ive had this disease for 4 years and its been explained to me ober and over and I still don't understand it im also bipolar that I understand totally but CP I aint got a clue ha ha im a lot like the doctors if anyone explains it to u where u understand let me know will ya

One of the things that seems most difficult is the location of pancreatitis pain. My pain can be just about anywhere in the abdominal area and commonly radiates into my back. When my problems started, I remember describing pain that seemed to be associated with my belly button. After botched ERCP on the tail of my pancreas, pain tends to be up higher, at the bottom and just under my rib cage. The location of the pancreas tends to be behind the stomach and on the left side of your rib cage. In the case of divisum as I have, the pancreas does not form correctly in the womb and as a result different scenarios can exist. Best of luck to you. Hope that helps.

Anyone know how high up it is? Just seems so much lower in pictures than two fingers below breast plate and when the pain shoots to the right-its directly across vs down some where the other end of the pancreas is

It's difficult to say exactly where your pancreas is other than it should be located behind the ribs on the left side. Normally, the head is roughly parallel to the spine and the tail is perpendicular to the spine. The entire organ should be on the left side behind the ribcage and the stomach. Search "pancreas divisum" and you'll find a lot of info regarding one congenital defect that can affect the pancreas anatomy as well as location. Normal human development in the womb starts with two pancreases (or is it pancrei??) and they rotate to become one. Trying to determine its physical location by pain can be difficult as well as it commonly refers pain to different locations. I know, it's very frustrating! Regarding pain location - mine can range from intense boots that make my entire gut and back feel like they are going to explode to my general current state of constant pain on the left side of center 2 - 3 fingers above xiphoid process that radiates out to my left side and through to my back. Because of that pain and so many MRIs I've lost count, I'm certain that is where mine favorite organ lays! :o)

Thank you! I get a stabbing pain that is usually upper left. Sometimes just to the right of my spine.

Im familiar with divisums, I have an "incomplete" divisum per Dr Binmoeller, but he doesnt think that is the cause of mine

Dr. Binmoeller is one of the best GIs I have seen. He is the doc that confirmed the mass I have over my pancreas tail is not a pseudo-cyst, causing me to avoid having the tail removed, when everyone else was screaming PSUEDO-CYST, Get it out of there! I'm glad you are seeing him, but don't be afraid to push for more answers if needed. I had to with him but I'll save you that long story. Healing energies to you!

pancreas pain for me has been central under breasts in the middle where it goes soft.. ribs are on the sides I guess. then it radiates thru to the back. pain out of 10 is 11 - cant cope. cant breath
childbirth to me is 7/10
gall bladder pain is similar but mine was 9/10 more like bad indigestion

upper abdo pain.

it is referred pain we feel.

after last attack . I had pain the lower abdo area. for months. but the upper area which is where they would dx AP was tender -
but the nausea was strong and I was unwell for aaaaaaages

the pancreas Is behind your stomach so that is why you feel the pain in the back at times since it is so close to your back...it lies in the center and extends to the left side up to your spleen....which is the tail part of the pancreas...the head is more centrally localized.

Diane