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Cyst on Pancreas?

Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (94)

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@cjmchicago

Hi,
Thanks for commenting on my post.
I did have an upper GI and colonoscopy 7 months ago and I have mild gastric reflux only. I’ve had GERD symptoms for years and used to take omeprazole daily until it stopped working a couple of years ago. Now I just try to stay away from all the triggers like coffee, fried foods, or over eating too many fatty foods. I also had lipase, amalyze, and many other labs- no cancer markers though- and they are all normal. I’ve had so much anxiety around my GI issues and since they could never find anything wrong with me, they presumed I have functional dyspepsia and need to seek therapy for my anxiety disorder. It’s hard for me to decipher whether my GI symptoms would be minor but are being severely exacerbated by horrible worry and panic about them. Since my symptoms have persisted chronically (definitely worse under stress/worry) I had another CT w contrast last week and that’s when they found the 0.8 CM IPMN in my uncinate process without duct dilation or surrounding inflammation and my PCP recommends coming back in 1 year for a repeat CT or MRI. It seems odd because I had a CT scan 15 months ago and my pancreas was normal.
Now, after hearing this news and researching online about IPMN’s, it’s put me into a panic with even more GI symptoms and back pain almost like trapped gas which is causing back pain and stomach cramps.
I have an appointment with a new gastroenterologist on Friday to see what he thinks. Reading about IPMN’s online has been somewhat frightening and it sounds like in time I will have to have surgery and there is a pretty significant chance I will develop pancreatic cancer.

It’s great to hear you have been ok for 10 years! Were you frightened initially, or are you still worried about it? Is there anything else that you do besides get a repeat MRI every couple years?
Thanks again for your support.

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Replies to "Hi, Thanks for commenting on my post. I did have an upper GI and colonoscopy 7..."

@cjmchicago

I was frightened when this was first seen on a CT scan. I previously had three surgeries for a rare form of cancer near the pancreas and, very quickly, I came up with the worst-case scenario. I also had an ERCP
(here is a link that explains this test), https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-ercp which made me more comfortable with the pancreatic cyst diagnosis.

After many years of follow-up, I've been able to relax and have the MRIs done every two years without so much anxiety.

The fact your pancreatic blood work is normal is great! The pain you are experiencing could certainly be related to other digestive problems.

How is your appetite? Have you experienced any weight loss? It is always good to get a second opinion. It may help to put your mind at ease.

Please post whenever you have questions or concerns. I would love to hear from you after your next consultation. Will you post again?