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Is this Pancreatic Cancer or something less sinister I hate? ( Google )

Posted , 9 users are following.

jimbo1968
jimbo1968

Hi all I'm 46years old and I'm worried as to what's wrong with me . About 6 years ago I was regularly out on the town, I was in my early 40's and drinking quite heavily once or twice a week, then about 2 or 3 years ago I noticed that certain greasy foods were giving me quite severe stomach pains while I was eating them (Macdonalds , Kfc , burgers and kebabs , you get the idea, all the wholesome foods lol). I done nothing about it for ages then in June this year I visited my GP about it, who thought I was getting acid reflux and prescribed Lansoprazole but also sent me for blood tests and an abdominal Ultrasound. I didn't go along with acid reflux theory but none the less took the tablets. Then all of a sudden I started getting upper central chest pains front and back and lost my appetite, also I got an almost unrelenting left hand mid back pain, it was dull but noticeable.

I went away on holiday for five nights and hardly ate anything for 3 days, then when I did eat I ended up with very pale stools then severe diarrhea followed by heavy amounts of mucus . My pooh also had a chemical smell about it, it's a smell I've smelt before but can't name it. Anyway after diarrhea which lasted for the best part of 5 days it stopped with Imodium. However from that point on I'd get diarrhea once or twice a week and my stools would keep changing colour, from normal brown to very pale, sometimes both in one sitting. Sometimes pale floater and normal sinkers in one sitting. Also I have this bitter taste in my mouth (from time to time) and my pee changes colour a lot from almost clear to darker shade of yellow.

I've had full blood tests twice both of which come back normal, also an abdominal ultrasound revealed nothing . In fact the only test I've failed was elevated faecal Calprotectin (bowel inflammation). I lost a fair amount of weight initially but it has stabilised now and I have some of my appetite back too. Now in the back of my mind going back a couple of years I had the possibility that the stomach pains with greasy food could be Pancreatic Cancer, More recently too the other symptoms also have an element of Pancreatic Cancer (mainly thanks to Google). However my GP says it's highly unlikely as I haven't got typical symptoms , and I'm too young , she has referred me to G.I.

Hmmm I'm not too sure , believe me I don't want it, but it seems a bit of a coincidence that both my Long term problem and recent symptoms have PC in common. My liver function test is good , no sign of diabetes or jaundice . I stopped the lansoprazole a couple of weeks ago but I'm on betablockers and antidepressants for the anxiety, personally I'd rather have an earlier G.I appointment but unfortunately the tablets will have to do until then. Can anyone cast any light one way or other please, it's driving me insane with worry . Thanks Jim

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • jennifer85396
    jennifer85396 jimbo1968

    Posted

    Hi Jimbo, I was diagnosed with IBS over 10 years ago...I seriously do not think you have Pancreatic cancer...there are many sysmptoms especially severe abdominal pain radiating to around your back.  My nephew had acute pancreatitis, and he was in so much pain he was vomiting and had to go to ER.  I would go to a Gastroenterologist and have a colonoscopy and endoscopy.  Do not be afraid of stories, the prep is a bit yucky, but it goes quick and they put you out and the procedure is done and you wake up.  Results right away.. If it was your liver you would have jaundice and other symptoms.  Keep us posted..and good luck

     

    • jimbo1968
      jimbo1968 jennifer85396

      Posted

      Jennifer thank you for your prompt response and encouraging words. I will keep you posted . Thank you
  • peggy41885
    peggy41885 jimbo1968

    Posted

    Have your doc test for gall bladder, when you drink heavy, eat greasy food and generally don't take care then have the other symtoms I'd say gall bladder. My sister would get so sick, pain, diarrhea,  and floaters usually means to much fiber or not enough, stool color unless they are always like a white color could be what you eat. . I would have them check to see if your gall bladder is working. Good luck let us know.
    • jimbo1968
      jimbo1968 peggy41885

      Posted

      Hi Peggy thanks for prompt response, I'd considered gallbladder but the pain is all left sided which I thought was the wrong side for gallbladder. I'll mention it to gastroenterologist when my appointment finally turns up. I'll keep you posted . Thanks again Jim
    • peggy41885
      peggy41885 jimbo1968

      Posted

      My sister had pain in the back I don't know that gall bladder attacks have localized pain. Her percentage was like 5 % cause both of us has high pain tolerance plus she said I can't miss work I have to support myself. She wouldn't eat much and would get sick even then.  I would ask cause that is usually a simple out patient surgery done laproscoptically. I think she was off work for 5 days but it was because she stayed sick for 3 days.
  • philippa61759
    philippa61759 jimbo1968

    Posted

    I started with changes in bowel habits, stomach pains and nausea.  I was terrified that it was pancreatic cancer.  I also worried about stomach, cervical and ovarian tumours. It turned out to be IBS.  I have also read that you can get a foul taste in your mouth with IBS.
    • jimbo1968
      jimbo1968 philippa61759

      Posted

      Hi Philippa thank you for the response. It is encouraging to hear that other people have had similar symptoms and it turned out to be IBS. Thanks again for response
  • busabasher
    busabasher jimbo1968

    Posted

    Hi jimbo.

    Have you had this problem resolved ?

    I noticed you sent me a message some time ago but I haven't been checking them for some time now.

    Message me again if you still want to talk this over. Your symptoms sound a lot like mine and I could probably help with some advice to try and get this diagnosed properly.

    Your lifestyle and symptoms read like I wrote them.

    Whatever crap you've read on Google put to the back of your mind. I went on that route and it's a horrid place to be.

    Let me know if you still need to chat.

