Pancreatic cancer

[Shinyshiny2]

I am terrified that I have pancreatic cancer. A month ago I was really stressed and got an awful burning stomach ache. It lasted a day then disappeared. A week and a half later I got a wierd aching burning stomach at the top of my abdomen that persisted. Then I got a cold but was still having a slightly painful stomach. The stomach ache then died down but then I started having pain in both flanks, almost like a constant stitch, under my ribs. It began in my left side then swapped to my right. I went to the doctors on Wednesday who did blood tests which all came back clear and I’m waiting on an abdominal ultrasound as they want to check for gallstones. When I went the pain was in my right side. Since then the pain has moved back to my left side and into my shoulder blade on and off. I keep getting a burning ache in my stomach on and off. I am 34 years old with two young children and I am absolutely petrified. I also just read an article about intermittent pain being an early sign of PC and am in such a state! I am a very anxious person but so scared. The burning stomach is not there today but I did get a stitch in my right side when out this morning that’s gone but do keep getting random stabs there. Left side pain completely gone but shoulder blade aches. Shall I book a private scan? I can’t concentrate or feel happy as i‘m so scared.

Stop reading , you aren’t a doctor & this worry is making it worse.
I hope you get an answer soon x

It might be an ulcer.

Do you think it sounds serious? I’m so so worried. The pain keeps moving around.

I would find out how long your ultrasound might be - then decide whether to book a private scan. I was referred for an urgent ultrasound before I was diagnosed with gallstones and the nhs one came through 2 days after I had my private one, so I prob could have waited. But I left my symptoms for a few weeks so was pretty desperate. Good luck 💐

What questions have they asked to rule out a stomach ulcer? Have you asked why an endoscopy hasn’t been indicated so far?

I think there are a lot more likely reasons for the pain before you get to PC.

The vast majority of cases are those over 65 who smoke.

I know it's hard but hopefully you can take some comfort from the fact you aren't in the usual demographic.

I don’t actually have pain just very mild discomfort. I was prescribed ozemparole. The reason for the scan was because they said they could feel my aerobic artery which is common in slim people when I mentioned the pain in my side at the time of the visit. They said it’s probably nothing but wanted to check and said whilst they do that they can check my gallbladder. Since my appointment the discomfort has moved around a lot and is less when I am not thinking about it. I have no discomfort at the moment but if I think of it feel twinges. I am desperately scared of PC after googling my symptoms and falling down a rabbit hole. I have clear blood tests but i’m So scared. I’m only 34 and don’t want to leave my children.

My friends dad had this and had no pain at all whatsoever. He got jaundiced and that was the only sign anything was wrong.

There is a million other things that this could be. It could be gallstones. There is also a virus going around that is causing stomach issues. Stay calm and don’t worry unless a doctor tells you to worry. Good luck.

Stop googling symptoms. They always tell you the worse case scenario. I had a friend with PC and she did not have these symptoms. It sounds like you have pulled a muscle or have Costochondritis. Do you have small children that you pick up a lot?

No I don’t pick them up. I have suffered from health anxiety for years and I’m driving myself mad with this. I have no pain now just on and off burning in stomach, random side pain. I think my anxiety is making it worse. My blood tests all came back normal but I’m convinced something serious is wrong. I told my husband I want to book a private ultrasound but he thinks I’m mad. Is PC common in your thirties?? I wasn’t even worried about this when I went to the doctors it was when k came home and googled.

Its very very unlikely to be pancreatic cancer. You would likely have a whole load of other symptoms including jaundice either on your skin or the whites of your eyes, feeling or being sick, weight loss, pale stools, pain etc.

An ultrasound scan is not the best way to look at the pancreas anyway as a great deal of it is hidden and cannot be seen by ultrasound.

You would be far better having a CT scan with contrast, but the first port of call is to have bloods done, if these were normal it is very encouraging.

I had a lot of your symptoms when I had gallstones. I have since had my gallbladder removed and still have some of the symptoms. Pain is not always in the traditional right sided under-the-ribs pain, my pain moved around and included should blade pain, belly button pain and left sided stitch type pain.

