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General health

Any, really ANY input appreciated..... going round in circles with pain, appointments, waiting. And all the while in more and more pain. Stomch/Pancreatic/Splenic Cancer??

48 replies

Dunkling · 20/11/2018 11:07

Any advice from someone who has been through similar would be much appreciated as I feel I could go mad.

I don't even care much now what the diagnosis is, I just want, a DIAGNOSIS. Actually that sounds flippant to those that have been diagnosed with some b***d illness, sorry. But if you've been there you'll probably know.

To keep it as simple as possible and not to bore you:

June this year I developed a gnawing pain in my left side/flank/under rib area. Saw GP, she had no idea, said to leave it and see. Waited 3 weeks for a bloods appointment, all clear.

About 2 months later I saw another GP as the pain was stronger and more ongoing. He again had no idea, mumbled about IBS as I now had intermittent constipation coupled with times of going A LOT. Had bloods which took 2 weeks just for an appointment, so adding to frustration. They were clear.

Another month later, another appointment, another GP. Same bowel issues, now constant, pain non stop, HUGE rebound tenderness but he could find nothing specific. Burning and gnawing in my left side/rib area, intermittent stabbing pains. Wanted bloods, no appointment so went to walk in and sat for 3 hours in miserable pain. Also stool sample. No results given on these as I now lost patience as when I phoned for a follow up appointment and results as requested by GP, it was a 3 week wait simply for a telephone appointment..

So.… asked for a private referral as I have insurance plus a lovely private hospital right in my village where I used to work.

Unfortunately it was a 2 week wait to see the chap I was referred to but I was just glad it was going forward, I now had relentless pain, never got any sleep, intermittent nausea, felt like I had swallowed a football that was lodged under my ribs, and constantly need to poop, albeit each time either copious amounts of thin very small chipolata creations with liquid or just one tiny very thin chipolata Stabbing pains that make me catch my breath that shoot around my back.

Before I could see my consultant, one day my husband saw me in so much pain and feeling lousy we went to an urgent care clinic. A medic performed a procedure on me, called it Murphies and I had a positive sign... I could have lamped him!! and frog marched me to general surgery, where they confirmed my suspicions, it may have had me hit the ceiling with lots of expletives, but he was in the idle to left side. So not Murphies but of course it hurt as it is where my pain is.

And 2 weeks again and I had a colonoscopy. So far the feedback I got from the surgeon was, from what I remember as it took a good long 48 hours for the sedation to fully wear off..... no tumours, polyps, crohns, colitis, diverticulitus etc. He did inject an internal haemmoroid but said it had no relation, and indeed, the bowel issues are the same. So what is the change in size if no tumour? Could it be outside pressing against? I also remember stirring during the procedure and crying out in agony as they hit the spot all the pain comes from, I remember the reassurance, but he says I was fine. Is he just trying to help as the amnesia effect is wanted for a reason. But for me it reaffirms the pain. Says he'll be in touch. How long does it take? I have no idea. Do they re visit the pics/videos later?

Sorry, I'm rambling but LAST. During my pre procedure run through, I discovered I've lost a stone. I've kept answering no to this question as although my ribs are now bony, my clothes fitted, but indeed a whole stone in 5 months. Last night I was in so much pain I got zero sleep. I'm snappy and keep crying I am just so frustrated. I have no idea when/if I hear back for the next step/scan idea. It's all just too slow.

I'm turning into a pathetic mess.

OP posts:
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Seaweed42 · 20/11/2018 12:45

Has anyone given you omeprazole for excess stomach acid. The stomach is there to the left under the ribs. The pain you describe is what I had before I started on those tablets.
It is worse when stomach is empty so that's why at night and certain times of day it can be worse. Also alcohol, tomato based sauces etc was well as stress make it worse.
The bowel issues could be unrelated to the stomach thing. You could try some over the counter PPI or Nexium for a couple of weeks and see if that helps the pain in the side.
What age are you?

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Dunkling · 20/11/2018 12:48

I was given omeprazole by one of my first appointments. Made no difference. And the pain is all night, but also all day. No food or food makes no difference.

I'm 49 btw.

Thanks for response.

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3luckystars · 20/11/2018 12:50

Sorry if this is unhelpful but could you try keeping a food diary until your next appointment?

Sorry you are being pushed from pillar to post. I hope you get some answers soon.

