Worried sick

[Chrissyt32]

Hi just looking for some advice as i feel i have nowhere to turn. I'm a 32 year old female, diagnosed with gallstones about a year ago (had no symptoms they were found by chance).

About a month ago I noticed my tummy felt tender and also felt quite bloated, went to see gp who did bloods which all came back normal. She mentioned at this time that the whites of my eyes were slightly yellow (I hadn't noticed) was told it was "probably gallstones"

Over the last month I have been to A and E twice with abdominal and back pain, both times they did my bloods and told me to see my gp and to get them to refer me for a scan. Finally after pushing it had an ultrasound today and was told they think it's just gallstones. As well as the pain symptoms I have had loss of appetite, indigestion, feeling sick, dizzy spells and become very fatigued.

Now that nothing has been picked up on ultrasound I don't know what to do next. I suffer with health anxiety and I'm sure my doctors think I'm crazy so I'm worried they will just dismiss me. I have read that pancreatic cancer isn't always picked up on ultrasound so it was never gonna put my mind at ease.

I have 2 young children and the worry of this has taken over my life. Any advice about what I should do next would be welcome.

[Stacylane08]

My tumor was spotted by chance, I went in with lower abdomen pain and they thought it could be my appendix, so they did a ct scan came back it was a cyst on my ovaries. But during the CT the found the small tumor on my pancreas. I have been told by numors doctors that it was caught by luck an I'm so lucky. I had no symptoms at all that I had this. No pains no nothing. I would push for them to do a ct scan. I have one done every 4 months. Now since they removed the cancerous tumor. I'm 26 with two little boys of my own an we have custody of my husbands three girls now. I have super super bad anxiety, about my health an of my children. That's the mother in U.S. We don't want anything happening to our kids an we want to be healthy so we can raise them... I know how you feel completely. But I would definitely push for a CT scan. Just to ease your mind. Good luck.

[Chrissyt32 in reply to Stacylane08]

Thank you so much for replying. I'm so glad you're doing well.

It's true what you say about the kids. It's all I keep thinking about and I've become quite depressed over the last week.

I really feel that the doctors just aren't listening to me. I'm going to A and E again today, I have written all my symptoms down and I'm gonna tell them I need to know what's happening.

[Stacylane08 in reply to Chrissyt32]

No problem at all!! Good luck today!!

[pigmansmum]

Honestly, it just sounds like gallstones. I had them at 27 and it took ages to diagnose, as I don't meet the usual criteria. I had all your symptoms on and off for 4 years, but after I had my gall bladder out, no more problems. Push for a scan if you're worried though xx

[Chrissyt32 in reply to pigmansmum]

Thank you for replying. The only thing that concerns me is that I'm having the pains and other symptoms everyday, and the pain isn't in the typical gallbladder area. I've been so anxious about it and after being sent home (without even being examined) from A and E the night before last I'm going private for a CT scan this week. I really hope you're right and it is gallstones but I need to know for definite xx

[pigmansmum in reply to Chrissyt32]

Definitely get the scan as you won't relax until you do. But I saw at least 8 different doctors and none of them had a clue. I even had one particularly vile A&E nurse tell me (as I was rolling around in agony) that it was all in my head and I should see a psychiatrist!! It wasn't until I went private that I got diagnosed and sorted. Really hope it all goes well for you xx

[Chrissyt32 in reply to pigmansmum]

Yep that's pretty much what I was told! Thank you so much. Xx

[hnxnh]

Please push for a scan! I lost my mum to Pancreatic Cancer in September. I'm 18 years old and my two sisters are aged 22 and 12. We live as a three as my dad left my mum when she was pregnant with my younger sister. Anyway! My point is, the GP didn't pick up on her cancer, she pushed for a scan and it was the best thing she did. Keep trying until not only your mind is at ease, but also your family's! Try more blood tests and explain every symptom to any professional you talk to!

If you can't lie on a specific side due to pain, can't eat and you're fatigue - please don't think you're over reacting. It's better safe than sorry 💜

Good luck in the future X 💜

[Chrissyt32 in reply to hnxnh]

Thank you so much for replying to me. I'm so so sorry for your loss. I am speaking to my gp tomorrow and asking for a referral so I can get a CT scan privately xxx

[Elbieone]

Hi, the feelings that you're describing sound to me like pancreatitis brought on by a blocked bile duct caused by gallstones. I'm no gp, but mum and I both have gall stones and mum has just spent two weeks in hosp recovering from exactly this. She was vomiting a lot of clear fluid and yellow fluid, feeling like she'd been kicked 'in the stomach, ' and generally in a lot of pain. Loss of appetite, not drinking anything, not sleeping, nausea and very irritable. They wanted to take out mum's gall bladder but we refused as didn't think at 82 she'd survive the op. We're managing her condition by eliminating fatty foods, less sugar and lots of fluids. (She was badly dehydrated, urine colour of pint of mild) when they took her in, which I think was what set it off then she made it worse by not drinking to avoid being sick! I really feel this is what's causing it for you, and just want to reassure you that it doesn't always have to be cancer, tho goodness knows that's the first thing I always think of. Get your scan, put your mind at rest and then consider what your options are to get rid of the stones (sometimes they can do it by an endoscopic procedure), rather than lose your gall bladder. Though if you can get the diet right, there's a lot to be said for that. As the consultant said to me this morning; gallstones are a western diet problem. And I love cheese. Good luck.