To be honest it could be anything from ulcers, GERD, anxiety, SIBO, pancreatitis, gallstones, gallbladder dysfunction, liver problems, and many other things. Only your doctor can advise and arrange the appropriate tests.

It could be any number of things that are not pancreatic cancer. It could be an infection or stomach ulcer for example. The problem is that you are so anxious now that you will be noticing pain more or making yourself feel more ill. You have my sympathies because this happened to me, a few years ago I convinced myself I had cancer, was convinced I was going to die. It was nothing serious but I definitely made myself feel more ill due to anxiety.
Stop googling and reading articles and try to focus on normal every day things. See how things are in a few days.

It’s very uncommon and you would have other symptoms. I know what it’s like. I suffered from health anxiety when I was younger. I stopped using Google and relied on the doctors. They know what to look for and would have put you on a two week cancer pathway if they were in any doubt. It sounds like you could have indigestion of some sort.

I can really sympathise with you here. I had some blood tests and was told I was low in something(can’t remember what now). I made the mistake of googling it and convinced myself I had lung cancer!
Your symptoms sound very similar to what DS had last year. Burning, stinging discomfort and a stitch like pain. He did a poo sample and had a bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori. A lot of people have it with no symptoms. 2 lots of antibiotics and some omeprazole and he was right as rain.
Yoh have made the massive leap to cancer due to your anxiety. It could be lots if different things.
if you’re going to have to wait ages for NHS then if you can afford it go private because sadly until you’re told it isn’t cancer you won’t stop thinking this way. I know from experience.

Thank you for your replies. I have got absolutely no pain now or discomfort and the discomfort has got better as the week has gone on. My husband thinks I should just wait for the NHS ultrasound as he thinks I’ll still worry if I have one privately. I just want someone to tell me I’m being ridiculous! I thought 34 was too young to worry about this but now I’m doubting myself.

You are being ridiculous. Here, I said it.
Your anxiety is making the pain worse. Your bloods showed nothing. You have no symptoms associated with late stage cancer and pancreatic cancer is asymptomatic in the early stages.
Paying for a private scan will reinforce your health anxiety.

Really panicking. Have tightness in top of stomach and tingling going down to my leg. Can anxiety cause a tight feeling in stomach?

Yes it can. OP, it sounds exactly like gallstones. The pain does move around. I had the same symptoms as you and had an ultrasound, gallbladder was rammed with them and I'm awaiting the operation to get it out.

And anxiety can cause tingling and numbness. You are probably holding your breath a lot without realising it.

Ok I’m so worried it’s PC. Sometimes I feel fine and sometimes I feel pain. I’m so worried. Can’t even think about looking at things to look forward to as it’s making me so upset.

I would make an appointment to see a gp about your health anxiety

I have suffered from health anxiety for years and I’m driving myself mad with this.

Your husband is right. There is no amount of reassurance that's going to fix this because you're being completely irrational.

You'd be better off spending the money on psychological treatment.

Gallstones are really common in women after they've been pregnant, pancreatic cancer is extremely rare.
If you have had a flare up of the gallbladder, especially this time of year with rich foods, roast dinners, desserts and chocolate in abundance, even the odd cheeky baileys or something, that'll trigger gallbladder episodes.

When you've children to think of you naturally worry about leaving them, but it is very unlikely PC.
It'll most likely be a stone stuck or even a infection of the gallbladder. Painful AF, but definitely something that can be sorted.

Try and stick to very dull foods, boring I know as you're probably looking forward to finishing off the roses when kiddos are in bed but nothing rich, spicy, fatty or fun, basically. My safe foods were scrambled eggs and toast, porridge and yogurt and that was no exact science.

If you find you're anxious around health alot might be worth chatting to someone x

Thank you. It’s not really painful just mildly uncomfortable and doesn’t get worse after eating. I’m just terrified because the pain keeps moving.

Stop googling. It’s either heartburn or gall stones