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ladydickisathingapparently · 20/11/2018 12:55

Not a doctor.....but I’ve had the gnawing pain you describe with a stomach ulcer. Much much worse when I was hungry.

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ladydickisathingapparently · 20/11/2018 12:57

Sorry I see now you’d covered that.

Incidentally my mum was diagnosed at one stage with pancreatic cancer with similar symptoms, but (long story) she actually had a benign growth blocking her bile duct. Think digestive stuff seems to be very much trial and error to diagnose.

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FabulouslyGlamorousFerret · 20/11/2018 13:00

I had a similar pain, Omeprazole didn't work at all but a large daily dose of Esomeprazole did. Mine was reflux (caused by a gastric band) but the pain was awful.

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pisspawpatrol · 20/11/2018 13:07

Has your pancreas and liver been checked? I know they're on the right side not the left but weight loss and stomach pain is a key symptom of pancreatic cancer.

My only other contribution is that I had Costochondritis and intercostal muscular pain in my lower left ribs after swine flu and that was agony for weeks on end. Although no weight loss or bowel symptoms.

Sorry you're feeling so crap.

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SassitudeandSparkle · 20/11/2018 13:21

Constant pain is really tough to deal with, and so tiring.

You've had quite a few tests by the sound of it so far, and nothing has turned up which is a good thing - I do think they find serious things quite quickly normally.

Do you suffer from anxiety normally, OP? I've known a couple of people who do and they seem to suffer from stomach pains when it's bad - I don't know why, but I hope it's nothing serious causing the pains in your case, and that you find something to ease the pain very soon.

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tierraJ · 20/11/2018 13:32

If you can, ask for an abdominal ultrasound- go private to get it done quicker. Maybe also a Gastroscopy?

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Dunkling · 20/11/2018 14:49

Anxiety generally yes, but I wasn't when it started as I was on fantastic meds, new job I LOVE, happy really. No anxiety!!

Had an abdominal ultrasound, but no fasting however lightly before, which I've now read you do do. So possible stomach in way of some stuff.

Feedback so far, from just before discharge was that colon wall itself ok, and he'll be back in touch.

But as the pain during procedure was so excruciating at THAT under left rib spot, and it is much worse since, the stabbing pains are pretty constant now in addition to the burn and general throbbing/ache, as if something has been angered, and my bowels are still behaving as though things are struggling to get through, I'm starting to think pressure from the other side? Plus I now know that I'm obviously not absorbing nutrients somehow as I am eating normally but have lost a stone in 5 months, actually a little more but I'm accounting for having no food on board and 24hours fasting, down to 8.5 and I'm 5.6 tall, so now underweight.

As a pp said, it is all just so exhausting being in constant pain and waiting, for appointments and then results.

I just need a rant really, thanks for listening. I am private now btw, but due to colonoscopy being late Thursday, and the weekend afterwards, things are still slow.

I don't know whether to ring re the worsened pain.

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Seaweed42 · 20/11/2018 15:21

Are you still on the stomach acid medication? If not, I would try that again and stay on it for a few weeks. I got a lot of symptoms starting at menopause. The left hand sided pain due to stomach acid. The doc kept telling me there's really no other organ over to the left there except the stomach. The pain can go around to your back as well.
Then I had a mild bladder prolapse which got worse and a mild rectocele. These caused my stools to be oddly shaped. So you get the squished sausage or ribbon stool sometimes, depending!
If you sometimes have normal shaped stools then a mild prolapse may be the cause of that. At menopause the ligaments soften due to lack of hormone and the pelvic organs sag.
Menopause I found to be a very confusing time. I had many symptoms that I kept linking together, but they were separate and didn't add up to anything mysterious or bad.
You are that age if you look up menopause digestive symptoms there's quite a few.

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mm8884448838 · 20/11/2018 15:26

A doctor was convinced my dad had a stomach ulcer. Turned out to be gallstones.
My gall stone pain didn't present typically either.

That's excruciating pain and would affect the bowels.

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MrsEricBana · 20/11/2018 15:28

I'm afraid I don't have anything medical to add except to say I have had lots of upsetting digestive issues over the years, none of which, so far, have ever amounted to anything alarming. Hope you get some answers soon.

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SleepWarrior · 20/11/2018 15:36

I have had excruciating pain from gastritis, and that was without an actual ulcer (that I know of). Gnawing pain that was just under my left ribs and came in waves but basically constant. I could barely stand up at its worst and was hobbling around hunched right over. It needed a double whammy of omeprazole-esque drugs on their highest doses and a total diet overhaul (including any caffeine or chocolate) or it just came back.

