I've been kind of a hypochondriac (sp) the last year, it's driving me crazy thinking of all the diseases that could affect me and the ones I worry about the most are ones that may go undetected until it's too late.

I've had this dull pain, slightly phantom I think, around my left ribcage area for almost six months, around the time it started I had a ct scan done for something else. Would they have spotted a problem then? The pain is barely noticeable unless I keep pressing it and make it sore, or think about it. I have no nausea, fever or anything else and I've read that the pain would be almost unbearable and I feel pretty much fine.

Ultimately my question is, could you have pancreatitis and not know it?

No.

That's not where the pancreas is located.

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Originally Posted by smoothy

No.

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... are you sure? :(

Your left ribcage is most commonly the site of gas, because the stomach rises up under your heart, and gas collects there.
Next time you feel it, eat a Tums and see if you burp.

You may also have a chronic muscle strain from the way you sit or do some routine work. Most of us have some ache or pain from the way we sit at and use our computers.

How often do you vomit per day? How long have you been an alcoholic?

If you had pancreatitis it would be very easy for a doctor to diagnose... if it was you would know since you have been to a doctor over this.

Besides there is more than a little pain and discomfort involved with it.

And the fact you consider yourself a hypochondriac indicates you probably did see a doctor and aren't trying to self diagnose.

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Originally Posted by smoothy

If you had pancreatitis it would be very easy for a doctor to diagnose...if it was you would know since you have been to a doctor over this.

Besides there is more than a little pain and discomfort involved with it.

And the fact you consider yourself a hypochondriac indicates you probably did see a doctor and aren't trying to self diagnose.

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I was seeing the doctor about something else but my point was I had a ct around the time the pain started. Kind of mentioned it in passing but they took no note of it. I am slightly trying to self diagnose because last year I had so many medical bills over what turned out to be nothing really after a long line of I don't knows, so now I am slightly deterred from seeing a doctor. Don't get me wrong I would if I had to but I was just trying to derive if a slight pain/discomfort in my abdomen could be pancreatitis, or if you had it you would definitely know, like I couldn't go day to day feeling somewhat normal all the while my pancreas is dying?? Does this kind of make sense, I appreciate all the help...

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Originally Posted by Hunnybee_420

I was seeing the doctor about something else but my point was I had a ct around the time the pain started. Kind of mentioned it in passing but they took no note of it. I am slightly trying to self diagnose because last year I had so many medical bills over what turned out to be nothing really after a long line of i dont knows, so now I am slightly deterred from seeing a doctor. Dont get me wrong I would if I had to but I was just trying to derive if a slight pain/discomfort in my abdomen could be pancreatitis, or if you had it you would definately know, like I couldnt go day to day feeling somewhat normal all the while my pancreas is dying??? Does this kind of make sense, I appreciate all the help....

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Are there any free clinics around where you live? Because even if it was possible to self diagnose... it would be impossible to self treat...

It's dangerous to try to self diagnose... or do so over the internet where nobody can actually see you. If its really bad you can always go to the emergency room and if you have nothing they still have to treat you. But finding a clinic is a better bet as they are geared towards people with little or no money.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

How often do you vomit per day? How long have you been an alcoholic?

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I haven't vomitted in a week or two, I was sick for a few days a week or two back, and sometimes if I had some drinks, and wake up to an empty stomach I might be a little sick but otherwise no consistent bouts of sickness, just this left upper quadrent dull ache. That's why I worry that I might be ignoring something serious, or if it was serious I would know for sure?
I've cut down on drinking a lot the last year, but I would say I have 3-6 drinks (mostly beer) maybeeeee 3-5 times a week. I know that sounds bad, and it is, I'm trying to be better... Like I said, would I know? Or am I slowly silently killing myself... is it too late?

I'm just asking if I had pancreatitis would I show some surefire symptoms or could it be silently killing me?
Keeping in mind I am pretty sure I am dying of some disease or another at alllll times, and can't really go to the doctor every time my stupid mind makes me Google something...

We can't possibly know if you are killing yourself and if it's too late.
You seem to like skipping over the most common and mundane and going right for the most unusual House diagnosis.

Unless you have medical school training and experience... you aren't going to be able to do it yourself.

It might be an ulcer. If you are tired and lacking in energy, it might even be a bleeding ulcer. :)