Scared i may have pancreatic cancer? pls help!!
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi, just a little background i am 23 years old and for the last month i have been experiencing really strange symptoms. Firstly it started as pain in my upper abdominal area (in my epigastrium to be more specific) and sometimes it feels like a burning sensation and then at the same time i was experiencing mid back pain and lower back pain. Then at times I have sharp sudden pains in my stomach and my stomach feels tender to touch. It feels full and as if something is inside pushing against everything. my upper abdominal pain feels as if something heavy has been places there and at times i have chest pains (left side) with the same heavy feeling. I also have pain under my ribs and general discomfort in my flank area. I am so sorry this is a long message but i am so so scared that i have something sinister going on in my body. i know the chances of someone as young as me getting pancreatic cancer are very slim but i have researched and seen it is possible!! Does anyone have any idea what might be happening? Please give me some advice and help im petrified
0 likes, 5 replies
glenn06752 Helpme101
Posted
Not a doctor by any means but wanted to respond to you:
I had the same type of symptoms several years ago. It turned out to be my gallbladder. Although PC usually has no symptoms early on, it's best you get a complete exam. Several blood tests will show a Pancreatitis such as amylase and lipase. That will lead them on that path. I'm guessing you do not have PC but that would be just a guess.
You didn't say what you've done in terms of professional examinations but you might want to start with your PCP and take it from there.
I wish you the very best!
Helpme101 glenn06752
Posted
thank you so much for replying what exactly was the problem with your gallblader?
I told the GP and she prescribed me Mebeverine which doesnt seem to be doing much and requested a H Plyori test to be done. She never seen my physically so i might need to pop in. I just keep on thinking of PC because due to the upper abdominal pain and mid back pain and also because the symtoms are not going away 😕
Shortie79 Helpme101
Posted
What tests have you had done? Given your age, it's unlikely but if you have a family history, cystic fibrosis or pancreas divisium (rare condition where your pancreatic ducts never fuse together) then the chances are even slimmer. I got chronic pancreatitis due to pancreas divisium. The doctors kept dismissing me due to my age (I was 37 when my symptoms were really bad). After over a year of tests they finally were able to diagnose me. The pancreas is the hardest organ to diagnose. After another 1-2 years of treatment I ended up having my pancreas completely removed. I just turned 40, and I'm two months post op after my pancreas has been removed. There's light at the end of the tunnel. I suggest you ask for a MRCP that's what diagnosed my pancreas condition I was born with. Blood work won't always reveal pancreas issues, especially if you're already chronic.
Helpme101 Shortie79
Posted
Thank you so much for replying! I havnt had any tests as of yet. Im hoping to make an appointment this week to see what they can offer. Im glad to hear that something was finally done for you it must have been a rough time being ignored. Once i have visited the GP I will update with more information...it would be amazing if you could reply! The ache that i feel is really strange and hard to explain especially in the ribs so not sure.
Shortie79 Helpme101
Posted
You need a GI specialist, this will be out of your GP's expertise. As for symptoms you actually don't have much regarding pancreatitis but more gallbladder from what you have posted, unless you can relate to anything below. When your pancreas is inflamed and you develop chronic pancreatitis, you start feeling horrible pain after eating. The pain will radiate to the left side of your back. The pain will become so intense you belly over wherein you need to go to the emergency room … there's no ache with an inflamed pancreas, it's a burning, stabbing, like someone took a fire poker and was stabbing your back with it. There's also the sudden weight loss, I lost nearly 40 pounds in a matter of a months, going from 143 to 106 and I was just skin on bones. Nauseous all the time, vomiting undigested food in the middle of the night. Migraines, hair loss, itching, bloating, feeling full after a few bites, acid reflux … those were my every day symptoms that I ended up getting used too. When I would wake up puking I knew I needed to rest my pancreas (I could also feel my left side pulsating). You do this by not eating solid foods for a couple days and sticking to liquids only (broths or ensure type drinks), you can also eat jello but not any containing red. After a couple days slowly incorporate bland foods like rice. If you can handle it then incorporate more, if you feel pain then back to liquids. Once you're able to handle solid foods start eating six small meals rather than three big ones (easier to digest) substitute applesauce for apples, frozen veggies for raw and keep a very low fat and carbs lifestyle. You also need to stay very hydrated. Foods will be trial and error with the pancreas, what works for one person may not work for another. Definitely start blood work and look into a specialist (some doctors won't tell you it's out of their expertise but it was out of mine GP's). Once the GI has ran some tests, depending on the results, if it is the pancreas that's when you're going to need a pancreas specialist. It's a long process, it'll be out of your control, try to stay positive through the journey. If you have any questions feel free to ask.