Hello everyone,
I’m reaching out because I’ve been on a medical rollercoaster for months, and I’m slowly losing hope of finding a clear answer. While doctors tell me my values are "slightly elevated but not concerning," my body is telling me something is wrong. I’m looking for anyone who has experienced something similar or can help me interpret these results.
The Beginning (August 2025):
It all started with frequent burping and a strange, uncomfortable feeling in my stomach when I was fasting. I don’t drink, smoke, or take medication. My only habit was a morning espresso on an empty stomach. A few times, after coffee, I experienced intense nausea and even panic attacks, but I didn't think much of it at the time because my honeymoon was coming up.
The Collapse (September 2025):
Two days before our flight, I lost my appetite completely. On the flight to Zanzibar (Sept 5th), I was exhausted and slept the whole time. Once there, a severe burning sensation started in my chest. I could only force down plain rice. The pain became so unbearable that I was hospitalized in Zanzibar. Diagnosis: Gastritis. Despite IV fluids and Pantoprazole, the pain remained. We eventually had to cut our honeymoon short and fly back to Germany.
Diagnostics and Pylera Therapy:
Back home, I went straight to the ER. After several tests, my Lipase was found to be 345 (normal range <60). A subsequent hospital stay included an MRI, endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and stool tests.
- Findings: Mild gastritis and a Helicobacter Pylori infection. An autoimmune disease of the pancreas was ruled out.
- Treatment: I underwent the Pylera therapy (10 days, 120 pills). It was a nightmare for my body, but I finished it successfully on October 5th, 2025. A follow-up endoscopy in February confirmed the bacteria is gone.
The Mystery: Fluctuating Lipase and Amylase:
What worries me most are my blood values. Despite living very healthily, the levels keep bouncing around:
- Oct: Lipase 206
- Nov: 87 -> three weeks later 91
- Jan: 57 (normal)
- March: 105 -> April: 112 -> May: 156. My Amylase is also currently elevated at 147 (normal <110). Doctors can't explain these fluctuations since my pancreas looks "perfect" on scans.
Current Symptoms:
- Belly Button Pressure: Every morning before I have a bowel movement, I feel intense pressure and bloating near my navel. As soon as I pass gas or go to the bathroom, the pressure disappears instantly.
- Stool Changes: My stool is pale, oily, and mushy. My fecal elastase is 316 (which is technically normal >200), but the appearance is definitely not normal. My doctor suggested taking Pancreatin (enzymes) anyway.
- Night Symptoms: I sleep with my head elevated, but I wake up every night with an extremely dry mouth and have to drink a lot of water.
- Weight: I dropped from 67kg to 59kg. I’m back at 65kg now but cannot seem to gain any more weight.
Current Management:
I follow a strict bland diet (no coffee, alcohol, or spicy food). I take supplements like Zinc-L-Carnosine, L-Glutamine, DGL, and high-quality probiotics (Omni Biotic) to rebuild my gut flora after the antibiotics. I also recently saw a naturopath who adjusted my spine (pancreas height) and prescribed herbal bitters. I am currently waiting for results from a food intolerance test.
My Questions:
- Has anyone had fluctuating Lipase/Amylase levels for months after H. Pylori or Pylera?
- Can you have fatty/pale stool even if fecal elastase is normal?
- What could cause that specific pressure around the navel that is relieved by bowel movements?
I feel dismissed by specialists because I don’t fit the "acute pancreatitis" profile, but the constant fluctuations and digestive issues are exhausting. Any advice or similar stories would mean the world to me.
Thank you for reading!