What Causes Inflammation Of The Pancreas?

Posted on Tue, 18 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 18 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 8 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I have been having an ongoing problem with my pancreas since nov16. I had inflamed pancreas as per a CT scan and was in hospital for 5 days and on pain killers for that time. I was slowly healing when I went in for an endescopic ultrasound where they still saw inflammation but gall bladder was completely fine. I have not felt good since that procedure and was sick later (I think from a 24 hour bug!) and have had fatty and bloody stools since. I went for an colonoscopy last friday which showed I have got colitis and the doctor has put me on steriods ( the dark red ones). I have began to feel pancreas type pains again and am concerned the steriods might be doing this?

Answered by Dr. Ashish Verma (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer: steroids are not causing it Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for writing to HCM. I don't think the steroids are causing it. Steroids are antiinflammatory and they will infact reduce the inflammation of your pancreas also. Your pain can be due to simple gastritis, which can be stress induced. But if you are concerned, you can ask your doctors to order for serum lipase test; it would be raised if the cause is related to pancreatitis. In the meantime I would start you on ppi tablet like pantaprazole for the gastritis. Do tell me your results. Dr. Ashish Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ashish Verma (44 hours later)

Thanks for this i did get some specific unusual bloods done that take 28 days to get results (i cant recall the names)- is this a serum lipase test? Also got normal bloods done where triglyceride was 2.1 and phosphate was 1.58, the rest was all normal. Is the ppi an over the counter drug ot do i need to get prescription?ps i am allergic to penicillen One other thing i have had aloopeca areta on one side of my head for a bout a year now and it has started on otherside and at back of head in the last 6 weeks-is this All related to pncreatitis and colitis? Thanks XXXX

Answered by Dr. Ashish Verma (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: wait for the results to know the cause Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Serum Lipase take just a day and not more than that. Omeprazole available as prilosec should be available over the counter. Other generics such as pantaprozole or rabeprazole will need a prescription. Penicillin allergy are not related to PPI; don't worry about that. Lastly, this colitis, alopecia areata, are all immune related diseases, and i think your 28 day result test are for those only. Your pancreatitis may or may not be related to it, as it has a very varied list of etiologies. Wait for the results, they will sure throw some light on the cause or at least rule out quiet a few. Till then try PPI. I wouldn't be worried about triglycerides and phosphate in this circumstances. Avoid spicy and fatty foods and no tea or coffee or soda drinks nor alcohol. Regards Dr. Ashish Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad