Potential pancreatitis / concerned wrong investigations are being carried out.

[igglepigglegingin]

I've been experiencing a persistent sharp pain - especially after eating - in my left hand side upper abdomen under my ribcage. Sometimes in my Lower back. Worse after eating but it's bad all the time now. Appetite has lessened.
Went to the GP yesterday as struggled to focus through pain had emergency bloods today and an ultrasound booked for next week. She thinks it's my pancreas, I'm concerned it's my bowels as I've had a history of small ulcers. But she was adamant at where I was pointing that my pancreas was the main concern.
Pain is increasing daily.
Can I ask in the ultrasound to check my bowels? How will I know if they've been scanned in the appointment? So worried about this outcome.

You can't ultrasound the bowel, as such. A 'mass' might be seen in the vicinity of an external bowel wall, but that's all.

Get the U/S done, and go forwards from there.

Could it be gallstones as they can be very painful?

Will they not scan the whole area until they find the cause?

It does sound like mild pancreatitis and/or gallstones. Pancreatitis will show in blood tests so those results will tell her if it is that.

I had acute pancretitis caused by gallstones and the pain was terrible- I was hospitalised for 10 days until they got it under control. Beforethey removed my gallbladder I had a further minor attack which was very uncomfortable but passed.

The ultrasound should show gallstones - sometimes it takes an MRI if they are small gravelly things.

Pain can now appear in my hip alongside stomach when really bad. Will find out bloods tomorrow and U/S this week.

Thank you for the advice too - I'll let you know what the update is

My pain was across my abdomen quite high up and round my back. It started as a feeling of wind/ indigestion that woke me up and within a couple of hours was agony - worse than giving birth. DH was scared at how bad it was- I sobbed over every speed bump and corner we went round on the way to the hospital. It was diagnosed with a blood test.

I know someone who has chronic pancreatitis and it has gone on for two years. He lost lots of weight but they have it under control now. He can't have alcohol or fatty foods and has medication.

Hope it is something easily sorted. Let us know.

Doctors are very experienced at physical examination and how different patients will describe pain. Also, blood results will show a pancreatic enzyme marker which will indicate whether it's inflamed.

I went to the GP about 2 two weeks ago and and pain all over my abdomen. On examination (where they lie you down and poke and prod), I had upper abdominal pain, whereas where I was experiencing the pain all over.

A urine test showed blood in my urine and a slightly elevated white blood cell count.

All in all, she started me on antibiotics for a UTI but said she wasn't fully convinced that that was the whole of the story so referred me to A&E.

In A&E, they immediately suspected pancreatitis (pain penetrating just under left breast to back). Took bloods, and pancreatitis was confirmed.

I'd try to trust the doctors. To be a GP, she/he will have had at a minimum 10 years of study. Plus whatever actual experience she/he has. Examination of a patient is something they're quite good at, as it's really really not in their best interests to miss something.

Try to relax. Blood results and physical examination can reveal a lot more than you might think.

Hope you get better soon.

I have had similar pain that came and went for a long time, ended up being dx with hiatus hernia and gastritis after an endoscopy. It's a potential if not pancreas related.