Consultant appt -EPI

go see another doctor and avoid alcohol and tobacco at all costs until diagnosed properly just to be safe. but I do agree with a pancreatic enzyme of sorts until you know. try 5-6 small meals a day and that may help with discomfort.

I agree with eagle, except to be specific you need to see a gastroenterologist who specialises in the pancreas. They are different from standard gastroenterologists and if you're concerned about your pancreas that's who you need to see.

To say you won't be seen for 5 months is a red flag to me, he really doesn't expect your tests to be abnormal methinks. Just the same he's ordered an MRI which is great, check that it focuses on the pancreas area and have the tests delivered to your GP who can send them on to your new specialist who will probably order new tests.

Eat small low fat meals often, 6 or so a day isn't unusual for us as our digestive system can't cope with much. Very important that you avoid alcohol all the time and don't smoke, if you do have pancreatitis they can/will cause a flare that be dangerous even life threatening and you might/will cause progression of the disease. Until you know what's going on ensure you assume you have pancreatitis and follow the rules.

I meant to say I agree with Coatesy, sorry.

i dont think we gave pancreas specialists in the UK i think it falls under gastroentologist. MRI is 4 weeks.

I think this is a tricky one cos really the pancreas comes under an endocrinologist as it is a gland controlled by the endocrine system?🤔

In my experience, in order to check for EPI they had to do a fecal test. I don't know what blood tests they performed on you to … the fecal test is used to see how you're able to digest fats. I think you should be seeing a pancreas specialist or a GI who specializes in the pancreas because not a lot of doctors are educated in what the pancreas does. Even my GI thought my symptoms were IBS related after my Pancreas Divisium was found through the MRCP. The pancreas specialist was the one who diagnosed me with my CP. You will need to be your own advocate, I had to be. All my tests were coming back normal until the CT Enterography, which revealed atrophy of my pancreas. My primary said she saw no reason for my abdominal pain but I told her I researched atrophy of pancreas and found it was associated with CP. She didn't know because it was out of her expertise. I was referred to a GI who performed the MRCP and found the PD and then referred to a pancreas specialist who found my CP. This all took over a year. The pancreas is the hardest organ to diagnose due to its location, you're going to have to be patient but advocate yourself! Demand test after test! I had blood work, endoscopy, ultrasound all come back normal but I was already chronic. If you're already chronic then it won't show in your blood. I would skip the MRI and ask for a MRCP, the MRCP is a better test and shows a working pancreas. No offense but I don't think the doctor you saw has a clue. Not even my GI doctor said wait five months, she requested an endoscopy and follow-up the next month (before my MRCP). I would look for a new doctor.