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How can I tell if I have IBS or chronic pancreatitis?

Posted by just @just, Feb 3, 2012

I have had different stomach pain for 30 years now. I have had my gall bladder removed. My doctor recently told me I have IBS. I think I have both IBS and chronic pancreatitis. Am concerned about not being treated completely and damaging my pancreas. Has anyone experienced chronic pancreatitis and if so, what were your symptoms? My upper stomach will hurt like crazy and almost feel hard. It is difficult to sit still when this happens. My heart rate will increase; and a new symptom now is a pain in my middle, right back a little below my shoulder blade. Sometimes the pain is enough to reduce me to tears. The major part of the pain will last 1-8 hours. When the pain subsides, I will have slighter pain in my abdomen that I describe feels like I have been punched over and over and I will be exhausted and these latter 2 symptoms will last about a day. I do have other, different symptoms, which my doctor is treating me for GERD and IBS, which I believe is correct; however, the pain I have described he is lumping into IBS as well and I am concerned it is chronic pancreatitis which has gone on for 30 years. Any advice? Thank you.

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sunshine2023 | @sunshine2023 | Mar 7, 2023
In reply to @gman007 "Because of what I know about pancreatic cancer and the inability of typical scans to gets..." + (show)
@gman007

Because of what I know about pancreatic cancer and the inability of typical scans to gets really good looks at the organ, I would say yes. There is a new scan that is a 68 _____, that I learned about from a member on here and it reveals neuroendocrine tumors much better than a CT scan. It was just approved by the FDA and there are not a huge number of facilities using it yet and insurance may be a problem, but that may be easier than and endoscopy. My advice is to always find a high volume pancreas center - somewhere they do lots of pancreatic procedures. Mayo is a good start, but if that is not reasonable geographically, find out from your GI or another where the closest high volume center is. I am fortunate to have some of the best pancreatic docs in the country in Charleston, SC which is about a 3 hour drive from my home. I visit about 3-4 times a year for different procedures. One thing I did not mention in my previous post is that if you are hospitalized with pancreatitis (usually acute), you are NPO'ed (nothing by mouth) until your pancreatic enzymes return to something approaching normalcy. This is to rest your pancreas and keep it from trying to produce digestive enzymes. If I have a really bad flare, I will try to survive on gatorade (low carb) and yogurt if I have to have some nutrition. At 225 lbs., I am not going to starve anytime soon, but do have to have enough carbs to maintain my blood sugar. I am not a doctor, but just play one on here - joking of course. You have my ear and my prayers and they are most valuable in reverse order.

Take care, Gary

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Do you have any recommendations for gasetro doc in Charleston?

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