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Pancreas problem?

Posted , 13 users are following.

leigh74005
leigh74005

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?

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  • leigh74005
    leigh74005

    Posted

    Thanks for your replies guys. Nice to be able to get my thoughts out on here. I'll keep you all updated with my journey through all of this. I'm thinking about sending for a private stool sample. It tests for pancreas enzyme insufficiency. It's called faecal elastase. Don't know if I'll be wasting my money though. Don't know what to do from here. Do I just accept it and try to move on or take matters into my own hands and keep pestering? Kind on fed up with it all now.

    • lucy91054
      lucy91054 leigh74005

      Posted

      Hi, still waiting my appointment for CT scan , will keep u updated. I think we r all fed up. It's hard enough without the constant hassle of getting someone to believe you! The specialist even said it might to muscular! Since when did alcohol cause muscle probs! Unless I'm falling off my chair every time I drink ( I wish!)

    • leigh74005
      leigh74005 lucy91054

      Posted

      Find out where the referral was made to and phone to ask if there have been any cancellations. That's what I did to get the eus done quicker. I pestered them.

    • lucy91054
      lucy91054 leigh74005

      Posted

      Hi I received a letter yesturday going for bloods today and they will give me date 4 scan. Only saw consultant end of Sept so think that's quite good

  • leigh74005
    leigh74005

    Posted

    Went back to the doctors today. Was feeling really weak and lightheaded last night so I used my home diabeties test kik (I don't have diabetes) and I recorded a blood glucose level of 2.8mmol. 3.9mmil is the minimum that a normal blood sugar should be. Went to the docs and showed him the numbers in the meter. He has referred me to an endocrinologist now! I asked him if there is a correlation to this and my pains and he said no. i did a search on good of my symptoms. It comes back as hypothyroidism, that I have, or digestive issues such as pancreatitis or malabsorption. I'm going to ask for another eus to look specifically at my pancreas!

    • lucy91054
      lucy91054 leigh74005

      Posted

      I also have underactive thyroid but don't suffer weakness/being dizzy. Hope they listen to you!

    • lucy91054
      lucy91054

      Posted

      Have appointment for ct scan 17th october
    • lucy91054
      lucy91054 leigh74005

      Posted

      Hi Leigh, I have an appointment to go back next week for results. Will keep u update. Your new specialist sounds promising , keep us posted
  • Resevil
    Resevil leigh74005

    Posted

    Hi kinda new here been reading all your posts. Just wanted to see if i had CP because of my symptoms. At the end of July i started experiencing upper left abdominal pain just below the rib cage. Went to Dr they first thought Diverticulitis and antibiotics for 10 days. Issue didn't resolve so middle of August I went to ER after eating greasy food for lunch the pain was bad enough i couldn't do anything. While at the ER they ran blood tests no images and concluded it was an ulcer. Now its mid October same pain if I eat greasy food or alcohol. Usually 5 hours after eating and last for 3 hours, so i have cut back to ensure, chicken and small frequent meals of fruit which helps. I am seeing my Gastro Dr. next week see what they think, but im thinking pancreas from my symptoms. Sorry to interupt your conversation just curious if it sounds like im on the right track

    • leigh74005
      leigh74005 Resevil

      Posted

      I wouldn't know. I'm still having my own issues and have found no answers. My docs are saying it's a functional problem but I'm not convinced by this. Keep pestering the docs.

  • leigh74005
    leigh74005

    Posted

    So I went back to the docs today as I'm not accepting my diagnosis of functional bowel/digestion problem. I asked him to refer me for an eus but he has not done so. He has referred me to another gi doc. Whilst I am not happy about this, it is at least another chance to get to speak to them and hopefully challenge my diagnosis. Will keep you updated.

  • Resevil
    Resevil leigh74005

    Posted

    I went to my GI today described my pain upper left abdominal pain raidiating to back. Said it was either my pancreas or liver or both. Now i have to wait for ultrasound and endoscopy. Ugh .

    Best of luck.

    • leigh74005
      leigh74005 Resevil

      Posted

      Same to you pal. I've had a ct at the beginning that showed nowt. Taking some reassurance from that. Keep us updated in how your scans go.

  • leigh74005
    leigh74005

    Posted

    Went to see an endocrinologist today. My blood glucose dropped to 2.8mmol a couple of weeks ago so my doc referred me. The doc i seen is a professor in endocrinology and also an internal mediciine doc ( doctors doctor). I am now optimostic that i am heading in the right direction to find out what is causing my symptoms. He has told me to go on a low GI diet and cut out all gluten. He has also ordered a faecal elastase test to check for pancreatic insuffiencies (i asked my gp for this months ago) also he ordered some blood tests. He again has assured me that it is not something that is very seruoius but he has also assured me that he will find out what the problem is. Out of all the docs i have seen, he is by far the most compassionate and caring. Wont be on here for a while now untill i have some results back in.
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