    • jimbo1968
      jimbo1968 busabasher

      Posted

      Hi thank you for getting back to me, as I recall your symptoms were the closest I could find anywhere on the Internet to mine. You're so right about Google, where all roads lead to dark outcomes.

      Since I emailed you I've had an abdominal ct scan done at A&E which shows nothing more than diverticula , I'd previously had a abdominal ultrasound which didn't show anything sinister . I've twice in the last month had an amalaise blood test to check my pancreatic function , both times it was good , also had countless blood tests which always came back ok including CRP and ESR inflammatory markers . Only thing out of ordinary was Feacal Caplrotectin which has twice come back elevated. Also since writing I've had some right hand pains too, at the time and up to quite recent it was left hand only.

      I'm going private for a general abdominal MRI and a specific MRI for small bowel on the 4th Jan , also NHS endoscopy and colonoscopy on the 14th Jan (at last!!!!!) it's been a long and difficult road . It has been a real nightmare which at times seemed all roads lead to Pancreatic Cancer , I'm am so pleased that you have made contact , I don't want to ask to many questions of you until I get my scan and endo results which will possibly open a whole avenue of new questions.

      What I will ask is what tests and scans did you have done to establish you're problem and how are you doing now?

      I'm sure after I send this I'm going to think 'I wish I'd ask him ......'

      Thank you for making contact. Jimbo

  • philippa61759
    philippa61759 jimbo1968

    Posted

    When you get your GI appointment make a list of your worries and ask the specialist to talk you through them and hopefully it will dispel your concerns.  If all your tests come back negative, the doctor can diagnose IBS.  I saw eight doctors before I could get clear answers. If you still are getting no further forward after all this, I would change your doctor.
    • jimbo1968
      jimbo1968 philippa61759

      Posted

      Hi Philippa . It was my own GP that said it wasn't likely to be IBS because of one of my test results. In retrospect I've had IBS all my life, this is somewhat different , unless IBS can change in severity and symptoms all of a sudden. I feel I've lost the last 6 months of my life . You see the strange thing is having read a lot of articles about gastro problems it seems like there is no such thing as IBS , just incompetent gastroentorologists who are not doing the right tests for, Microscopic Colitis in all its many forms , or SIBO , or Diarhea caused by allergic reaction from the mast cells in your intestines. Do you know how many times I've read of people with IBS who have yellow or pale stools , this is just not possible without either rapid transit or lack of bile or pancreatic enzyme deficiency . Also are the many articles concerning vitamin D3, B12 deficiency all of which is not possible without malabsorption . Yet all these people are fobbed of under the umbrella statement of IBS. Many of these dissorders are not life threatening so why bother to do a proper diagnoses is how the Dr's think.
    • busabasher
      busabasher jimbo1968

      Posted

      Hi guys, I believe in many cases IBS is a symptom rather than a cause.

      If so called IBS can be controlled without further testing then great, that's a result, but if they don't improve, then it might be appropriate to investigate further.

      It wasnt for me, for a long time I was treated for IBS when all along I had EPI and BAM! ?

      Very serious issues which left untreated have serious long term life changing effects.

      My GP would have left it as IBS had I not been able to go private and fully investigate the root cause.

      All that pain and accusations of its in my head from my gp.

      sometimes it's healthy to push for specific tests.

      If you think it's pancreas related I suggest you ask for the following tests

      fecal elastase test,

      SEHCAT scan.

      if any if these are positive ask for ERCP to fully inspect the ducts and pancreatic structure. A

      Although My scan showed nothing remarkable I can now sleep at night.

      Good luck.

  • philippa61759
    philippa61759 jimbo1968

    Posted

    I don't know enough about the other things you are describing but IBS can change in severity and symptoms quite quickly. One minute you can have constipation and the next diarrhoea.  I have had very mild pain since June and I have not needed medication.  However, just before New Year, I had agonising stomach pain and nausea and I was back on anti spasmodics and painkillers. It has taken several days to settle down.  I also had terrible lower and upper digestive tract gas and stomach rumbling which I rarely get.

    I think IBS is a real condition but it can mimic many other illnesses and this can result in misdiagnosis. When IBS was mentioned to me at first, I discounted it because I thought it couldn't be as simple and it had to be something more.  It didn't help that I had read about IBS over diagnosis.

    Regarding further tests, you could ask your doctor for a celiac blood test/biopsy.  I had to ask for this test because it hadn't even been considered!    Seven of my doctors didn't know a thing.  I would also ask if your bowel inflammation test suggested IBD.  In the meantime, I would not google your symptoms; it will increase your anxiety.  I made this mistake and it was torture.

     

    • jimbo1968
      jimbo1968 philippa61759

      Posted

      Hello Philippa firstly I'd like to thank you for replying.

      With respect to your suggestions I've failed the IBD stool test twice (faecal Calprotectin is what the test is called). I have however passed the celiac blood test. This was a surprise to me as I was really expecting to be celiac as it so well fitted my symptoms . I'm not sure if it's possible for the blood test to be false negative. Thank you Jim

    • philippa61759
      philippa61759 jimbo1968

      Posted

      Sometimes you can have a false negative with the celiac test. However, if your doctor still thinks you have celiac, he or she can send you for a biopsy of the villi in your stomach to see if they are showing damage from gluten.  You can also have non celiac gluten intolerance which is not as serious but produces similar symptoms.

      If you have had two positive tests for faecal calprotectin, that could be indicative of Crohns or Colitis.  When you have your colonoscopy, this should confirm the presence of either of these conditions. Hopefully, you will get some answers soon.

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