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New to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI): What helps?
Digestive Health | Last Active: Mar 23 3:39pm | Replies (112)Comment receiving replies
Im just looking for those in similar situations, what were the outcomes what were the diagnoses. In 2014 I started to have gallbladder attacks that would last for 2-3 weeks. It took until 2017 to have gallbladder removed there was no sludge, no stones it was functioning at 2%. I had the gallbladder surgery woke up in excruciating pain not like surgical pain continued to have more intense "attacks". A month later they found 2 tears one at the pancreatic duct and one at the liver duct. I had an ercp where stents were placed for 12 weeks. And dealt with pancreatitis and elevated liver enzymes during that hospital stay. Doctors said I shouldnt be having pain but I was. Pain continued, and could feel the placement of stents. I then had pocketing of bile where my gallbladder fossa was. An interventionist radiologist then drained the sac. The sac filled again and because it was too smalk it wasnt drained. I have been in and out of the hospital for years over 12 hospital stays averaging 7-10 day stays. All tests have come back normal (CT,MRI,Bloodwork) other than a little gastritis during an endoscopy and a cyst on liver thats been there for years. Ive had a small bowel study which showed that everything goes through my small intestine within 14 minutes. Ive been dealing with chronic fatty stools diarrhea up to 10 times a day-which lead doctors with a dx of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). I was placed on a high dose of creon which helped with diarrhea but pain has remained. Pain is becoming so severe that I cannot leave my home, it wakes me up from sleep, Im having excruciating 8-10 out of 10 pain at the tip of sternum, into epigastric region under right breast and directly behind epigastric region in my back. Heartburn is getting worse. Ive lost 30 pounds since the end of January, and my GI isnt concerned because Im overweight. I just truly need insight or point me in the direction of things that can be looked into. Im at my last straw, my life, family, and career have been impacted for years.
Replies to "Im just looking for those in similar situations, what were the outcomes what were the diagnoses...."
Just a suggestion. Do not lay on your right side. Sleep with a pillow between your knees and ankles. Do not take pain meds within six hours if possible. Never mix extra strength tylenol, diazepam or percocet within six hours. Maybe where your pain is coming from. I will pray for you.
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@christina315
I know you are very frustrated. There are many stomach and esophagus problems that could cause your symptoms. You need experts... like the Mayo or one of the other research teaching hospitals.
My suggestion with problems of diarrhea is to try a probiotic.I tried some cheap ones and even the yogurt with live culture and they did not help. Align was recommended to me by my husband's cousin. It is a little pricey, but worth it to me. My husband gets it for me at Sam's Club and stocks up when they have it on special. (the store brands do not work for me.. Align has some secret ingredient that works for me) My mama started having problems too.. she is 91 years old now.. and I started giving them to her too. She had her gallbladder out many years ago as I had. She only had problems occasionally... mostly if she ate fried foods. With me it made no difference what I ate, but I had a Nissen wrap at same time I had my gallbladder out.
I had to have stomach surgery because of a repair of the Nissen wrap (mesh put in wrong place.... long story). Was referred to Mayo. They were concerned about my 38lb weight loss. 2 surgeries (undo of Nissen wrap and gastric bypass to fix the soiding hernia) at Mayo and hopefully final surgery in 2015 at Mayo .. an open abdominal surgery that fixed the complications I had of the previous surgery.
I have achalasia and Barrett's esophagus. All which can cause abdominal and chest pain. The open abdominal surgery I had is very difficult to recover from and was told I would probably have the chest pain the rest of my life.. and not to worry I am not having heart attacks. The pain is the worst when low weather fronts come through.. the stronger the front the stronger my pain is. I take low doses of oxycodone and when really bad I take a small amount of diazepam (valium). Have to be very careful with what meds you mix with oxycodone or any other narcotic.
I would suggest you keep a journal and write down everything you eat and what time. Notate the times you have the increase pain and where it isand when you have diarrhea. What activities were going on... walking, standing, sitting, bending, sleeping, sports activity, etc. Sometimes this can indicate a pattern that can be helpful.
Best of luck,
Zaroga