Pancreatic Divisum

[Lynn2K]

1 1/2 yrs ago I was diagnosed with pancreatic divisum.  As a ICU RN for over 18 years I'd never heard of this disorder.  All I know is that I spent 4 years trying to convince the GI docs that I wasn't crazy, that I WAS having left upper quad pain with nausea after eating that was worsening.  All my MRI's, CT, and ultrasounds were negative as well as my labs (never once did I have elevated amylase or lipase levels).  Long-story short, I finally had a endoscopic ultrasound & they found S of O dysfunction and decided to do a ERCP for sphincterotomy.  It was during the ERCP that they found the divisum.  One of my pancreatic ducts is totally occluded & the other about 90% and full of strictures.  They stented the duct (with only mild pancreatitis after) & for the first time in years I could eat!  Unfortuantely when they removed the stent they decided to balloon my strictures & gave me raging pancreatitis.  I nearly died, was in the hosp 3 months on TPN.  Now I have chronic pain & nausea.  The docs say the next step is a Whipple.  No way!  Any info on new procedures for divisum out there?  I'm getting desparate.  I've had to put my life on hold for this.