Just not sure what to do?

I believe I have had this condition for many years, but was diagnosed 11-11-11. I use to drink alcohol as a young adult and at times real heavy. No different than most young adults in their 20's. I can't exactly say when the first attack occured, but I will never forget the pain I endured. I remember waking up out of a deep sleep and literally crawling to the restroom trying to get to the toilet. I was living with my parents at the time and I was scared to wake them up. I just remember doubling over sitting on the toilet thinking my insides were going to come out. Eventually something did and I will spare you the details. As a male all I could think was if a womans labor pains were anything like I was going through I will tip my hat off to any woman who has had a baby. The pain was really bad! I would have several more episodes like the first one to come through out the years. Never really gave it a thought, and I guess you could say I was tolerating it! I would have to guess this is what acute pancreatitis is? Not sure? Well the pain is now chronic, and trying to convey to a doctor what I am feeling has proven to be difficult. I have always had a high tolerance to pain and sometimes I feel it get's in the way of the correct treatment plan. All they give me for pain is Vicoprofen, and it is absolutely doing nothing. Just dont know what I should be doing or what blood test I should have periodically or anything! I was told if I started to lose weight to give them a call and this was told to me by a Gastro doctor. Something just seemed very wrong with treatment plan. I would think it could be to late by then. Has anyone gone through anything similar. What should I do? I am really trying to be proactive with my health care. Also I am medically retired from my job and still struggling to get Social Security Disability. Just going through hell!!!!!