I'm losing weight unintentionally and am worried

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever been checked for H. Pylori?

Yes - negative for it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In case helpful, I was told by the coordinator at the JH pancreatic cyst clinic that the scans at the JH Radiology center at Bethesda or JH at Sibley were the same equipment and review as Baltimore and it was fine to use those facilities. You might try to see if an earlier appointment is possible. The Bethesda center has weekend appointments to fit in more tests. Both Saturday and Sunday.

Thank you! Earliest in Bethesda was also Jan 2nd week. My previous one was in Bethesda. Apparently there are 1.5 and 3T machines and you have to specifically ask for the 3T if you want that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you tell them that of course you are anxious because you have small kids and are worried that the weight loss is related to cancer? FFS they gave you anti-anxiety medication. My husband goes to the doctor for a tummy ache and ends up with months of tests, but you, a young mother has some seriously concerning symptoms and they say, "Are you feeling anxious dear?" I hate being a woman sometimes.

My advice to you is not to go alone if at all possible. Bring along a friend and they won't be as dismissive.

That struck me as well. I have a female friend who had ongoing diarrhea and weight loss and was told IBS and stress, and it turned out to be pancreatic cancer that they did not find until it had spread to other organs. If I were OP, I would toss the anxiety meds and ask the next doctor — how do you know this isn’t cancer? Show me the test results that show me it is not cancer.
I think they used to tell med students that cancer was a “zebra” in people of this age with gastric symptoms but the rates of pancreatic and GI cancers have gone way up and doctors have not adjusted their responses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have $2500? You can get a whole body MRI on demand.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/12/05/full-body-mri-scan-experience/

Place is in Bethesda

Those are not supported by scientific evidence.

Mostly a way to rip off the “worried well.”

Stick with looking for diseases that fit the symptoms. Not some random scavenger hunt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you tell them that of course you are anxious because you have small kids and are worried that the weight loss is related to cancer? FFS they gave you anti-anxiety medication. My husband goes to the doctor for a tummy ache and ends up with months of tests, but you, a young mother has some seriously concerning symptoms and they say, "Are you feeling anxious dear?" I hate being a woman sometimes.

My advice to you is not to go alone if at all possible. Bring along a friend and they won't be as dismissive.

You mean well, but sound stunningly uninformed.

This thread is starting to go off the rails .

That struck me as well. I have a female friend who had ongoing diarrhea and weight loss and was told IBS and stress, and it turned out to be pancreatic cancer that they did not find until it had spread to other organs. If I were OP, I would toss the anxiety meds and ask the next doctor — how do you know this isn’t cancer? Show me the test results that show me it is not cancer.
I think they used to tell med students that cancer was a “zebra” in people of this age with gastric symptoms but the rates of pancreatic and GI cancers have gone way up and doctors have not adjusted their responses.

[Anonymous]

op- updates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op- updates?

No. Results still not in portal - Labcorp or PCP portal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In case helpful, I was told by the coordinator at the JH pancreatic cyst clinic that the scans at the JH Radiology center at Bethesda or JH at Sibley were the same equipment and review as Baltimore and it was fine to use those facilities. You might try to see if an earlier appointment is possible. The Bethesda center has weekend appointments to fit in more tests. Both Saturday and Sunday.

Op here. Did you mean the one at Rockledge drive in Bethesda (outpatient) or at the Suburban hospital (Old Georgetown Rd)?

Sibley has an opening earlier than mine - is it considered outpatient at Sibley or they tack on facility charges?

[Anonymous]

I can't remember but Sibley is in network for my Care First and the charges were not weird in term of my copay/coinsurance.

[Anonymous]

I meant Rockledge outpatient or the Sibley radiology department. I used Rockledge, but the Cyst clinic said either were fine to use and if Sibley has availability sooner that would be great for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I meant Rockledge outpatient or the Sibley radiology department. I used Rockledge, but the Cyst clinic said either were fine to use and if Sibley has availability sooner that would be great for you.

Thank you! I booked an appointment at Sibley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't remember but Sibley is in network for my Care First and the charges were not weird in term of my copay/coinsurance.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Hoping for good news OP

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t make sense that your lab results are not up.

[Anonymous]

NP. Agree. And cannot believe they didn't just do a glucose finger stick in the office...