Hi! I am no expert (so just take my advice for what its worth)...

But, if your discomfort/pain is before eating (empty stomach) it is likely from gastritis and if the discomfort/pain is after eating its likely from the chronic pancreatitis.

unfortunately, these organs overlap and its difficult to tell where the pain might be coming from.

If you dont mind me asking, how were you diagnosed with mild CP-- was that on the MRI/MRCP? I am still waiting for a diagnosis and am feeling hopeless :(

Christine

I was diagnosed via an Endoscopic Ultrasound and then had an MRI/MRCP to follow up. What are your symptoms and why are you feeling hopeless. Sorry to hear that. It is a tough thing to deal with and go through. I also have pancreatic cancer in my family so that is always in the back of my mind.

I am feeling hopeless because I have abdominal pain (upper) and a high fecal fat (9g- indicating malabsorption) and a negative EUS and MRCP... I have read that mild CP is extremely hard to diagnose in the early stages and I am terrified it is what I have.

what doesn't make sense though is that I read >90% of pancreatic function (lipase activity) must be lost before one would have a high fecal fat)... I would have assumed that if I had >90% of function gone, something would have shown on a scan but some other people on here have had the same issue and eventually it turned out to be a pancreas issue.

I am just so lost and confused and so very scared :(

BTW I do hope you are feeling better!!!! Prays and thoughts for you and everyone on this group as we struggle to find answers and fight through the discomfort and pain.

I know how frustrating it can be. I don't usually have any symptoms and when I just went to have screening done for early detection of pancreatic cancer, I found out I have pancreatic divisum, mild CP, and a 4 mm cyst on my pancreas. Others have terrible pain and symptoms and have nothing show up on the testing or exams. I don't understand it. It is very stressful. I wish you well and hope you get answers soon. I have no issues with the high fecal fat content even with this diagnosis. There seems to be so many variables. Hang in there!

I too struggle with determining whether gastritis or pancreatitis is causing my pain at any given time....It can be so hard....I get a burning feeling in the pit of my stomach that usually morphs into a full blown pancreas attack......its fun having this disease and always trying to avoid an empty stomach for too long.....when sometimes just clear fluids make the pancreas scream! I think it's a good point about using the order of the pain in relation to the food to tell which organ is giving us grief! Diagnosis of this disease is very very hard! Christine B12, you may have CP or you may have something else that is causing fat malabsorption...like something going on in your small intestine....It would be great news to find out you do NOT have cp...but something more treatable....still I know how it feels to go without diagnosis....so my sympathies to you!

I pray that someday this all gets easier. However the more I hear people talk on these pancreas, SOD groups. there are no easy answers. Everyone's body seems to react differently to the diseases.
I too fear pancreatic cancer. Don't have it in our family, but cancer yet.
Scary. I'm not questioning why I'm doing fair right now just taking it and enjoying every minute because I know how fleeting the good days are. Hang in all. Take care and keep us informed so we might help each other.

I completely agree with you barbray10. Live each day to the fullest and stay as healthy as possible. It's a very difficult disease to live with (CP) but we all have to hang in there and support each other. Stay well