To and

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I'm so sorry you are suffering in this way, from the condition

and you as caregiver. I'm sure you will derive a lot of comfort and

support from this group. I know I have.

It is sometimes possible for acute pancreatitis attacks to lead to

chronic pancreatitis. Of course, this may or may not have happened

in 's case. I hope it hasn't but the continuing pain etc. might

mean that it has. On the other hand, some other condition may be

causing the problems.

One difficulty is that chronic pancreatitis is notoriously difficult

to diagnose. Sometimes damage is not sufficiently obvious, or may

not be visible, to show up on the tests such as CT scans. The

symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other conditions. I was

diagnosed only last year after having symptoms of one kind or

another all my life. I'm now 58! I had a false or partial diagnosis

in 1988 when I was desperately ill.

I'm not sure what the tablets are which have been prescribed for

. Are they definitely enzymes? As you say, if it thought that

enzymes are necessary (because the pancreas is no longer producing

enough digestive enzymes of its own), it's usually something which

remains necessary. (Possibly they are sometimes prescribed as a

temporary measure after acute pancreatitis. If so, it's not

something I'm aware of.) There are tests which can be undertaken to

test for fat in the stools, which is a sign of malabsorption.

Sometimes docs don't need these tests if other symptoms are present

or if other tets such as CT scans show up something definite like

calcifications.

Belching and a whole variety of other symptoms of malabsorption such

as gas anywhere in the digestive tract, diarrhoea, steatorrhoea

(fatty diarrhoea), etc. etc. can all be typical of chronic

pancreatitis but also of other conditions.

I do hope that soon you get more definitive answers to your

questions.

Managing the condition usually means a combination of approaches :

NO ALCOHOL AT ALL FOR ANY OF US!!

Low fat foods.

Enzymes (when and if considered necessary by the docs)

Small meals taken more frequently rather than three very big meals a

day.

Care over exercise as too rigorous exercise can sometimes lead to

problems.

Looking out for any other triggers, food or otherwise, which might

lead to pain or a full-blown attack.

Using heat (warm baths, hot water bottles etc.) to help to ease the

pain.

It's worth being very careful because, even if chronic pancreatitis

has not set in, following a sensible regime will help to avoid

future acute attacks which could eventually lead to CP.

With very good wishes to you both,

Fliss