Could I Have A Weak Pancreas?

[mommysboy]

I'm not sure what I have and am very confused, and not to say feeling plain dog sick. I know I'll be all right in an hour or two, but wanted to get this out in the open as I know as soon as I feel well I'll go on as if nothing is wrong.

I suspect my pancreas is bruised or swollen, as a lot of my symptoms seem to fit the bill.

But I wonder too about the Bangkok pollution and exposure to chemicals, as my friends have been pretty sick too recently.

I am addicted to caffeine for sure- tea addiction. I'm routinely dehydrated. I eat very well now and take vitamins.

I have a history of mild IBS like symptoms, non allergic rhinitis, and I think could have been classified as a binge drinker (binge everything really including cabbage, apples and exercise).

When I have even a relatively small amount of beer, consumed judiciously (only beer, wine ok, whisky ok), I get ferociously sick, repeated episodes spaced overy many hours, right to the pit of my stomach. Last night it was so severe I nearly blacked out with the pain of vomiting, had a terrible headache, was shaking hot and cold. I think I tweaked a neck nerve the heaving was so violent and felt electric shock sensations in my hands . I felt like I'd been punched and was about to take the count. Luckily, stayed conscious, and managed to get a bit of kip, before resuming severe vomiting for another 2 episodes upon awakening.

I am only now an occasional drinker, for 3 months, and as I got married recently, we had a very small party with friends. I am very happy. I only drink once or twice a week and then just a whisky night cap. I can definitelly take it or leave it now, and most times leave it.

3 months ago I had a routine check up in UK, part of this was the full rack of blood tests. The diabetes one had to be followed up with a fasting test but this proved negative (I assume anyway as the doctor said don't call us we'll call you if.....). Everything else was A1, no high blood pressure and I have an athletic disposition.

I work out very hard for a 50 year old and sometimes this makes me a bit irregular too, particularly if I am working stomach muscles hard or run for a very long time. Yesterday I was working on my posture and over did it for sure.

Ironically, I have been in pretty much the best of health, but gradually the Bangkok air gets to my nose and undermines my health generally, first my sinus plays up then I feel sick in the mornings with post nasal drip and then it seems like my stomach gets effected somehow. Then quite some time later my bowels. That's how it seems to me anyway, I don't know if a chronic post nasal drip can do all that.! Oh, the last few days it's like I have had a bad stomach bug as I reckon I ate something bad, and I think I overdid the neck exercises I'm doing for my posture (typical tall male stoop).

Right now, I've come right again, save for a very sore neck.

Maybe it is the beer, and one pint does to me what 10 pints does to another, but can't help feeling my suspicions are correct. How would I know ?.

Any thoughts appreciated, but no point banging on about having a drink problem, clearly I can't drink anymore, but this is not the ailment, nor a cause, more a symptom that something else may be wrong.

[Sheryl]

"Bruised/swollen pancreas" is not a diagnosis

And nothing you describe suggests pancreatitis which is a severe illness.

However if you want to put your mind at ease with regard to your pancreas, get a serum amlyase done (simple blood test, but not usually part of a standard physical)).

I assume your last physical showed normal liver enzymes?

If so, from what you describe I would suspect either just an allergy/intolerance for beer (if this is Thai beer you're consuming, some brands contain formaldehyde) or gastritis which is exacerbated by ingestion of alcohol. Another possibility would be gluten intolerance as there is gluten in beer. Would tie in with your IBS symptoms.

Either way, abstain from beer. And do something about "chronic dehydration".

[mommysboy]

Thanks for help. Yes a lot of what you say sounds right, gastritis and intolerance of beer. Whatever the cause I've had enough of alcohol anyway and doubt I'll drink again, as I'm already an infrequent drinker and probably now have little tolerance to alcohol full stop. I shan't miss it I think.

The gallons of tea on the other hand, I think this is a factor in my stomach complaints, and combatting this is a different matter.

I'm pretty sure all my tests in UK were ok, but didn't ask for specifics.