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.
"Chronic pain and weight loss"
About: Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary / Cancer care and Oncology Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary Cancer care and Oncology DG1 4AP Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary / Urology Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary Urology DG1 4AP General practices in Dumfries and Galloway General practices in Dumfries and Galloway
Posted by allywood (as ),
Responses
See more responses from Emma Murphy