Pancreatic cancer worries

[Fishmanpa]

If you doubt the conclusions of your former GP go ahed and seek another appointment with some other pratician. I would highly recommand your hop directly for a gastroenterologist as to quest for the guy in charge with belly stuff.

Timesoup,

I respectfully disagree with seeking further reassurance with medical professionals just because of doubt. I've seen a few posts where you've recommended that and that just feeds the beast IMO. The OP has been to several doctors and had several tests. And when will the cycle end? What if the OP gets another "all clear" and doubts that? That's happened here more times than I can count. There was one member who believed he had lymphoma for over 5 years and went so far as to have an invasive biopsy to remove shotty nodes (from poking and prodding) and that was negative. He STILL didn't believe it.

Now I'm not saying something physical is not going on here. I am implying it's not the sinister thing that the OP believes it is. It could be a number of benign yet very real and uncomfortable ailments associated with anxiety like IBS. Should things like that be investigated? Sure, and there are things one can do like take note of their eating habits and diet, make sure to stay hydrated and such that can improve symptoms but running to the doctor and seeking 2nd opinions after several have already been given just keeps the individual in an anxiety cycle.

I'm not a doctor nor a mental health professional. Just someone who has seen this cycle ad nauseum over the last several years.

Positive thoughts

Positive thoughts

[Capercrohnj]

Let's see, the only objective symptom would be that jaundice, pale stools and dark urine. See, dark urine can come from bad hydratation and pâle stools from too rapid bowel movement. Hydrate fully and check on your urine again. The stools: abnormal color should be clayish or ash like/white. Yellow or greenish don't count as abnormal but refer to rapid transit or malabsorbtion syndrom. Plus, with high bilirubin levels you could be itching badly - is this the case? Now for pain, check out if bending forward alievate some of the pain (this is a classic with pancreatic issues). Abdomina pain has zillion reasons to be there. Weight loss can be stress or poor diet. Gurgling after lunch is not related to pancreatic cancer.
If too worried head to gastroenterology dept in a hospital and ask for a full check up (internal ultrasound, CT scan with contrast, blood work Asat alat and pancreatic enzymes and amylase). Good luck.

Just a fyi but eating/drinking things with blue or purple food colouring can cause green stools.

[TimeSoup]

Dear fish. I think that you re right as theory goes. Runing doctors is just smashing one more dollar into the jukebox. But I want all guarantees regarding the health issue at hand to be fulfilled. If the symptoms persist and there s room for doubt, maybe it is reasonable to seek at least a second opinion. I'd say two opinions are fine, three is entering the madness. Indeed I feel there's a line between two medical opinions and more and that line separates responsability from neurosis in my book.

---------- Post added at 17:21 ---------- Previous post was at 17:20 ----------

Just a fyi but eating/drinking things with blue or purple food colouring can cause green stools.

Green stools be it because of food dye or rapid transit is never a pathologic feature anyway.

[Fishmanpa]

Dear fish. I think that you re right as theory goes. Runing doctors is just smashing one more dollar into the jukebox. But I want all guarantees regarding the health issue at hand to be fulfilled. If the symptoms persist and there s room for doubt, maybe it is reasonable to seek at least a second opinion. I'd say two opinions are fine, three is entering the madness. Indeed I feel there's a line between two medical opinions and more and that line separates responsability from neurosis in my book.

I agree... going back to the original post...

I have been to a and e three times and back and fourth from my doctors surgery numerous times.

I consider this crossing the line. Yes, I think a gastro based on the symptoms may be in order but more than that?

Positive thoughts

[Chrissyt]

I have always feared that because of my health anxiety, one day there would be a real issue that gets ignored. I really do feel this time to be different and feel like I'm going crazy trying to get someone to listen :(

---------- Post added at 17:26 ---------- Previous post was at 17:23 ----------

I was going to a and e because I was so scared and on 2 occasions the didn't even examine me before sending me on my way.

---------- Post added at 17:29 ---------- Previous post was at 17:26 ----------

Also I have had the abdominal and back discomfort everyday for the last couple of months. Surely if it was ibs or something like that it wouldn't be persistent.

[Sphincterclench]

I honestly believe that they think any problem I have is in my head and don't take me seriously.(

I struggle with this as well, but if we are honest with ourselves, it should color their perception, its diagnostically relevant.

Its frustrating because we feel like we are being brushed off but at least for me, in most cases our issues arent medical.

[TimeSoup]

Since we ruled out jaundice (you had your bilirubin markers at standard level during the episode of dark urine, pale poo, 'yellow eyes' and itchy hands). The real sole symptom that remains is your abdominal pain/discomfort and the fact that leaning forward would somehow relieve the pain. This would be worth some medical attention, but you have to hit a decision because you'll not find full peace upon discussing your symptoms with us.
Make a move, either you trust your formers physicians and their conclusions and you dismiss your belly pain as benign and functionnal or you can't live with the dread, you're overhelmed by it and you seek a LAST medical opinion, but this time under the watch of a specialist (for your problem they're called gastroenterologists)

Stay strong.

[Chrissyt]

But this is the trouble. I need my gp to refer me. I have to have full blood count repeated tomorrow because of my elevated white cell count so will see if anyou change.

[TimeSoup]

Oh right, this must be the rule in the UK. In France you're free to run an appointment with a specialist and bypass your GP for that matter. It will just add up a little on the money side but it's fair enough to do it.

Keep us posted as to your bw results and try to relax some.

[Chrissyt]

Thank you I will do.