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Excruciating pain in my upper abdomen and back, could it be pancreatitis?

Posted , 7 users are following.

west1453
west1453

Last evening I was laying on my bed, when I suddenly began to feel pain my upper abdomen, around my rib cage. This became progressively worse, and it eventually spread to my upper back. I never experienced pain like this before in my life, it was absolutely excruciating. Like being stabbed in the back. 

I got myself to the ER, where they quickly took me in. I was hooked up to an IV and given a fentanyl injection for the pain, which eventually subsided and returned to normal. They did a blood test, x-ray, and an ultrasound. The blood test came back normal, but the ultrasound showed two gallstones. 

The doctor ruled out my pancreas, but wasn't exactly sure himself. He gave a hypothetical answer for another condition, which seems unlikely to me. I have a CT scan coming in the next day or two. 

Probably not the best thing to do, but from some further reading, I feel like it was my pancreas or gallbladder.  I don't drink or smoke, and I'm a healthy weight (22 y.o./male), so I can only think of the gallstones as a cause. I'm feeling really worried about this. Does anyone else believe this could be pancreas or gallbladder related? 

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Reefsider
    Reefsider west1453

    Posted

    Hi West, a scary event I'm sure but then again Dr Google can be a pretty scary guy too so stop that.

    You have a couple of gallstones confirmed, you're having a CT shortly so wait until you get the results of that

    and your doctor's verdict.  Ask your doc about why, a difficult question btw, and how you can or if you can prevent stones in the future.  

    In the meantime it will help with the pain if you start on a low fat diet, no processed foods, no pizza and no alcohol for the time being.  Sounds grim but it's quite easy and will make a difference until you can get yourself sorted.  Stress is probably one of the worst things that we can bring upon ourselves so distract yourself.  Good luck.

  • kay82451
    kay82451 west1453

    Posted

    Yes!   Mine came on the same way.  You don’t have to be a drinker. Pancreatitis is the most pain I’ve experienced in my life.  Go to a specialist you need to be sure !! If it’s your pancreas a lifestyle change is imperative.  

    My attack was Oct 6th.  In ICU for 3 weeks.   Just got out again for the 4th time   I have acute necrotizing pancreatitis.  Don’t let it go. If you don’t have an issue thank god.  If you do you don’t want to experience that or worse again.  

    Good luck !!!

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