LuAnn, Just a local hospital here in WV. We have no pancreatic specialist within a 4 hour radius of me. I found a GI doctor who said he doe s work with some pancreatic patients. So, we will see how that goes.

Tara: Not sure where you live, but you need to yourself to a very good hospital in an urban area, or in a close suburban area where the doctors are likely to have graduated from teaching hospitals. I probably have CP, though I recently had the SOD cut, a stent inserted temporarily. Had to have the stent removed via endoscopy but then all seemed fine. Right now though, I have that pressure behind the sternum pain that is indicative of pancreatitis so I took my enzymes.

Tara: My gastro guy said Bentyl is no better than any other pain killer like naproxen. If you end up having CP, seriously, you need to engage your neighbors and/or other friends who can take your kids if you are ever hospitalized as my stays have ranged from 4-5 days each time. When having an attack, sweetie, you need morphine! And make sure they don't give you a patch for nausea as it has caused permanent vision problems for a friend I know. I use Tigan suppositories (that's the old name, not sure what the generic name is) but that works great for me. For me, I puke forever unless I have those, so make sure you manage your nausea.

And Tara: I have found that red meat and high fat foods are a disaster. You just can't have them. If you do, it's only a bite or two. And no alcohol or caffeine. And you should be taking digestive enzymes regularly so your pancreas doesn't have to work so hard to do that and become overstimulated. I just bought this new kind (chewable which I prefer), something with papaya in it and they are wonderful! Good luck sweetie. I know it's hard to rest and take care of yourself when you have little ones, but you really must!

So you also had the SOD cut? And you still have pain?? I was hoping that I was better after my procedure, but time will tell as I had it in December.

Wow Stephanie, so informative. Yes, I still have had 2 attacks since having it cut. But, don't let my experience discourage you. I just found out my Grandma has pancreatitis. So, I will ask about hereditary pancreatitis. I match several of the criteria, but it also says it is usually when you have 2 more direct family members, like mom, sister and so on.

But, I must look into it. I think i will be going to Cleveland clinic. Must get some answers.

I know what sets mine off, fats, steak, read meat, chocolate, ice cream and codien.

Seems so hard to find much information online, it is frustrating. Thanks for the input.

have you tried using a heating pad? it helps me a great deal.

plz plz plz be very careful with hot baths and heating pads! malnutrition is something that goes with pancreatitis. did you know that if you get malnurished enough that your skin will start to disintergrate (sp?)? i use to live in a hot bath and lay on heating pads just about all the time. bc i got so malnurished this last summer, and used the heat to help, i burned off the skin surrounding my tailbone, and spots on my ankles. i nearly lost the skin up my back as well. i now have new skin, but also have permenant nerve damage and really ugly scars. i can only take lukewarm showers and seldom can use a heating pad on the lowest setting for short periods. so everyone plz be careful!!! heat can be a good friend, or a hurtful problem

Thanks hunter for the warning.

My pancreatitis is acute and thus, I do not think I am malnourished, but I will keep that in mind as things change, especially since I live on a heating pad due to Multiple Sclerosis and muscle spasms.

On important fact to keep in mind.

Thanks everyone for advice.

I see my GI next week. Am looking into seeing a specialist, since my Grandma has pancreatitis too, I feel that might be a clue.

Thanks everyone.

Have you been tested for autoimmune pancreatitis? I was curious because of your MS diagnoses if this could be the cause. My doctors tested me for this with a blood test called IGG4 I believe. Autoimmune pancreatitis usually responds well to steroids.

Good luck and I hope you're feeling better.

I have been tested for nothing. But that has crossed my mind. My new GI and I have a lot to talk about. I have not seen a GI for this, I was just diagnosed in the hospital and once they released me never said anything about following up even though I have had this for 19 years. Since then I have had 2 attacks.