If there was a really tender spot/ulcer maybe the colonoscopy poked it from the outside of the stomach wall and inflamed it even more.

Have you had H.pylori testing?

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Smurfybubbles · 20/11/2018 15:39

As someone else has suggested it sounds like gallstone pain but obviously on the wrong side. As a matter of interest did they ultrasound the gallbladder? I remember when I was being diagnosed and the consultant poked it, I nearly jumped halfway across the room with the pain. I had weight loss until I had mine removed.

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RainbowInACloud · 20/11/2018 16:09

Have you had an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan? What about an OGD? (that's a camera down the gullet into the stomach)

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Snowyleopard · 21/11/2018 16:13

What happens if you press down under bottom rib on right side kind of inline with nipple?

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Dunkling · 21/11/2018 16:50

Bottom right rib..... feel nothing.

I am seeing consultant again on Monday. So hopefully going forward now to see things from the other end so to speak. So that will address things like gastritis. I tested neg for h pylori at gps.

I'm still thinking maybe gallbladder.... it's that intense, as you said, practically jumping across the room! But the pain is on the wrong side, and the urgent care nurse pulled the image from my files and said it looked ok.

I'm highly doubting anything menopause related as, with regular normal cycled still, I guess that means I can't be affected by hormonal changes to that level yet.

I saw my GP today as the pain, along with fatigue and nausea was so bad, I was worried about post procedure complications. Didn't even have my temperature checked, blood pressure checked..... told IBS could be likely. But as far as I'm aware.... not with weight loss. Not with onset at nearly 50. And not when pain is severe enough to go throughout the night too.

Fingers crossed for Monday. To the poster who mentioned CT... am I right in thinking that would be better than Endoscopy as it shows more ie; more area imaged?

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Flossie44 · 21/11/2018 17:11

I’ve had pain under my left rib for years. It feels as you describe. Like a swelling inside. Takes my breath away and can make me go off food due to the pain. It also affects my bowels. It also travels through to the back, wrapping around my left side. I’ve been diagnosed with ibs.
Peppermint capsules help, as do buscopan and heat pads.
I really hope you get it sorted. Being in pain is so stressful. And stress can cause weight loss itself.
Take care

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wineandsunshine · 21/11/2018 17:19

Have you tried ranatidine?? That's another PPI but great for stomach acid.

Also get an allergy test - it could be intolerances to all sorts of food. I paid privately and had loads!

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Snowyleopard · 21/11/2018 19:05

Pain can get referred anywhere in the body. Kidney, gallbladder, pancreas pain can be felt up the arm and shoulder. Buscopan or mebeverine are worth trying yes. I don't think it's gallbladder, you pushed where it is. Could be a gallstone. MRI is what you'll want and I'd even suggest A&E , you'd get tests and meds and painkillers

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Epwell · 21/11/2018 20:48

Grim. If it's IBS, the following might help, these worked for me when I had IBS characterised by bad stomach pain (but not as bad as yours)
Go on a high protein diet, eg the Atkins diet, but avoid fatty food like cheese as this can make things worse
Cut out fruit altogether
Don't eat anything raw, everything must be cooked. Try to eat vegetables that have been cooked for a long time, stuff like carrots and other root veg
Avoid cold drinks, only drink hot or warm drinks
Cut out coffee and tea. Try miso soup as an alternative - it's v low in calories but nourishing and warming
See if the doctor will prescribe imipramine - it's an old fashioned anti depressant which has the side effect of slowing down your digestive system - it worked a treat for me
Invest in a good quality multivitamin supplement to try to counter the fatigue
You could try honey bush tea, which is very calming on the stomach
Avoid anything spicy
Hope this helps

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Helendee · 21/11/2018 23:37

Look up Splenic Flexure Disorder, it sounds very similar. I hope you get it sorted out soon.

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Justaboy · 21/11/2018 23:48

Sad to say that someimes you just have to agitate with medic profession to get what you need.

Can't pin this affiction on anything in particular but IBS can manifest in many ways.

Sorry thats not much help hope you find an answer and soon!

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notapizzaeater · 22/11/2018 00:01

Hope you get answers soon.

Does laying in a different position help ? Sleep in a reclining chair ?

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