Recently Answered Questions
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Can a smoking cessation drug induce acute pancreatitis in my mother?
Query: Hello doctor, My mother is 57 years old and was put in the hospital for acute pancreatitis two days ago. She takes anti-anxiety medication, blood pressure medication, and cholesterol medication. About a month ago, she was prescribed the drug Chantix. My mother has had previous problems with hard dru... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I agree with you that it is a rare side effect of Chantix (Varenicline). But to produce acute pancreatitis, the particular drug might have been taken for at least 6 to 12 months; only then will it produce fibrosis and inflammation in the main pancreatic duct or bile ... Read Full »
What are the causes of high amylase levels?
Query: Hi doctor, My 50 years old mother's blood report showed the amylase levels to be high. The amylase level is 126, rheumatoid factor is 16, and TSH is 6.275. What do these values indicate? What are the causes for this? What is the treatment? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I just read your query. From what you have described, it appears that your mother has slightly high serum amylase levels, which could be mild pancreatitis due to high-fat diet or alcohol. You must see an internal medicine specialist for this condition. She also has a ... Read Full »
What is the reason for the severe stabbing pain in my stomach?
Query: Hello doctor, This has happened to me twice now. This feeling usually lasts for about five to 10 minutes. It felt like a knife was pushed into my stomach and was being twisted. The pain is at the center of my upper stomach. Other than frequent heart burn, I am or at least I feel, healthy. I am not ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. As you mentioned, you have a stabbing pain in the upper abdomen, that lasts for five to 10 minutes. From your description as well as a history of frequent heart burn, the probable reason could be: A gastric or a duodenal ulcer. Biliary colic. Pancreatic ... Read Full »
What can cause extreme pain in the upper right abdominal area on breathing?
Query: Hi doctor, My boyfriend is having pain in his right upper abdominal area while breathing. This is the third time and it started around 7 pm in the night and so he went to the hospital yesterday. They told me that they are unable to find anything on X-ray or blood work. He waked up in the morning an... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Pain in the abdominal area can occur due to gall bladder stones and bile duct stones, ulcers in the stomach, and pancreatitis. You can take capsule Esomeprazole 40 mg half an hour before meals. He can take Tramadol 100 mg for pain. If it is not available, he can take ca... Read Full »
What is the significance of an elevated CA-19 tumor marker?
Query: Hello doctor, I have a question regarding the significance of an elevated CA-19 tumor marker. I recently had one and that came back as 43 (per laboratory should have been under 34). I do not have cancer and I am wondering what else could cause this elevation? Please help. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. CA 19-9 (cancer antigen) is a tumor marker, but it can be elevated in healthy individual. It can be elevated in benign conditions like pancreatitis, cirrhosis, thyroid disease and inflammatory bowel disease. It can be elevated in various gastrointesti... Read Full »
My M2-PK level is 150. Does it mean that I have cancer?
Query: Hello doctor, My M2-PK is 150. Does it mean that I have cancer? There was no pain, just a regular checkup. Kindly help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to iclinic.com. No, it does not imply cancer alone. Many healthy people, as well as patients with other non-cancerous diseases like rheumatic diseases, diabetic nephropathy, chronic heart diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, sepsis, may have elevated levels. So there ... Read Full »
Will surgery for gallstones relieve my abdominal and back pain?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 34 year old female, who weighs 97 kg, and I am 5.9 feet tall. I have extreme pain in my upper abdomen and back. I also feel nauseous. I have a fatty liver and pancreas, and gallstones. Please help. I am attaching all my reports. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen all the attached reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). With complaints of severe to moderate upper abdominal pain and vomiting and elevated liver enzyme levels, ultrasound findings of stones in the gallbladder, fatty changes in liver an... Read Full »
Can my acute pancreatitis become chronic?
Query: Hello doctor, I had acute pancreatitis three weeks ago (probably due to too many drinks on a Saturday although I am not a big drinker generally) and since then struggled with digestion. I am very worried as some of my stools are pale yellow and I have terrible fatigue. My blood tests are now all fin... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Generally, it takes time to recover after acute pancreatitis. I suggest you stop drinking alcohol, absolute cessation of alcohol. You are at a risk of developing repeated episodes of pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis if you continue to drink. Please start enzyme su... Read Full »
Had alcohol last night and vomiting since morning. What to do?
Query: Hi doctor, I drank alcohol last night. Since morning, I am vomiting everything that I am eating or drinking, including water. I had Ondem, but still, I have vomiting sensation. Please help. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If Ondem (Ondansetron) also not helping, then it is suggested to get a saline infusion. You may try mouth dissolving preparation of Ondansetron and Pantoprazole. Heavy and sudden alcohol may cause pancreatitis. Take it seriously as no water intake will make it worse. ... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, I am suffering from a pancreas problem. I did a CT scan, and in the report, the pancreas appears to have increased in size and shows heterogeneous enhancement with pancreatic fat standing and fluid collection. There was no parenchymal calcification or duct dilatation. Please let me kn... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. The clinical history and CT (computed tomography) report (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) suggest that you suffer from pancreatitis. You need to give some dietary control until you tolerate normal ... Read Full »