Time line.

Did the doctor tell u why you have Chronic pancreaitis . what caused it

Hi Coatsey, not sure what cards you plan to play so will cover the basics. No alcohol,

don't smoke (pancreas really hates it), low fat diet (essential), drink water, take digestive enzymes, perhaps take a PPI and manage pain. If you follow those rules the pain may

subside or go away altogether depending on your particular associated issues. Managing

the pain by following the rules is far preferable to relying on pain drugs as they become less

effective after awhile.

During a flare up it helps to give your pancreas a rest by eliminating solid food altogether

for 2-3 days, it can help with the pain. You must however ensure you take nourishing

fluids and water. Ensure and electrolyte drinks are helpful. The Ensure might assist with weight too.

A flare occurs when your pancreas becomes inflamed so it's common sense to give it a rest. A gradual return to low fat solids can then be tried. Manage your portions too, don't eat too much at once, better to have 5 or 6 small meals a day to keep pancreas inflammation in check.

How long a flare lasts is pretty much an individual thing and depends on what other associated

issues you may have.

Re the constipation be aware that taking digestive enzymes like Creon can cause constipation.

I was told to take a product called Movicol which replicates a normal cycle, no pain or running to the loo, it's just like normal. When required I take 3 or 4 satchels a day for a week then take a break for 2 or 3 weeks until my body tells me I need it again. Again one needs to drink water.

I think you need to be referred to a gastroenterolgist who specialises in the pancreas. They

really do know much more than regular gastro's. Good luck.

its a wild guess, a wild ride sometimes. some folks have regular flare ups, sometimes its very rarely chronic, no way to know.

there's a lot they don't know about pancreatitis, chronic or otherwise. there's even a lot of argument among professionals - even alcoholic pancreatitis has got detractors - there's a lot more alcoholics that DON'T have pancreatitis than do. why doesn't everyone that drinks to excess get pancreatitis? if alcohol causes it, MANY more people would have pancreatitis. some researchers believe alcohol is almost never the cause, only a complication same as fatty food, it just makes it worse. there's many other causes, some are completly idiopathic or unknown. Rmoval of the pancreas is not neccessrily curative either, be very cautious of the surgeon. it made my pain worse, not better.