Pancreatic Cancer

[Richquaker]

My doctor feels I should have a pancreas scan (either MRI or CAT) to rule out pancreatic cancer. My insurance company does not agree, so as of now I am not planning to get it. But - - is my doctor right? Should the insurance company be encourged to reconsider?

I am 61 years old. I am a mild type-2 diabetic who until recently took metformin (glucophage) to control blood sugar for several years and did so without incident. On January 2 of this year while I was still sleeping in the morning I suffered a seizure brought on unexpectedly by catastrophically low blood sugar. My wife called 911, an ambulance responded, and the EMT's revived me by injecting dextrose. They brought me to the hospital where I remained for two days. A brain scan showed no tumor or other problems in the brain. Since release from the hospital I have (at my doctor's recommendation) discontinued metformin, stuck pretty rigorously to a diabetic diet, eaten more frequently during the day, and monitored my blood sugar closely. Glucose levels have mostly been in the 90 - 110 range, but occasionally dipped below 70 and one went as high as 230 after an unwise choice of foods at one meal. More recently I have developed a pain in my lower back on the right side. It is reminiscent of a previous episode of sciatica, except that the earlier episode was on my left side and this is the right side and the earlier episode radiated down my leg and this one does not. I do not have pain in my upper abdomen.

I have also lost weight in recent months but not a dramatic amount. What about it? Am I a candidate for such a scan of the pancreas? Is there an alternative explanation of why I should suddenly have had this blood sugar "crash" and the seizure on January 2?

[smithl]

Sorry, I just found this sight. today is2/24/09, hope you check back. I have pancreatic cancer (lucky me). found it on Nov. 25th. 2008. Today was my last chemo in my first round. As it was explained to me by my primary doctor. He said we should have seen something in your blood tests. Which means to me that maybe or maybe not we see it in your blood tests. The day they figured out something was wrong they sent me for an ultrasound. came back positive. The same day they sent me for a cat scan. came back positive. I tell you all of this because this is nothing to wait on. My doctor sent me to the ultrasound and cat as an emergency procedure. kind of overriding my insurance co's chance to carp. If my doctor wishywashed around, i would probably have found a tougher doctor who was in my corner. Of course all of this is moot depending on your ins. co. and how tied down to them your doctor is.

[Richquaker]

Dear Smithl,

Thank you for taking the trouble to respond to my question.

I am sorry that you are having to deal with this disease. I hope the chemo is successful in arresting it. I'm glad that your doctor and you were aggressive in dealing with the insurance company.

As for my situation, I still have not had a CAT scan or MRI, but I had a sonogram this past weekend and am awaiting the results. After getting those (and further blood tests) I'll have to decide on next steps. I understand your point that delay is not good, but don't feel I have much choice at this point but to wait.

Your willingness to offer advice to someone else when you are going through so much yourself is much appreciated.

Thanks,
- - Rich