So scared I have Pancreatic cancer :(((
Posted , 6 users are following.
I have been experiencing certain symptoms for a few months and doctors suspect IBS but I suspect something else. I have been passing very greasy, floating stools that are light brown for about 4 months now and I am seeing some undigested food in my stool such as rice, nuts, etc. I have lost very minimal weight and it has remained relatively stable but I eat a lot so that might mask the weight I should be losing. I have abdominal pain sometimes and back pain sometimes for about a month, but no jaundice. I am itchy all over though 
Blood tests and abdominal ultrasounds have come back normal, my Lipase level is 109 which is sort of on the low end of normal. I am vitamin D deficient so I’m taking supplements and I have low RDW. I’m 19 years old turning 20 soon and I am worried about something like cancer of pancreas or gallbladder sad I don’t know what to do. I just want to have peace of mind
1 like, 13 replies
rosa06975 worried22
Posted
Hi Joey
The fact that the ultrasound came back normal should be good news, but if you are still anxious about some of the symptoms you are experiencing you can ask your doctor to refer you to a gastro specialist. I find interesting that you experience itching as I do also but it is something that my GP didn't give much notice. I take ametryptiline to help with sleep but I also know that it can help with the itching.
You mentioned that you eat a lot so maybe this is not helping with the IBS, if that is what you have. If your stools are greasy this means that you are eating too much fat and your system is not dealing with it properly. I am surprise that your doctor hasn't given you any dietary advise.
I have a pancreatic cyst that gives me pain in the left side of my abdomen and under the ribcage and also going to the top of my back, but this was showing in the ultrasound scan. Because of this I eat very little fat and small meals 5 or 6 times a day, so my system doesn't need to struggle with large meals. I also eat very little meat, only chicken and turkey.
Try to stay calm and talk to your doctor again. The best person to advise, in my opinion, will be a gastro specialist.
Also the forum is a very good place to find answers from people that might have the same issues, so ask as many questions as you need.
Regards
Rosa
worried22 rosa06975
Posted
Thanks for replying to me. I’ve noticed that I’ve lost 5 pounds this week without trying. Any idea what that could mean?
Joey
rosa06975 worried22
Posted
Hi Joey
I don't know really because it is the same with me. You said in your original message that you notice undigested foods in your stools. It could be that your body is not absorbing nutrients or your stomach is no processing the food properly.
I started having acid reflux issues and because of that they discovered the cyst in the pancreas. Since then I had all sort of troubles eating and processing food, my stomach feels full most of the time so that takes me to eat less. I have lost around a stone and a half since June last year and my food portions are getting smaller because my stomach cannot process big meals at the moment.
Do speak again to your doctor and explain everything. You should see a gastro specialist to put your mind at rest. You might be quite anxious (I know from experience) so the weight loss can be because of that.
If you need to talk I am here to listen
worried22 rosa06975
Posted
worried22
Posted
Update. I have begun to have pain in my right shoulder and the back pain hasn't stopped. I have abdominal pain occasionally now. Stools still have a lot of undigested food in them and look pretty oily but are well formed. They sometimes float, sometimes don't. Still not jaundiced and last ultrasound showed that they could not see my pancreatic tail. Not sure what all of this could mean, but I do know that it really isn't getting any better.
worried22
Posted
rosa06975 worried22
Posted
I see myself yellow every time I look at myself in the mirror but then I realise that it cannot be. I have seen people with jaundice and you can notice straight away.
Anxiety_Ninja worried22
Posted
I'm hoping all is well for you guys. I started having pain under my left rib cage about 3 months ago. Then another pain came in my right rhomboid. Hasn't left since then. I have lost 15 pounds since it started... and I have heart burn and indegestion. I am concerned as well that it may be some form of cancer... plus my stools float here and there. I am seeing a gastroenterologist in two days to set up an endoscopy. I will follow this discussion and keep you updated.
rosa06975 Anxiety_Ninja
Posted
Hi Anxiety Ninja! My symptoms started the same. My GP thought it was acid reflux and sent me for an endoscopy that didn't pick up anything else, but the gastroenterologist wanted me to also have a scan because of the pain under the rib and that is when they found that I have a lesion or cyst in the pancreas. I already had a mri scan and I will be having a second endoscopy next week focusing mainly in the pancreas area
Ask your gastroenterologist to also send you to have an mri scan so they can have as much information as possible. I was given omeprazole to help with the indigestion and heart burn and it works, but I do also follow a quite extract diet leaving out as much fat as possible, diary product, alcohol and sweets.
I lost around a stone and a half to start with and then the weight stayed the same for a couple of months. Now with the new diet I think I have lost another couple of pounds because I am not eating enough calories.
My gastro told me that he didn't think it was anything sinister but they need to check. I am still very anxious about as they only had a scan to go with so still fearing the worst.
Have you ever had pancreatitis? as this can inflame the pancreas and lesions appear after a bad bout.
Let us know how you do and good luck with the endoscopy
Anxiety_Ninja rosa06975
Posted
I just had an endoscopy and colonoscopy completed. They found antral gastritis, mild distal esophagitis, and a hiatal hernia. Colonoscopy revealed small hemorrhoids, but that was it. I think the hiatal hernia could be the cause of the pain around my left rib cage, but I am not sure. I have a follow up in a few weeks. The ultrasound showed two small polyps on my gallbladder; both smaller than 5mm. The visibility of my pancreas was limited so I still have some worries, but I am trying not to stress. That's the latest update for now.
rosa06975 worried22
Posted
Hello, just wondering how you are. I am now being diagnosed with a 3 mm cyst in the head of the pancreas that needs to be monitored. This means that I will have to have more test in February next year to see if the cyst has increased or decreased in size. Until then I should avoid alcohol and fat, so still following a quite strict diet with the rare treat now and then. The cyst could get quite serious if it gets bigger so I have a good incentive to be good 😁
DavidUK1984 worried22
Posted
No you clearly don't have anything wrong with the Pancreas as all the tests are clear, plus you are much too young for such a problem. It would be a different problem.
colin15134 worried22
Posted
hi sorry to here what you are going through .But I think you are a bit young to get pc .health anxiety is very bad it amplifies the symptoms and makes you have negative thoughts I know I'm suffering right now .I'm 50 and I had a drink on my 50 birthday at home with wife .The next day I had pain in upper right abdomen with yellow floating soft stools .phone doctors at to go for blood tests waited a week they came back normal but still got the aching pain that travels around to my back constant. But stools are back to normal and no yellowing of the skin or eyes and no weight loss .So I'm sure its my anxiety acting up .See the more you concentrate on the pain the worse it gets but try telling this to someone who as health anxiety they are full of doubt just like me . I would say what you have is ibs or fibro with health anxiety .the worst thing you can do is surf the net for answers because you will always come across that word Cancer .So try to relax and keep on at your GP for tests until you are sure and your minds is at rest .best of luck and God bless.