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What would I have? pancreatitis or something sinister?

Posted , 6 users are following.

mwight87
mwight87

Hey all

We'll I've come on here to try and get some advice and maybe some reassurance.

Since January I've been having aches in my stomach which has radiated to my back after eating, this is worse after eating something fatty, right this second I've got an ache in my left side just below the bottom of the front rib cage, this is going to my back. I've had a camera in my stomach which they found nothing, but a bit of irritation, I've been feeling over all not great and now I'm feeling a bit ill. The past three weeks I've noticed my stools are light brown, some are half normal brown other half very light, urine has been normal but seems to have a strong smell sometimes, no weight loss as of yet, no yellowing of the eyes and skin at the moment, on Thursday I went to A and E as I passed a stool which was very light and worried me, I had blood tests and urine tests all normal, went to my gp and has arranged for a ultra sound. I must also say the biggest change of my diet has been the massive consumption of strong coffee with my new job, I was having 6 very strong coffees every day 5 times a week, I have reduced this and I'm trying to stop altogether, I have also just came out of a relationship in February, which was stressful before the break up which caused me a lot of pain, and recently found out she cheated with another man when we were together, so 24 hours a day I feel like hell and my stomachs in nots. It's getting to the point where I'm preparing for the scan to find something sinister as it seems when researching my symptoms it's either pancreatitis or the most sinister one which I don't want to say, I would just like some one to give some advice please.

If it helps I'm a 26 year old male medium build.

Thanks for reading.

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • stuart13
    stuart13

    Posted

    Hi

    Many digestive issues have very similar symptoms so it would be very wrong to jump to any conclusions on symptoms alone, particularly since pancreatitis is so very rare.

    You mentioned drinking lots of coffee with your new job, but it is more likely to be the stress of your new job that is causing many of your symptoms.

    Stop trawling the internet (lots of rubbish out there), eat and drink healthily and do let your doctor take the lead with regards to tests,

    Stuart

    (Pancreatitis patient of 14+ years)

    • bob91054
      bob91054 stuart13

      Posted

      Hi,  2 ays after I took my wife to A&E she went to our doctor for a letter to go private to see a specialist, Dr Hankin ( female at the QE Birmingham ) told her if she adjusted her life style she manage the problem herself and did not give her a refferal.  My wife did not dring to excess and lived on salad,  2 days later she was rushed into hospital and 3 days later she was dead, just because you have been lucky don't put people off getting aduquate medical advice !

      BOB

       

  • mwight87
    mwight87

    Posted

    Yeah your right, there is a lot of rubbish on the internet , it seems even a sore knee will lead to the most horrible things when searching on the internet, thanks for your reply Stuart
  • mwight87
    mwight87

    Posted

    Just an update, I've got my scan due on the 14th of April.

    I've also had a bowel movement, this was more brown in colour but had a tint of yellow in it. I've read enough information of all the bad things it could mean, is there any less threatening things it could be?

  • mwight87
    mwight87

    Posted

    I also forgot to add, I seem to be getting some mild itching at the moment, no idea if this is linked to what I've got at the moment.
  • mwight87
    mwight87

    Posted

    Another update my stool was pale very strange how they are changing colour, I've also cut out coffee for good today
  • stuart13
    stuart13

    Posted

    It may be that you have some sludge or small stones in your gallbladder or biliary tract but if so the scan will probably pick this up.

    You are over analysing your bowel movements. The colour can be so very dependant on what you eat and on its own the colour is not relevant. With Pancreas issues a common symptom is steatorrhea but the symptoms of this are very specific.

    You have your scan within a couple of weeks, not long now.

