pancreatic cancer, gallstones? cont'd

[joannela]

Thank you for your posts. This is a continuation of my same post, below. My father had an ultrasound today of his gallbladder, which was negative. They also looked at the pancreas but didn't say anything about it. He already had an appt with his Dr scheduled for tomorrow, so I assume they'll talk it over then. In the meantime, we're all very upset. The technician did say that she saw no gallstones, but a lot of gas. Could it simply be excessive gas that is causing his symptoms? Back pain too?  Is gas ever a symptom of pancreatic cancer?  Regarding PC, he has type II diabetes, (which he controls with oral meds) but his blood sugar has been very steady throughout his symptoms. If he had PC, would it be harder to regulate? He has no unexplained weight loss, jaundice, nausea or vomiting. His back pain is mostly in his upper back, at night, and is not relieved by sitting up or bending forward. It only goes away when the abdomenal (abdominal) pain subsides.

If (please please please) his pancreas ultrasound was clear, any thoughts on what could cause this?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The ultrasound is not the best test to visualize the pancreas.  A CT is the better study.  If there is continuing concern about the pancreas, an MRI can be done and will be the most detailed study.

If these tests continue to be normal, then it's unlikely that pancreatic cancer is present.  You may want to look at other causes for the symptoms - whether further GI tests (i.e. upper endoscopy) or look for a musculoskeletal cause (i.e. MRI of the spine looking for any disk disease).

I am not aware of excessive gas being a symptom of pancreatic cancer - although that doesn't mean it isn't possible.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

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, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[astros18]

I just want to reiterate about chiropractic. You've probably heard some negatives, but I encourage you to research it for yourself and find friends or family who have had positive results. The purpose of chiropractic is to remove stress from the body and many times abdominal pain can be misdiagnosed as nerve entrapment syndrome of the thoracic spine. Sometimes treating the spine can alleviate digestive problems such as gas, indigestion, and acid reflux. I have also been informed that gallstones can only be seen on ultrasound if they are in the duct and not in the gallbladder. I don't know if this is true or not. Good luck with your dad. I feel confident you will find the answers to his health concerns.

[Sarah Connors]

I agree with astros18, basically what all of us want is a cure, solution whether it is provided by normal medicine, alternative, holistic, chiropractic.....
I personally would recommend lab work done like CRP levels, Amylase, CBC etc.
Upper GI endoscopy should be performed again even if negative initially because false negative results can always come out.
Some docs dislike alternative approach, rather look down on it. Here is a personal example:
I know an RN who once worked with me in ICU. Presently she has weakness of her extremities & no doc has been able to diagnose her condition with confidence. In the end when some of us in Neuro can’t find a diagnosis we have a tendency to label the patient with MS.
She got so disappointed & turned to alternative med, weekly IV Glutathione therapy along with physical training & is getting better. That’s what all counts.

[FlDebra]

GAllstones in the gallbladder (not just the ducts) can definately be visulized with ultrasound.  I saw mine -- packed with stones before I had it removed.

[JackieG]

Thanks for pointiing that out, Debra.  Astro puts alot of bad information on this site.