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Depressed & Scared - Pancreatic Cancer

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KAves2188
KAves2188

Hello,

I'm looking for some other thoughts / potential reassurance. I'm 29 years old and have been having abdominal pain for 6 months. Within the past three weeks it has gotten rather severe. It started October 1, 2017 when I had migratory abdominal pain - within a few days I was rushed to the hospital as they thought I might have appendicitis. I had normal blood labs and a normal ultrasound and was sent home. 

Throughout the next couple of months I have had countless labs done as well as multiple abdominal and pelvic ultrasounds. I had a CT scan done at the end of November which reported back relatively normal findings with the exception of a little sludge in my gallbladder. In January, I had a EGD done that showed slight stomach inflammation and a benign esophageal polyp that was removed. At the beginning of that month, I started getting severe chest pain that radiated down my arms and into my shoulders. They have assured me that after running a few EKGs that it was not a heart attack. 

In February, my symptoms ramped up. My pain has centered itself in my epigastic area and has radiated into my flanks. By the end of the month the pain was radiating into my back and then up into my shoulder blades. Within the past few days, the pain has moved into my lower back and into the backs of my thighs. I have picked up in nausea and have had a return of some heartburn like symptoms (that I saw in December). I should mention that since the beginning of all of this my bowels have run the gamut. Most recently, the stools have been floating and have a slight yellow color. 

For the past few months, my lipase levels have been relatively low. They have fluctuated between 16-18 on a 22-51 lab scale. Three weeks ago, my liver enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) have been slightly elevated - by 20-30 over what is considered normal. My bilirubin has never been elevated. It's been on the high end of normal, but never past that. 

My GI mentioned to me that pancreatic cancer is something she is considering in the realm of testing which has not helped my anxiety at all. I'm very, very scared as this pain has just increased over time. I'm scared that maybe I got my CT done too early and it didn't pick up on tumors/cancerOR the CT just can't pick it up? I have started crying for hours the past few days with the thought of this. I keep trying to tell myself that I am too young and that my symptoms just don't align with PC, but I'm having a hard time getting past that. My GI is currently trying to get me in for a colonoscopy but those are booked out for weeks. I'm trying to push for an endoscopic ultrasound, but I'm not sure if I will be able to get one. My primary doctor said she would be "shocked" if I had PC as I don't present in any typical way and she is reassured that my imaging (including an abdominal ultrasound done yesterday) has always looked good. Do my symptoms sound like PC? Thank you for listening.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • DJ-RN
    DJ-RN KAves2188

    Posted

    You do not sound like you have pancreatic cancer. Far from it. Whatever Dr. even mentioned it sounds off. Stop worrying. It want do you any good. You’ve had a battery of tests and it sounds like you are really fixated on this. This could very well be psychological. 

    DJ

    • KAves2188
      KAves2188 DJ-RN

      Posted

      Hi DJ,

      Thank you for the response. I know I've had quite a few ultrasounds that looked fine, but my doctor said she was considering running another CT as the one I had four months ago could have changed since my pain has increased. She said since pancreatic cancer is fast growing, I could be showing signs on imaging now. I know it's a far-fetched possibility, but with no answers thus far and increasing pain/slightly abnormal labs, it's been on my mind too much. Thank you again for responding - I do appreciate it! 

    • DJ-RN
      DJ-RN KAves2188

      Posted

      Yw Hun. Again, I doubt seriously if you have pancreatic cancer. It sounds as though that Dr. has put some fear in you when she shouldn’t have. I would seriously think about seeing another Dr. A second opinion wouldn’t hurt. One just doesn’t put a patient on a slow backburner if they suspect they might have pancreatic cancer. And changes in your CT scan could be related to many benign things. Something just doesn’t sound right to me. 

      DJRN

    • DJ-RN
      DJ-RN KAves2188

      Posted

      When you said that your Dr. was “considering” running another CT scan sounds suspect. Again, if anyone thought that you could have pancreatic cancer I can assure you that no Dr. would say that they are “considering” to run...
  • sonya_72817
    sonya_72817 KAves2188

    Posted

    Dear KAves2188,

    Yikes! I'm soooo incredibly sorry. I understand your suffering and your worry. I think it was extremely inappropriate to even suggest you might have cancer without any signs of it. No tumor. 

    Honestly, your signs really sound like chronic pancreatitis, as it's very hard to diagnose and there are no obvious tests unless a doc has a good look at your pancreas to see if you have scarring on it. Has this happened? 