[Chrissyt32 in reply to Elbieone]

Thank you so much for replying. I had a blood test that the doctors told me was to check pancreas and that it was normal, apparently if it was pancreatitus it would show? I'm still hoping it is all gallstone related but will definitely be having the scan xx

[Norametroplowshay in reply to Chrissyt32]

chrissyt32, mine did not as it was very advanced and the pancrease can quit producing enzymes. That is why it took them over three years to diagnose me. I too was treated like they thought I was crazy. DO NOT LET THEM DISMISS YOU!

[Norametroplowshay in reply to Chrissyt32]

chrissyt32, not always

[Norametroplowshay in reply to Elbieone]

Exactly what I think Elbieone! for chrissyt32. would explain the jaundace. We all have to demand proper tests and treatnent.

[Chrissyt32 in reply to Norametroplowshay]

Thank you so much for your reply. So was it pancreatitus that you were diagnose with? I finally after about 5 months since this all started will be having a CT scan next Friday. My symptoms have definitely got worse. My back and stomach pain is unbearable at times. Had regular blood tests and all still normal. Xx

[Dragongranny64]

I had an ultrasound which showed nothing it was the CT scan the following week that showed a golf ball sized tumor in my pancreas. Ask your GP for a CT scan and wishing you all the best 😀

[Chrissyt32 in reply to Dragongranny64]

Thank you so much for replying. I'm trying hard to get a CT scan. I really hope you're doing ok xx

[Heathermcnee]

Hi Chrissy my husband was diagnosed through a cat scan which will be able to tell them straight away he had lost 4 stone in 4 months prior to being diagnosed he had tummy bloating no appetite and constant sickness and backache 5 days before being taken into hospital and then diagnosed I hope this helps you Chrissy if I can help you with anything just let me know

Take care Heather

[Chrissyt32 in reply to Heathermcnee]

Thank you so much for replying. I am still getting nowhere with gp so I am trying to get the money together to go private for a CT scan. My symptoms haven't changed and it's probably the back pain that is the worst at the moment. I really hope you're husband is ok xx

[Bab70 in reply to Chrissyt32]

Hi Chrissy, I was told by my GP that in order to get CT scan or EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound Scan) you need to see a specialist doctor to refer you for any of the above scans. EUS will examine your organs in details and would be able to tell you instantly what is going on!!!! I was also worried sick that I have something nasty too but luckily I was told that I have some stones in my gallbladder. Please don't give up, press on your GP for referral! Good luck x

[Chrissyt32 in reply to Bab70]

Thank you so much. I have been referred to see a gastroenterologistin a couple of weeks. The waiting is driving me crazy but at least I'm in the right direction xx

[Ladyjackie37 in reply to Chrissyt32]

Hi Chrissyt32 I know this was a wee while ago

Just wondered how you got on x

[Chrissyt32 in reply to Ladyjackie37]

Hiya, I eventually had the ct scan which didn't show any problem with my pancreas. 2 years on and I'm still anxious as I have a tender swelling under my left breast that I've never been given an answer for x

[NickyR71]

Hi Chrissy,

Did you have your scan yet? I too had (still have) health anxiety about pancreatic cancer. What I have found is focusing on it really does make the physical symptoms worse. I am not saying it's all in my head- my Gp reckons its gastritis- but the more I think about the pain/the indigestion/the possibility that it's pancreatic cancer, the more intense the pain and the more anxious and sure there is something wrong, I become. I now limit myself to what I read online (well I try- not doing too well today) and it does help will the anxiety and the physical symptoms.

You have seen numerous doctors, none of whom are worried. Your ultrasound and bloods were fine. So take comfort from that. Post when you get the CT scan results and in the meantime try not to worry.

[Jeanwood in reply to NickyR71]

Hi Chrissy

Please please insist on ct scan my husband had all your symptoms and all the tests, ultrasound , cameras down is throat loads of blood tests,All came back negative, our doctor told him he did not have cancer But he still did not know why he as lost over 23 kilos, it was a week later that he saw another doctor about is stools being greyish and hard to flush that he sent him for a CT scan within the week, it came back as pancreatic cancer.

So please insist

[Chrissyt32 in reply to Jeanwood]

Thank you Jean. I'm sorry to hear about your husband. If the gastroenterologist refuses to let me have a CT scan then I will go private xx

[Chrissyt32]

Hi thanks so much for replying. My appointment is on the 7th of Feb. I've been keeping myself busy with the kids but still so worried. I still have the symptoms everyday and some have got worse. I know what you mean about how we can make them worse. I couldn't move off of the sofa and couple of weeks ago which I now realise was mainly anxiety/depression. However there is definitely still something going on xx

[Norametroplowshay]

chrissyt32, I too had negative blood work and basically same symptoms. My Internist mentioned chronic pancreatitis but after blood work came back neg. dismissed me. Endocrinologist, SAME!, Had been seeing a G.I for three years with this pain and nothing. was told irrital bowel syndrome. My best friend is an RN and kept saying "I hope it not pancreatitis. so after 4 years of hell, she went to her dr. and told him my symptoms. He then referred me to another GO that found chronic pancreatitis. at this point pancrease was so atrophied they could barely see it on c.t. You see, if you have long term pancreatitis blood will no longer show elevated enzymes. Have the do a fatty stool test. If it's left too long w/I treatment the more damage and higher risk of PC. Do not give up.

[Conbrice1]

For people that cancer detected with car scan did they use contrast. I’m concerned because they did not use contrast dye:/