Potential PC diagnosis

[Pippin]

Hello

I’m currently in the early stages of a diagnosis pathway where “something wrong with The pancreas” could be the outcome and I’m a bit worried it is cancer.

Firstly let me start by saying I had my gallbladder and appendix out 2 years ago and various types of cancer have affected most of my family.

I am a female in my mid 20s (I know statistically it is very rare to get pc at this age). About 3 weeks ago I went to the Drs thinking I had maybe a kidney infection (back/abdomen pain), a dip test was done and he said no it is likely to be back pain. Come back if it gets worse.

I was back the follow week as the pain was getting worse and my abdomen was swelling at intervals. I was again told to go away and if it got much worse come back.

Then last Friday I woke up (sorry this is grim) and had bright orange diaherra which was sticky and floating. Got back in contact with gp and they have now taken stool, urine and bloods. When pressed he said it could indicate something up with the pancreas.

The general pain has been progressively getting worse (not agony just very very uncomfortable) and then I have rather bad bouts of pain after I eat. Today I’m not wanting to eat. My abdomen keeps swelling, at times it looks like I have a baby bump. The pain is in the top of the abdomen and can spread to the right or left and when it’s reslly bad I’ll get back pain too.

After the bright orange liquid mucus stools (took around 36 hour to clear) I was horrendously constipated and took 2 days to go and there was mucus in between. I had another bright orange bout yesterday am. When I do go and it isn’t orange it stinks, floats and is lighter than normal.

I’ve noticed my abdomen pain is worse if I lie down so haven’t been getting much sleep as I just can’t get comfortable.

Last night I thought I had a very slight yellow tinge to my skin but I’m not sure.

I’m still waiting for results from the tests and have this morning had one back saying my blood thickness is normal.

I’m frightened I have PC, I know something is up but I don’t know what.

[PCUK Nurse Jeni]

Hello Pippin,

Thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear that you have been experiencing some health issues for a few weeks now.

I can understand your concerns surrounding some of your symptoms.

I wonder Pippin, if you might wish to give us a quick call tomorrow (Friday 6th July) so that we can speak to you and chat through these issues a bit more.

Kind regards,

Jeni Jones

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707