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What Causes Middle Abdominal Pain, Irregular Bowel Movements And Weight Loss?
Question: I have a fear of having pancreatic cancer. Below is some information
-I am 35 years old
-Had all lab work come back normal including pancreatic enzymes
-Ultrasound was done but too gassy to see images
-Pain in middle abdomen is more like a sharp pain that goes away after a minute and occasional back pain when I lay down.
-Lost some weight mainly due to anxiety I think and have not had regular bowel movements (no pale stools though).
Any thoughts? Thanks.
-I am 35 years old
-Had all lab work come back normal including pancreatic enzymes
-Ultrasound was done but too gassy to see images
-Pain in middle abdomen is more like a sharp pain that goes away after a minute and occasional back pain when I lay down.
-Lost some weight mainly due to anxiety I think and have not had regular bowel movements (no pale stools though).
Any thoughts? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
You dont have pancreas cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Pancreatic cancer usually does not give pain as a first sign. It can develop painless until it causes bile duct compression and jaundice. Moreover it causes dull pain at first. It can get sharp when the abdominal nerves are affected by the cancer.
So I do not thing your symptoms are caused by pancreas cancer.
Your pain can be caused by some stomach irritation/inflammation or ulcer at first. Middle abdominal pain is quite typical for stomach issues. The pain may get worse after foods intake.
Irregular bowel movements and weight loss can be due to anxiety indeed. Especially if you find the pain very stressful. It additionally can aggravate the pain.
I suggest you to consider having gastroscopy done. Please consult gastrologist.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
You dont have pancreas cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Pancreatic cancer usually does not give pain as a first sign. It can develop painless until it causes bile duct compression and jaundice. Moreover it causes dull pain at first. It can get sharp when the abdominal nerves are affected by the cancer.
So I do not thing your symptoms are caused by pancreas cancer.
Your pain can be caused by some stomach irritation/inflammation or ulcer at first. Middle abdominal pain is quite typical for stomach issues. The pain may get worse after foods intake.
Irregular bowel movements and weight loss can be due to anxiety indeed. Especially if you find the pain very stressful. It additionally can aggravate the pain.
I suggest you to consider having gastroscopy done. Please consult gastrologist.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This information helped a lot, thank you so much! One last concern I had that I did not mention was when they did the ultrasound, my middle abdomen was tender and hurt, could that signal anything?
Brief Answer:
This is a normal reaction.
Detailed Answer:
Tenderness is a very common reaction to the probe. They must compress the abdomen with it and it causes pain. Especially if the stomach is the source of the pain.
This is a normal reaction.
Detailed Answer:
Tenderness is a very common reaction to the probe. They must compress the abdomen with it and it causes pain. Especially if the stomach is the source of the pain.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I almost forgot, I get occasional back pain after eating too. Normal? Also, my weight loss looks like it's coming from my belly, is that a common place for weight to come off if I had cancer?
Again, thanks for all your help, unlike other doctors you answer the questions and I appreciate that.
Again, thanks for all your help, unlike other doctors you answer the questions and I appreciate that.
Brief Answer:
Back pain can be due to gallbladder issues.
Detailed Answer:
Back pain is more characteristic for gallstones than for stomach issue. I guess there is no stones seen in the ultrasound. But still the gallbladder might be not working properly. Stress can also affect the gallbladder and cause its contraction and pain.
Generally you should try to decrease fatty foods, fried foods, coffee.
If you have had a cancer, the whole body would be loosing fatty tissue. It is greatly visible on the face at first. Veins start to be more pronounced on the legs and arms. Abdomen is really not the most visible area of weight loss in case of any cancer.
With cancer you get also night sweats and slight fever. Weakness can appear, lack of appetite.
Back pain can be due to gallbladder issues.
Detailed Answer:
Back pain is more characteristic for gallstones than for stomach issue. I guess there is no stones seen in the ultrasound. But still the gallbladder might be not working properly. Stress can also affect the gallbladder and cause its contraction and pain.
Generally you should try to decrease fatty foods, fried foods, coffee.
If you have had a cancer, the whole body would be loosing fatty tissue. It is greatly visible on the face at first. Veins start to be more pronounced on the legs and arms. Abdomen is really not the most visible area of weight loss in case of any cancer.
With cancer you get also night sweats and slight fever. Weakness can appear, lack of appetite.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Last night I had a dull persistent pain in my upper left back when laying down, could that be pain be coming from the body or tail of pancreas? Also, my middle upper abdominal pain seems to be superficial and I can feel it when I burp, it's kind of like a pinching feeling, any thoughts? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
This does not seem to be pancreas pain.
Detailed Answer:
Generally if the pancreas aches, the pain is dull deep in the middle abdomen and radiates to both sides.
Body or pancreas tail does not really cause such localized pain. Pancreas does not have nerves which can give pain in exact spot.
So I would insist to have gastroscopy done at your case.
This does not seem to be pancreas pain.
Detailed Answer:
Generally if the pancreas aches, the pain is dull deep in the middle abdomen and radiates to both sides.
Body or pancreas tail does not really cause such localized pain. Pancreas does not have nerves which can give pain in exact spot.
So I would insist to have gastroscopy done at your case.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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