Pancreas cancer?

emilyyyyloox · 2023-05-28T19:27:06+00:00

Hi everyone, I'm terrified I have got pancreas cancer, my only symptom is severe abdominal pain in the upper section (ribs are sore and middle of ribs hurts) also upper back and I would describe it as a chronic dull ache which varies in intensity, the only thing that helps is ibuprofen, paracetamol or cocodomal does not touch it, I've had this for a weeks now and it's scaring me now that this is something sinister due to the consistency of this! It never goes!! It's always always there, it also does not hurt to touch which I've read is a red flag for this :/ I find it weird that it doesn't hurt to touch as it is so so painful otherwise...I've been a&e and seen a few different doctors who have said a different thing each time, one said reflux, another said gallstones and referred me for an ultrasound and the most recent one has said muscular...I highly doubt muscle pain is this chronic and painful...has anyone had this? Please respond if so as I am honestly terrified, I'm also 27 for reference.

Safxxx · 28/05/2023 20:31

Please don't assume the worst, or else you will get anxiety. Go back to your GP ask for more tests to reassure yourself. Hope it settles down soon and you feel well again ❤️🙏

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 28/05/2023 23:57

Safxxx · 28/05/2023 20:31

Please don't assume the worst, or else you will get anxiety. Go back to your GP ask for more tests to reassure yourself. Hope it settles down soon and you feel well again ❤️🙏

Thank you, I am really trying but I am in so much pain everyday and each doc is telling me something different, i have an ultrasound next week to check for the gallstones which I'm sure will tell me whether something sinister is happening, I was hoping someone on here had the same experience and a good outcome or not as severe :/

OP posts:

Deathbyfluffy · 29/05/2023 00:04

Loads of people have chronic stomach pain or similar; the chances of this being pancreatic cancer are astonishingly small.

Don’t worry about it until you have reason to worry.

WetBandits · 29/05/2023 00:04

Pancreatic cancer is very rare in young people and usually presents with more symptoms than you have. It sounds like gallstones (which is agony!) but you might have a bit of reflux also, are you on a stomach protector (omeprazole or lansoprazole etc) while you’re on the ibuprofen?

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 29/05/2023 01:47

Deathbyfluffy · 29/05/2023 00:04

Loads of people have chronic stomach pain or similar; the chances of this being pancreatic cancer are astonishingly small.

Don’t worry about it until you have reason to worry.

Thank you, it's just how bad it is that's worrying me. The pain never goes and the most recent doc I saw a few days ago said I'm not overweight, slim and fairly young so doesn't think it's gallstones but the two beforehand said it could be

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PlatinumDollFace · 29/05/2023 02:03

Middle of the ribs definitely could be your gallbladder. I have gallbladder dyskinesia, there are no stones but basically my gallbladder doesn't empty as it should but causes unbearable pain exactly where you describe. Hopefully your scan will show more but push for more tests if not

whatafineday · 29/05/2023 03:05

OP - When you go to ultrasound next week, can you ask the radiologist to look at pancreas as well? Not sure what is written on the referral letter, but for peace of mind, you can ask him to check pancreas and he may say yes.

I had a tumor in pancreas a few years ago when i was 40. Stomach plus back pain at first. Went to GP then specialist. By the time i had my appointment with the specialist the pain in fact had gone away but i insisted on having an ultrasound. The specialist actually brushed it off as i had one in body check just half a year ago and he also brushed off the slightly higher than normal pancreas blood test. He yielded at the end as I was the one paying. The radiologist was thorough and noticed something in pancreas. I begged them for an MRI slot the same day, which confirmed it was a tumor (the specialist was an axx, calling me with a sorry voice to say i've got cancer. He was of course wrong again. It's not malignant but left untreated or undetected would eventually become so). I had a surgery to remove it the following week.

It's good that you have this awareness of your body. Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest as body check doesn't typically pick it up and most people confuse it with stomach in the beginning and when they realise it's something more serious it has already progressed to advanced stage.

As others have said, it's most likely gallstones. Symptoms similar. Don't overthink it. You will know next week. Sending all the well wishes your way.

redheadcurl · 29/05/2023 06:27

Gallbladder. The pain is horrendous. I had pancreatitis due to a stone getting stuck in a duct. Push the doctors to get your gallbladder out. Good luck.

