to be scared about this abdominal scan? and GPs about?

[QueenConfused]

N/C for this.

Long story short I've had 4 months of heartburn/acid reflux, random nausea, the odd bit of sickness and loose bowel movements. went to the gp who thought I had irritated my gut and gave me tablets to kill the stomach acid for a while and booked me for blood tests in case.

blood test came back showing and 'infection' and something to do with my liver. She wasn't very clear what. gave me 5 days of antibiotics and booked me for an ultrasound. she thinks I may have a rogue gall stone from my gallbladder removal 3 years ago. (gall bladder op was followed by post op pancreatitis from rogue stone. was scanned after that which showed no other stones).

My scan is on Tuesday and I'm getting really really nervous that it is something much more serious - how can a stone have floated around for 3 years and only now caused an issue? and why wasn't it seen on the scan I had after the pancreatitis? (think that was an MRI scan but not sure)

any GPs about who could suggest what the blood tests may have shown? I lost a grandparent young to pancreatic cancer and I cant help panicking.

Sorry, not a GP and sorry you're so worried but I went through 6 months of undiagnosed pain post gallbladder operation - MRI scans, endoscopies x 3, endless different medications, ultrasounds - the lot. I was also scared stiff but it turned out to be nerve damage from the operation for which I'm on (probably) life long meds. I also had so many blood tests I looked like a sieve but they never showed anything.
Everything crossed for you OP that it's nothing to worry about - please come back and tell us.

hello I am sorry I dont know, I just wanted to say I am in same situ, waiting for scan and terrified of cancer.

lots of lovely people gave me lots of other options of what it could be.

I know its hard! But please dont worry too much. Whatever it is they are scanning you and you are going to be seen and sorted..

thanks for replying.

farfrom sorry you have had a rough time - are you ok now you have the right meds?

I just cant stop thinking 'cancer'. a family friend died very recently of stomach cancer - 3 weeks from diagnosis to death and it just hit home to me that it seems for liver/stomach/pancreas once you have symptoms its basically too late.

sorry you're in the same boat will

I have 3 young DC, I need to be ok.

will the scanner person tell me anything? gp wanted to see me a week after the scan, which I've booked in. the thought of waiting another week after the scan before I know anything doesn't help.

General surgeon here. You could have developed a new stone in the main bile duct since your operation to remove the gallbladder 3 years ago. This is much more likely than pancreatic cancer. I'm not saying it is this, it wouldn't be possible to say without the scan but it is a sensible suggestion from your doctor.

I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry. Tuesday isn't far away. And based on the limited information in your op it wouldn't be possible for a doctor on here to say what it is /isn't. Hopefully you'll get an answer on Tuesday, but be prepared for the fact that if the scan is an ultrasound sometimes the main bile duct is hidden behind bowel and can't be properly seen. You may ultimately need another mri. Hopefully not though - fingers crossed you get sorted soon.

thank you yellowdinosaur that's bizarrely reassuring to know that a new stone is possible - I assumed that once the gallbladder was removed that would be that!

would the fact that my symptoms worsen if I eat high fat foods or larger portions make this more likely?

should the ultrasound be enough to rule out growths/cancer do you think?

Worsening with high fat foods would be supportive of a stone. Ultrasound scan is pretty accurate for stones as long as the bowel isn't in the way. And pretty good for looking at the liver. It's not the best at looking at the pancreas because there is often bowel in front of that too (the bowel contains gas which the ultrasound can't see through). Hopefully in your case it will get a good view and you can be reassured.

thank you yellow that's all really helpful and reassuring. fingers crossed its 'just' a stone!

Glad to help and fingers crossed x

is there a chance this was a H. pylori infection? this gives you the heartburn etc that you describe OP, and would explain why the doctor gave you antibiotics - which will get rid of the infection and therefore your symptoms. and is nothing to worry about. try not to worry too much, best of luck with your scan

I'm as ok as I'm ever going to be OP - what can you do? Just get on with it! I do take a lot of pain meds and I've tried reducing them but the pain just comes right back! So I'm either in a happy fug from all the Tramadol and other stuff or doubled over in agony. I'll take the happy fug - although I do sometimes think my life is going by in a haze and I'm missing out. I can't work because sometimes I'm so - what's the word? - fugged! by the painkillers that I don't think I'd be much good to anyone. However - all of this is bliss compared to the pain of gallstones!
Thanks too to yellowdinosaur - I honestly didn't know that the stones could recur without a gallbladder. Don't say you don't learn something new every day on MN!
Keep up posted Queen

sbear the gp didn't say the name of the infection and I forgot to ask - what is it about going into the gp's room that makes you forget all the things you should ask??

I'm still taking the acid suppresent pills so not sure if the antibiotics have actually cured that symptom or not!

farfrom my DF was prescribed tramadol and he was on another planet while taking them so I understand what you mean about the 'fug'. but yes, I guess sometimes all you can do is just keep on going with the hand you've been dealt - crap as it may be.

on the plus side I have lost 16 and a half pounds so far! silver lining and all that.