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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Pancreatitis Cause Abdominal Pains, Nusuea And Fatty Stools?

I have been having abdominal pain, fatty bowel movements and nausea for about a month now and had similar issues last year around the same time. I had many tests done last year and nothing was conclusive. The morning is the worst. I wake up at almost the same time everyday - between 3 and 5 am - with pain and get some relief when I go to the bathroom. The doctor thinks I have the stomach flu and the stress is a factor. I did some research and Pancreatitis fits my symptoms. My Triglycerides aren't high (152) but my LDL is 181. Also my WBC has been a little elevated for several years (14.1). My doctor started me on Lovastatin for my high cholesterol, but it caused my stomach symptoms to be worse, so she said to stop taking it. I'm not sure what to do and fear that no one takes me seriously because I suffer from OCD which exaggerates the symptoms at times. Could it be Pancreatitis?

Mon, 10 Nov 2014
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
HI.
Thanks for an elucidate history and I have understood your problems well.

Very true that the symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea and fatty stools can fir into a clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis. The other factors which can be contributory are: Backache at the place where the pancreas is. Jaundice in some cases, pain is always in an upper abdomen and deep rooted. There may not be fever.

The other probable causes can be IBS, stress, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal cancer and so on.

I would advise you the following:
MRCP and ERCP can really help in a diagnosis.
Liver function tests.
Blood amylase and lipase for pancreatitis
Blood sugar, urea, creatinine, electrolytes and so on.
Stool examination - indication of pancreatitis
Urine
Once the diagnosis is made it becomes easy to manage a case.
It is good that your Lvastatin is stopped as it was causing a problem.

Take Fat free diet, multivitamins, Pancreatic enzyme supplements.
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Does Pancreatitis Cause Abdominal Pains, Nusuea And Fatty Stools?

HI. Thanks for an elucidate history and I have understood your problems well. Very true that the symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea and fatty stools can fir into a clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis. The other factors which can be contributory are: Backache at the place where the pancreas is. Jaundice in some cases, pain is always in an upper abdomen and deep rooted. There may not be fever. The other probable causes can be IBS, stress, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal cancer and so on. I would advise you the following: MRCP and ERCP can really help in a diagnosis. Liver function tests. Blood amylase and lipase for pancreatitis Blood sugar, urea, creatinine, electrolytes and so on. Stool examination - indication of pancreatitis Urine Once the diagnosis is made it becomes easy to manage a case. It is good that your Lvastatin is stopped as it was causing a problem. Take Fat free diet, multivitamins, Pancreatic enzyme supplements.