Pancreatic cancer worries

[WilsonMilson]

Hi everyone, I have an appointment with my GP today and I’m freaking out.

For the last couple of months I’ve had slowly increasing symptoms. Started with a muscular strain type feeling around my upper abdomen as if I had been doing lots of core work (but hadn’t). Just put it down to a muscle strain from something unknown.

That progressed in the last few weeks to clear pain in upper right quadrant, sometimes left too, sometimes middle - around stomach, gallbladder area. It can be stabbing or gnawing, or even just aching. I get indigestion symptoms of burping, inappropriate hunger and also inappropriate fullness at times. No reflux or acid though.

The pain is pretty constant but not the to the degree of a gallbladder attack - I have seen how painful that can be in a person. It’s probably a 5/10 max. It also radiates to my back, bra line and between shoulder blades. That pain can be a killer, maybe 7/10 and is only helped a little with hot water bottles. Some days are worse than others but it hasn’t gone and seems to be getting steadily worse. Doesn’t seem to matter what I eat.

Accompanying this, I’m having loose stools, yellow, much lighter than usual, fluffy with undigested food and generally extremely smelly (I’m really sorry for the tmi). Not white or grey, just lighter and looser.

I’ve lost about half a stone which I can’t afford as already slim, appetite gone but forcing myself to eat as much as possible as am scared by the weight loss. I’m also having some night sweats, but that could be my age, 46. However it is a new thing.

No jaundice or itching which is a positive I guess. Energy not awful, still managing to get up and about, although the pain is preventing me doing too much.

I had something similar, but to a very much milder degree last year which was finally diagnosed as H Pylori. That was treated and symptoms eventually went away after a few months. When I was having this problem I had a private CT and Ultrasound in Jan 2022, as well as endoscopy and colonoscopy. The CT and Ultrasound found nothing worrying, not even a gallstone, just gastritis and HP.

The thing is that I’ve absolutely convinced myself this is something awful like pancreatic cancer, and my anxiety is through the roof. I keep trying to say to myself that the CT scan and Ultrasound would have picked up anything pancreatic then, wouldn’t they?

But then I read that it’s very hard to diagnose and I spiral and wonder if this has been my silently increasing problem all along and I’ve been misdiagnosed and now I might be terminal. I’m just beside myself now, I have a husband and son who need me, aging parents who rely on me.

I don’t mean to be fear mongering or catastrophic thinking, but my pain and symptoms are really very real and I’m scared. Does anyone have any advice? Anyone gone through similar and it’s turned out to be something minor? What should I ask my doctor for? Any advice would be so gratefully received.

Just sending moral support as I'm not an HCP. But there's symptoms could be down to loads of things that are very treatable - you need to keep reminding yourself of this. If you had the infection, is there a chance this is related - I'd ask the doctor that. Worth asking for an updated ultrasound.

Thanks, sitting at the GP surgery waiting for the doctor now. Just don’t want to be fobbed off as anxious. I am anxious, but that’s because I’m in pain and having horrible symptoms.

My husband suffers from attacks of gastritis and has very similiar symptoms to yours, I’d err more on it being an ongoing upper GI problem related to the H pylori , reflux causes symptoms like this too . Please try not to panic , I know it’s easier said than done

Sending you lots of love and support OP. It's unlikely they will be able to give you many conclusive answers today I'm sure so it's will still be a waiting game although hopefully you will get some reassurance of less awful things it could be. Let us know how you get on.

My sister had pancreatic cancer and her stools were white and she had jaundice and maddening itching as some of her early symptoms. The fact that you have none of these is positive. Fingers crossed you get some answers soon.

