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"Chronic pain and weight loss"

About: Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary / Cancer care and Oncology Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary / Urology General practices in Dumfries and Galloway

(as the patient),

I have had chronic pain in my abdomen for over 2 years . After my cousins death from bowel cancer, I pushed a bit harder to see a doctor,  a colonoscopy proved clear but there was no follow up. NHS was struggling throughout Covid and we only had locum GP's in Moffat. I  was occasionally seen by locums who requested bloods but no continuity or suggestions. Last June I cut out gluten from my diet to see if that might help, as was getting no help from the surgery. The bloating subsided, but not the pain and despite eating a good healthy diet I lost 2.5 stone. Everyone commented how ill I looked.

I had an ultrasound on my bladder last year which showed urine retention but nothing came of that appointment. A follow up ultrasound earlier this year showed no stones in  my kidneys.

In March I was referred to the early cancer detection unit in DGRI. I had an appointment within days, the staff were superb. A CT shows a swelling on my pancreas. I was put on Creon and fortisip whilst waiting for an MRI. The MRI showed no sign of cancer but a fold in my pancreas. I was seen last week by a general surgeon at Dumfries, but my experience was not good.

I was told on several occasions - You don't ask questions , I tell you. They told me just to forget about the creon and fortisip and just go back on my normal diet including gluten. I felt as if I was dismissed as being a timewaster, and started to doubt myself. So much so I stopped taking the painkillers to prove to myself I was still sore. 

An endoscope this week looked normal although I am awaiting biopsy results. Since being on the creon and fortisip I have managed to put on 3lbs but have a long way to go to get back to a normal weight. I am 5'4" and weigh 45kg and am sure the only things that have helped is the creon and fortisip.

I have reintroduced wheat in small amounts but am already feeling uncomfortable and constipated again. I am no longer under the care of the cancer unit(for which I am extremely grateful) but am worried that I will now slip through the net with no GP's to follow things up for me although can manage the pain , I am aware I should not be in constant pain.

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Responses

Response from Emma Murphy, Patient Feedback Manager, NHS Dumfries and Galloway 11 months ago
Emma Murphy
Patient Feedback Manager,
NHS Dumfries and Galloway
Submitted on 22/05/2023 at 19:58
Published on Care Opinion at 19:58


Dear allywood,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. I am so sorry that you have not felt listened to or supported at points during your care.

It would be helpful to have some additional information so that we can help you with your concerns. If you are happy doing so, please can you contact my team on 01387 272733 or by email at dg.patientservices@nhs.scot so that we can discuss this further with you. If you feel that you need help to do so, you can get free, confidential, independent advice and support from the Patient Advice and Support Service. More information is available on their website at https://www.cas.org.uk/pass.

Thank you again for sharing your feedback.

Kindest regards

Emma Murphy

Patient Feedback Manager

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