
How Would Be Is It Too Soon To Have CT Scan ?

Posted on
Wed, 8 Aug 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team


Question : Hello Doctor.
A little of my background. I have been having slight stomach pains/soreness for the past couple of months. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning and sometimes out of the clear blue. I went to my doctor because I was gaining weight since I stopped smoking in January and he said the pains were due to my weight gain and history of reflux. I will add here that I do have a history of Reflux and am taking Aciphex twice daily along with Pepcid in the evening. My doctor prescribed Adipex for weight loss which my weight has decreased in the past month by 12 lbs. But, my concern with this stomach pain is my brother and mother passed away after complaining of stomach pain as well and were treated for Gastro issues but eventually found out they had Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. Last year when my mother was diagnosed and passed away from this dreaded disease, I was also having stomach issues and requested a CT Scan of my stomach which my doctor ordered. All came out negative and all organs were healthy. but once again, the stomach pains are back and this time constant. I would rate them a 4-5 on a scale from 1-10. My question would be is it too soon to have another CT Scan on my stomach to see if anything has changed? My doctor said he would be more concerned about my symptoms if I had not been tested last year ( the testing took place last September). so is chalking it up to weight gain and reflux. Should I insist on another CT Scan to hopefully rule out any Pancreas or stomach issues or even request an upper Endocscopy ( which I had about 2 years ago and was diagnosed with Barretts Esophagus) . AT this point I do not know what to do or if I should get a second opinion but I have been going to my doctor for over 30 years now. I just dont want to take the chance that if anything IS wrong that it can be caught in time and possibly treated.
Thank you for your time and I appreciate your response.
Regards XXXXXXX
A little of my background. I have been having slight stomach pains/soreness for the past couple of months. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning and sometimes out of the clear blue. I went to my doctor because I was gaining weight since I stopped smoking in January and he said the pains were due to my weight gain and history of reflux. I will add here that I do have a history of Reflux and am taking Aciphex twice daily along with Pepcid in the evening. My doctor prescribed Adipex for weight loss which my weight has decreased in the past month by 12 lbs. But, my concern with this stomach pain is my brother and mother passed away after complaining of stomach pain as well and were treated for Gastro issues but eventually found out they had Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. Last year when my mother was diagnosed and passed away from this dreaded disease, I was also having stomach issues and requested a CT Scan of my stomach which my doctor ordered. All came out negative and all organs were healthy. but once again, the stomach pains are back and this time constant. I would rate them a 4-5 on a scale from 1-10. My question would be is it too soon to have another CT Scan on my stomach to see if anything has changed? My doctor said he would be more concerned about my symptoms if I had not been tested last year ( the testing took place last September). so is chalking it up to weight gain and reflux. Should I insist on another CT Scan to hopefully rule out any Pancreas or stomach issues or even request an upper Endocscopy ( which I had about 2 years ago and was diagnosed with Barretts Esophagus) . AT this point I do not know what to do or if I should get a second opinion but I have been going to my doctor for over 30 years now. I just dont want to take the chance that if anything IS wrong that it can be caught in time and possibly treated.
Thank you for your time and I appreciate your response.
Regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
It does not sound serious
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since you had an upper endoscopy and a recent CT, it does not make much sense to do them again, unless your symptoms have changed. Pancreatic cancer cannot develop within one year. You could always go for a second opinion, and a colonoscopy would probably also be indicated at this point.
Thanks.
It does not sound serious
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since you had an upper endoscopy and a recent CT, it does not make much sense to do them again, unless your symptoms have changed. Pancreatic cancer cannot develop within one year. You could always go for a second opinion, and a colonoscopy would probably also be indicated at this point.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad


Thank you Dr Christensen fir you response . I will follow up with my doctor in regards to the colonoscopy. I just can’t understand why this pain is so constant . Do you have any thoughts as to what could be causing it ? Sometimes it is sharp pains, sometimes it almost feels like a burning soreness and other times it feels like an ache. It’s just odd how sporadic it comes on but it sure makes life uncomfortable. Sometimes eating something light does help it subside for awhile but it comes back. I can’t pinpoint it to one cause that triggers it. Any thoughts? Thank you again for your help !
Brief Answer:
I recommend colonoscopy and test for helicobacter pylori
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
I will still recommend colonoscopy. It would also make sense to do a breath test for helicobacter pylori considering the symptoms you describe.
Thanks.
I recommend colonoscopy and test for helicobacter pylori
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
I will still recommend colonoscopy. It would also make sense to do a breath test for helicobacter pylori considering the symptoms you describe.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad

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