Please help, I am desparate to know what is wrong. Pancreatis/Hernia?

[kuckingfunt]

I am at my wits end at the moment and keep feeling as though I am being pushed from pillar to post and getting nowhere at all.

Original thread is here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1100256-Can-Anybody-Shed-Any-LIght-On-This

I went to gp's - they did an ecg and heart was fine but pulse a bit fast. Gave me more anti bi's for sinus infection and then told me that they think a lot of it is anxiety.

I know its not anxiety - being ill is making me anxious but its not being anxious that is making me ill.

I have had an awful weekend. Friday night really dizzy, weak and pumping heart. I had these pains again under ribs and at top of stomach. Sometimes in shoulders too but not as bad there.

By Saturday I couldn't get out of bed all day, too dizzy and weak to walk. I got up Saturday night then went back to bed still feeling ill. Didn't eat all day.

Yesterday I felt a bit better, wasn't as dizzy. Ate something late afternoon and got stomach pains again so went to bed.

I woke this morning at 5.30. Really hot and being sick. It has worn off again now but still dizzy and having pains in stomach/ribs.

I have googled a bit and am wondering if pancreatis or hiatus hernia. I know for sure that all this is not just a sinus infection and anxiety. Has anyone every had any of these? What are your symptoms?

Just feel as though the doctors are not taking me seriously. I have been back and forth so many times but getting nowhere. Also all my family don't live near me. I don't want to end up in hospital here at all. I am wondering whether to get up to where they are and just go to A&E there - they will have to run tests then surely and see what is wrong with me. I can't cope with this dizziness and pain all the time.

Has anyone got any advise they could offer? Really am desparate now.

Not sure whether there are degrees of severity with pancreatitis, but when my mother had it, she ended up in hospital each time, on a morphine drip for several days.

Does it get worse if you eat a high-fat meal?

Could it be gall bladder problems?

It seems to get worse if I eat anything now to be honest. I have had an ultra sound for gall bladder and it was clear.

What I don't understand is what is causing the dizziness as well.

Is it possible that it's IBS? I've been hospitalised twice with it due to severe stomach pains, dizziness, sickness etc.

I have no idea littlefish, I am clutching at straws really trying to find out.

The dizziness could be because you haven't eaten and also a bit of panic/anxiety because you don't know what is wrong with you. It wouldn't be surprising.

Any possibility of an ear infection which may have left you with vertigo? That would account for the dizzyness and sickness. I am wondering if the sinus infection might have brought it on. My mother had vertigo as a complication of a stomach upset a while ago.

I would go back to the doctors though - you need to know as it sounds like not knowing is making you feel worse.

I've had pancreatitis and it is agonising. You could ask for a blood test, raised somthing or other is an indicator.

I have been feeling dizzy for weeks Niecie. Originally they thought I had labrythitis but that doesn't explain the stomach pains and the weakness. I couldn't even leave my bed at the weekend.

My ears looked ok the gp said when I went on Friday so no infection showing.

Sorry didn't realise the dizziness had been going on that long. That is not good. My mum had dizziness for ages too but I'm afraid I don't know if she showed signs of an ear infection all that time. I know it went on for weeks, long after she had finished the AB's and the doctors just said that was to be expected and would go eventually.

Have you tried taking anti-acids at all after eating. My poor mother (again!) has had a hernia too which is a sort of adult reflux. She was prescribed Gaviscone I think. It helped but it didn't go away until she lost weight as that can make it worse. She was lucky to avoid an operation.

Sounds like they gave you quite a thorough check though! Did they do a blood test to see if there are infection causing havoc?

Yes, had bloods done a few weeks ago. I am going to try anti-acids but cant at the moment while I am on antibi's as you can't take them together.

I am sure I have a stomach problem but not sure what and wonder if that can be causing the dizziness.

ask for a second opinion. call the consultant you saw at the hospital most recently (or the GP who referred you) tell them you are absolutely certain something is wrong and you want a second opinion because you are in so much pain and discomfort (I assume you really are in agony et not'just' a bit of pain, sorry to ask).

If you really are in huge pain discomfort they have to sort you out. Expect to push hard, go to PALS at hospital (see your local PCT website for details)

btw, i am being sympathetic, my mum was certain something was wrong and she went back and forth for months with no-one taking her seriously. Finally she collapsed in M&S and they called an ambulance. Turned out she had late stage lung cancer and she died 2 months later. PUSH them, seriously, do it! I don't think you have cancer though but we all know when something is wrong, don't we?

thanks overthemill.

