Pancreatitis Patient Stories
Your Story Matters
At the heart of our work are the stories of those who have experienced pancreatitis firsthand, along with their families impacted by the disease. We are inspired by the resilience and courage of those who have faced the challenges of pancreatitis, and we believe that by sharing their stories, we can raise awareness, foster compassion, and drive progress in finding a cure.

Angie’s Pancreatitis Story: Finding Strength and Hope through Advocacy
My story with pancreatitis began when I was diagnosed at 17 years old. For me, it’s hereditary. My mom, son, and multiple family members have

Using Your Voice: One Patient’s Advice on Establishing the Best Care for You
Unsure of the treatment she was receiving, Elizabeth Stutzmann devised a system to establish the best care to treat her pancreatitis. In 2020, Elizabeth Stutzmann

Patient Story: Diagnosing Hereditary Pancreatitis: Rhiannon’s Story
Rhiannon Bending, 31, shares her story with hereditary pancreatitis Although Rhiannon’s father had chronic pancreatitis, doctors were unaware that hereditary pancreatitis can be passed down

Patient Story: Chronic Pediatric Pancreatitis and Chronic Pain: Ashlynn’s Story
Ashlynn Nieve, 18, shares her story with pediatric pancreatitis Chronic pediatric pancreatitis patient Ashlynn Nieve (18) talks about how long she had to wait for

Avoiding Pancreatitis Complications: Seeking Proactive Care
My First Pancreatitis Complications My first (diagnosed) pancreatitis complications occurred in 1998 after I had eaten lunch. It was a shooting pain that rendered me

Blog: Meditation for Pain Management: My Experience
The Challenge: Intense Chronic Pain from Pancreatitis Dealing with chronic pancreatitis has been perhaps the biggest challenge in my life. I am luckier than most

Blog: My Experience with Pancreatic Enzymes (PERT)
I read Liz’s blog and her journey with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) resonated with my own experience. The one difference – since the diagnosis, seven

Blog: Pancreatic Enzymes and Pancreatitis: My Experience
Road towards a pancreatitis diagnosis My journey with pancreatitis started when I was about 10 years old. Throughout my years in school (elementary, middle and

Seeking Treatment for Chronic Pancreatitis: Laura’s Story
Stabbing Pain Leads to Acute Pancreatitis Diagnosis In December 2018, Laura Perry, a 24-year old previously-healthy law student, began experiencing abdominal pain after returning home