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Author Topic: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?  (Read 33336 times)

KAH

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Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« on: September 07, 2017, 09:57:25 AM »

Hi guys,
I'm going out of my mind yet again and my health anxiety is sky high.
Last week I started getting really bad pains in my left ovary area, that was followed by an awful backache around my shoulder blades on both sides and sometimes in the middle. I didn't think much of it as I put it down to peri-meno (which has never been confirmed by doc), but then on Sunday I had really bad indigestion which I've never had before in my life, that went on for a couple of days. Then the last couple of days Ive had all sorts of random pains from stabbing pains under my ribs, plain old tummy ache, pains in right ovary .....as well as the persistent back ache, ovary pain and exhaustion.
I just did the one thing I know I shouldn't and looked on google and I have every symptom of Pancreatic cancer! I'm only 42 so I know it's very unlikely and these symptoms could be lots of other things but of course my illogical brain is telling me this is it!
My question is, has anyone else had these symptoms, they're all new for me and it's making me panic! I'm tempted to call BUPA to see if it's possible to get a scan for peace of mind as I know from past experience, once I get something in my head, I'll drive myself mad thinking about it.
I realise I sound like an absolute lunatic, I just can't seem to rationalise these days! 
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Annie0710

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2017, 10:12:16 AM »

Peri meno brings on such sudden and alarming symptoms that I'm never surprised when women think they are about to kick the bucket.   Indigestion and weird pains was one of many of my peri symptoms and I was at the surgery more than I was at home.  It's always best to get anything new checked out because we can't just assume every new symptom is menopause but on the other hand we can't fear that every new symptom is deadly.  I always google symptoms, with the mindset that the serious conditions are obviously a possibility, but unlikely

See your gp and put your mind at rest x
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dahliagirl

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #2 on: September 07, 2017, 02:59:08 PM »

From what I know, any pain pancreas/gall bladder related gets much worse when you like down, making sleep difficult.

I had two close relative die from PC and gallstone pancreatitis so can relate but it usually turns out to be my constipation issues/eaten something /spent too long on the computer  ::)

I would see your gp, then look into scans if there is no joy there.
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KAH

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #3 on: September 07, 2017, 04:21:44 PM »

Thank you ladies, it helps to hear that there are other less serious things it could be (my subconscious already knows that, but my health anxiety seems to win the battle every time!). I guess I'm worrying more than usual as the back pain and indigestion are both something I've not had before, any new symptoms send me into a downward spiral!! I'll make an appt with my doc, thanks again xx
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KAH

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2017, 06:32:24 PM »

I've just remembered I had this same backache just before I went on holiday, but it only lasted a few days. Looking on my calendar it's almost exactly to the month since then so I'm thinking maybe it is hormone induced if it happened exactly a month ago?? What do you think?
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KAH

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #5 on: September 07, 2017, 07:04:44 PM »

Highly likely!  It will be interesting to see if you get the same next month.  Are your periods still regular?

S x

Yes they are, although I only bleed normally for a day then very very lightly for the next 4-5 days.
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KAH

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #6 on: September 07, 2017, 07:23:13 PM »

Sounds like peri!  Do you can't tolerate certain foods, etc that you used to be ok with?  I can't drink any alcohol and not too much tea either. Chocolate aggravates the hernia.

I'm sure I'm peri, I have a fair few other symptoms like horrendous scalp acne, thinning hair, extra hair on chin (lovely 😭), extreme fatigue...but to name just a few! The problem I have, is I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME), which has very similar symptoms so I'm not sure what is causing what!! I do have a very sensitive stomach, I've tried to work out the triggers but I can't put my finger on what's aggravating it. I don't generally suffer too much with my tum though, not until this episode but to be honest I can cope with that, it's the upper back pain that's bothering me
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KAH

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2017, 07:37:46 PM »

There have been several of us on here with ME/CFS who have generally found it worsens with peri.  In fact personally I think hormones and CFS are linked.  All my CFS symptoms have been heightened, particularly migraines/headaches, fatigue, twitchy muscles and for me IBS/CFS went hand in hand.   A lot of ladies have also had indigestion and reflux issues for the first time in peri.  Maybe keep a note of when you get it to see if a pattern emerges.