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 29/05/2023 13:22

whatafineday · 29/05/2023 03:05

OP - When you go to ultrasound next week, can you ask the radiologist to look at pancreas as well? Not sure what is written on the referral letter, but for peace of mind, you can ask him to check pancreas and he may say yes.

I had a tumor in pancreas a few years ago when i was 40. Stomach plus back pain at first. Went to GP then specialist. By the time i had my appointment with the specialist the pain in fact had gone away but i insisted on having an ultrasound. The specialist actually brushed it off as i had one in body check just half a year ago and he also brushed off the slightly higher than normal pancreas blood test. He yielded at the end as I was the one paying. The radiologist was thorough and noticed something in pancreas. I begged them for an MRI slot the same day, which confirmed it was a tumor (the specialist was an axx, calling me with a sorry voice to say i've got cancer. He was of course wrong again. It's not malignant but left untreated or undetected would eventually become so). I had a surgery to remove it the following week.

It's good that you have this awareness of your body. Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest as body check doesn't typically pick it up and most people confuse it with stomach in the beginning and when they realise it's something more serious it has already progressed to advanced stage.

As others have said, it's most likely gallstones. Symptoms similar. Don't overthink it. You will know next week. Sending all the well wishes your way.

See this scares me because likely they won't, I was wondering whether ultrasound checked for pancreas anyway as it is 'abdomen iltrasound'

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MuchuseasaChocolateTeapot · 29/05/2023 13:30

It sounds like gastritis to me. It could also be caused by the ibuprofen as it can cause intense irritation to your stomach, I had the same from taking baby aspirin and it took me a while to figure out what it was, I thought my stomach was going to burst through the skin. Try and leave off the ibuprofen and take some 24 hour Gaviscon and give it a few days to see if it calms down.

Stomach pain can also be a manifestation of anxiety so do your best to calm down and distract yourself and see if the above works. Pancreatic cancer is a very common fear because it is so hard to trace with such a poor prognosis that people with anxiety tend to catastrophise it and there are so many more things it’s likely to be.

you have my sympathy. I have health anxiety and I know the terror you are feeling. Sending a hug

waterlego · 29/05/2023 13:35

At your age, it is far more likely to be gallstones (or something similarly non-scary) than a problem with your pancreas, but it’s great that you’re getting checked and I hope the scan gives you answers next week.

Snozzlemaid · 29/05/2023 14:11

It's probably gallstones.
When I had them they checked all organs in that area (I remember liver and pancreas being mentioned) during my ultrasound.

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 29/05/2023 16:27

Snozzlemaid · 29/05/2023 14:11

It's probably gallstones.
When I had them they checked all organs in that area (I remember liver and pancreas being mentioned) during my ultrasound.

Thank you. I really do hope the scan tells me something as the pain is just always there, I was told gallstone pain is only after eating and does not last for long periods of time, mine is constant and does not change or get worse with eating

OP posts:

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 29/05/2023 16:27

waterlego · 29/05/2023 13:35

At your age, it is far more likely to be gallstones (or something similarly non-scary) than a problem with your pancreas, but it’s great that you’re getting checked and I hope the scan gives you answers next week.

Thank you for responding

OP posts:

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 29/05/2023 16:29

MuchuseasaChocolateTeapot · 29/05/2023 13:30

It sounds like gastritis to me. It could also be caused by the ibuprofen as it can cause intense irritation to your stomach, I had the same from taking baby aspirin and it took me a while to figure out what it was, I thought my stomach was going to burst through the skin. Try and leave off the ibuprofen and take some 24 hour Gaviscon and give it a few days to see if it calms down.

Stomach pain can also be a manifestation of anxiety so do your best to calm down and distract yourself and see if the above works. Pancreatic cancer is a very common fear because it is so hard to trace with such a poor prognosis that people with anxiety tend to catastrophise it and there are so many more things it’s likely to be.

you have my sympathy. I have health anxiety and I know the terror you are feeling. Sending a hug

Thank you, I have been taking anti acids but see no difference with or without, I haven't been taking ibuprofen constantly, I've only been taking it more this weekend as the pain is becoming excruciatingly chronic and it's too much, ibuprofen gives me a few hours break from it :(

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Snozzlemaid · 29/05/2023 17:21

My gallstone pain was extremely extremely painful each time I had a biliary colic attack. But I then also had constant nagging pain and discomfort in that area which didn't go away until I had my gallbladder removed.
Fingers crossed you get answers soon to put your mind at rest.

