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Terrified!

Posted , 8 users are following.

ann96679
ann96679

I am 29 year old female.  I have had upper back pain along my bra line since early December.  I have also had burning in my chest, occasional left and right front abdominal pain under the ribs.  I have had an MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Endoscopy and milions of blood work done.  I had my gallbladder removed 2 weeks ago and it was inflamed.  The burning in my chest has gotten better since that was removed but I still have the pain in my back and occasional twinges in the front.  I have had 9 different doctors tell me that it is not chronic pancreatitis even after I have told them I am worried because it is hard to diagnose.  I am going to another GI doctor next week. 

I also have a history of terrible IBS, gastroperisis and anxiety.  I think a lot of my anxiety has contributed to the chest discomfort.  It is the back pain that it making me so nervous.

I drink wine socially and eat fairly healthy. 

I am so terrified that it is CP but praying that the odds are on my side. 

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • Babalishous
    Babalishous ann96679

    Posted

    why is cronic pancreatitis hard to diagnose? cant it be diagnosed by stool sample?

    im having same problems had scan bloodtests ect and nothing but pain getting worse! x

    • ann96679
      ann96679 Babalishous

      Posted

      I have read that it is hard to diagnose in the early stages and can take years to show on a scan.  They are able to see it once it has progressed enough to really damage the pancreas.
    • bonnie29
      bonnie29 Babalishous

      Posted

      There is no way to diagnose cp with a stool sample. It's hard to diagnose because you can have cp without elevated blood levels or any visible sign of damage on your pancreas that a standard ct or MRI can detect. Ask for an ERCP or MRCP or endoscopic ultrasound. Those will give you the best images of your pancreas but not all hospitals are equipped to do these test. Also just because they don't show anything doesn't mean you don't have it. You can have cp for a long time before there's enough damage to show on a imagining test. Good luck.
    • ann96679
      ann96679 bonnie29

      Posted

      Have you heard about the secretion stimulation test? Is that widely used? I've read it's pretty accurate.
  • corinne34476
    corinne34476 ann96679

    Posted

    Hi Ann,

    Im so sorry for your pain and anxiety but you have had a full set of tests. Your circumstances were different to mine. I have pain under my left ribs, going round my back, I have Chronic Pancreatist, cysts and gallstones you are right its hard to diagnose.The problem with the burning in my chest I find is when I eat citrus fruit and tomatoes. When I was admitted to hospital the best tests was the endoscopy which found my cysts.Why do you think you have this condition? The body is so complex it could be something else. Whatever it is it needs answers and treatment and of course peace of mind. Take care Corinne.

    • ann96679
      ann96679 corinne34476

      Posted

      Thank you Corinne. I am just worried about it because so many of my symptoms match up. I have read other forums where people have just the back pain in chronic pancreatitis. I also worry because it is so hard to diagnose.
  • Gem1384
    Gem1384 ann96679

    Posted

    Hi Ann,

    I too am terrified sad I'm 31, 3 young kids. Happy with my life.

    Pains started in my 8 month of pregnancy April last year on my right side, left sided pains appeared in October.

    Went to see surgeon for gallbladder removal who said it sounded like it was chronic pancreatitis and has refered me to gastro!

    I have had normal blood results, normal scans and I've now had normal results for fecal elastase. I spoke to my gp ( who I don't have confidence in) he said just the pain I have is enough to diagnose CP?

    I haven't been tested or even looked at for ulcers etc

    Have you heard of sphyniter of oddi dysfunction? Have they checked you for that? I've read it can come on/ be made worse after a gallbladder removal.

    I'm gonna follow this thread. I'm really interested to see what the gastro has to say to you. Please keep us updated.

    Good luck! And your not the only one worrying! sad

    • ann96679
      ann96679 Gem1384

      Posted

      Gem-

      I gave Birth at the end of August and the pain started in December. I had the right sided been about a year ago but not too bothersome.

      Is your pain constant? Mine is. I doctors have recommended going therapy and to a chiropractor as they think it is muscle related. I know that it is something internal.

      I'm terrified it's cp.

    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 ann96679

      Posted

      I am seeing a chiropractor for my left side back pain and it is working smile so I know that's not related to my pains on my front. My pain isn't constant but it is definitely related to food and eating. But I do get the pains on an empty stomach.

      I have heartburn, intigestion, wind, bloating after eating. I also pain attacks on my right side that wake me up. Today has been a good day pain wise but yesterday the psin was pretty much constant on my right side and my left side played up after I ate.

      Is your pain constant or related to food?