S x
It's good to know I'm not alone, thanks so much for talking to me xx
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dazned

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #8 on: September 07, 2017, 07:53:30 PM »

At my worse time I was convinced that I had a fair few terminal illness,ranging from lung cancer,ovarian,etc..... Never underestimate how much health anxiety can overwhelm you. It's grisly horrible isn't it ?  :hug:
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KAH

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2017, 08:03:22 PM »

I never had ha until I got ME, that was almost 8 yrs ago. I thought it was under control then this peri business started and it's worse than ever!!! Just trying to remember all the techniques I learnt in CBT 😫. Thank you ladies xx
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KAH

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2017, 08:11:49 PM »

I have a few on my phone, quite often listen to them when I can't sleep x
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CLKD

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2017, 09:42:11 PM »

 :bighug:
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imgeha

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2017, 12:14:28 PM »

Hi guys,
I'm going out of my mind yet again and my health anxiety is sky high.
Last week I started getting really bad pains in my left ovary area, that was followed by an awful backache around my shoulder blades on both sides and sometimes in the middle. I didn't think much of it as I put it down to peri-meno (which has never been confirmed by doc), but then on Sunday I had really bad indigestion which I've never had before in my life, that went on for a couple of days. Then the last couple of days Ive had all sorts of random pains from stabbing pains under my ribs, plain old tummy ache, pains in right ovary .....as well as the persistent back ache, ovary pain and exhaustion.
I just did the one thing I know I shouldn't and looked on google and I have every symptom of Pancreatic cancer! I'm only 42 so I know it's very unlikely and these symptoms could be lots of other things but of course my illogical brain is telling me this is it!
My question is, has anyone else had these symptoms, they're all new for me and it's making me panic! I'm tempted to call BUPA to see if it's possible to get a scan for peace of mind as I know from past experience, once I get something in my head, I'll drive myself mad thinking about it.
I realise I sound like an absolute lunatic, I just can't seem to rationalise these days!


KAH - I could have written the exact same post! I am 51, still having periods, but my symptoms are becoming more and more intense. For the past few months I have had backache, liver ache, pain between my shoulders, nausea, severe anxiety, occasional diarrhoea. These are seemingly random, but have become more or less constant. I spent last year with gallbladder problems and kidney sludge - and was thoroughly scanned, scoped and HIDA'd. Nobody found anything they were going to worry about. And yet the symptoms carry on and get worse, and my mind gets increasingly wild. I am convinced I am about to collapse with cancer, or that I should do away with myself. I literally can't go back to my doctor as I now have a total phobia about non-validation and wasting their time. I literally cannot face another doctor saying to me there is nothing there, and seeing in their eyes that I am wasting their time when real people are really sick. I have also had CFS for over 10 years, which I have largely learned to manage by myself, although I take a beta blocker for POTs and supplements for the gallbladder etc.

So here is my theory about what the backache is. We are all oestrogen-dominant in peri, and oestrogen has a direct relationship with copper. The more oestrogen we have, the more copper we have. Copper accumulates with every pregnancy, and birth control, and through high copper foods - chocolate, coffee, avocados, etc. Copper is a bad actor - causes gallbladders and livers to underfunction, anxiety & panic, heavy bleeding, racing mind / wired feeling, chocolate cravings, etc. It accumulates in the liver, kidneys and gallbladder. As oestrogen drops, copper will also drop. I have noticed my backache and other symptoms now correlate with my cycle, such as it is, and are becoming very pronounced now. I believe the symptoms are from copper detoxing (which is actually a good thing) but unpleasant. The more I think of it, the more I believe a lot of perimenopause symptoms are due falling oestrogen AND FALLING COPPER, which gives all these panic and anxiety feelings and aches and pains. The clincher for me is that I get a very strong metal taste at the same time. Look up copper dumping.

The point is that this copper dumping can have a real impact on your body, and give all sorts of aches and pains - because these are certainly not in my head, no matter how hard the doctors try to convince me they are. But it is not picked up in the scans and blood tests, because they are not looking for it. My theory is completely unproven, but I bet there's something in it. It is so nice knowing I am not on my own though.
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dazned

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2017, 12:27:14 PM »

Well how interesting was that post,thanks Imgeha. Just did some reading on it ,fascinating. How did you come across your theory ?
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KAH

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Re: Pancreatic cancer or peri-menopause?
« Reply #14 on: September 08, 2017, 12:51:41 PM »

Wow, Imgeha that's definitely food for thought. I just had a quick look about Copper dumping but it's all a bit too wordy for my CFS brain today so I'll have to come back to it. From what I saw though, definitely worth investigating. Thank you x
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