Looking for advice

Hello all, I'm hoping to get some much needed help and advice off of here if possible. I'm 47 years of age, and basically I've noticed the top of my abdomen below my rib cage stocks out slightly so has been moderately bloated for a few months now, along with intermittent pains and aches in my lower-mid back as well if I stand up too long. I've had ibs on and off sporadically most of my life, but something seems different this time somehow. 

Back in september, I started noticing discomfort/mild pain and tenderness just above my pubic bone at the bottom of my abdomen, and it hurt a bit when I pressed it. I didnt think anything of it and just got on with everything.

Then around mid october I started getting pain down the left hand side of my abdomen which followed down around to where my rectum is, and on the lower right hand side of my abdomen too. Also, loose stools, no blood that I can see, but the smell is odd. It's like a sort of earthy, irony metallic sort of smell which obviously is very noticable when I pass wind as well. Since mid october up to now, the smell hasn't changed. 

I went to see my GP who told me it was ibs, which is understandable given the symptoms I was relaying to him. Just to be on the safe side, he booked me in for a CT scan with contrast of my lower abdomen and pelvis. The results showed that my pancreas, gallbladder and spleen were normal, my liver showed moderate steatosis (fatty liver) which I've had for over ten years now so that wasn't a surprise. No mention of the bladder though, and the bowel was unprepared so it was to put it in their terminology, 'unremarkable'. 

They found two small masses about one centimetre in width on my right kidney which they're saying are most probably simple kidney cysts, and in 3 months I have to go for an ultrasound to check on it.

I've started taking Mebeverine which has reduced the amount of gas I'm passing but the pains are still there.

I'm just wondering if anyone on here can relate to any of this or my symptoms and has any advice or guidance to offer?

Naturally I'm concerned as you can imagine and I'd be greatful of any help.

 

 

  • Welcome to the forum Vince although I'm sorry to read about the symptoms you've been contending with. It sounds like you've had a tough time of late.

    I know that until you've had your ultrasound this will, understandably, play on your mind but I hope you can take some comfort and reassurance from the results that have come back so far. I hope that some for the tips and advice given in this article can help you whilst you wait as well.

    Hopefully some of our members will be along soon but if you feel it may help to talk things through with one of our nurses, then you're welcome to get in touch with them on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday (except bank holidays) between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Steph and thank you for welcoming me. Yes hopefully I'll get some helpful feedback from other members on here. And thank you for the nurses contact number.

    Thanks again.