Getting a Little Bit Anxious

[purplepricklypineapple]

Hi,
I went to the GP in 2019 with a pain in the left-hand side of my chest and breathlessness. I never heard anything back from the surgery or hospital with respect to the results of a chest X-ray, so I assumed everything was OK.

In May this year, I still had the symptoms, and I was also feeling very bloated. A chest X-ray showed hyperinflated lungs and a blood test showed raised pancreatic enzymes. It turned out that the results of my previous X-ray had been lost.

I was referred for a spirometry test, which I will have at the end of this month (six months after referral) and the GP wrote to a consultant who referred me for a CT scan on the pancreas.

I know waiting lists are long, so I have been doing my best to improve my general health as much as possible. I started to go swimming, but recently my legs became incredibly itchy. I put this down to chlorine in the pool.

I ate a little more fruit, but my appetite seems to dip, and the bloated feeling is with me most of the time. I have not lost weight (to my knowledge). The pain in my chest is still there, my poo is sticky (sorry about this information), but I don't have any signs of jaundice. I also have a persistent ache in my lower back (on the right-hand side).

Due to the unpleasant and prolonged nature of the symptoms (itching, aching, bloating, nausea etc) I contacted the GP via the online system, and I have an appointment next week (face to face, which is unheard of at our surgery).

However, I have been consulting with Dr Google and now I have scared myself with the possibility that I may have pancreatic cancer.

Could the results of the GP's consultation and/or further blood tests bring forward a CT test? I just want to know what is wrong with me because I really do not feel like myself, and the anxiety that it may be something serious is not helping.

First of all, stay off google!
I say that because I do it too. I have health anxiety and google only ramps it up!

Just wanted to bump your post for you. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along for you.

As a GP said to me, she can't filter out the crap on google and we can't if we're not medically trained/knowledgable. It'll always show the scariest thing but the most important thing is you're now being seen.

Take care x

Thank you. I am sure that I will get more information once I see the GP on Tuesday. You are right about staying off the Internet if we are worried about our health :)

Sorry I meant to say the doctor said she CAN filter out the crap 🤦🏻‍♀️. Google will always tell you you're going to lose all your limbs or need your head chopped off.

So many symptoms are actually symptoms of other things but it's almost like it's highlights leg symptoms and goes BAM there you go this is the worst one I can pick for you!

Good luck at your appointment x

I don't know why my phone threw in leg there, apologises.

The GP was very understanding. She is arranging an urgent ultrasound, so that if anything shows up the CT scan can be brought forward (I think the waiting list is four months). I had some blood taken as well to check on the current enzyme levels.

Oh glad they're understanding and fingers crossed for you x

I had the ultrasound and the sonographer said he would write to my GP. No contact from GP and the online system for making enquiries has been closed due to GP sickness. However, I have just received a letter from the hospital asking me to go for a CT scan this Thursday. The letter was sent three working days after the ultrasound scan.

I think this may be the invitation for the CT scan that I was referred to originally. However, there is a tiny part of me that thinks something was found, and due to staff shortages at our surgery, I have not been informed.

I am sure I am just overthinking things.

Best of luck with scan op.

Good luck for tomorrow: hope you get some answers.