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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Pain In Side. History Of Gallstone. Family History Of Chronic Pancreatitis

I have been having very sharp pains in my upper left side - it radiates to or from left breast bone around outside and under left breast to center of bottom of the sternum. The pain can only be described as nearly intolerable. Sudden onset two days ago, worse at night. I have considered the ER two nights now. I have had no health problems I know of but gallstone 25 years ago (still have gall bladder ) but my 28 year old daughter has chronic pancreatitis(she drinks) but I don t drink at all and never really have.
Mon, 18 Feb 2013
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi rhonda. Pancreatitis is not caused only by alcohol.even if you have removed gallbladder there could be some stone in main bile duct... Also some drugs and metabolic disorders can cause pancreatitis. These symptoms can be caused by pancreatic pseudocyst or tumor. And splenic and gastric disorders as well. You should do lab tests definitely. Some enzymes can be seen ehivh are important for further evaluation.
Wish you good health.-
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Gastroenterologist Dr. Charles S Narasi's  Response
Hello,rhonda,
You mention that you have gallstone diagnosed about 25 years ago.
I assume that you have had no gallbladder attacks during all these
years. With the gallbladder acute attack , you usually have nausea,
vomiting,fever,chills and severe pain in the right upper quadrant of
the abdomen under the rib cage and the pain can travel to the right
shoulder and right upper back. Your pain is located in the left upper
part of the abdomen. This may be related to the stomach , left part
of the large bowel or the colon and also could be the tail of the
pancreas. Pancreatitis can be related to gallstone disease.
Sometimes , the stone travels down the channel called the bile duct
and can cause blockage. If that happens you will have intense pain
along with yellow jaundice, fever etc. just like I mentioned above.
Pancreas also gets involved with inflammation because of closeness.
If you have any of these symptoms, yes, you should be seen by a
doctor .You will need blood work, sonogram or CT-Scan of the abdomen
to find out what is happening.
I wish you well.
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Pain In Side. History Of Gallstone. Family History Of Chronic Pancreatitis

Hi rhonda. Pancreatitis is not caused only by alcohol.even if you have removed gallbladder there could be some stone in main bile duct... Also some drugs and metabolic disorders can cause pancreatitis. These symptoms can be caused by pancreatic pseudocyst or tumor. And splenic and gastric disorders as well. You should do lab tests definitely. Some enzymes can be seen ehivh are important for further evaluation. Wish you good health.-