Terrified I have pancreatic cancer due to my symptoms and history

Posted by jsd @jsd, May 5, 2023

23, Female
I know some people may be angry that I'm being dramatic but I really am terrified. The past 4 years I've lost 5 loved ones including my grandma in law to stomach cancer and my uncle to pancreatic cancer. My uncle only lived 8 months with it and he was only 40.

I have been having issues with my back especially my shoulder for a while now and also stomach problems. I do have anxiety so ik it might just be that however, this is definitely different. I have been given yet another course of anti-acids but with reflux before I didn't experience so much upper abdominal pain including a dull ache under my left ribs. I also have pain under my left shoulder blade and seem to have a nerve thing going down my arm sometimes and also I seem to get pins and needles alot in my heels compared to most.

I went to the doctors worried about my tummy he pressed around and gave me more antiacids but honestly I just feel ....terrified beyond belief that I have cancer and they're not putting 2 and 2 together or that they'll miss it until its too late because of the symptoms. I've worked myself up into a blind panic to be honest and I don't know what to do. Do i just confront the doctor with my fears?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

lvtexas | @lvtexas | May 8, 2023

In reply to @marciak9 "Go to the ER. I was jaundiced and had dark pee and the testing wasn’t in..." + (show)

I had orange urine- that lead to my cancer being discovered. Before this, I had terrible “indigestion” and now I think of it back pain (intermittent). Go back - get the tests done. Have blood work - look for alpha phosphataze levels. Push!

countiss88 | @countiss88 | Jun 2, 2023

Did anyone have high Lipase and amylase before diagnosed?

markymarkfl | @markymarkfl | Jun 3, 2023

I don't have the numbers handy but my glucose and lipase were both abnormally high 2 days before the biopsy that confirmed my PC. By that time, I was already advancing in the "pancreatic suspicion" department for about 3 months (elevated liver enzymes, urine & stool changes, jaundice in eyes first then skin, severe itching, abnormal abdominal MRI). It was the same day we started diagnosing my sudden-onset diabetes as well.

anxious1 | @anxious1 | Jun 16, 2023

Hi. Sorry you’re not feeling well and that only increases anxiety. I was diagnosed with GERD about 20 years ago. Was put on the purple pill, Prilosec. 2 years later and another doctor told me to get a box of Pepto Bismol chewable tablets. I got the cherry flavored ones. He said to take them like the directions on the box until gone, about 2 days. Your tongue may turn black so don’t freak out, totally harmless. I could not believe the difference it made. All the heartburn and tummy pain was gone and I quit the Prilosec and have been symptom free for 18 years. My Mom and a friend did it too with the same great results. Just be sure to check with your pharmacist to make sure of no drug interactions with any medication you may take. Good luck!

stephenkogler | @stephenkogler | Jun 17, 2023

We have to be our own advocates. If your current doctor will not listen and do a CT scan, find a new doctor. My grandmother, father, and paternal aunt all died from pancreatic cancer. I was diagnosed at the age of 57 just 6 months ago. Good luck and stay strong.

marmee | @marmee | Jun 22, 2023

Of you should confront your Dr. Find a good GI doc. Go to a well known clinic. Mayo, Cleveland Clinic. Look on line for best places to go for pancreatic cancer. You have to advocate for yourself! Good luck.

priyanker | @priyanker | Jun 22, 2023

I also having same doubt my right stomach is paining and back to I did mrcp and ca19-9 everything is normal

cathejack1 | @cathejack1 | Feb 1 7:59am

How can you tell if you have it because the medical people I have seen
toll e it not pancreatic cancer.

Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Feb 1 8:36am

In reply to @cathejack1 "How can you tell if you have it because the medical people I have seen toll..." + (show)

cathejack1 @cathejack1

My mother's was not diagnosed until she had signs of jaundice (yellowing of whites of eyes). But in hindsight, she had other symptoms but could be explained by other reasons.

One reason pancreatic cancer is not diagnosis early is many symptoms are similar to other disease.

The only way to truly diagnosis is testing.

To read about all symptoms and testing, see https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355421

Laurie

Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Feb 1 9:16am

In reply to @cathejack1 "How can you tell if you have it because the medical people I have seen toll..." + (show)

Can you tell us a bit more? What symptoms do you have, what doctors have you seen, and what tests have you had? I think you can trust the doctors to be honest if they are clear as to what the diagnosis is. What are the doctors saying is wrong?