Hi, my name is Warren and I am new here. I noticed that there weren’t any threads started so I thought that I would start one! 
As most of you might know, pancreatitis is divided into two types of episodes- acute and chronic. An acute attack can be life-threatening especially if no action is taken. It is not always so as some of us who have chronic pancreatitis can attest. With timely, proper medical attention, most people who have an acute attck can expect a full recovery and lead a normal life.
Chronic pancreatitis is a little more insidious. All of the pathology and mechanisms are not presently known from what I have read and what my gi specialist has told me. Generally it is believed that chronic cases stem from untreated multiple acute episodes. After each untreated acute episode, more of the pancreas is damaged. This damage leads to scarring of the pancreas and duct.
Once this happens, the damage is permanent and life-long. In addition if the duct is damaged enough, the enzymes will continue to damage the pancreas causing further scarring. In western society the majority of chronic pancreatitis is attributed to alcohol abuse or gallstones. Gallstones can sometimes obstruct the pancreatic duct which causes the damage to the pancreas.
One of the most serious side effects of chronic pancreatitis is pancreatic pseudocysts. If these form and begin to rupture releasing pancreatic enzymes into the rest of the body, mortality rates can raise to 50%. If you have chronic pancreatitis, it is imperative that you avoid alcohol. Some other causes of chronic pancreatitis are: too much calcium in the blood, too much fat in the blood, hereditary pancreatitis, and idiopathic (unknown causes).
Pancreatitis is a fairly rare disease and is often not diagnosed for several years. I thought that my flare-ups were just really bad attacks of GERD or indigestion. Then I thought that maybe I had an ulcer. The episodes became so painful that I let my wife talk me into seeing a doctor.
At first we started out with Prevacid and other medications for my back (I have had two surgeries on a ruptured disk). The pain continued as well as diarrhea. She referred me to a gi specialist. My upper gi was scoped and no ulcers or abnormal growths were found. After talking to some people, I began to think that it might be my gall bladder which is somewhat easily rectified. Next, I went in for an EUS. That was when it was discovered that my problems were due to chronic pancreatitis.
At the time I was drinking 2 to 4 beers 3 to 5 nights each week. According to some, this is considered moderate consumption, but apparently it was enough to damage my pancreas unless I have some other underlying cause. This is possible because when I was diagnosed (about 6 weeks ago), I made radical lifestyle changes. I have given up alcohol (I did drink three beers during the Super Bowl), cheeses, and almost entirely taken red meats out of my diet.
Even with these changes, I continue to experience symptoms ranging from nausea, diarrhea, to intense abdominal pain. When I followed up with my gi specialist, he prescribed Pangestyme (a synthetic pancreatic enzyme) and Oxycodone for the bad days. The enzymes seem to be controlling the diarrhea, but I am still having bouts of major nausea as well as continued abdominal pain.
I have only had pizza twice in the last two months. More than the alcohol, I miss my cheeses, hamburgers, cream sauces (Alfredo, Newberg, etc…), and my occasional foray into bacon territory. On my bad days, I am frustrated and annoyed that my changes have not brought me relief. I am also a little anxious because if I continue to worsen, my chances of developing life-threatening complications rises. I try to take things day by day and do my best to be compliant with my dietary restrictions. I do miss slathering butter on bread though.
Well, I hope this helps anyone out there with this rare condition.