Dysautonomia symptoms after acute pancreatitis episode

[appoi789]

Hi all, recently in July'20, I was hospitalized due to acute pancreatitis caused by gallbladder sludge. Ever since then, I have been suffering from chronic constipation, dysphagia, abdominal pain, anhidrosis and erectile dysfunction. I have lost about 25kg or about one third of my body weight since that episode. I also have impaired fasting glucose levels though my endocrinologist doesn't think it is diabetes and just a side effect from the pancreatitis episode. My neurologist ordered a nerve conduction test for and I am still awaiting the results of it. I was also referred to a gastroenterologist for my dysphagia who did a barium swallow study and found that my stomach is functioning slowly(?) and he said it suggests pyloric stenosis or atrophic gastritis. 

My question is, did anyone else here start suffering from dysautonomia after a pancreatitis episode? I just want to add that I am 25 years old and before my one time acute pancreatitis episode, I have never suffered from any health issue and was perfectly healthy.

[Pistol]

Dear @appoi789 - welcome to the forum, but I am sorry that you are unwell!!! --- It is quite common to develop dysautonomia after an infection - ANY infection, really. In most cases they say it follows a viral infection, but any infection can cause stress, and that can set it off. Recently the specialists have found that dysautonomia can be related to autoinflammation. And inflamed pancreas due to sludge certainly is severe enough to possibly lead to dysautonomia. However - pyloric stenosis and atrophic gastritis are not - as far as I know - related to dysautonomia. Slow functioning of of the stomach ( as you describe ) can possibly be due to gastroparesis, a common problem in dysautonomia. I would talk to your GI specialist and discuss his findings. 

[appoi789]

@Pistol Thanks for your input. I am also highly suspecting it could be gastroparesis from what I have read online.  My GI specialist has also ordered a OGD scope for me just to check if I have any acid reflux. 

On the side note, when my neurologist confirms my diagnosis of dysautonomia, what should I ask him? Like do I ask him to check me for any autoimmune disorders?

[Pistol]

@appoi789 - if your neurologist suspects dysautonomia it is very important to find out WHAT KIND it is. The most common types of dysautonomia ( POTS and NCS ) affect the cardio-vascular system due to dysregulation of different mechanisms. The most typical symptoms are changes in HR and BP. Then there are MSA ( Multiple System Atrophy ) and PAF ( Pure Autonomic Failure ) with a different set of symptoms. 

To diagnose dysautonomia you normally undergo autonomic testing ( see this article ) 

Autonomic Testing for Dysautonomia - Dysautonomia, Disorders, Diagnostics & Info - Dysautonomia Information Network (DINET)

6 hours ago, appoi789 said:

On the side note, when my neurologist confirms my diagnosis of dysautonomia, what should I ask him? Like do I ask him to check me for any autoimmune disorders?

Autoinflammation is different than autoimmune, so the usual labs for AI would not show anything and is most likely a bit premature at this point. I would simply ask the type of dysautonomia and ask to be referred to an autonomic specialist ( unless your neurologist is very experienced in this diagnosis ). Also - what types of treatments he is considering? 

Has your gastroenterologist ever talked to you about EPI ( Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency )? This can certainly be a cause for some of your symptoms and can be caused by pancreatitis.