Thank you so much for your speedy response. I have had a CT scan. It did not pick up inflammation of the pancreas but I don't know how likely it is that it could be missed. I do have some fatty
liver damage from past alchohol abuse. I am not losing weight so
malabsorption seems unlikely to me. I tend to gain weight if I'm not careful to watch my caloric intake. I eat way too many fatty foods but am struggling to cut back. (sorry, I know I'm not a doctor but I still want to educate myself regarding my own health)
I know that
pancreatitis seems the likely culprit due to my past history of alchoholism. What is it that prevents pancreatic enzymes from being able to move into my intestines? Are they digesting my pancreas?
I want to come back to the question about the flat stools. They don't float by the way. Why are my stools so flat? And why are they only an inch long? There are a hundred tiny pieces in the toilet when I am finished. Could this be indicative of some sort of partial intestinal blockage? And could this drive up pancreatic enzyme levels?
I also am sure you are suspecting
peripheral neuropathy due to my
diabetes. Tests show I have extremely good sensation in my feet, better than most people.
The skin sensation I was referring to is only on my abdomen, never my hands or legs. It is directly above where I am experiencing pain and discomfort. I told you the pain only occurs in the upper left quadrant. I was wrong. Occasionally, like this morning, it hurts across my belly (my intestinal area). I am having that same odd skin sensation over my belly now. I do not notice it unless I lightly run my fingers over my skin. It hurts. Not intensely but it hurts, like running your fingers across a scrape. My greatest area of tenderness is on my left side, my literal side, my flank. Gently pressing there, close to the bottom of my ribs is always painful and very sensitive. But what would be so tender there besides bone or muscle?
I'm sorry this is presenting so abnormally. Could all of these symptoms be caused by pancreatitis? I know my pancreas is troubled. I sometimes feel a stab of pain there. And the cessation of eating will slowly bring relief. Most of my pain is very close to my spleen and my descending colon. It is also always in my back, close to my left flank near my waist. Oh, and there is a large lump there by my spleen that comes and goes. I can feel it. My doctor could not feel it but thought she could see it. It goes away when my symptoms abate.
So stools, lump, skin sensation. If you have any ideas what might be causing these, I'm grateful for any input. The CT scan didn't pick up anything other than the
fatty liver. And what blocks enzymes from leaving the pancreas and entering the
small intestine.
Thanks much. Have a great day. XXXXXXX