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Is Pain In Back Relieved By Lying Down A Symptom Of Pancreatitis?
Posted on
Sun, 16 Aug 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 16 Aug 2015
Answered on
Mon, 7 Sep 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello Doctor on Thursday I was having dinner and experienced some back pain the pain did not last long after lying down since then I have eaten normally with no additional pain other than a real mild back pain between the shoulders I did drive a very small riding lawn mower that day on rough terrain which I've never done before and wondered if that aggravated my back. I saw my doctor today and asked him about it he checked everything that being my abdomen and back and said everything looked good I asked him about pancreatitis and he said he was not concerned he knows I am traveling as of Monday for 10 days he said if it happens again while away to let him know and he will order some Test what I would like to know from you is
what the possibility is that it can be pancreatitis seeing that the pain went away quite quickly after lying down?
as of today being Saturday i have some mild back pain between the shoulders and in my lower back. if i take a muscle relaxant and tylenol and rest it does get better not totally gone. I will add i did lift some heavy objects today
I have eaten since Thursday with no immediate abdomen pain and back pain with an hour after eating
What I can do while away to reduce any risk why still enjoying my vacation?
I am worried about pancreatitis
Can I still drink some alcohol? im not a heavy drinker and i have not been diagnosed yet
what should i watch for?
what symptoms would i expect?
how long after eating or drinking would i have symptoms? this question is very important to me
i should note that my doctor has said that I have costocondritis
what the possibility is that it can be pancreatitis seeing that the pain went away quite quickly after lying down?
as of today being Saturday i have some mild back pain between the shoulders and in my lower back. if i take a muscle relaxant and tylenol and rest it does get better not totally gone. I will add i did lift some heavy objects today
I have eaten since Thursday with no immediate abdomen pain and back pain with an hour after eating
What I can do while away to reduce any risk why still enjoying my vacation?
I am worried about pancreatitis
Can I still drink some alcohol? im not a heavy drinker and i have not been diagnosed yet
what should i watch for?
what symptoms would i expect?
how long after eating or drinking would i have symptoms? this question is very important to me
i should note that my doctor has said that I have costocondritis
Brief Answer:
This is not Pancreatitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this pain. I have reviewed the information fully and it is unlikely to be pancreatitis. The intermittent nature of the pain and the fact that it disappeared with rest is very uncharacteristic of pancreatitis. I am pretty convinced this might be related to a muscle/tendon issues like your doctor has correctly noted. Pancreatitis pain is often severe that may require you to get potent pain medications. This pain is clearly not related to the pancreas.
At this time, I am really not particularly alarmed about pancreatitis. However, drink alcohol in moderate volumes. Also, excess fats is not good for health and is often capable of provoking and aggravating pancreatitis. I will encourage you to keep away from such. If you smoke, I will kindly recommend you strongly consider quitting.
With initial findings pretty much normal, there is really nothing much to be scared of. I will say go on and enjoy your vacation. If anything happens, let us know. However, this cannot be pancreatitis related to the previous episode of pain that you have reported.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Do enjoy your vacation and keep us updated just in case you are worried.
This is not Pancreatitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this pain. I have reviewed the information fully and it is unlikely to be pancreatitis. The intermittent nature of the pain and the fact that it disappeared with rest is very uncharacteristic of pancreatitis. I am pretty convinced this might be related to a muscle/tendon issues like your doctor has correctly noted. Pancreatitis pain is often severe that may require you to get potent pain medications. This pain is clearly not related to the pancreas.
At this time, I am really not particularly alarmed about pancreatitis. However, drink alcohol in moderate volumes. Also, excess fats is not good for health and is often capable of provoking and aggravating pancreatitis. I will encourage you to keep away from such. If you smoke, I will kindly recommend you strongly consider quitting.
With initial findings pretty much normal, there is really nothing much to be scared of. I will say go on and enjoy your vacation. If anything happens, let us know. However, this cannot be pancreatitis related to the previous episode of pain that you have reported.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Do enjoy your vacation and keep us updated just in case you are worried.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you for your answer I do have some follow up questions
i do have mild pain between the shoulders and sometimes in the lower back with no abdominal pain is this a sign of pancreatitis? the pain is about a 2 or 3 out of 10 and not severe at all
should i consider buying digestive enzymes from the health food store....i am taking ramipril atorvestatin and and aspirin daily?
should I use ice or heat on my back?
could this be acid reflux?
i do have mild pain between the shoulders and sometimes in the lower back with no abdominal pain is this a sign of pancreatitis? the pain is about a 2 or 3 out of 10 and not severe at all
should i consider buying digestive enzymes from the health food store....i am taking ramipril atorvestatin and and aspirin daily?
should I use ice or heat on my back?
could this be acid reflux?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be related to the pancreas!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
Pancreatitis pain is not in between the shoulders. It is abdominal and provoked by meals, especially fatty mean and not exercise. The surrounding circumstances and nature of your pain are related to musculoskeletal problem and not the pancreas. I am in favor of what your doctor suggested as diagnosis and will like to see this managed thus. We will only seek further help and consider other possibilities like acid reflux if the current treatment fails. Treating several conditions at once will make us miss out on what the real cause was and may end up eradicating the pain and yet not knowing the exact cause which would be a terrible plan.
I will not recommend any digestive enzymes. Be relaxed and let’s obtain enough guiding information before becoming aggressive that may lead to missing out on the exact problem.
I wish you well.
Unlikely to be related to the pancreas!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
Pancreatitis pain is not in between the shoulders. It is abdominal and provoked by meals, especially fatty mean and not exercise. The surrounding circumstances and nature of your pain are related to musculoskeletal problem and not the pancreas. I am in favor of what your doctor suggested as diagnosis and will like to see this managed thus. We will only seek further help and consider other possibilities like acid reflux if the current treatment fails. Treating several conditions at once will make us miss out on what the real cause was and may end up eradicating the pain and yet not knowing the exact cause which would be a terrible plan.
I will not recommend any digestive enzymes. Be relaxed and let’s obtain enough guiding information before becoming aggressive that may lead to missing out on the exact problem.
I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
one last question i have not had much of an appetite since Thursday. I have been extremely anxious about pancreatitis since then should this be something to be concerned about?
Brief Answer:
Am sure you are consciously avoiding food!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Your increased fears about a possible pancreatitis are most likely responsible for this. I will encourage you to be calm and return to your routine feeding habits. There is nothing suggestive of pancreatitis at this time. Return to eating normally as usual.
I hope this helps. I wish you well.
Am sure you are consciously avoiding food!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Your increased fears about a possible pancreatitis are most likely responsible for this. I will encourage you to be calm and return to your routine feeding habits. There is nothing suggestive of pancreatitis at this time. Return to eating normally as usual.
I hope this helps. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you for your kind words and reassurance you are a great doctor
Brief Answer:
Keep me updated!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your kind words. Please, keep me updated especially when you have any worry that needs to be addressed. I wish you well.
Cheers!
Keep me updated!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your kind words. Please, keep me updated especially when you have any worry that needs to be addressed. I wish you well.
Cheers!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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