Husband has pancreatitis about every 6 months. no gall bladder, no alcohol, cholesterol controlled with meds, had every test run.. all normal. why would it keep occurring? we are so lost as to what to do. it requires a hospital visit every time.

Chronic pancreatitis: Other than alcohol, ductal obstruction, and high serum triglycerides (not total cholesterol), look into hereditary pancreatitis by asking family. Also, cigarette smoking (if he smokes). Beyond that, autoimmune causes are more rare. Underlying diseases such as lupus or hyperparathyroidism have obvious manifestations and do not typically start as pancreatitis. Key tests: ultrasound, ERCP.