  • mwight87
    mwight87

    Posted

    Just an update, sorry for the repeat updates, I've been worried so helps to talk about it, had a bowel movement today and was medium brown, looked very normal to me, could this be diet related? Needless to say after the bowel movement this morning I'm feeling relieved
  • bob91054
    bob91054 mwight87

    Posted

    Hi, I don't want to worry you but after eating a Lamb dinner, my wife suffered severe abdominal pain, the A&E confirmed it was due to her Gall stone gave her pain killers and sent her home,  3 days later she was rushed into hospital suffering Severe Acute Pancreatitis caused by just one gall stone that blocked her bile duct, she died 3 days later from what I am sure is medical negligence,  you MUST have xRay,  blood tests  for amylases and lipase and an ultra sound scan, if you have gall stones have them and your gall bladder removed immediately, if just one moves and blocks the duct you have 3 days to live, it really is that serious,  do not be fobbed off by your GP or hospital  it can be life or death !!!

    Just ask your doctor what can be the complications of this problem, they will tell you it is very uncommon,  but  my  wife died from it !

    after 3 days she was pased any chance of recovery and I have to insist all life support was removed to allow her to pass as soon as possible,

    This  can be  fatal  in  under  4 or 5 days

    Get it sorted,  and all you other people with gall stones MUST do the same or you are a fatality waiting to happen,  don't make your loved ones suffer like I have for no reason !

    Regards

    BOB  Sedgwick

    • genna07944
      genna07944 bob91054

      Posted

      Bob, I am so very sorry for your loss.  I suffer from acute pancreatitis.  Pain meds can help that, but malpractice is malpractice.  Sue the damn bastards!  On 7/2 my lipase levels were 4409.  High level is around 393.  I'm not sure how your medical system works in UK, but in USA you can sue for negligence/malpractice even if you've signed away your right to sue due to liability.  Having this scares the hell out of me.  Again, I am so sorry for your loss.  
  • nataliefranc
    nataliefranc mwight87

    Posted

    Hi just wondered if you have an update after your scan as I have similar symptoms to you and waiting to see specialist in October. 
    • mwight87
      mwight87 nataliefranc

      Posted

      I'm completely fine. 

      The stomach and back ache was cured by drinking lots of water and taking anti acid before and after eating, I did it for 3 weeks. In terms of stool colour, I've been good. I got a chart showing me normal stool colours and there is all sorts of shades of brown which is normal. I find stool is a lot lighter in water so I was getting a false result when looking. The scan showed nothing. This was all caused by coffee and not drinking enough water. 

    • genna07944
      genna07944 mwight87

      Posted

      Go to your Dr. and have your lipase levels checked tomorrow!  That will check the levels of your pancreatic enzymes.  Stool appearance and color is of vital importance if you have pancreatitis.  Go at least to have it ruled out.
  • nataliefranc
    nataliefranc mwight87

    Posted

    That's good to hear! Put my mind at rest a bit!

    My stools are never oily or pale unless I have diarreha which isn't that often only when I'm having a bad flare up of whatever it is going on inside me! Usually constipated and quite dark.

    My main concern is left sided pain that goes round to my side and back, it comes in waves and only lasts few seconds. Not particularly intense and is relieved by passing gas so I'm hoping it's just ibs and is effecting my splenic flexure bend! I used to drink too much than is recommended which is why I'm paranoid about pancreatitis! Now I have cut right down due to the worry but when I do drink it is worse the next day!

    I too am very paranoid and constantly google things and feel like I'm going crazy! Been to docs million times! Waiting on specialist 

    • genna07944
      genna07944 nataliefranc

      Posted

      The pain you re describing is classic panceatitis symptoms.  No alcohol.
    • nataliefranc
      nataliefranc genna07944

      Posted

      I have stopped all alcohol now. I have had this for 5 years now and nothing has ever shown up in tests. I never vomit and I never have pale, oily or foul smelling stools. But the pain has gone from what used to only be upper left abdoman pain to back and side pain over last 6 months. It's getting me down to the point that I'm only not in pain or discomfort when I'm asleep! It's only 3/4 on pain scale of 10 but it's worrying and taking over my life. I just want a diagnosis! 
    • nataliefranc
      nataliefranc

      Posted

      By the way I'm 32 and this started when I was 27. Always had ibs since a child but didn't affect upper abdomen until I was 27
    • james30140
      james30140 nataliefranc

      Posted

      Hi Natalie,

      Did you ever get to the bottom if what was going on ? I've had the exact same symptoms since my mid-late 20's. I'm 31 now.

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