The cause of my pancreatitis is still under investigation. I almost never drink, and both a CT scan and MRI showed no gallstones in the duct (my gall bladder was laparoscopically removed in January). I had previously had several esophageal spasms severe enough to take me to the emergency room. These spasms had been relieved and prevented by dicyclomine, an anticholinergic. This time I had a very tight feeling in my abdomen that wouldn't go away, and that awakened me. My internist had prescribed Donnatal as an alternative to dicyclomine, and I thought the Donnatal was what made me begin to vomit violently and keep retching even when my stomach was emptied. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital and admitted same day. I spent 4 days there and am still on antibiotics (Flagyl & Cipro) to prevent the inflammation from developing into an infection. I am scheduled to see a gastroenterologist for follow-up. Published: July 24 ::

I had increasing back pain for a few days and general malaise. I thought it was a kidney infection. I called my primary doctor and asked if he could see me or call me in antibiotics, but he told me to go to the ER. My co-workers thought it was silly to go for a kidney infection, but I had vomited once and the pain was getting a little more intense. I told the nurse I felt silly for being there, that I thought it was a UTI and that I had pain in my back on the left side and vomiting. They did a urine test and gave me some fluids and mild pain meds. Two hours later I was in extreme pain, could not stop vomiting and they came back and told me I had pancreatitis, and they were admitting me. As it turns out, I had sphincter of Oddi dysfunction causing the pancreatitis. Published: June 23 ::

Severe abdominal discomfort, as if I had eaten five full Thanksgiving dinners. I had vomiting, difficulty breathing, unable to get comfortable and pain through to the back. I had acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis diagnosed, with almost a month in the hospital. Published: July 17 ::

I had nausea, diarrhea, sharp pain in my chest that went through to the back. I went to the ER where they diagnosed pancreatitis through the blood tests. Then I was admitted for 8 days and for the first five days could not have anything to eat or drink, not even water. After the fifth day I was on clear liquids. A month or so later I had an ERCP, and it's been 4-5 months and I still have chronic pain with the same symptoms. Published: July 15 ::

I had sharp pains in my abdomen for years that would come and go. One day it was so bad that I stayed in bed crying and was brought to the hospital where I was diagnosed with pancreatitis and an infected gallbladder, which they claimed was from my high triglycerides. After removing my gallbladder and taking triglyceride medications, I was fine for three years until one day, after a weekend of eating pizza, I started having pains again. I went to the ER where my triglycerides were in the 1,000s and I was put in ICU. I spent 10 days in hospital on a feeding tube and could not eat or drink until my triglycerides went down and the pancreatitis went away. Three years later I am still in pain daily and they claim I don’t have pancreatitis ... but yet no doctor knows why I'm in pain. Published: July 09 ::

I had an acute onset of severe pain in my left upper abdomen and chest that started at 8 p.m. one Sunday night. I could not get comfortable in any position. I went to the ER the following day as the pain continued to get worse. They diagnosed me with acute pancreatitis, and I spent four days in the hospital. That was one month ago, and I continue to have pain off and on. Published: July 08 ::

The onset of my pancreatitis was sudden and very severe. At first I thought I fractured a rib on the right side, as is was hard to breath and sore to the touch. I could not get comfortable. I was hospitalized for 18 days and am now insulin dependant. This has happened to a family member of mine as well. Published: June 30 ::

I felt very nauseated while drinking a carbonated drink. Nauseated state got progressively worse and then very acute pain in center of upper abdomen, right below bottom rib. I could not stand up straight due to the pain. Doctor sent me to ER where went through testing - blood for enzymes, MRI, sonogram, and x-rays. Spent seven days in hospital with only IV and a few popsicles which took off about 20 lbs., and developed pneumonia that was also painful. I had been taking Hoodia for a few days, and I wonder if the dehydration caused by Hoodia may have brought on the acute pancreatitis. I also have high triglycerides, high BP, and high cholesterol. I lost about 50 lbs. after hospital stay with strict diet that made me feel great - low cholesterol, carbohydrate, and fat. I ate a ton of vegetables and lean protein and was never hungry. Published: June 30 ::

Had severe pain in upper stomach for about 2 years on & off, no orally taken pain killer could ease. Always at Doctors & referred to different consultants each one prescribed different medication for ulcers. Had an attack of pain so bad I was delirious with pain & admitted by ambulance to the hospital. Then when a fresh out of collage junior doctor asked if he could examine my pancreas (never heard of it at that time).Diagnosed chronic pancreatitis, prescribed Creon & antiinflammatory drug, careful diet no alcohol. After 14 years I can now eat almost anything & pain attacks are almost non existent & very mild. So heed you’re doctor’s advice things can get better. Published: June 25 ::