[header] How to diagnose chronic pancreatitis [title] Monitor for abdominal pain. [step] The most common symptom of chronic pancreatitis is recurrent episodes of abdominal pain. This pain can occur in the upper, middle, or left side of the abdomen. 
This pain may subside and then come back, and it may become more frequent as the pancreatitis gets worse. The pain may also be felt in the back area.