Well for me when the pain hits they hit for 5 seconds go, then come back-like stabs or squeezes. It takes my breath away. Id say an 8-but it it was a nonstop pain a 10 and beyond.

I had an EUS in April of 2012 following my 2nd acute attack. My flares were a year apart. The EUS was clear. I had an ERCP with manomotry , sphincterotomy and stent placement that same month. Diagnosed with SOD. I had and MRCP in October 2012 that was clear. At the end of November I had another acute attack and at the end of December I started having them about every 2 weeks. I had an ERCP in February and that's when I was diagnosed as chronic. My panky specialist said he found it hard to believe that whoever read the MRCP report did not see the scarring. So with timing as it was, the EUS probably was clear when it was done.

I've never had a hida scan. And I had my gallbladder out due to stones in 1995. At my last GI appt I asked about my gallbladder issues in relation to the CP years later. He said that most people who have gallbladder/pancreas related issues don't have stones. They have pain. And that stones are typically familial. My Mom and Grandfather both had their gallbladders removed due to stones. And lastly, I was also diagnosed with pancreas divisum in Feb.

I had the GB situation where I had no stones, but lots of pain , nausea and weight loss. They did a HIDA scan and I was functioning at 12%, so they removed it. Turns out it was scarred, twisted, inflamed and almost ready to burst according to the surgeon. I didn't have any more symptoms for 6 yrs after that. My CP is small duct and I have constant pain if I don't take meds. My labs are normal most of the time and my GI said that is expected as the levels go back to normal fairly quickly after an episode, so unless you have the bloodwork done in the acute phase of the attack it may not show anything. Of course if your pancreas isn't functioning, it may not show anything on the labs anyway.

Everyone's different, I was diagnosed with the endoscopic US, my ERCP didn't show any damage to my panc. The one thing most docs agree on is that CP is very hard to diagnose and that there is not one test that works for everyone. You just have to find a treatment regimen and diet that works for you and stick with it. My GI is always telling me to be paient, it takes time to heal and the pain should get better. I'm lucky the pain meds are working, but the side effects are challenging (constipation is the worst) and I'd like to get off of them. Everytime I try to reduce the meds the pain shows up,so I keep taking them so I can function. I agree with Jojo, I stick to my low fat diet because it's not worht the risk of causing a severe episode.

Good luck everyone in finding answers and feeling better!
GG

Sesser,

I can relate to your situation very much. What is an elevated t marker?

Elevated pancreas tumor lab. Dad died of pc so we watch it

Sorry Sesser about your dad ...and I would also keep an eye on my tumor marker.....the earlier you catch it the better your chances are...so good for you that you are keeping an eye on it along with your drs...I hope you never have that horrible disease. When I was a hospice nurse I rem taking care of people with pancreas cancer and it was such an awful way to die and the youngest one was only 32 she broke my heart. She always wanted mashed potatoes and even tho she knew she would throw them up as soon as she ate them....was so sad. But she still would be hungry and would always try. She was very scared too but she had a wonderful husband that stayed with her a lot! I will never forget her!

Yes, its a terrible cancer. Im waiting on genetic testing, if its positive and I do get a dx of CP Ill be considering TP

Sesser keep us updated on how you are doing plz!

Sesser and Diane, What is the test for elevated t marker? Is it a blood test? A scan? I'd like to discuss w/my doc but don't know what to ask for since I haven't heard of this before now.

Its a CA 19 lab and doubtful your dr will run it. They did for me as my dad died of pan cancer. HOWEVER< its not a diagnostic tool. Many ppl with PC are NON REACTIVE to this test, meaning they have a false negative. In addition, some people (as in my case, I still hope anyway) can have elevations for other reasons such as pancreatitis, gallstones, cystic fibrosis

I have another EUS in 1.5 wks...

Sesser just to let you know, I had every test possible - mri, cat scan, x ray, scopes and they all missed stones in my bile ducts and pancreas head. It wasn't until they did an actual ercp that they found multiple stones. So it could be stones, I also had left sided pain only at that time.

That is interesting. They are puzzle as to what is causing this rise in lipase and pain, no big damage on EUS and Ive had MANY.

Did you have a HIDA scan? That normally shows very small stones, EUS is supposed to as well