really didn’t know where else to post. I need some advice and hand holding. I do not mean to offend anyone in any way here.
I’m 24 years old and had my first baby 7 months ago. He was born about 2 weeks after I turned 24.
The pregnancy was hard for me and I was on bed rest from 20 weeks onwards as my cervix began to open. The only things I did from 20 weeks to 36 weeks (when I was induced) was get up, use the bathroom and bathe. My husband would bring all of my meals to me in bed. I occasionally went out in the car too for a drive to get me out. Due to the lockdown; the bed rest was almost easy in the end as there was nothing to do!
When my son was born, I began taking him on walks from around 3 weeks postpartum. My body was angry over this as I figure I must’ve had some muscle wastage from the bed rest (that was never addressed as I couldn’t see a physio due to the virus)
I would walk for miles with him every 2-3 days or so as I was bored on account my husband was working from home and putting more hours in.
Around this time I began noticing mid back pain, more towards the left hand side And around my left ribs. It hurt to ‘press’ on and felt like extreme muscle fatigue similar to when you hit the gym hard after not going for months. I figured it would go. I didn’t do stretches to resolve it as I didn’t really know how. I did see a doctor who shrugged it off and said it sounded muscular.
About a month after this, I began to experience acid reflux which I only ever had in pregnancy. After he was born, the reflux cleared up but then came back again 1.5 months later. No explanation for it. Nothing in my diet had changed.
I started to also produce looser, yellowish coloured stools. This was the final straw for me and I attended the local A&E department.
I saw an older doctor and could tell instantly he was the sort that didn’t want to take any nonsense from dramatic young women in their early 20s. He had reviewed my medical records before seeing me and had clearly seen I had recently spoken to my doctor numerous times and had bloods taken.
He told me he would do a quick ultrasound scan (I didn’t even know doctors could do this in the A&E) and whilst walking me into the room where the scanning machine was he clearly seemed to think I was a hypochondriac. I felt ridiculous. All this time I was dramatically texting DH who hadn’t been allowed in with me saying I just knew they’d find out I had cancer and a huge tumour.
He scanned me and said I had gallbladder sludge and put my issues down to that. It didn’t make sense as the gallbladder is on the right hand side and not the left (where my pain is) but I think I was just grateful I had a diagnosis of somethin. He said he’d refer me to my GP for a proper ultrasound scan with an actual tech.
I didn’t manage to get this ultrasound until the 1st of September and to my utter dismay after months of back and abdominal pain nothing turned up. The ultrasound guy didn’t even note any sludge in my gallbladder like the previous doctor had.
In fact, the scan was that unremarkable that my GP surgery didn’t even bother to follow me up about it. I had to call the reception where they told me my scan had been marked as ‘no further action required’ I have not seen anyone since or heard anything about this.
It’s nearly December and I’m still in pain. Mainly around my ribs and my mid/upper back. The pain is worse when I press on my back and mess around with my ribs. Sort of feels bruised. I also struggle horribly with indigestion.
I was tested for coeliac disease in my bloods which ruled negative. Liver function tests and such too all normal. I even had a pancreatic function blood test which again was normal. The only thing they flagged up was that I appeared to be borderline diabetic which has made my pancreatic cancer worries rage even more. I had gestational diabetes in my pregnancy with DS and have PCOS which I know causes an insulin resistance but I just cannot be talked down.
I can’t enjoy my life anymore. I’ve googled myself silly and am convinced it’s pancreatic cancer. I haven’t lost any weight but a few times a week I will get very loose, yellowish brown stools. Other times my stools are normally formed.
I drive myself insane checking for symptoms of jaundice. Literally insane. This is no life at all.
Has anyone got any advice for me? I don’t know where further to turn. I’m scared about attending the hospital again on account my DH can’t come with my due to covid and I’m convinced they will find something wrong with me and I’ll be told whilst on my own.
I do not breastfeed DS and haven’t since he was 2 weeks old so I doubt my hormones are still whacky from pregnancy.
I spend most of my day checking myself for abdominal lumps to the point I have bruises all over my abdomen. I’m aware therapy would be a good idea and have referred Myself but was told the waiting list is over 2 months right now and what if my issues aren’t all in my head anyway? I know I am definitely in pain. I know I keep belching and have severe acid reflux and I know my stools are sometimes funny.
I’m sorry if this sounds dramatic. Thank you for any answers in advance