I could have written your post word for word myself. I had all the exact same symptoms in 2021. Lighter coloured stools, bloated abdomen, feeling as if I'd done core exercises when I hadn't done any exercises at all, breaking out in a sweat, backaches and having no energy. I convinced myself I'd got liver disease/pancreatic cancer/stomach cancer etc. It turned out I had Hpylori and I was treated successfully for it. It actually took a few months to recover completely. I also had an ultrasound that didn't pick up any problems. My stools stayed a light/yellowy colour for a long time and I still felt exhausted easily, it transpired I had malabsorption resulting from the Hpylori. I did eventually recover completely but it took months. I was fine up until December 2022 when I started to get the exact same feelings again in my abdomen, paler stools, aches, tiredness etc. I spent a very miserable Christmas hardly eating anything and obsessing over what could be wrong. I went to the doctors in January and she examined me and said she suspected a hiatus hernia. She prescribed Lansoprazole, put me on a very bland diet, did another Hpylori test and arranged for blood tests. As I'd got all the same symptoms as before I was convinced I had Hpylori again but couldn't understand how I'd got it again as I'm extremely hygienic and hadn't had takeaways or eaten out much through fear of getting it again. I was baffled when the results were negative. I then convinced myself, yet again, it was something serious and was expecting to have to have an endoscopy. However, my blood tests were all fine and I took the Lansoprazole (she prescribed 3 months supply) and I stuck religiously to the bland diet. It's only been the last couple of months that I've felt better and now, fingers crossed, I feel back normal. Please try not to worry. I was convinced both times that I'd never be well again. I'd never even heard of hiatus hernia or malabsorption. I hope you go on OK at the GPs today x

@MrsSamR I’m so sorry about your sister, it’s one of the cruelest diseases. You’re right it’s a good sign I don’t have any of those symptoms, holding on to the positives.

@StevieNicksfan goodness, we could be twins. This sounds just exactly like the saga I’ve been going through. I’ve convinced myself that the back pain mean it can’t be as simple as H Pylori coming back, or gastritis as it wasn’t this bad last time. But who knows?

Did you have mid back pain that felt deep and radiating? Was your stomach pain low level but constant with twinges of stabbing or gnawing pain? Sorry for the questions, I’m just obsessed with it right now and I’m so bloody miserable.

The doctor was very nice and comfortingly thorough. I had a bunch of bloods done there and then, full bloods, celiac, liver function, pancreatic enzymes and apparently a pancreatic tumour marker (maybe C19-9? Not sure she didn’t say), also inflammatory markers so probably CRP and ESR. Also have 3 stool sample kits home with me - HPylori, Calprotectin and FiT. Also have to hand in a urine sample. I feel better to have got the ball rolling at least and pleasantly surprised not to be fobbed off or have to wait an age for tests.

Now to work on my anxiety until I get the results.

@WilsonMilson Yes, exactly the same, low level abdomen/stomach pain, gnawing sensation which actually felt better when I ate. Back pain went right through the core of me. I forgot to mention that I believe I had an ulcer too when I had Hpylori, although nothing was ever mentioned by the GP. I also thought I might have had an ulcer in December last year again, although I think it's rare to get them without Hpylori present and ive never taken any meds that can cause then (anti inflammatory type meds?). I posted on mumsnet so many times asking these questions, I've name changed since then and can't remember the name I used. If you search in Hpylori you'll probably find one of my posts! Have you been prescribed Lansoprazole or anything similar? I believe this and a bland diet is what's made me better again. It certainly sounds like your GP is doing a thorough check on you. The relief you feel once you've been to the GP and are "in the system" feels great doesn't it? Please let me know how you go on.

@WilsonMilson Sorry, forgot to mention my abdomen pain was low down and the gnawing sensation was in my right side. I was convinced it couldn't be stomach trouble due to the location and imagined all sorts, kidney trouble etc everything you can think of!

@StevieNicksfan Just found one of my old posts. It's titled Hpylori and my name then was Nosilayak. Sorry to keep posting but I know exactly what it's like to be anxious over this, the worry is terrible and I was so grateful to everyone who posted on my threads at the time.

I'm having very similar symptoms and have to arrange a blood test and have a GP appointment booked for a couple of weeks time. Mine flared up massively a week ago and has calmed down over the last week. Telephone appointment with the GP during the week and he said IBS but I'm not sure it is that. I was treated for H. Pylori a couple of years ago and I doubt it's the return of that.

Pressed send too soon,
I posted a thread on here last week when mine kicked off and my anxiety went through the roof

It sounds as if you still have your gallbladder. I didn't have any stones, but it became infected because of sludge building up in it. My symptoms were like yours.

@StevieNicksfan thank you so much, I truly appreciate your messages. The combination of the pain, the middle back pain is truly wild, and the anxiety is really sending me a bit mad today. But at least I’m in the system and that is indeed a relief. There’s nothing more I can do now apart from wait and try not to lose my marbles altogether. Can’t even take painkillers as scared that makes me stomach worse.

