Question: 7 days ago I developed fever of 101-102 with headache, clear drainage from nose, and loose productive cough. I haven't had any immunizations for flu, etc. After 3 days the fever subsided, but I continue to have a productive cough (greenish-brown sputum), and have had abdominal distention with high mid-epigastric pain and increased passing of gas. Stool was initially greenish-brown and for a couple of days it was loose with severe low abd. pain which would return to the upper abd. pain previously described after passing stool. I am 67 yrs. old. I still have the abd. distention, semi-formed grey-brown stool, and the abd. pain which is gnawing in nature. My appetite is poor. I have been drinking juice with cola for hydration. I was diagnosed with diverticulosis in 2004 and in 2012 an hemangioma was found on the posterior lobe of my liver which is also fatty due to overuse of acetaminophen in my 30's. I drink no alcohol and never have. I had expected this to have cleared up by now. I am a retired critical care and ER RN so I tend to have a wait and see attitude. I am hypothyroid, and take lisinopril20mg/HCTZ12.5mg for HTN. I absolutely HATE to go to the ER and will do anything to avoid having to do so. Am I in denial about my condition? I was wondering if I could have pancreatitis??


My bowel sounds are normoactive but I am very weak and I have a dog that I have to take for walks. It is becoming increasingly difficult due to weakness, exhaustion, and shortness of breath with exertion.

Thank you for your informed answer. I had no idea that HCTZ/Lisinopril could make one prone to pancreatitis. It is this sort of information which will get me motivated to seek help. I do not normally have high triglycerides. My HDL, LDL, VLDL ratios are always good. I have occasionally borderline cholesterol, but since my triglyceride ratios have always been in the range that is not conducive to atherosclerotic plaque formation, I have never been placed on any medication to lower them. I have had borderline HgA1C in November which is odd since my diet is low fat, low carb, with at least 70 gms protein daily and there is no history of diabetes in my family anywhere. If this additional info gives you any other ideas before I contact my PCP I would appreciate your feedback. All other lab values on a CMP were normal.

There is no "close discussion" or "review doctor" buttons anywhere that I can see. However, I was satisfied with the answer I obtained from Dr. Kwasa and will seek further medical attention.