Many symptoms, no diagnosis

[orangeblossoms]

For 2 mths I've had digestive issues.

-Had bloating for 1 wk. After the bloating ceased, I had extreme lower back pain that lasted through the wknd.

-Around the time the back pain went away I had URQ discomfort and diarrhea. The discomfort had a sensation of a golf ball under my ribs when I would lay down. Sometimes the pain would shoot up my back and under my shoulder blade. After a wk with this I went to the ER.

-At the ER I received lab work of my blood, urine, US and CT. Everything came back fine and the US was clear. The CT came back neg. for any stones and all that was found was diverticulosis. The diverticula was not infected. The only organ they couldn't really see was my pancreas.

-I was given a Dx of Gastritis, a Rx of Prilosec (15 days) and a dose of Mylanta. The Mylanta took away the discomfort right away. The URQ pain was still there from time to time but not as bad. My diarrhea and loose stools were still present. All of the diarrhea/loose stool was yellow and never had blood in it.

-For the next 2 wks I still had URQ discomfort that seemed to get worse after eating fatty/greasy foods. My stools still weren't normal, although I did pass a few normal stools. These normal stools were still a yellow color.

-I've lost 10lbs. No one seems concerned about this.

-At the GI I was tested  for Celiac, Thyroid, H Pylori and Sed Rate. I was sent for a HIDA Scan and am due for a Glucose test next wk. All came back normal. I was given a Fecal Kit to take home. I was having normal movements for about 3 wks before seeing the dr.

-I am now having the URQ discomfort along with left side discomfort and mid to upper back pain that reaches both of my shoulder blades. Loose stools are back.

My concern here is that no one seems to know what's wrong with me. I'm scared I could have some type of cancer and that no one is going to catch it because I'm too young (26). What do you think?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the workup done thus far, as both the ultrasound and CT scan would thoroughly evaluate both the liver and gallbladder.

A more complete evaluation can be done of the upper digestive tract with an upper endoscopy.    

A HIDA scan with CCK stimulation can evaluate for gallbladder dysfunction, and an MRCP or ERCP can look at the biliary tree for possible stones.  

Another, admittedly less likely, possibility would be a gastric emptying scan to exclude gastroparesis.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd

[orangeblossoms]

Thank you for your comments. I've already done the HIDA Scan with normal results.

Is Pancreatic Cancer something to be concerned about being as I'm having discomfort on both sides as well as my back now? I'm so worried and feel like no one is taking me seriously because of my age.

[boomerangxo]

i know it might be a little soon to ask for advice with this but two weeks ago i started having pain in the center of my abdomen and about an inch about and below my navel. I was diagonsed with PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) last week, but i am now starting to have more than just nausea when eating. Everytime i eat usually after the 3rd or 4th bite i get a stabbing pain in my abdomen and it shoots towards my back and usually lingers there anywhere from an hour to two. I have gotten where i barely eat due to the pain its causing. Any information would be helpful. Im only 17 years old and have been having problems with ovarian cysts since i was 12 and had my gallbladder removed in january. Can you help?