Pancreas problem?
Posted , 13 users are following.
Sorry for the length of this post.
Male, 38
For the past couple of years, I have had occasional pains in right upper abdomen. Had an ultrasound 2 years ago that showed slightly fatty liver. I put the pains down to this and got on with life. The pains would come and go. This time, they have stayed. The most recent symptoms started around 10th may. This was a day after a couple of bottles of beer (5-6) when sitting in garden. They were only on the right side around my ribs and slightly wrapping around into the back occasionally. Around 29th may, the pains had mostly settled down. I had a bbq and a few beers on this day. Probably more beers than i should have had. Pains ramped back up a day or so later. It stayed this way upto approx 10th June when the pains started to move to the centre. A couple of days later, I noticed that the pains moved into the upper right back and to the left upper abdomen. The left abdomen pains are very mild and persistent. About a week after this, I noticed a lot of mucus in poo. I also passed some mucus when I broke wind. This has not happened again
For about 3 weeks now, I have been feeling weak. Almost like i am not getting enough energy from my food. I was not eating normally because of high anxiety. I am eating normally now but feel constantly hungry. I have lost a lot of weight over the last 6 to 7 weeks. (About 10pounds). I have not been eating much fatty food. I also do not eat well when I am anxious. My calorie intake has been around 1400. I have upped this as it is not sustainable. I have put around 2 pounds back on and weight seems to have stabilised at 16st.
I have had an ultra sound of liver and gallbladder done. This was ok. A little fat in liver. I have also had a dual phase ct scan of pancreas done as it was not seen on ultrasound scan. This also came back entirly normal. I have had bloods done. ALT was slightly raised (71). All other bloods were normal. Went to see a gastro last week. Told him all of my symptoms and my concerns for pancreas problems. He said that the pancreas is normal as well as all the other internal organs. He has said that i have IBS. From What i have read, IBS shouldnt cause back pain and cause weekness and weight loss. Does this sound like Chronic Pancreatitis? As far as i know, I have never had an acute attack. I have had real bad pains over the years that would last for a minute or two. I put this down to indigestion or heart burn as they would only last for a short period of time and not come back for months or years.
If this was a pancreas problem, given the length of symptoms, would the CT have picked this up?
0 likes, 99 replies
leigh74005
Posted
Was at the docs last week. I have made an appointment to see a private gastro at a local private hospital. The doc I am going to see is from the royal Liverpool hospital and he specialises in liver , pancreas and gallbladder problems. Going to talk to him about my pancreas concerns and ask him to reffer me for an eus of pancreas and cameras up and down so that I can get to the route cause of my problems. If he says no and If he thinks I'm ok then I will have to take his word for it. Really frustrating not feeling right and having to fight to get a diagnosis. Will update tomorrow.
kmb66 leigh74005
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I'm having these problems too. I also have been seen by a gastro guy from RLUH. He ordered gastroscopy that revealed some ulceration yesterday and a contrast CT scan next Thursday. The pain i have isn't severe as I've seen described but its ever present and epigastric. Very nervous. also it could just be the ulcers. I'll be interested to hear how you get on with the biliary specialist. I'll also update my scan results.
lucy91054 leigh74005
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How did you get on Leigh? I'm back tomorrow to see specialist , see what he has to say!
leigh74005 kmb66
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leigh74005
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Doc spoke with me at length. Said that with all the testing I've had. That I have a good strong appetite, no weight loss and no family history of pancreas or bowel cancer, this is not something that is serious. He said that the way I am describing symptoms, it doesn't fit with anything in particular. His actual words were "it's not cancer and it's not going to kill you". He has refrained from sending me for any more tests for now and told me to take the amytriptaline as they do work. He acknowledged that there is a problem but that it is functional rather than biological. When I asked him about the hunger and weakness, he said that it's probably just anxiety and that my body is using up the energy too quickly because I'm tense all the time and that there is no evidence of diabeties. I asked if there was any chance of a form of malabsorption going on. He said no to this.
He said that if I'm no better in 3 months then I should go back and see him.
I have been told this by 3 separate gastro consultants now that I have a functional digestive issue. I'll have to take their word for it for now and see if there is any improvement over the next few months.
How did you get on with your ct?
nataliefranc leigh74005
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This is reassuring.
kmb66 leigh74005
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This is good news for you, I think you can now hopefully accept this assesmemt. Anxiety is a powerful force. I have lost weight, 10 pounds taking me to 11st 3lbs but this has stabilised and a bit gone back on my appetite returns. The pain was bad (worst I've had and I have crohns) but has abated a lot. CT is on Thursday. I'll definitely let you know how it goes. The pain persists although attenuated but if I press right on the epigastric area I get pain.
lucy91054 kmb66
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Hi just an update been to c specialist, u/s and endoscopy bloods all clear. Did try to tell me it was IBS( triggered by alcohol??) don't think so, now wAiting 4 CT scan. Said if pancreas would have light coloured stools as well, which I dont
nataliefranc lucy91054
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This is also reassuring I never have light coloured stools. Thanks all for updating posts. Many don't. X
lucy91054 nataliefranc
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nataliefranc lucy91054
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Yes I had a CT at the start of all this 7 years ago. Pretty sure it was similar to my MRI but if I'm honest I can't 100% remember! Both were nothing that I remember being awful. All I remember about the CT was the feeling I was wetting myself when they injected the dye! Other than that it was fine.
Endoscopy was only thing I hated, which is why I've avoided another even though I should have it repeated really.
lucy91054 nataliefranc
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nataliefranc lucy91054
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leigh74005 lucy91054
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kmb66 lucy91054
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leigh74005 kmb66
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kmb66 leigh74005
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leigh74005 kmb66
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That's good to know. I'm waiting for the professor I seen to write to me so that I can take it to the doctor so that he can order the tests that he has requested.