DH was recently diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis. The feeling is that that this has been caused by an autoimmune condition linked to the rheumatoid arthritis he was diagnosed with two years ago. There is a possibility that DH's immune system may be attacking the organs of his body and the pancreas is the first to be affected. This was put to us by DH's arthritis consultant but only as a worst case scenario ie it may not actually be what's happening - but hey doc thanks for telling us anyway!
However, leaving aside that which we can't be sure of, DH does have Chronic Pancreatitis. It has come out of the blue, he had been feeling some mild abdominal discomfort and thought maybe gallstones were the problem but following a scan and various tests it was diagnosed as CP.
So, he has stopped drinking alcohol and is taking Creon (pancreatic enzyme) capsules. He has not been able to give up his post supper, fag or two at the bottom of the garden but I hope that he will soon.
My biggest worry is that his CP would inevitably lead to cancer of the pancreas but I have read contradictory information on this fact - some sources say yes others no. I suspect that there is no way of knowing how it will all turn out but it is giving me sleepless nights. RL friends have no experience to share and hence I have come to trusty mumsnet to see if anybody out there has been where we are and can please give us any insights.