I've had my fourth acute pancreatitis attack in one year

Sorry to hear about your pain my husband suffers from chronic pancreatitis... no fun! Some people get relief from creon, but the dosage has to be adjusted untill you find the one that works for you. If you feel your GI is not on your side please dont give up and find a new one. I would ask to get your gallbladder checked. I had gallstones about 16 year's ago and had to get my gallbladder removed, now i feel better. My number one and best advise is to see as many doctors till you get an answer or get help. As far as your job get a doctor note, find a new GI and rest up.... if posible. Wish you the best and sorry for your pain. God willing you will be okay.

Sue having pancreatitis is awful, especially at the beginning when you don't know how to handle it.  You need a new GI doc by the sound of it, that should be a priority, hopefully you can find one who actually specialises in the pancreas, they're a rare breed but are out there.

It sounds to me like you might have chronic pancreatitis given pancreas damage was found 7 years ago, especially if you weren't under a GI at the time.  Chronic Pancreatitis is ever present, it can be managed but it doesn't improve, it gets worse over time as the pancreas continues to malfunction.  However, it is important to know that it isn't a death sentence.  Some think it's the end, it isn't especially if managed properly.

First thing to know is that when you have an attack stop eating for a couple of days, you have to give your pancreas a rest.  When admitted to the hospital with an attack the patient is given IV fluids/nutrition and pain management.  The aim is to rest the pancreas.  Once you know, when the pain/nausea/vomiting or whatever symptom is your light bulb signal occurs, you can manage many, but not necessarily all attacks yourself at home.  If symptoms are very bad it may mean there is an added complication, like a blockage, and you will need to go to the ER.

Ok so this is what the pancreas does;

 1) secretes directly into your small intestine an alkaline mixture of salt and enzymes such as trypsin and chymotrypsin to digest proteins, amylase to break down starches, and lipase to aid the digestion of fats.

2)  it secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon directly into your bloodstream to control your blood-sugar levels.

The problems occur when the pancreas is damaged, it malfunctions, this is serious, this is what is happening to you.

Pancreatitis is a disease characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas.  It results in pancreatic juices accumulating in the organ, which may damage the pancreas or lead to the pancreas actually digesting itself.  Sounds pretty nasty and is, it's what causes the pain and digestive issues.

You need to adopt a low fat diet and stop all alcohol forever from right now.  Stress can trigger it so adopt strategies to control it.  You need to see your GI frequently initially until all your issues are found and addressed.

Creon is your new best friend.  Creon taken just as you're about to eat, anything, anything at all, helps to stop your pancreas misfiring, the Creon provides the enzymes you need to digest food and can prevent an attack.

Dosage is by trial and error.  You don't need to run to the doc everytime to get permission to change the dose, it's not a drug in the sense we usually associate meds ok?  Sooo, when I first started I needed 80,000 plus now things have settled 30,000 to 40,000 seems to work for me most of the time.  Creon only works for 30 minutes so if having a long lunch or dinner you'll need to take more after 30 mins, it's ok to do that, it's what my pancreas specialist advised me to do and he told me many don't know that and begin to doubt Creon effectiveness as a result.  It works!  When you have a snack, anything at all, however small, take half your usual dose, you don't want your pancreas stirred up. 

Now about hospital.  I see my specialist via a clinic at one of our best hospitals, they have my records on file, if I kick my toe the ER would know about it because it's right there in my notes, however....  My doc told me we have to get my pancreatitis sorted properly, managed as best it can be because even if I presented at his hospital's ER he said all they'd do is give me painkillers and send me home, even though they'd have my history right in front of them.  That seems to be the common treatment, it's not about being ignored particularly, it's not a 'you' thing when they send you home.  Moral there is to make sure you and your doc have got your particular pancreatitis sorted as best it can be.

Sorry this is so long but hope it helps, continue to ask questions.  Good luck Sue regards Reef.