It is Chronic. I don't know about people that have had their pancreas removed if they consider themselves cured or not. Every episode of CP further scars the pancreas and further scarring causes less function. BUT, I've been doing this for almost 45 years so I vote Yes! you should fly to Europe and see your daughter!! And if you want an RV, GET IT!! Don't let this disease define you or control your whole life. Do the best you can by eating as healthy as possible, exercising, etc. doing what you can to minimize further episodes. You may never be able to "eat like you used to" but you can find a new normal that is good enough. If nothing else, this disease has taught me how precious life is and made me realize that I want to come into home plate sliding!! So every day that I'm well is a great day. I went on a cruise last spring with my niece, to Florida for a week this spring with a girlfriend, and I spent a week in a cabin in the woods, hiking, site seeing and even went zip lining with my great niece and nephew. I'm just really careful about what I eat and pray that God keeps me well. I hope this helps.

Thank you Paula. That was reassuring. I was told I DON'T have CP but just pancreatitis and healing from 1 bad episode from passing a gallstone into my pancreas. I suppose if my pseudocyst goes away without surgery, that my pancreas will heal and that will be the end of it. I also have to get rid of that blood clot in the vein to/by the spleen. I supposed not EVERY case of Acute Pancreatitis has to turn into CP.
Thank you so much for your response. I do maintain a low fat diet, but the better I feel, the more I eat. It sounds like diet is the main trigger in aggravating the pancreas.

If anyone else has reassuring stories of how this illness hasn't got you beat, I'd love to hear them. I think it is good for us newbies to know that it's not all doom and gloom.

Thanks Paula for your reply.

Thanks

No not every case of acute pancreatitis turns into Chronic Pancreatitis....what we are saying once YOU do have Chronic Pancreatitis there is no cure.....but people can have acute episodes and never turn into chronic....acute episodes is like its states a 1 time acute deal. So after you heal from your acute episode you might have not have anymore......or down the road you could have another acute episode...not until you are diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis is where there is no cure. I just wanted to clarify that for you:)

This is a really helpful dialogue, and I like the ideal of finding a way to live with a new normal, that seems hopeful but realistic. How do they decide if it is CP or just another acute attack? Is it the Pancreatic function? Damage done? What measures are used to assess CP?

Hello All -

I can really relate to this thread. My foster son has been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, is on a special diet (and a more restricted diet due to kidney stones), and takes Omeprazole and Creon daily. He also has a g-tube for supplemental night-time feedings.

We have been SO good about the diet, the calories, the meds - everything - and have been blessed that he has not had an attack in over 2 years. What a BLESSING!!!

I have, for just a teeny millisecond, thought about increasing his fat grams per meal......but then I don't! With my foster son, once he has one attack - he then tends to have many in a short period of time......

I know he is not cured. But, there is that little niggling hope that he could be..........

K