Understanding Unexplained Pancreatitis
At 33 years old, with a height of 5 feet 7 inches and a weight of 132 pounds, I found myself hospitalized due to concerns of a gallbladder infection. After undergoing a series of tests, it was discovered that my lactate levels soared above 800. Medical professionals conducted two external ultrasounds, one internal ultrasound, and an MRI, but all results appeared normal with no signs of inflammation. I was treated with IV fluids, which lowered my lactate levels, yet they remained above 150. Despite this progress, I continue to experience discomfort in the area where the pancreas is situated. They eventually discharged me, but I am still plagued by pain. Although the official diagnosis is pancreatitis, the medical team is unable to determine the underlying cause. I lead a healthy lifestyle— I do not consume alcohol, nor do I smoke. What could possibly be the trigger for this condition?
Answers (1)
8/8/2025, 9:10:59 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’ve been through a challenging experience with unexplained pancreatitis, and I understand how frustrating it can be when the underlying cause isn’t clear.
Pancreatitis can occur for various reasons, even in people who lead otherwise healthy lifestyles. It can be triggered by factors such as:
- Gallstones: Even if not detected on your tests, small or "sludge" gallstones might cause issues.
- Hypertriglyceridemia: Elevated triglyceride levels can lead to inflammation of the pancreas.
- Medications: Certain medications can cause pancreatitis as a rare side effect.
- Infections or Metabolic Disorders: Viral infections or genetic factors could potentially play a role.
- Autoimmune conditions: Sometimes, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreas.
Given your current situation, it's important to focus on managing your symptoms and monitoring any changes. Here are some prioritized steps you can take:
-
Pain Management: Use over-the-counter pain relief, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, if appropriate, and follow the dosage instructions carefully. If pain persists, consider discussing this with a healthcare professional.
-
Nutrition: Follow a low-fat diet to minimize stress on the pancreas. Prioritize small, frequent meals that are easy to digest, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
-
Hydration: Ensure you're drinking plenty of fluids, as staying hydrated can aid in recovery.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a journal of your pain levels, dietary habits, and any other symptoms you observe. This can help identify triggers and facilitate discussions with your healthcare team.
-
Follow-Up Testing: Even if initial tests come back normal, you may want to discuss further evaluations, such as checking for triglyceride levels, or considering autoimmune panels to rule out conditions that might affect the pancreas.
-
Consider a Specialist: If you haven’t already, consult a gastroenterologist who specializes in pancreatitis for a more in-depth evaluation.
Understanding the cause of your pancreatitis may take time, but your proactive approach in tracking symptoms and discussing potential options with your healthcare team is crucial. I'm here to provide any further information you may need and support you through this process.
Related Questions
Could Spinal Lesions Be Behind Myasthenia Gravis-Like Symptoms in an MS Patient?
Hello, I’m a 33-year-old female diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, standing at 172 cm and weighing 80 kg. I am currently on kesimpta and do not smoke, though I occasionally use psilocybin mushrooms. Over the past 18 months, I’ve been facing muscle weakness that tends to get better with rest, particularly affecting my arms and neck. It occasionally seems to hinder my swallowing and breathing as well. Numerous evaluations, including blood tests, sfemg, and a CT scan of my thymus, have ruled out myasthenia gravis. My symptoms began after I started taking lithium but showed improvement with IVIG treatment, which led my neurologist to consider a diagnosis of MG. Could the issues I’m experiencing be linked to my spinal lesions? If so, are there any strategies that might provide relief? I appreciate my neurologist's thorough approach and he is currently having me try fampyra, although I have not noticed significant effects. Below, I’ve summarized findings from two MRI reports that highlight my spinal lesions, which differ slightly: **MRI Report 1:** - **C2:** Vague lesion located posterolaterally on the right side. - **C5:** Lesion measuring 16 mm x 8 mm x 4 mm, found centrally. - **C6:** Right lateral lesion measuring 3 mm x 3 mm. - **T2/T3:** Right-sided lesion measuring 11 mm x 5 mm x 5 mm. - **T4/T5:** Minor lesions located centrally and on the right side. - **T6/T7:** Linear anterior lesion present. - **T8/T9:** Central posterior lesion measuring 11 mm x 4 mm x 4 mm. - **T11:** Vague lesion of 8 mm centrally. **MRI Report 2:** - Multiple lesions identified in the cervical and thoracic spine, including lesions in the central cord at C2, a patchy lesion at C3/C4, another within the central cord at C5, and right lateral lesions at C5/C6. Additionally, subtle lesions were observed in the right lateral cord at T1/T2 and at T2/T3, with patchy central cord lesions at T4, bilateral signals at T6, a central lesion at T10/11, and a central/dorsal cord lesion at T11.
