First find one really good GI doctor for this. Secondly have the fully battery of tests done. My wife developed pancreatitis andshortly after her second attack developed gastroperisis. The doctor said that while he can;t be certain, the gastroperesis likely is caused by the pancreatitis. She had constant pain, was always full and lost a lot of weight in a short period of time. Fortunately with medication it is treatable and controlable.

I have had chronic pancreatitus for well over 3 years--originally developed a psuedo cyst--actually twice--doctors do not want to do surgery--riddled with comp[lications etc., so I control the pain with powerful pain killers---also take enzymes for digestion--Have also lost 70 pounds--but prognosis can be good--hang in there and I hope you have a compassionate doctor to prescribe your medication(pain killers)---whitfield

I agree with Mark 052. Get a good GI doctor. First and formost. I have had Chronic Pancreatitis for 7 going on 8 years now. Mine was caused by what the doctors called an anomaly (which translates to a loop in the pancreatic duct, which in turn was blocked. And from that blockage the digestive enzymes proceded to cause the pancreas to digest itself.) I have had 2 major surgeries called the Whipple. (Very complicated surgery) They removed half of the pancreas, half of my stomach and some small intestines. The first time was in June 2001 and the second was just recently in Jan. 2008. The second surgery was done because of scar tissue from the first surgery after 6 years. I have and still have pain from all of it. I have a very wonderful GI doctor and a wonderful Surgeon that take care of me. I do take pancreatic enzymes, Viokase and I do take pain medicine when the pain is intolerable. Usually by that time though its a trip to the hospital to get relief.
I have already been told that if it does not clear up soon that a full pancrectomy(spelling is not great..lol) will need to be done. And of course that will cause me to become a diabetic, which at this point I am not. I eat a low fat diet because my body does not absorb fat and it usually comes out this orangy liquid...Yuck!!! I occasionally have a beer.. because this sounds crazy but it really does help my stomach, especially since I only have half of one!!! I don't drink more than that!!! I do smoke and have tried many many times to quit... but when they take away your food and your water...I was determined that they were not going to take away my cigs... I do live with constant pain, fever and nausea... I do hope that one day they will find something, hopefully before its to late to fix what I have left.. but in the mean time, I am just living...

I understand you so much. I have had chronic pancreatitis for over 10 years now. Until then, I only drank on occasion (a glass of wine maybe ever 6 months); my problems where not alcohol related. My problems have tapered off somewhat; I only have flare-ups from time to time. Since that time, a form of chronic pancreatitis has been recognized as autoimmune pancreatitis. Has your docs ever checked you for autoimmune pancreatitis? That is what I have. I also have an assortment of autoimmune disorders, which presented when my pancreatitis began. I had surgery for a bowel obstruction in 1996 and developed the problem post-op. My docs were baffled; IT KEPT COMING BACK. At that time, the only recognized causes of chronic pancreatitis was alcoholism or post-op complications. Find a good GI doc that COMMUNICATES with your GP. I am lucky; I have a good group of docs that recognize and understand my problems. I see a GP, a GI and a rheumatologist for my autoimmune problems. I had to quit working because of my problems. I have to keep my stress levels down. I avoid a lot of situations because the least amount of stress causes the pancreatitis to flare up. For the most part, I have developed a good quality of life, but I take good care of myself. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Don't fight it; if you do, it will make things worse. Don't let anyone roll their eyes at you and tell you it is your imagination (I have been there!). Educate yourself. The internet has been a treasure trove of information. But most of all, don't let yourself dissolve into dispair. I have been there and I almost did. Good luck and let me know how you are doing.