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Pains in stomach weeks after chemotherapy for NHL

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hi, 

I’ve been treated for NHL (DLBCL) in the maxial sinus area so 3 rounds of RCHOP. My last treatment was 27th October and I’m lymphoma free so next stage is radiotherapy. 

Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed a pain/soreness in alternating sides of my abdomen - under my ribs. I keep panicking that I have pancreatic cancer. The key word here is panicking as I’d never thought of it before I was exposed to it via 3 ladies of a similar age to me in the chemo unit. I’m an ex smoker and I know this is a risk factor but I’m thinking it may be psychogenic. It feels real though. I haven’t lost weight, have a good appetite, stools are normal most of the time and I’m not jaundiced or suffering from itchy skin (I do have localised itching around the perineum but I’m going through the menopause. I’m concerned my GP will think I’m a hypochondriac but I do also appreciate that this is a normal reaction to going through the trauma of cancer. Also I’m pretty sure anything suspicious would have showed up in my 2 PET/CT scans. I don’t know how aggressive pancreatic tumours are. 

Could this simply be longer term stomach issues caused by chemotherapy? I’m trying to not think about it but it’s so hard and I just need reassurance so I can move on with my life.

Thankyou 

Gill

  • Hello Gill,

    Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Carole and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I see from your profile that you’ve been in touch with other members of our online community. There’s nothing quite like the support you can get from people who understand what you’re going through. And it’s great to see that you’re helping to support others too.

    Firstly, it’s good to hear that you are lymphoma free after three cycles of R-CHOP. And secondly, I’d like to assure you that no one will think you are a hypochondriac if you mention your concerns about pain/soreness under your ribs.

    After a diagnosis of cancer, it’s common to worry that every ache and pain you have is linked to cancer. There could be many explanations.

    Unfortunately, as nurses on this type of platform we can’t say what could be causing the pain. We would recommend you get in touch with a member of your specialist hospital team, or your GP/111 so you can be assessed.

    I hope this is helpful. If you’d like to talk to one of the nurses on our Support Line, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

    Best wishes,

    Carole

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