Constipation or Another Issue?
Greetings everyone, I’m a 16-year-old female, standing at 178 cm and weighing 100 kg. Let me clarify my medical background and medications I'm currently using. I have type one diabetes, managed with an insulin pump, and my blood glucose levels are stable. Additionally, I take metformin to address insulin resistance. I also deal with depression and anxiety, for which I take Escitalopram at a dosage of 20 mg and occasionally melatonin. Although I have a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), it's not the focus here. Now, regarding my family health history: My father was recently diagnosed with celiac disease, and there are several other cases of celiac disease in his family, including an aunt and some cousins. On my mother’s side, there is a history of type one diabetes, and my cousin is frequently hospitalized with what is suspected to be Crohn's disease. Here's my timeline: I became lactose intolerant at the end of November last year. In April, I contracted a campylobacter infection, which required antibiotics for about three weeks, leading to a complete resolution of symptoms. However, about six weeks ago, I started experiencing severe stomach pain and nausea alongside constipation, alternating with diarrhea, and noticed blood in my stool—both after wiping and in the toilet bowl. Additionally, I’ve developed itchy rashes on my legs and hands, along with mouth ulcers, and have been experiencing frequent nosebleeds. The stomach pain is constant, particularly after meals, and it is localized in the lower left quadrant of my abdomen. Results from my blood tests indicate a negative result for celiac disease, with an elevated ESR at 42, a CRP of 8.0, and a fecal calprotectin level of 48, which I understand to be within normal limits. My general practitioner suspected IBD or Crohn's disease (this assumption was made before we received the fecal calprotectin results) and recommended that I see a gastroenterologist. Moreover, my GP indicated that I would likely need an endoscopy to further investigate celiac disease and a colonoscopy for IBD evaluation. During my visit with the gastroenterologist, he reviewed my previous tests and examined my abdomen, concluding that my issues stemmed from constipation. He instructed me to use laxatives, suggesting that this would address the blood in my stool. However, he made no remarks about addressing my excruciating pain, which significantly affects my daily life. Unfortunately, his manner was rather off-putting, and he preferred to communicate with my mother rather than speaking directly with me—likely due to his specialization in pediatrics and limited experience with older adolescents. All things considered, while I understand he is a medical specialist, I’m contemplating whether it might be prudent to seek a second opinion. I'm not entirely convinced that my issues are solely related to constipation. Furthermore, based on the blood test results, particularly the fecal calprotectin, it seems that I might not have any underlying conditions, but I would appreciate any advice on this matter.
Help with Recurring UTI Symptoms
A 31-year-old woman shares her recent experience with urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms. Last month, she encountered UTI signs and was prescribed a five-day course of Macrobid, which successfully alleviated her issues. However, a month later, the symptoms returned, prompting her healthcare provider to prescribe five days of Keflex. Although this offered some relief, the discomfort returned shortly after completing the treatment. Seeking further assistance, she visited urgent care, where she received a seven-day prescription for Cipro. Currently, after taking four doses since Wednesday afternoon, she feels her symptoms have not improved. She is now wondering whether she should wait longer to determine if the medication is effective, especially with an impending vacation on Saturday that is causing her some anxiety.
