I feel for you. I am labeled as ideopathic acute pancreatitis. I have been fighting pain and hospitalization for the past two years. They tell me I fall into the small catagory of unknown cause so I feel your pain. I eat no meat and a low fat diet. Best of luck and keep your chin up. My prayers are with you.

Hi Deb and Pag0206,

Yes! I have had two attacks of AP within 2 weeks of each other, the last one almost three weeks ago I think. I have been very ill and off work for 2 months since this whole ordeal started. I am feeling better though... my pain is much better, so long as I am VERY careful what I eat. I have to be careful and not eat many fruits, no fruit smoothies or I am in AGONY. I eat oatmeal in the morning with almond milk and fresh blue berries, and for lunch and dinner I have fish, sweet potato and spinach. Been eating this for two months now, but when I add a little something different I PAY. I also have an insatiable thirst and drink green tea all day long with fresh lemon juice (it is a natural digestive enzyme). I have undergone the following tests in the last 2 months: CT Scan, abdominal ultrasound, MRCP, and blood and stool tests for everything imaginable, but everything comes back OK. Although my MRCP did show that I have a "kink in my liver duct" but my dr said I was "probably born that way" and he doesn't think that is the reason for my AP. I have to PUSH my gastro dr. to keep looking which is really annoying. He tells me "the pain is better you should be happy." Yes, I am; but I want to know why I still feel like I have the flu, why I had two attacks of AP, and why I don't have the energy to do ANYTHING but lie on the couch. I am 58 years old but have always been very physically active and was never one to be sick, helpless and dependent. My current state is NOT normal and I want an answer... WHY does my dr have a problem with this??? Tomorrow I am having a small bowel series. I do have diverticulosis in my colon but have never had diverticulitis. I am wondering if I have diverticulosis of the small bowel, which could be causing problems with my pancreas. I still have high lipase (a few days ago it was still 445) and other blood work is off as well (wbc, rbc, monocytes). There is a REASON for the way we all feel and we all need to keep on searching for a resolution. Please keep posting you two so that we can "bounce" ideas off each other. The ONE thing I am pretty sure helped with my bowel spams is that I stopped drinking wine. I only drank occasionally however, and many of the doctors told me that only alcoholics have problems with their pancreas... but I am not so sure. Anyway, I thought I would mention it just in case you enjoy an occasional glass of wine or two like I did. Would definitely recommend avoiding ALL alcohol, no matter how little the quantity. I HOPE AND PRAY we all get an answer soon!

Hugs!
Sharon

yes Deb, there are many times that you can have pancreatits attacks while no test can prove any thing....that is the hard part about this disease, the doctors go to school and read books.... we are not in those books!!!
bummer hu.....hang in there...

Hang in there Sharon and keep pushing for answers! I went through the same thing with my GI doctor who wanted to just diagnose me with IBS and send me on my way. Since I kept complaining of pain he sent me or anther CT scan which showed enlarged lymph nodes near my liver. So he sent me to have a EUS to look at them and told the doc to look at my pancrease while he was in there. Well, the lymph nodes ended up being fine but I was diagnosed with CP because my pancreas is very calcified from all the AP attacks (probably from all the attacks I knew I was having that he wouldn't treat for because my blood work was normal) Even after that my Gi doc wouldn't treat for the CP and wanted to just treat for IBS! With the encouragement from Troy, Diane, and others in this group I found a pancreatic specialist and am finally headed in the right direction. Good luck!

I havent read the comments so maybe someone already mentioned this, but I wonder if your doctor will try you on pancreas enzymes?

Ive noticed that for whatever reason some folk's pancreases dont look bad but they have the same symtoms of chronic pancreatitis. I might be wrong but I think if one has pancreas insuffenciency (spell) that it would not show up on the ERCP or endoscope anyways. But they would be sure to have the same miserable symptoms from not making enough digestive enzymes as those of us with chornic pancreatitis have.

I dont know why more doctors wont consider that and why they wont consider at least trying the person on enzymes to see how they respond to them.

and a little public service announcement to all cp sufferers
dont forget you can get your digestive enzymes also with one spoonful of pineapple, and or papaya.....and also at your local health food store while you are waiting for the doctors to get smart!! :)

Deb24, I too have had similar experiences that continue to baffle my doctors. My GI told me once the pancreas is damaged, it does not regenerate and narrowing down the cause of pain is difficult at best. Each of us must find what works best for our unique conditions. I can't even smell cheesecake without getting an attack but have of late been able to enjoy small amounts of ice cream. I have avoided for almost four years. Yeah!!! It's really amazing how that little thing has helped improve my mental outlook. It's great to hear you can manage the pain; that is a majorly positive thing. I'm sending positive healing energy to you. When considering your case, may your doctors experience supernatural wisdom beyond themselves. Keep fighting. You are truly not alone. twoduct