Mild chronic pancreatitis

[Smiley316]

I would like to ask if anyone has mild chronic pancreatitis? My Dr does not really say much about it other than take creon, and low fat diet, no red meat, no alcohol, Dr says its unspecified to why I have it I also have mild gastroparesis, thanks in advance

[longingtrustingHIM]

Hi there Smiley! 😊 When I compare my symptoms to many others who have additional complications, I guess I can call mine a “mild chronic pancreatitis”. And I am thankful. When there is a flare-up at random times (sometimes they come about every 2-3 weeks.) then I panic. Fear of what’s next if my CP progresses rapidly is very real. But when it is calm and manageable with dietary restrictions and taking creon, and supplements, I find it quite doable. One of my frustrations has been other people’s skepticism regarding the diagnosis. Even, recently while traveling, when I needed more creon , so I had to see a doctor for a prescription, and he wanted testing done, etc. before prescribing creon. The blood workup and MRI did not show him I was in crises mode, so he questioned whether my diagnosis I had been accurate. It is disconcerting to have people question , since I do not always have severe pain, and I haven’t been hospitalized with CP. It seems that people are judging me to be simply “wanting attention”. So many doctors apparently are only familiar with acute pancreatitis. I know very well what severe pain feels like before I was diagnosed, going on three years ago. I still have flareups with intense pain so that I double over with pain. I am very grateful that my own doctor diagnosed me (almost 3 years go) after doing lots of exams to rule out other illnesses, and she has me taking creon and supplements ( as well as a gluten free diet). It is working for me. Small frequent snack meals, and especially nothing heavy after 5pm , and taking creon with any snack meal that has protein, as well as taking supplements has made a big difference for me! I thankful God for the doctor He gave me!

Hang in there, Smiley! Do what works for you! We are all different. I hope you will continue to improve or at least be able to live a normal life and that your symptoms will be more manageable. 🙂

[Smiley316 in reply to longingtrustingHIM]

Hi thanks for your response, thanks for your story, I get that all the time that my condition is not a real problem, because I hardly have pain, I only have pain if I eat something bad, I'm taking creon, everytime I eat anything, I just wished Drs knew more about mild chronic pancreatitis, they just know about acute and chronic, but mild chronic pancreatitis it seems like its not a huge problem for them but it is for me I had to change how I eat, I'm ok with gluten though. I'm hanging in there I just got diagnosed9 months ago.

[nanagizer in reply to Smiley316]

how did you get diagnosed with "mild pancreatitis"? I have been suffering for years and no tests can confirm so my Dr. won't give me a diagnosis.

[Smiley316 in reply to nanagizer]

I got diagnosed with endoscopy ultrasound.

[nanagizer in reply to Smiley316]

What exactly did they see in your EUS to call it CP? I had all those tests too and my EUS showed some hypoechoic stranding but my doctor said it was normal at my age of 68. He said all people had some by the time they are "older".

[Smiley316 in reply to nanagizer]

They did endoscopy with ultrasound, and did byopsy, too, they saw that pancreas had some permanent damage, mild but permanent, that tells Dr is chronic pancreatitis.

[quanglewangle]

I had chronic digestive problems and colonoscopy etc failed to find anything - until a new Doctor suggested that I try PERT.

It was the start of a resolution of 30 years of diahhrea. Once I had determined the correct dosage of PERT - see

youtu.be/9Cqn3uSxCRs(Not working as expected?) how to dose pert

and begun a continuing course of high dose pre & probiotics I am normal !!!

N B my 30 year journey was started by Coeliac disease which I now know is a well-known trigger for pancreatic insufficiency.

[Smiley316]

Hi so you were not diagnosed with pancreatic problems but creon is helping and pre and pro biotics? That's interesting I'm on creon but I don't take probiotics or pro biotics, maybe I will try that thanks

[Jackie1947]

I've got chronic calsified pancreatic problems. Diagnosed by a CT Scan that wasn't looking for it but something else. Bit of a shock. This was 18 months ago. I don't understand why I don't get any signs or symptoms. Is this possible? Tried Creon and other brands but intolerant to pork. I eat what I can tolerate so apart from pork nothing is off the menu. I don't smoke or drink alcohol . However I do take prescribed lopperimide that keeps my digestive system in tack. Steroids send me dolally.