Pancreatitis keeps coming back

[CoreyNicole]

My 24 year old boyfriend has been hospitalized for acute pancreatitis 3 times: 03/07, 02/08, 05/08. He previously drank a lot, though he quit completely before the 3rd attack occured. CT revealed 2 pseudocysts. He has been referred to a specialist for an EUS, however he has no insurance and just applied for medicaid, which takes lots of time. The pain is reccurrent and he is barely able to eat or do much of anything. We're assuming the cysts are causing the pain - is it possible for them to be causing the pain and pancreatitis attacks? Or could there be something causing the cysts AND pain, such as a blockage or something? Chronic pancreatitis has been ruled out- doc says there are no signs of chronic and each attack was just acute. He hasn't consumed ANY alcohol since feb (after 2nd attack), but does smoke ciggarettes (though cutting down to close to nothing).
What is causing this problem with his pancreas? How can we get these cysts removed? What should we do??? We will be back in the emergency any moment now, but all they do is sit him there until his enzymes go down and send him home. Help!

[CoreyNicole]

thanks for the info about GB backup, I'll keep that in mind. The tests didn't reveal any problems with his GB or any stones, according to doc. But theres no way of knowing for sure until someone gets in there. I think there may be a duct issue.
The doc had mentioned enzymes, but then after finding the cysts and sending us off to a specialist (who wont see us), he didnt suggest taking them. We asked. I wonder why?

[CalGal]

It is possible that the cysts may be causing the problem. However, at some point you also need to find out whether or not his gallbladder might play into the problem with his pancreas. If he has stones or sludge in the gallbladder, those particles can exit the GB and enter the common bile duct. When that happens, it can irritate the tissues and cause spasms of the duct or the muscular opening to the duodenum. When that happens the pancreatic fluids and bile can back up and 'attack' the pancreas.

Unfortunately, until you can work with a doc to find out what can be done, there's little that an individual can do expect carefully watch their diet and perhaps take prescription enzymes to help digest the food they're able to eat.