My situation is different since I have had an acute attack, but I also fall into every other category listed. From my non-medical brain, there are medical procedures that can be done, though they are not a cure, they can provide relief. My understanding is that every situation may be a little different so procedures may vary based on your exact problem. For example, I have sphinctor of oddi dysfunction which is a narrowing or blockage in the duct, which caused swelling and damage to the pancreas. They cut smooth muscle in the duct for relief.

thanks Bevo- I am currently seeing a dietitian in the hopes of helping with the pain and stool issues. I have gone through multiple imaging tests and an EUS and they can not find a thing. The only thing that came back was elavated fat in a stool test and my GI put my on Creon. How long ago did you have your procedure and has it helped with the constant pain?

I've had two ERCP's. One here in San Antonio (summer/fall 2009), with Stents. It didn't work at all. I had a second ERCP in Feb 2010 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. I met with the Chief of the Gastro dept there. It sounded like the first ERCP didn't have deep enough cuts. He recommended TPN treatment with nothing by mouth. I'm doing that now. Basically it's like having nightly IV feedings for 13 hours at a time. I'm usually pain free now that i'm on the treatment. However, I don't know what will happen after I start eating again. He thinks I'll be much better. Time will tell.

I had TPN feedings by IV over a period of 12 hrs. for 3 months it helped because it let the inflammation subside.I met with the same doctor at Johns Hopkins,but I usually go to Fox Chase Cancer Center to have the stents put in.Once the TPN is removed it takes a little while to get used to eating again(at least it did for me).I hope this works for you and that you feel improvement,keep us posted.

thank you Dave (OH)

Hello Everyone,
A week ago I was in the hospital for 2 1/2 days giving the Pancreas a rest and getting fluids. Does anyone have problem with being thirsty and having a dry mouth and then noticing you have a weak pulse? Also Blood pressure is all over the place with Pancreas problems? A week before going to the hospital I ended up in the ER because my pulse was very low (mid 40's to low 50's) and pulse was weak so they gave me an IV to get my blood volume up because I guess the pancreas or something was causing me to lose fluids. Very weird! I saw a Pancreas specialist at Stanford Hospital, Dr. Walter Park, this past tuesday (finally) and he's recommending a Pancreatic Function Test where he injects secretin into my vein and takes samples of pancreatic juices from the Pancreatic duct with the use of an Endoscope. He believes that he will be able to figure out if the Pancreas is really functioning from this test! This might help you too!

Hey Marj,

I have never heard of the secretin with the Endoscope. My GI is trying diet again and really doesn't have a game plan after that so this would be a good suggestion.

Thank you Dave, OH

Hello RS696. What is the process for starting to eat again? How many times have you done TPN? How long does it last before you need to do it again. This is my first time.

Hi Mammomarj. I've had all the same symptoms. The dry mouth, low pulse and blood pressure is worst at night.

Im not sure if I had acute pancreatitis or not. They never got to DX it since I possibly had it while in labor and they had to hurry and get the baby out due to her being in distress. But I do have mild CP. Most of my CP pain is in the back.

Im so glad to finally know that I have CP. No I dont want to kave it but knowing what has been the cause of my years of suffering helps me to research it and better take care of myself.

If I didnt know for sure I had CP then I wouldnt know how to research it and learn to rest the pancreas and slow down the progression of it.

CP isnt going to suddenly get better. It gets worse over time. So by knowing one has it they can at least help take better care of themselves in hopes of slowing it down.