Do I need to go back to the doctors?

[MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom]

Had a couple of threads in Chat. Was admitted to hospital with suspected gallbladder issues and hernia in my stomach, ultrasound showed no evidence of gallstones or hernia but pain and lump in stomach remained, has been getting worse, along with vomiting, no appetite, pain crippling at times.

Various tablets - been through cocodamol, tramadol, amitryptiline etc until they've finally said they suspect a stomach ulcer (not sure why that would be causing the gallbladder-side pain but have gone along with it). Took omeprazole, made me violently sick. Now on ranitidine and Esomeprazole, which doesn't do much for the pain but has controlled the refluxy nausea and made it so that I can eat finally. Had to stop taking ibuprofen as they suspect the ulcer, paracetamol doesn't touch it but I've been doing ok muddling through.

Past couple of days I've been really refluxy and sick-feeling, getting really dizzy and just generally feeling poorly and run down, as well as the pain getting quite significantly worse. Thing is, I can still just about function - it just seems to have gotten worse very quickly and I don't understand why. Last time I saw the doctors, they just said to keep at it with the ranitidine and esomeprazole for three months - this was about a month ago.

Had an ultrasound, they couldn't see what would be causing it.

Doctors wanted to refer me for endoscope but said I'd be refused immediately by the consultant because I don't fit the age bracket for cancer risk.

I'm 20

I can't see why you would be refused. An endoscopy isn't just for checking out cancer and it would certainly show if you had a stomach ulcer - or not. I would definitely push for one if you can. (I've probably had about 8 or 9 endoscopies over the last few years)

Apparently its because they're so swamped with referrals its just at risk of cancer people they're seeing. Not been tested for anything, they've basically said it based on symptoms.

I find this kind of thread to be a shocking indictment of our 'womderful' NHS. A young woman left in pain for months (!!!) without bring followed up or properly referred on.
OP, you need proper investigations under a consultant as a matter of urgency. Go back to your GP and kick up a big fuss. You need a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Your current treatment is purely palliative and won't cure you.
If you (or your parents) have means, consider going privately. If not, don't leave your GP' surgery until you have been taken seriously.

I don't have the means to go private unfortunately. I think going back is the way to go, I need something done because I struggle to care for DD when the pain is really bad, thankfully OH is really understanding.

It's the same old tablets!!! Do you want to be on tablets the rest of young life(well prob not life but months) you may be on a tablet that isn't for your illness. I hate the try this try this, it's the cheapest way and the start you with the cheapest med first.

Go back insist on a hospital appointment with consultant, or like said if you can afford a private consultation there about £150-250 depending where you live something alike a bupa hospital or Spire. After see consultant you can then say you want to do the next part via NHS. You will still have the waiting list but you may get the diagnoses.

Mini,

The reality of private is an initial consultation can easily be £300+ (London) but that does not include tests. An MRI will be several hundred pounds in addition and then the diagnosis will be given at a follow up appointment. The total would probably be £1,000-£1,500 (well worth it if you have money but unrealistic if you don't).

The cheap alternative is to go in all guns blazing, threatening to make an official complaint and also sue if things end up going badly. There was an article about a woman in her 20s dying of ovarian cancer because it was diagnosed so late (after about 9 months). I doubt it is anything as sinister and could have many benign causes, but does need seeing to.

OP, have you lost significant weight since you became ill?

The only significant weight loss I've noticed is the past couple of weeks - got on the scales for the first time in a month and was half a stone lighter, but I've not been eating much so I put it down to that.

We do have a Spire hospital but I really can't afford to go private, I'm a student with a DD to pay childcare etc for, and although I'm applying for jobs (I graduate in a few months), I still don't think it'll be enough to cover private healthcare on top of rent etc :( my parents would help if they could but they're in worse financial situation than us!

Moomin,

Have you made an appointment yet? 7 pounds in 2 weeks is huge and, unless you can eat, it will continue. This will ultimately be very serious. Mention weight loss to your gp and ask for immediate urgent referral.

I am being investigated for similar issues at the moment - ultrasound was also clear for gallstones (I was surprised, there is a strong family history of them) so am now having more tests, the doctor now suspects a duodenal ulcer (the duodenum is more or less directly beneath your gallbladder.)

It feels like I've been kicked in the right shoulder and I'm pale and out of breath.

I was told that if I may need an endoscopy to find out what's going on - they are waiting on blood test results first - and I am only 38, so don't be fobbed off!

You can get ulcers at any age - my mother had them as a child and had awful problems for decades; she more or less lived on Rennies and Gaviscon. Ten years ago some smart switched-on doctor spotted it might be ulcers and got her an endoscopy - and lo and behold she was absolutely riddled with them.

She had H-Pylori and after a short course of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors is now free from gastric pain for the first time in her life.

If you are in pain then they should be helping you not making excuses. Sorry to say cancer can strike at any age - and if they say you're not the right age, throw Stephen Sutton's name at your GP. He was 15 when diagnosed with colon cancer. The main demographic for that is 40+.

Codeine can cause gallbladder or acute pancreatitis symptoms in people who've had the bladder removed, but I'm not sure how it would cause the symptoms in people who still have their gb. I just know that as a migraine sufferer with gallstones, I'm never having the thing taken out if I can help it!

My old flatmate got a gastric ulcer at 22. These were the bad old days when they blamed stress. H Pylori tests are easy and should be available from your GP's surgery.

A medic should never make up their mind about a painful complaint without conducting appropriate tests first. I'd camp out at the surgery and insist they at least do H Pylori. An ultrasound isn't exactly the most accurate or correct test for some things! You need help and with a small person to look after, your acute pain's not going to help them either. Ask for a second opinion if need be.

I've been in uni all day today, will call the doctors tomorrow and see if I can get an appointment for next week.

Nearly fainted in tesco and feel like I'm going to throw up :(

Went to walk-in this morning, they've ordered a blood test for H. Pylori