    You are young. You don't mention a history of cancer. 

    I totally understand how much the worry the pain and suffering have you feeling like this. I just think this statement without any fact to present was horrible to do. No other doc or test has said so. 

    In my experience which sadly is extensive. Not many GI docs even agree or understand the pancreas. I'm still continually surprised. Please try not to worry. I know it's hard to when some doctor says something. You think you should believe them. I've been told so many different things as well.  I'm up late with horrid pain right now. I totally get it. Write if you would like. I'm here. 

    Try to get your mind on anything else if you can. 

    Be well,

    Sonya 

    • KAves2188
      KAves2188 sonya_72817

      Posted

      Hi Sonya,

      Thank you for your response. The only imaging tests I have had are abdominal ultrasounds and a CT a couple of months ago. They have not mentioned anything that looks unusual on my pancreas. The only family history of cancer I have is my grandfather passed away from prostate cancer in his 60s. Otherwise, there isn't any other cancer in my family. I know I should definitely stay off the internet, but the pain is just so consuming! I hope you are well! 

    • DJ-RN
      DJ-RN KAves2188

      Posted

      I just saw where you’ve been having this stomach pain for two months or longer. Hun, if that’s the case it’s not your pancreas. Pancreatic pain just doesn’t react the way that you are describing and being involved this length of time. Your Dr’s should be reassuring you that it’s not your pancreas.

      DJRN

  • sonya_72817
    sonya_72817 KAves2188

    Posted

    I understand the pain is consuming. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but if it is that bad, maybe you would consider asking your GI doc for a referral to a pain management doctor. My life changed a lot when I had my pain under control. Now I just have bad days instead of only a few good days. Also, if you are in that much pain, tell your doctor to try something else to figure out why. In all my experience, pain is telling your body that something is amiss. It doesn't mean it's serious. It's just not nothing. They are rare, but a pancreas specialist is very helpful. My GI doc referred me to one who eventually got to the problem that no other GI doc had ever seen. Maybe ask about that referral as well? You'll feel better when you get to the bottom of it and pain under control. I know it affects everything. 

    Sonya

    • DJ-RN
      DJ-RN sonya_72817

      Posted

      Nice response Sonya!  I agree with you. Also, pain, at least severe and constant pain can often take control of one’s body and make their days poor ones. If pain rules your life and nothing they try helps  reduce it doesn’t, I would suggest going to a reputable pain clinic (not a pill mill,) and be put on some type of opiate that works for you. Under most situations I wouldn’t ever suggest this unless all else failed and your life was consumed with pain. None of us should have to live in constant pain. Sometimes we have to do things that we normally wouldn’t. Opiate Addiction is a big problem in the US. Many of these “PILL MILLS” are being shut down by the government as quickly as they open. Often for Good reason. They give reputable, established and needed ones a bad name. I had to go to one about 10 years ago but was able to do without after my condition improved. For many however theirs doesn’t. Their pain is real and more sinister than one could imagine. As an RN I can spot a “drug Seeker” in a matter of moments. Again, this is something that I’d use as a last resort. 

      DJ~RN

  • plac8170
    plac8170 KAves2188

    Posted

    My dad passed from this cancer. It was not subtle. He had no other initial symptoms other than excruciating pain in the middle of his upper stomach between his rib cage. The pain did not come and go.. it was constant. 

    And when I say excruciating pain... it was bad. He was crying and dilaudid didn’t even dent the pain. My dad was a 55 year old farmer and had previously broken his leg and had to pull himself on the ground with his arms back to his truck a mile away to call for help... and he didn’t even call 911, he called a friend to come get him... so that gives you a gauge of his pain tolerance and what pancreatic cancer pain is like. 

    He was severely ill. Lost about 60 pounds in a month. His CT scan and ultrasound showed the cancer. There was no mistaking what he had. He died 6 weeks after he first got that stomach ache. 

    I’m not a doctor and I’m not going to diagnose you over the internet, but as someone who has seen pancreatic cancer and its symptoms, you don’t sound like you have it. Especially since you’ve had symptoms for 6+ months. 

    My dad couldn’t even gather the strength to answer his phone, much less seek out advice on the internet. 

    Relax. I know that’s hard to do... I have health anxiety bad so I get it.. but like I said pancreatic cancer isn’t one of those “I’m scared I have it” things. It progresses so fast you wouldn’t have time to worry. 

    Feel better! 

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