How often do you get Cat Scans and Lipase tested?

Pancreatitis
#1

How often does your doctor have you take a Cat scan and how often do you have your LIpase and Amylase tested. Thank you, LMA

#2

Hi, LMA, and welcome to the forums. As many here can attest, the lipase and amylase levels are more useful for acute pancreatitis and not even always then either. For those of us with chronic pancreatitis the levels can often be normal. My damage didn’t show up on the double contrast CAT scan either. It took an EUS to see the damage to the head, tail, and duct of my pancreas. I’m a pancreatitis “newbie”, but there are some here who have had and/or been diagnosed for years and they might have more information for you. The people in this community are very supportive of each other and are always willing to share information. Warren

#3

Thanks Warren, I’m not a member 3 hours and I already learned something new. LMA

#4

I have had CP for three years now. My doctor doesn’t even bother to check my amylase and lipase anymore, because it seems like once you have CP for a long time the counts don’t even go up any more. I have had a CAT scan once a year. I don’t know if there is anything ‘normal’ with this strange disease. I hope this info helps you. It helps me to know there are so many helpful, caring people out there that understand this painful problem. Take care all.

EllenC

#5

We struggled at one point as my daughter was having pain but there were no rises in her levels. It was very frustrating at one point as I knew she was in pain but the doc at the time and one nurse pointed out her levels were not high so she was not having an attack. After meeting with specialists however I found out that you don’t have to have elevated levels to be having an attack. As I believe one person indicated if you have chronic pancreatitis it may not be such a big deal to get amalyse and lipase levels but more focus should be placed on sugar levels to determine if diabetes is a result of the attacks (pancreatitis).

#6

I have a Cat scan about every 4 months and my lipase and amylase tested about every two months more often if I am sick.

Leanne

#7

When I first got sick the doctor would have CAT scans almost every few months as well as blood tests, but now (10 years later), they check maybe once every 6 months and my CAT scans are done once a year.