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Scared I may have pancreatic cancer

AlexIsScared
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29, male, 6ft, 66kg

For the past few weeks I've been experiencing a consistent discomfort in my upper left abdomen, under or behind my bottom left rib, as well as a constant back pain. 

- I usually have the back pain from the moment I wake up and it's not made worse by moving around. A lot of the time it's in my mid back but occasionally seems to move up or down. I should say I rarely if ever get back pains.

- The discomfort in my LUQ usually appears around mid day, often after eating, then is basically constant for the rest of the night. I couldn't sleep last night and noticed it faded around 2am. It's more noticeable when I sit or lay down and occasionally hurts, often in the form of brief shooting pains. Sometimes it does start earlier before I've eaten, although usually a bit less noticeable. This discomfort is something I've never felt before, even with my suspected (but not diagnosed) ibs.

- Occasional bouts of dizziness and feeling sick, often after eating. Sometimes includes tingling in my right hand.

- Weight loss

- Diarrhea

I have a colonoscopy scheduled in a week and a half (due to some more extreme ibs symptoms that came before) but the hospital said they wouldn't do the CT right now on the grounds of unnecessary radiationand my age. That's despite my GP requesting it in my urgent referral, or so I've been told.

I keep being told that I shouldn't be worried as I'm only 29 and that pain isn't a symptom until it's too late, but symptom pages and people's stories suggest otherwise. I'm so terrified and feel like I can't get anyone to take me seriously. The sheer anxiety this is causing is really messing up my life, for want of a CT scan. Is there any way to push for a CT scan that the hospital will take seriously?

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    I have had similar symptoms for 2 years bowels constipated or loose stools any high fibre veg comes straight through pain in upper central abdomen sometimes it goes round into back feeling sick giddy generally not well and very bloated I had same thoughts ad you I had colonoscopy a gadtroscopy and finally a ct with contrast thorax/abdo/pelvis I too thought of pancreatic cancer, all tests came back clear so I was diagnosed with ibs I'm still suffering 12 months after ct scan and still convinced I have pancreatic cancer but someone on this site said when will you accept it's not cancer or will you keep wanting more tests.At your age it's unlikely to be cancer but we cant help but worry could you pay private for a ct scan that may help but like me they found nothing so I'm still convinced I have it my life for two years has been terrible feeling so unwell I carry on for my daughters sake xxx

  • Offline in reply to Alfiemoon2008

    I'm sorry you're going through that but it's at least a good thing you were able to get tested.

    My issue is that I have to wait for a colonoscopy, but with no CT in sight. If they do allow a CT after, how long am I going to have to wait for that? Why do I suspect that if I'm lucky enough to get a CT, it won't be until weeks or even months after as they won't take my symptoms seriously.

    Like I am laying here on the sofa, haven't eaten anything yet, and I can feel it right now. Like there's something under my bottom left rib. Like something is pressing into it or its pressing on something else.

  • Offline in reply to AlexIsScared

    Hi, I could be wrong but pretty sure (3 relatives died of pancreatic cancer) that your first 'symptoms' would likely be new diagnosis of diabetes. Also discomfort would unlikely be upper left quadrant?

    Either way talking to your go and getting bloods would be a good call. I have my Amylase level checked every few years (my relative are paternal grandmother and 2 paternal aunts)

    Hope you get some answers soon. Xx

  • Offline in reply to Lionessah22466

    I had a blood test which came back fine, including normal enzymes. However I've read that diabetes is usually a symptom for older sufferers (50+), but that's just what I've read. It also seems like abdominal and back pains are more likely with cancer of the body and tail of the pancreas, which is less likely to effect enzymes. Read numerous accounts of patients having normal enzymes. Only going by what I've read though.

    I had so hope when I thought a CT was part of my urgent referral, but now I'm not getting that I'm so worried. I know if I've got it, there's not a lot of hope to begin with, it's just the not knowing when I'm feeling what I'm feeling. Can't handle it.

  • Offline in reply to AlexIsScared

    I would think if all the bloods and enzymes were fine then the liklihood is very low? Your symptoms sound like they could possibly be IBS too which is no joke, but either way I hope you get answers soon. Have you thought about going privately? I know it's expensive but sometimes it's the only way to put your mind at rest and get answers rapidly.

    Good luck. X

  • Offline in reply to Lionessah22466

    I've had IBS symptoms before but the stuff I mentioned above is new. I now have an amylase blood test scheduled (which I guess wasn't checked the first time) and will be getting an urgent referral for an ultrasound after my colonoscopy. Tried to go private through work but it requires a referral due to the location of where I want the CT/MRI, which is why I'm getting the second blood test. Just desperate for answers.

  • Offline in reply to AlexIsScared

    Hey there,

    having similar issues here...did you get to the bottom of your symptoms and did you get a CT scan in the end?

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