Should My Mother Visit Urgent Care for a Scrape?
I have a 53-year-old mother who was tending to her garden today when she accidentally scraped her finger, leaving a small open wound. After encountering organic fertilizer, she inadvertently came into contact with it using her injured finger on two occasions. Although she promptly washed her hands, she returned to gardening shortly afterward. I'm not certain she fully comprehends the potential dangers associated with her injury. After she recounted the incident, I mentioned the possibility of tetanus, but she seems hesitant to consult a physician. What is the risk that she could develop tetanus from this incident?
Complications After Abdominal Surgery: A Personal Account
Hello everyone, This is my first time sharing on Reddit, and I’m looking for insight on my current situation. Apologies in advance for the lengthy explanation. I’m a 35-year-old woman, weighing 110 pounds (50 kg) and standing 5 feet tall (153 cm), residing in New Zealand. I don’t consume alcohol or smoke, nor do I take any medications. On May 21, I underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove numerous sizeable gallstones measuring over 8 mm. However, just six days after the surgery, I found myself in unbearable pain and had to return to the hospital. Initially, I was misdiagnosed with pancreatitis, and then, after a CT scan, it was determined that I had an omental infarction. For eight days, I dealt with severe vomiting and pain, and doctors even warned me about the possibility of needing an NG tube due to ileus. An ultrasound on the seventh day revealed a considerable amount of fluid in my abdomen. By day eight, I was still hospitalized (two weeks post-surgery), with a CRP of 156, white blood cell count at 270, and changes in my liver function indicators, though I don't have the specific values. The medical team decided to perform a diagnostic laparoscopy, from which they drained one liter of bile from various quadrants. The early conclusion was a bile leak from a small hole in the cystic duct, with no sign of infarction detected. A flat JP drain was placed in the gallbladder fossa, followed by an ERCP that afternoon, where a stent was inserted into the pancreatic duct along with a biliary sphincterotomy and a plastic stent placed in the common bile duct. Unfortunately, I developed post-operative ileus, leading to the insertion of a PICC line and the initiation of TPN on my birthday, June 5. On June 10, I underwent another ERCP to extract the plastic stents, during which a bile leak was confirmed; the stents were removed, and a metal stent was inserted into the common bile duct. Following the procedure, I experienced pancreatitis along with a systemic inflammatory response. Pain management included a PCA system delivering oxycodone. By June 16, a CT scan indicated significant fluid collections, one measuring 47x34x41 mm in the gallbladder fossa and another 146x92x68 mm in segments 6 and 7 of my liver. The next day, an IR-guided drainage procedure was conducted, extracting 500 ml of thick bile-stained fluid and placing a 10 French locking drain. For two weeks, I was given IV Tazocin to address a pseudomonas infection, which made me feel incredibly unwell. I experienced septic shock on June 17. Further imaging on June 23, including ultrasound and MRCP, pinpointed a bile leak from the cystic duct linked to an aberrant post-sectoral duct. Consequently, a PTC was performed along with the insertion of an external drain on June 24. I was finally discharged from the hospital on July 5, carrying both a PTC drain and a surgical belovac drain. Presently, the medical team is uncertain on how to mend the damaged duct. They're considering embolizing the blood supply to that section of the liver, aiming to encourage the duct to close itself. Another potential option involves obstructing the duct completely, both of which are intended to redirect bile flow. The final option on the table is a liver resection, which has only a 20% chance of success. Frankly, I’m leaning towards that; since the tissue in my liver is already compromised by the pseudomonas, anything leading to further tissue death could easily lead to additional infection. During my hospital stay, I lost 8 kg and quite a bit of muscle mass. However, my albumin levels have recently returned to normal at 36. What would you all suggest in my situation? Thanks, everyone!