correction: is damage to pancreas done quietly at the same time that I have this mild pain discomfort in back or ribs OR is damage done during the acute attacks (although I never knew these were attacks until reading this site last weekend)?

I have the same thing-mild attacks. My first on record attack was likely acute as I didnt go to the dr for over a wk and by the time I finally went my labs were 2x normal so they were likely much higher. I assume the mini attacks do cause damage over time. Only reason I say that is Ive had attacks for 6 yrs and for 6 yrs my scans and tests were fine until I had a SMRCP. Perhaps all the other tests missed it and the secretin was the tool to visualize the abnormal areas. However I also have a cyst now and I don't think secretin would highlight that, I think its new.

I have the same question. I had 3-4 mild attacks before I even knew what a pancreas was, although one was really bad and laid me up for about 2 weeks. But I do have nearly constant pain in back (mostly left side but all over on bad days), and upper left abdomen. I also wonder if the mild pain I experience daily is damaging my panky. I would guess that it is because I seem to be getting worse over time. I.e. I can eat less variety without pain and my weight loss seems to be getting more severe (I am eating more calories but unable to gain weight). The weight loss thing is brutal. I am eating a ton of calories but 0lbs gained.

Yeuker have you gone on enzymes? Will help w weight loss

Yes I am on enzymes but just OTC ones. My doc will not prescribe because I don't have stheroea (spelling?). I am taking these:

http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/pancreatin-840-by-genestra.html

But still no weight gain. I do have low B12 though and have started on suppliments (1000mcg/day) of B12. Still don't feel well and not sure if they are taking so went in for more blood work yesterday. Low B12 can also cause weight loss as your body can't metabolize fats and proteins.

I hope to get my blood results back this week as I am having numbness in my feet and tendon problems in left foot/toes. Yep pretty weird stuff. I seem to be more concerned about it than the docs as usual :-). He took blood and said to come back in 3 weeks.

I honestly eat over 2000 calories per day for a while now and can't gain a pound which concerns my doc as he thinks there is more going on that we can't find. I'm only down about 5 lbs in 2.5 months so that's pretty good. Got down to 143 this month which was scary but managed to get back to a steady 148 for a few days now.

I've limited my diet to smoothies (big calorie rich ones, if anyone wants a recipe, just ask),blended soups, breads, crackers, prunes, blended stews, brown rice. Its actually pretty healthy as I get grans in rice/oatmeal smoothies, fruits in smoothies, veg in soups, protein in smoothies, and a couple extra calories in the breads and crackers. Since moving to this diet my back pain has reduced greatly which is awesome. Its pretty limited but healthy and it keeps the pain at bay which I am very thankful for.