MuchuseasaChocolateTeapot · 29/05/2023 17:40

I hope you get the answers you need. Please don’t give up. I wouldn’t rush to have your gallbladder removed without evidence it needs to be, around 10% of people end up with chronic diarrhoea afterwards which is horrendous (unfortunately I am one and it’s miserable)

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 29/05/2023 18:55

Snozzlemaid · 29/05/2023 17:21

My gallstone pain was extremely extremely painful each time I had a biliary colic attack. But I then also had constant nagging pain and discomfort in that area which didn't go away until I had my gallbladder removed.
Fingers crossed you get answers soon to put your mind at rest.

Thank you, I don't believe I have had a bilary colic attack, my pain is always there whether I eat or not

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Runaround50 · 29/05/2023 19:39

I empathise OP.
I'm waiting on a scan for pain in my left side and back. Ibuprofen or paracetamol doesn't touch it.
It stared as a dull ache when I twisted, now it's there all the time.

I'm debating whether to go to a&e tomorrow now, as a scan could take weeks.

Like you, I'm worrying about pancreatic cancer/ ovarian cancer etc etc.

When is your scan?

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 29/05/2023 20:51

Runaround50 · 29/05/2023 19:39

I empathise OP.
I'm waiting on a scan for pain in my left side and back. Ibuprofen or paracetamol doesn't touch it.
It stared as a dull ache when I twisted, now it's there all the time.

I'm debating whether to go to a&e tomorrow now, as a scan could take weeks.

Like you, I'm worrying about pancreatic cancer/ ovarian cancer etc etc.

When is your scan?

Sorry to hear that! It's honestly awful. My scan is Thursday, I would recommend a&e if it's bad as that's what I did and they actually ended up fast tracking my scan, it was going to be a 6 week wait but when I went a&e they were concerned so put it through as urgent for me

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Runaround50 · 29/05/2023 20:56

Yes I imagine a 6 week wait for me too. It's bloody awful as my mind is going into overdrive!

Best of luck for Thursday.. keep us posted!! 🤞🤞🤞🤞

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 29/05/2023 21:02

Runaround50 · 29/05/2023 20:56

Yes I imagine a 6 week wait for me too. It's bloody awful as my mind is going into overdrive!

Best of luck for Thursday.. keep us posted!! 🤞🤞🤞🤞

I can understand, I'm constantly overthinking especially that it comes back immediately once ibuprofen wears off :(

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Aslanplustwo · 29/05/2023 21:10

Snozzlemaid · 29/05/2023 14:11

It's probably gallstones.
When I had them they checked all organs in that area (I remember liver and pancreas being mentioned) during my ultrasound.

I agree. I'm not in the UK, but had an ultrasound recently and they checked all the organs in the upper abdomen. I get a lot of gastritis (omeprazole has got on top of that), and have gallstones.

Overthinkingnotdrinking · 29/05/2023 21:19

Hi OP. I was you five months ago. Exactly the same symptoms and freaking out. Was in a&e twice. Time off work. Days laying on the sofa unable to look after the kids. GP took it really seriously, I had an ultrasound which picked up nothing but they were worried enough to give me an upper intestine contrast mri. This picked up something in my liver so had another mri which showed a cyst. Then the gastro asked me if I could try to remove wheat from my diet. I have and since then the symptoms have stopped. Blood tests all came back clear before so coeliac wasn’t suspected at first. I really pray it’s nothing serious for you as I understand the fear and anxiety xx

Cakeandslippers · 29/05/2023 21:22

I've had a few US scans for my gallstones and they have always checked the pancreas and liver too.

As for you being young and slim, anyone can get gallstones, it's more likely if you're a bit older but it's still not uncommon. I was young and slim when I got mine. There are also lots of other things that cause similar pain. You might be surprised at how many people are walking around in quite a lot of pain at any one time.

Like others here, I think it's extremely unlikely you have cancer, you have seen several health care professionals and if it was cancer you'd almost certainly have signs which they'd have looked into. It sounds like you are very worried and I hope you can get some reassurance from the answers here and feel better soon. Good luck at your scan.