Pancreatitis help

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I'm fairly sure my partner has pancreatitis. He has had 3 episodes of severe stomach ache and vomiting after eating fatty foods in the past 4 weeks. Latest one was today. He is a heavy drinker. He will phone the GP on Monday but can anyone share their experience/how they were diagnosed? Will he be sent to A&E or will the GP be able to get a blood test done at the surgery for him that will prove or disprove it?

Sorry just bumping incase someone new reading can help.

That sounds like it could be gallstones too! Gallstones can also cause pancreatitis if obstructed. GP could start by sending him for an ultrasound that would definitely be able to tell gallstones and possibly inflamed pancreas but not always . Also bloods. Don’t think it’s one for A&E. Try diet management until he can get to the GP- and cut the booze! Good luck!

Yes gallstones sound likely as well! I'm praying it's not one for A&E to be honest, I just kept reading that the pancreatitis test was done in A&E but hopefully it can be done at the GP. He has already cut down on the booze to be fair to him, still has a long way to go mind you. Thank you for your reply.

If the pain gets really bad you can go to A&E of course! It can be an emergency if it’s very bad, I think if it comes and goes it’s more promising. Hope you get it sorted!

It sounds like biliary colic, not pancreatitis. Gallstones and alcohol can cause pancreatitis, but it doesn't usually present with intermittent bouts of pain after fatty foods

Is his poo normal?

Pancreatitis it wont be.

He should not eat anything for 24/48 hours and as much water as possible.

Will ask about the poo! Reassuring that a couple of you think probably not pancreatitis. NHS website does say it can present after fatty foods though. Hopefully the GP can help on Monday in any case.

I was diagnosed with pancreatitis in September 2021. I was 28 at the time but I’d had this pain on and off since I was 11. I spent so much time in and out of hospital as a teenager/young adult but I was always told my scans came back fine and it was stress causing the pain.

fast forward to September 2021 and I got the pain again, my urine was also Ribena coloured (thought it was blood) so I called my GP and they told me to do a urine sample. Called me a few hours later and just said I was dehydrated and probably had a bug.

About 8 hours later I woke up with excruciating stomach ache, felt like I was having a heart attack and someone was twisting a knife in my stomach. Went to A&E and they took blood tests and confirmed pancreatitis within the hour.

I was constantly quizzed on how much I drank and don’t think they believed me when I said I drank very little (we had an 8 month old at the time) I was in HDU for ten days and after many scans they did an ERCP (camera) and found I had sludge in my bile duct. They now think that all the years I suffered as a teen/young adult were stones in my bile duct and not gallbladder.

I would really try convince your partner to have some blood tests done and if pain gets severe or urine dark then I would just go straight to A&E. My GP fobbed me off but if I hadn’t gone to A&E when I did I wouldn’t be here today.

sending love x

Pancreasitis is very serious and needs hospital treatment. Can be caused by alcohol or gallstones blocking the dusts......if untreated can be life threatening. Needs bloods ,ultrasound and ct scan to start with.

Thank you everyone, he has just had blood test results back that are apparently all normal. Does anyone know anything about specific numbers? Scan to happen but no appointment through yet... I wonder if its possible to have seemingly ok blood test results but something still going on? It's seems to be positive news but I'm still concerned.

The amylase test in regards to the pancreas doesn't seem to have been done unless it's got a different name on his NHS app.

Hi, the normal test is lipase - that’s the one for pancreatitis. I had it when DD was 1, in hospital ward already for pneumonia! Think stress caused it as no drinking anyway. It came on very suddenly and was so severe the pain I had to scream into a pillow as they wheeled me to a&e and then I was screaming at drs as the pain meds didn’t work. It’s worse than childbirth.

However it does appear to have caused me to have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease now which sounds very similar to your DHs symptoms. It’s very painful and I’m on omeprazole and a lot of gaviscon. Do get him to ask GP about that.

I presented at A&E with similar symptoms and within a few hours I was diagnosed with gallstones, pancreatitis and jaundice. The pancreatitis was particularly painful, but the gallstones had been largely asymptomatic.I was lucky, and was admitted and then had my gallbladder removed a week later. My doctor husband told me some months afterwards that I had been "quite poorly" - which, in doctor-speak, is code for "really rather seriously ill". OP, your husband needs to seek medical help ASAP.... but it's easily dealt with and I have been right as rain for the subsequent 12 years.