Dilated pancreatic duct: Should I get a second opinion?

in reply to@lsugirl91 I have the same/similar condition that you described about your mother. I recently met with a hepatologist and will be having a ECRP later in the summer. The doctor told me she did not suspect cancer, but wanted to find out what was causing the ductal dilation. I too suffer from chronic nausea for which I take either Zofran or phenergan(which I like better because Zofran causes constipation). I would certainly ask your mother's doctor about the lesion and also get a referral to a hepatologist or gastroenterologist. I do not have the lesion you described, and for that reason I would highly recommend talking to the appropriate specialist about this problem your mother has. I also suffer from chronic diarrhea. Does your mother have this issue as well? I am supposed to have a fibroscan to check for hardening of the liver, but that is currently on hold while I deal with something else that has come up.
I wish the best for you and your mother. Having this problem is not a walk in the park by any stretch of imagination. Hang in there. It's not cancer until you know for sure.

It's fortunate that you found a medical provider that listened and pursued all of the leads. Seems like you found your way to an expert. Please keep in mind that if your Mom is diagnosed with cancer, treatment is available. If it is not cancer, wishing you the best of luck with diagnosis and treatment of the cause of the symptoms. Thanks for sharing your story

Hi Frances - thanks for the info. My mom is being seeing by a GI doctor, unfortunately her 3rd or 4th in the same group, all the other ones didn't want to "think outside the box" doing just stupid barium contrast tests or esophageal exploration saying her esophagus needed to be "stretched" so to say she was defeated and depressed is an understatement. Unfortunately where she lives none of the doctor's seem to want to learn more like in a big city (i.e. Dallas/Houston). Both my brother and I have offered to bring her to our cities but she didn't feel comfortable leaving home because of the possible diarrhea issues even though she wears pullups. She has battled both constipation and diarrhea for decades but it's gotten worse over the last few years despite she doesn't eat much (I tell her she doesn't eat enough to feed a bird). She survived by drinking Boost and other protein type shakes - we cut out all fibrous type foods thinking it was causing her stomach to "paralyze". She also takes zofran and/or phenergan - they help sometimes but lying down seems to really help the nausea pass. Also, She is a smoker still (moot point with her at this stage in life - LOL) and had bladder cancer 20 years ago so I'm sure the smoking plays a part.

She weighs 97 pounds (her avg. used to be 120-130) and looks so pathetic. I'm just praying good or bad they will be able to figure out what's going on and that begins tomorrow with the EUS. I will update when I hear more. Thank you and have a blessed day!

Thank you for responding! We definitely are blessed that God sent her PA, as I've said in the past - all she needed was to be heard and not "poo-poo'd". Fortunately my mother and I don't drink "kool-aid" or tuck our head in the sand - we go to battle whatever that may be, prayers it's not cancer but still something they can "fix" so she gets relief. I'm the over preparer needing details so I'm not blindsided. God is control and all we can do at this point is trust in Him.
Have a blessed day!

CT scan showed 5 mm enlarged pancreatic duct with an abrupt termination at the tail. Having MRI with contrast for further evaluation. Anyone have experience or knowledge about this?
Thank you

in reply to @lsugirl91 I hope your mother's health improves. While I have remained as positive as possible about my own condition, I am no closer to being diagnosed than I was three and a half years ago when they first discovered my problem. I am to undergo an endoscopy and colonoscopy which I understand can be done at the same time. However, I have recently informed my doctor that I am putting all of my "treatment" on hold for the time being, with the exception of the MRI for my sacral spine in an effort to factually determine why my legs go numb after sitting more than 30 minutes, as the donut pillow I bought has not helped with the problem. I do not want to lose my ability to walk, and if something can be done to improve this problem then I will go for it. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy what is left of the summer and decide in the Fall which course I want to take. The iron infusions I had really did a number on me, and it was after such a horrible reaction that I decided that I need a break from all things medical, with the exception of my spine surgeon and urologist, because both are cute.

@missyo, have you had the MRI? What did you find out? How are you doing?

Hi Colleen,
MRI with And w/o contrast yesterday. Trying to schedule ERCP with EOS to better determine the 5mm enlargement and abrupt termination and atrophy of the duct.
Very distressing. I am co concerned it might be related to my Lynch gene.. nodule in right lung requires biopsy as well.

I’ve been in remission from second bout of uterine cancer for 9 years and wondering if this might be a met.

Thank you for your response.
M

@missyo, any update from the ERCP?