A few years ago, I was at my parent's house and I smoked a brisket for me and my dad. A USDA Prime brisket at that, so very fatty. (But so d@mn good).
That night, my dad woke up and was HOWLING. Not exaggerating. I've never seen my dad cry before, and there were tears streaking down his face.
Severe stomach pain. I felt like crap, because I thought I had food poisoned him. But he never vomited or had diarrhea.
After I took him to the ER the next day, they diagnosed him with pancreatitis.
The man thought he was going to die. And he would've welcomed it at that point.
It finally just went away after pumping him full of fluids.
I've also heard stories from others that had pancreatitis, and to a man they've said it's the worst pain they've ever experienced.
Point is, it sounds like it'd be pretty obvious if it was pancreatitis.