    • ann96679
      ann96679 Gem1384

      Posted

      My pain is constant. Sometimes did seems to bother me and other times it doesn't. There's really no rhyme or reason. The only thing that keeps me hopeful is that the gnawing and bribing pain in my chest isn't really there since my gallbladder was removed.

      Have your doctors mentioned ibs or anything?

    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 ann96679

      Posted

      I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 21, it's aggravated by my endometroisis. So I know it's not that. But I am still taking my buscopan just in case. Do you have IBS? I had a section for my baby and I'm interested to know if them messing around with my bits has caused anything!

      I would give a chiropractor a go, I was adamant my back pain was my pancreas until it stopped after treatment on my back. I was pain free in my back after 4 months of suffering.

    • ann96679
      ann96679 Gem1384

      Posted

      Was your back pain ever in the middle of your back? I have IBS and was diagnosed when I was 18. Mainly ibs-d and didn't have any issues for the past few years but now after delivery I have ibs-c. My whole pelvic floor is a mess since delivery.

      Maybe I will try the chiropractor- can't hurt! What was your back pain like? Mine can be full, stabbing and sometimes burning. Most of the time it's dull and I feel better lying down.

    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 ann96679

      Posted

      Yes my back pain was in the middle and just slightly to the side of my spine on the left side after treatment my right side now hurts on and off but chiropractor said my left side is compensating for the right but it's my right that's got the problem.

      The pains I get are stabbing, burning (like I want to rub and itch it) and just general aching. I had no pain whilst lying down and sleeping and the pain would normally kick in about 30-35 minutes of being awake. I found painkillers didn't help.

    • ann96679
      ann96679 Gem1384

      Posted

      That sounds exactly like mine! Ok I'm sold, going to try the chiropractor. The surgeon who took my gallbladder out mentioned I should go to one but I've always felt that the pain was something else.

      I hope I have results like you did!

    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 ann96679

      Posted

      Hi Ann,

      Just wanted to check how you're doing?

      Have you tried a chiropractor yet?

      Gem

    • ann96679
      ann96679 Gem1384

      Posted

      Hi Gem- I haven't tried the chriopractor yet. I actually just had the gastric emptying study done today and find out my results on Monday. I am also seeing my GI dr on Monday.

      Have you made any progress in a diagnoses?

    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 ann96679

      Posted

      I hope your results come back ok, or if you need it to show that something is wrong then I hope they can find out what is wrong. Sometimes it's better to find out something is wrong so you have a diagnosis.

      I hope it goes well at your GI Dr on Monday smile let me know how you get on.

      Still not much happening my end. gastro is at end of April. I've seen the pain management Dr he diagnosed chronic widespread pain syndrome. And MRI results for my pelvis were normal. So starting to get somewhere just not in the area that I need sorting! Lol!

    • ann96679
      ann96679 Gem1384

      Posted

      I agree- I want a diagnosis just so I can get CP out of my head!!!

      I will keep you posted about Monday! I also have an appointment at one of the top GI doctors in my area on April 1st- hoping to gain some more information there too!

    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 ann96679

      Posted

      Hi Ann,

      How were your gastric emptying results? Good luck at the GI specialist tomorrow. Let me know how you get on smile

      Gem

    • ann96679
      ann96679 Gem1384

      Posted

      Hi gem- gastric results showed that I do have a slow emptying stomach. New GI dr is puzzled- I am having an MRCP this week to look at the ducts. How Ru doing? Any updates?
    • Gem1384
      Gem1384 ann96679

      Posted

      That's good that you've got something to pin your left side pain on. What is the treatment for slow emptying? MRCP is the scan of choicw to check the ducts so that's good smile I hope it all goes ok for you.

      I'm ok thank you, been diagnosed with IBS. I'm not convinced at all that it's IBS my symptoms are to specific! But I'm having a colonoscopy and endoscopy done. Just waiting for the dates for them. Gastro said he won't be testing me for anything else and is referring me to dietician. I will see how I go. If I get a pain flare up I'm off straight to A&E for answers! I'm managing to keep on a tiny bit of weight smile nothing amazing but I'm happy about it smile lol!

      Keep me updated with your MRCP results smile

      Take care smile

      Gem

    • ann96679
      ann96679 Gem1384

      Posted

      Thanks Gem! Doctor also told me to take more fiber for ibs. Sounds like you and I are in a similar situation! I will update you with the results.

      I am also bot convinced that it's not CP. I pray that we both just have other issues that have nothing to do with the pancreas!

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