Just had my first attack

Let it take its course? Like, you die? Pancreatitis is nothing to joke around with and it can kill you. You need to get your doctor to get to the underlying cause of your AP and treat that... not "let it run its course." Silliest thing I've ever heard. Is it your gallbladder? Too much alcohol? Genetics? You need those answers.

I'm surprised they let you home so quickly , I am having tests to see what caused my , severe acute pancreatitis but sometimes they can't find a cause ,

I hope you feel better soon x

I only spent about 8 hours in the hospital after my first acute attack, but I live only about 8 minutes away, and my doctors are excellent with follow up.  I didn't leave the hospital, however, with out instructions to go on a clear liquid diet for a week and to follow up ASAP with my GP.  She told me basically the same...they consider it "idiopathic" because the cause isn't really identifiable.  But alcohol and caffeine are two things you must avoid from this point on in your entire life.  The other, is, as you go off the liquid diet, introduce soft foods slowly, same with spices and herbs, but try to keep your daily intake of "fat" to 20grams or less.  That means try to use no-fat options wherever possible.  Nuts and things like cheese are out.  Battered, fried foods are out.  Processed foods - you need to be really careful with, it's better to make things from scratch at home so you know what you are eating.   I found the website Pancreasfoundation.org to be extremely helpful.  You can even download a cookbook with recipes.

I recovered from that first attack and went just over a year before a flare-up about a month ago that I still haven't recovered from, although I'm hopeful.  I have been to a yoga clas a couple times, and I've been very grateful for that, as it helps me cope with the continuing symptoms that are stubbornly not responding to my careful diet.  But I do have the support of my Dr and the GI she recommended to me.  Plus this forum.   It helps to know there ARE others going through the same thing.

Hi glenna, I'm glad i found this page too.  Did the tests show gallstones? Is removing the GB the next move?  I'd probably opt to get rid of the GB.  Why wait? Hope you are feeling better.