Which other tests should I have with PA

[EllaNore]

Good morning everyone. This morning I have an appointment with my GP and in a couple of days I have an appointment with the gastroenterologist. I don't know what questions to ask and I don't know what tests to ask them to run. After reading all the other deficiencies you all have with PA, I wonder if I'm just treating one aspect of my PA. Do I need to ask for other tests? Should I expect them to run other tests? I don't know what tests are supposed to be run to know which tests they're not running. Hahaha

One of the things is that my right side hurts a lot and especially when I bend down to pick things up and repeadily bending up and down to clean or pick up things that I am constantly dropping, it really starts to make my stomach very bloated and very tired and very painful, especially on the right. Could I be having something wrong with my pancreas? my liver has a lesion that they're going to be checking on. What other nutrients am I not absorbing and should I ask them to check for me for? Thank you so much for any help.

Also, I have been a wee but cold lately. Last night I thought I would take my temperature because I was so chilled. It was 95.1. Took is 4 times. It got to 95.6 after walking Around a bit. I notoriously have low temps. Usually 96.4-97.1. Never as low as 95.1. Also, I have never had a fever ever. And it makes it very difficult because people don't think I'm Ill without a fever.

[Littlelodge123]

I would start with your symptoms. What are your symptoms when you eat? What do you notice? What do you feel? That’s what I discussed with my gastroenterologist who took lots of notes. Based on my symptoms he did an endoscopy snd a colonoscopy. Nothing of note. He took bloods next and found a high calprotectin score of 432 (it should be below 50). It was not IBD as nothing on colonoscopy so I got a small pill endoscopy to look at small intestines and all good. I then got an MRCP and I note you’re concerned about your pancreas and this will look at this in detail as well as your liver, kidneys and other parts of your digestive tract. Still nothing. I then got a SIBO test and was negative but my digestion was horrendous as was the pain and bloating. He finally tested my fecal elastase (pancreatic function) and this was in range. I went back 6 weeks later as I literally could not cope snd he tested it again s as MF it had dropped from 330 to 172!! Mild pancreatic insufficiency diagnosis. Put on Creon for life. PA and EPI are known to coexist and often goes undiagnosed. Even if you are in range get it tested again and again if necessary. It is non invasive and cheap (Medichecks do it). Don’t assume just get the test. Hopefully all that helps.

[EllaNore in reply to Littlelodge123]

Thank you so much. I don't know what some of the acronyms mean, but I will just talk to them and tell them everything you suggest. I sure hope everything is under control with your situation now. Thanks again!!

[Littlelodge123 in reply to EllaNore]

MRCP is basically an mri of your liver, pancreas gallbladder and ducts. EPI is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Good luck with it.

[EllaNore]

Ok! Thank you.