that seem related to your pancreas?

I have CP, EPI and severe protein calorie malnutrition. < 3

@mercellort my husband has pancreas issues and also has elevated blood sugars with weight gain. We also have had issues with gastro Phys at the mayo clinic in Rochester Mn.

@j18

About the medicines, the doctor prescribed Creon, but I could not tolerate it. So I'm taking SpectraZyme pancreatic enzimes from Metagenics (Amazon). There are diferent presentations with diferent amounts of enzymes per serving (this is very important to find or figure out). I take this for breakfast (I feel I have a higher EPI at breakfast and dinner because I eat less).
Lunch is my biggest meal, so I take Pancreatic enzymes by PURE. This has a higher content of Amylase, Protease and Lipase.
Also what you take depends on your diet.
Please consult your doctor before you take anything

@hopeful33250 Thank you for your reply. I’m experiencing a little weight loss. Nothing extreme. I have had next generation sequencing (PancreaSeq) that showed a low risk but my largest cyst is around 3 cm in the uncinate process and my main duct is 5 -6 mm and considered a mixed type according to University of MN. A doctor at another institution said it’s branch duct.

I am freaked out by the thought of a Whipple. Wondering if I should get a 3rd opinion from Mayo.

@ahnni

I appreciate you posting some more information. Has anyone suggested that you have a Whipple? If so, another opinion at Mayo Clinic would undoubtedly be appropriate. Here is a link with information for obtaining a Mayo Clinic consult.
http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.