Pancreatitis and PA. Any known link?

[Cricket79]

Hi folks! Super new here but have lived with PA since my last pregnancy (my son is now 11) and try and get monthly injections from doc or take double sublingual doses at home to keep levels ok. For me it is a hereditary condition as my mom and sister both have it as well.

I suffered an acute pancreatitis attack on the May long weekend and was hospitalized for several days while they settled things down. I was having some abdominal discomfort before and had doc looking into things during which I did have him check B12 levels again and the blood test said it was ok. Now most pancreatitis attacks are caused by excessive drinking or gallbladder issues and they have ruled out both of those for me so lucky me is one of those 10% that they have no idea.

The pain had settled for several weeks after being discharged but last Wednesday started back up again. I returned to a liquid / soup / light salad diet to settle it down. Revisited my doc yesterday where he gave me my B12 while I was there and the pain disappeared last night. Not complaining although all I seem left with is a very acidic feeling tummy.

So now I’m wondering if my levels were in fact low for some time and the B12 deficiency caused the pancreatitis. For me this would be the best case scenario as not knowing the cause scares you a million different directions but the doctors have ruled out cancer, liver and kidney disease, calcium deficiency and high cholesterol through bloodwork, ultrasound, CT and MRI.

Sorry for the long post but would super appreciate any insight or feedback.

Cheers

Cricket from Canada 🤗

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Cricket79 I've had P.A. for 46 years and just been diagnosed with "moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency" whatever that means - and have been prescribed Creon enzymes to take with each meal/snack.

It's possible that the "insufficiency" dates back 59 years to when I had gastric surgery at the age of 17 so it may be little or nothing to do with the P.A which was diagnosed 13 years later.

I'm not a medically trained person and wish you well.