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
dee53012 leigh74005
Posted
Have you been tested for Celiac disease? all that beer, oily stools, if you've not been checked I hope you do and do it fast. If you have CD it can kill you. don't wait.
leigh74005 dee53012
Posted
I've had blood tests for it. Doc said the only true way to check for it is by taking a sample from the stomach after eating a lot of bread.
dee53012 leigh74005
Posted
hope you feel better soon.
leigh74005 dee53012
Posted
dee53012 leigh74005
Posted
CD damages the small intestines, makes them flat like a burber carpet when they aer supposed to be like a shage. The small intestines, they are waaay up there, maybe they do have to go through the stomach? I don't know. I had an endocopy and colonoscopy, they took biopsies as well. Even if you don't have CDm many folks have like allergy to it. Many say they feel better eating gluten free, you could try it to see if it is causing troubles for you. If you want to try it, go online and find out how to eliminate all gluten. it is not easy, it took me about a month and then I still found where gluten was getting in. check out the gluten dude, he has a great site.
Resevil leigh74005
Posted
Best of luck.
lucy91054 leigh74005
Posted
Hi, just been back for results of CT scan. They have found small hernia ( left groin area) and have diverticulitis in colon. He said the pancrease and glands were all fine and said if it was pancreas. Which he is adamant it's not I would have much more pain/symptoms. However he does not think the diverticulitis is the cause of problem, inconsequential finding. He said would not cause bloating. However googled this condition and bloating is a symptom and u can experience pain with it!
Would like to think this is my problem. He has now discharged me back to Dr and said I can ask for a 2nd opinion. Doubt if Dr will do another referral cos think this was my third. (Gastro specialist 3 years ago, liver specialist and now this one) just thought I'd update with where I'm at.
leigh74005 lucy91054
Posted
Thanks for getting back. That's great news for you. At least you know that it is not something serious now and you can hopefully get on with your life. I've got another gastro appointment at he end of the month. In need to get to the bottoms of what's causing my symptoms.
lucy91054 leigh74005
Posted
leigh74005 lucy91054
Posted
Yeah. I'm still having loads of trouble. Really worrying me now.
lucy91054 leigh74005
Posted
leigh74005 lucy91054
Posted
Just been back to see gastro. Really nice guy. Said he is sure it's nothing serious. Has booked me in for an MRI and a gastroscopy.
Gastroscopy is in January. MRI should be with in a few weeks cos I got referred to a private hospital on the NHS. He said that I am VERY anxious and probably slightly depressed. Well yes I am. Been on going for nearly 7 months now. Will update soon.
corrie56290 leigh74005
Posted
I just read through this discussion and I am going through similar things but this has been going on since 2009. I have left upper quadrant pain and it can radiate to my back. I have almost constant loose stools and go through periods of a few months when I feel no symptoms. I have had thee Cts, MRI, small bowl study, Hida scan, endoscopy, colonoscopy-you name it-all normal. I too am told I have functional bowel disease and I just feel terrible and frustrated... I am so scared it is something much worse. It hasn't killed me in the seven years I have had it but I still get terrified when my symptoms are there.
Does the stool test you spoke of tell you what is wrong, if anything, with your pancreas?
leigh74005 corrie56290
Posted
The stool test should tell if the pancreas is working properly. It checks for elastase that is produced in the pancreas. GP can't order it at my surgery. Had to have it done through hospital. You can pay private for it. Speak to your gp about irdering it keep us updated.
corrie56290 leigh74005
Posted
I will ask-I go for an endoscopy in Tuesday. I did have 3 CTs for these symptoms over the past 3 years but all were normal... I will ask for the stool test-thank you...
Do any of you on this thread suffer from diarrhea almost daily?
Right now my neck and head are sore too...
Is everyone on here in the U.K.?
I am in the US. I am glad I stumbled on here because the other forum I was on isn't very active.
I have had stomach issues since in my 20s while in grad school...I had colitis and was sick 10 months-then I went into remission after stopping all the drugs which didn't work and doing cabbage juice shots, aloe Vera and eating very clean-i got this again in early 40s for about a year and then in 2011 and lost 30 pounds and I only weighed 118 pounds to start.
It is so frustrating-I don't want them to find something bad but this feels like more than functional bowel disease.
corrie56290 lucy91054
Posted
We are going through pretty much the same thing. I feel so nauseated every morning and was diagnosed with erosive gastritis after my endoscopy on Tuesday. My doctor insists it isn't pancreas either baca use they have done CTs and MRIsbut not in a year...... Just frustrated and don't know where to turn...How are you doing?