I am not in constant agony, when I get the pains it is really painful but not the worst agony ever. I haven't been able to get out of bed due to being so dizzy and weak. And today I woke up vomitting. I haven't moved off the sofa since.

I don't want to see a doctor here, I was in hospital for tests when I was staying with my family - I went to a walk in centre and they sent me in for the tests. My doctor seems useless and as i said earlier I really dont want to be in hospital here if I can avoid it.

If you've had labrynthitis of a sinus infection that results in dizziness, the dizzy feeling might not necessarily clear up when the infection does. I got an ear infection which (after many doctors visits)resulted in a vague diagnosis of damage to my inner ear which resulted in me being dizzy for a few years - it has improved greatly but is still there. That might explain why you're still dizzy. Could your stomach problem be due in some part to the antibiotics some of them make me really nauseous and very ill Kep going to the gp until they find out what's wrong.

The only thing I can suggest is gallbladder issues. I had terrible pain and was convinced I had gallbladder issues however the scans kept coming up clear. I then went for a scan where the guy doing it rolled me on my side, shook me up (!) and then scanned me and found there was a gritty residue in my gallbladder that would have been causing the pain. They also found when they removed it that the duct coming out of it was far too small which they wouldn't have picked up on a scan.
So even if no problems are apparent, it could still be your gallbladder. I'm not sure how dizziness would be linked with that though.

Stomach problems are not due to anti bis because I had the pains before I started on tablets.

I am really struggling now, I just can't do anything and I am stuck here. I am worrying myself sick and would feel better if I just knew what it was.

My consultant told me before I had gallstones diagnosed via ultrasound, that they don't always show up. I am in complete agony when I have an attack though.

You can have very small ones or residue as bathbuns says. I would ask for tests for pancreatitis too.

To me it sounds as if you are suffering from long term anxiety from the initial illness. Perhaps this has escalated into chronic indigestion problems or gastritis.

If you don't eat, this will make you feel dizzy and unwell. It's a viscious circle. Try and eat something bland like porridge or toast to boost your energy levels and clear fluids to correct dehydration. Ironically, nausea can be caused by low sugar levels so it's worth perservering with eating small amounts of food regularly.

I would definitely make another appointment to see your GP.

HTH

Thanks Jalopy. I am drinking lots of fluids and eating tiny bits. I had a banana today and that's all I could face.

My gp said it was anxiety but you know when you just know there is something else not right? I am almost sure this isnt just anxiety.

I may go to hospital tomorrow if I am no better, they will have to find out what's wrong with me then surely?

sounds a bit like gallstones to me. had mine out last year. couldnt eat much,[ains in shoulder blade and bottom of rib cage.

pancreatitis is really painful,had that a few years ago caused by a gall stone. have they measured your amylase.

no they haven't aly, really sick and dizzy now, wont be able to stay on computer tonight.

I had pancreatitis a few years ago. It progressed like this:

Felt off but no particular symptoms
Started to be sick on and off (was still hungry though)
Stopped pooing at all (!)
Urine went BRIGHT orange
Had stomach pains under ribs which were awful but not stabbing and carried on being sick on and off.
Admitted to hospital. Amalayse readings were through the roof. Doctor in A and E was looking at my eyeballs because he thought I was starting to become jaundiced.
Was put on lots of drips and was out after about 5 days.
Mine was caused by a rogue stone from gall bladder, they removed my gall bladder about 6 weeks later. I didn't have any faintness or dizziness.

HTH.

Have you been checked for anemia?

They should do liver function tests not just the ultrasound to rule out gallstones as well as other problems.

Have you been checked for all possible thyroid problems?

Same goes for all possible heart structure and heart rhythm problems.

what are your bowels up to?
is the pain on and off or constant?
any tenderness when touching stomach?
how's your heartbeat now?
did they scan your whole abdomen?
is you stomach nice and soft or is it hard/largely swollen
any temperature?

i'd be wondering about poss peptic ulcer as it can cause dizziness, stomach & chest pain

bowels are a bit all over the place to be honest.
Pain is off and on
Tenderness when I touch very top of stomach and ribs
Heartbeat pumping but that's off and on too
No they didn't scan while abdomen
Soft and swollen
Yes definately got a temperature.

Are these peptic ulcer symtoms blinks?

TBH I think you need to forget about not wanting to end up in hospital where you are and go back again. You just need to find the right doctor to take you seriously. The symptoms you are having could point to some serious conditions, pancreatitis , for one, can be life threatening. I think you should stop posting on here and go and get proper medical help, A & E would be best. Sorry to be harsh but I think it is what you should do.