Yes I have my gallbladder. Doctor had a good feel about this morning and going by where she was pressing said the pain seemed to be more gastric than gallbladder located - but who knows at this point. I’m hoping the blood and stool tests will give more info (or at least reassurance its not something awful). I agree that the back pain seems more like gallstones as it’s hard to imagine my stomach could cause so much refereed pain, but who knows at this point.

I know the anxiety well. Where’s your pains? Do you have other symptoms? Wishing you well, this is a really depressing illness!

@WilsonMilson I wonder if it's the previous Hpylori and the treatment for it that has left us with some "stomach vulnerability". I might be talking rubbish but you wonder about everything don't you? Please try and stay strong, I really thought I was dying of some terrible illness at times, when it was really bad. My mind totally ran away with me. There are lots and lots of easily treatable things it could be. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you x

@WilsonMilson I've been ok for a few days and this afternoon it's flared up again!

My symptoms are upper left sided discomfort more than pain, awful wind, heartburn, burping and trapped wind. My bowel movements can be a bit off also (sorry for TMI) I noticed at the weekend I had a bowel movement that looked a slightly lighter colour than usual (tmi, tmi im sorry)

For lunch I had a cheese, onion, cucumber sandwich, crisps and some overnight oats. About 45 mins after eating I got discomfort under my left rib, my stomach began to churn and make lots of noise then the wind started.

Last week I had a burning sensation in my stomach all day, slight pain in the upper left and lots and lots of gas and rumbling going on. It took a few days to settle. The previous evening I'd had a takeaway and went a bit excessive on the alcohol. Today has been the first day in a few days this has started.

I'm taking Lansoprazole but I'm not sure it's helping much. I've had H. Pylori and I don't think it often returns so I'm sure it isn't that. I'm going to keep a good and symptoms diary up to my doctors appointment to see if I can pinpoint anything but on the whole it doesn't seem to be a particular trigger. GP wants to examine me to rule anything out but he did say it sounds more IBS related than anything else.

Thank you, does your husband have pain that radiates to his back? My back pain is actually worse than my stomach at this point, it’s relentless.

30 odd years ago, I had all this. Treated for HPylori. The treatment wasn't entirely successful, and they wanted to re-treat. I said no at the time because it was so awful. Fast forward, and I have just had all the same symptoms, and also freaked out as, in the meantime, Dad had died of pancreatic cancer. Had CT and endoscopy, and a further MRI. All they found was HPylori again. So another round of treatment. It was, again, awful. Interestingly they didn't retest me this time. No idea why not.

Anyway, I seem to have settled down, and only gave the odd stab under my ribs now.

This time, post treatment, I have made extra effort to reset my gut bacteria. I was already a fan, but made extra effort to consume Kefir, gut supplements, yoghurt, lots of veggies and berries, apples, bran and oats.

Could be coincidence, but seems to be all good. Bowels are excellent!

I have gallbladder problems. I get referred pain in my left side if I eat the wrong thing. Just under my ribs pretty much pancreas area. Never found anything wrong with it only my gallbladder. A full blown attack is on my right but the niggling pain is on my left then moves to the right. I can't eat anything fatty or fried or it flares up. Even cheese can do it.

Yes he does , he really suffers with it although confessed to me that he’s supposed to follow a gentle diet and sadly eats all the things that make it ten times worse !

OP my Mum died of pancreatic cancer. It is a truly horrible cancer. She went yellow. She could not keep anything down and at the end vomited shit. She lost 5 1/2 stone in weight over 6 months. She had scans and a tube with the camera down her throat. MRI scan showed tumour in pancreas but by then it had advanced too far to treat. Your symptoms sound more like gallstones which can be very painful.

@KnittedCardi thats interesting and sounds very similar - did you have quite severe pain? My stomach pain is one thing, and very unpleasant - sometimes a fullness, sometimes a stabbing, but the pain that radiates to my back is on another level. I’m just struggling to believe it’s only gastritis, so it’s good to hear a comparison. I’m glad you’re ok now.
I’m taking probiotics and kefir to no avail, but the last few days have been just hellish which has made my stress and anxiety go absolutely insane.