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Terrified I have pancreatic cancer
It started with this back pain I’ve had for 4 months it started out of nowhere in my left mid to upper back region. The pain comes and goes and isn’t excruciating. I just ignored it until recently at the beginning of December I drank a whole bottle of wine and the pain was horrible I had pale stools and my boyfriend said I looked yellow I didn’t think I did but he did. I drank water and relaxed and the pain went away after I went to sleep. It was still there but not excruciating. I worried about it for my whole trip when I went hope to visit family. The pain in my back comes and go randomly hurting when I am doing nothing. Some input I was drinking alot and smoking vapes for 4-5 years off and on. I am a 21 year old female. I got sick one day and had a fever started coughing up blood and went to the hospital. I was worried of lung cancer but was given blood work and X-rays everything was fine. So I knew it was just my bronchitis acting up from last month. I was relieved and went on feeling good I thought I was ok. Then I spend the day after the hospital feeling fine and cooking cleaning. I make veggies with quinoa ate it and went to sleep. Woke up in the am with horrible stomach pain, I spent the day with stomach pain and burping excessively. Now I was terrified as I thought about PC symptoms. The pain eventually went away in my stomach but I kept burping and now I have loss of appetite, lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks from barley eating and prob stress but I’m also worried it’s from something more serious. I have just been looking up PC symptoms and stories trying to get answers but nothing is helping. I have mo appetite list of gas in both ends, the back pain still and have been more itchy than usual. I’m wondering if I’m just causing these symptoms myself or if something is really wrong. My doctors said I should worry about that and it should be the last thing on my list of problems. That I am too young and it’s rare. I am still worried my blood work was all normal except for billirubin in my pee which the doctors didn’t say anything about I read my results and googled it. It says it’s not normal and could be a liver problem or a blockage in the biliary duct. That caused more stress and worry. My blood platelets were high as well. Doctors said nothing about my blood work or were worried. I have a gastroenterologist appointment the 17th of January but it’s so far away and I’m so scared. I can’t focus on anything else but worrying I have PC. Any ideas, help or knowledge on what’s going on. Thank you for reading.
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Hi @dharms2000, I can see you are very anxious about the cause of your pain and other symptoms. It's so easy to leap directly to the worst case scenario and ask "is it cancer?" The symptoms you describe are common symptoms to many, many conditions - most of them easy to treat. This isn't to diminish your pain or worry, but to help put it in perspective.
Your symptoms are real and should be taken seriously. And you're doing that and have seen doctors. Your doctors are also taking this seriously, ordering tests and referring you to a gastroenterologist. This is good!
Your blood tests so far seem to rule out serious illness. Good.
You're asking yourself if your worry and stress may be worsening some of your symptoms. Really good question to ask yourself. While your worry may not be the original source, it does rather sound like you are "worrying yourself sick" as they say. I might suggest not searching for a diagnosis on Dr. Google. Instead you might search for ways to de-stress.
Dr. Benzo from Mayo Clinic has some mindful breathing exercises that you can try here: https://www.mayo.edu/research/labs/mindful-breathing/overview
Or you can look up some guided mindful meditations online. If you find your mind racing again, just come back here and you can get tips from members or write down your concerns in the form of questions for your doctor. Sound like a plan?
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3 ReactionsYes! Thank you so much this made me feel a little better. Just trying to stay positive and know that I’m very young and it’s uncommon for that kind of thing to be the case. I just wonder if my billirubin or lipase levels would be abnormal if I have PC or if they would be normal. Also wondering if 13 lipase is too low. And I’d Billirubin 0.40 is bad… any answers would be very helpful.
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1 ReactionHere on Connect we are not doctors, but rather patients and caregivers. We don't offer diagnosis or interpret test results, rather we support one another in our journeys, and sometimes offer suggestions for dealing with your care team.
I know it is difficult to look at test results and not understand all the numbers.
But Colleen and your doctors are correct, you can "worry yourself sick". There is another thing you can do - treat yourself to the very best diet and lifestyle that you can as the doctors seek answers for you.
I notice you mentioned both drinking wine and vaping- these can make gastrointestinal pain worse, so maybe stop them completely until you know where the problem is? Also pay attention to whether certain foods, soda, caffeine, or an irregular schedule bring on symptoms. Finally, get good exercise - even a brisk walk each day, and do things that make you happy.
Do you have a pet who gives you comfort? A favorite movie or music that relaxes you?
Can you let me know if you are open to trying these strategies?
Sue
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1 ReactionYes I’m open to these strategies but it’s going to be hard to distract myself. The pain is getting worse and I’m always scared and upset
Oh, this " I’m always scared and upset..." is a sure sign it's that old bugger anxiety attacking. Do you have a trusted family member who you can talk to when you need to refocus?
Sue
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1 ReactionI do but nothing helps, all I think about is that i have this disease. All I talk about is how scared and worried I am to anyone I talk to.
I really believe you need to talk to your provider now about getting something to help with your anxiety. A constant state of fear is not good for you as you wait for your next appointment. Can you call them tomorrow?
Sue
I have to wait till January for my insurance to start. I am trying to stay positive because I am 22 and it’s rare for this to be the case.
Hi I’m not sure how it is in the United States but here in Canada if you go to hospital they do scans right way are you covered for that?
My friend had same pain it was pancreatitis not cancer.
Sending you hugs 🤗
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1 ReactionHello I went to the hospital twice and they didn’t do any scans. I asked if he could give me a scan at the hospital the second time I went and he wouldn’t. I only got blood work done which won’t show something is wrong most of the time.