Am I just "the worried well"?

[Eliza22]

Nine months ago I was fit and training for 25k. I'm 53 and in the throes of menopause. Suddenly, I started to feel "off colour". Symptoms: fatigue (as in totally knackered); constant nausea; feeling "full" all the time; waistline/abdomen expanding; unable to lie on my sides due to nausea/abdominal discomfort so, sleeping propped up. My GP referred me to a gastroenterologist (for all things digestive).

Had: abdominal scan, gastroscope, blood tests for coeliac disease, anaemia and hepatitis screen.... All came back negative.

Left it 4 months but went back today with continuing symptoms. Nothing's changed only now I have to undo all my zips I'm so "fat" and I feel like I'm about to go pop! I'm SO uncomfortable. GP said it's probably menopause and to keep taking the irritable bowel syndrome meds (I honestly don't think it's IBS) and anti nausea tablets (even in the night if it wakes me up) and because I have high BP and a family history of stroke, I can't have hrt.

I could cry. I've gone from being as fit as a flea and slim to a stone plus overweight, no energy and feeling like I have constant "morning sickness" to go with having swallowed a brick.

Am I a hypochondriac? I don't WANT to be ill but I feel shocking.

What can I reasonably do?

[millymae]

Go back to the GP and ask to be referred to a gynaecologist - your symptoms could be related to your ovaries rather than your digestive system.

[magimedi]

I was somewhat like you a few years ago & stopped eating 'shop bought' bread & now only eat home made bread or posh (& expensive) artisan type bread.

If I eat a shop sarnie or roll I get horrendous 'bloat' & feel quite nauseous.

(I am a few years older than you,nearly 60 but it started when I was about 55).

Pasta does not affect me at all.

I think it is the Chorely Wood process by which most commercial bread is made - lots of info about it around but here is an interesting article:

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/the-shocking-truth-about-bread-413156.html

My DH makes all our bread now & I have no problems. But I'll go hungry rather than eat most bread.

[ErrolTheDragon]

You're clearly not 'worried well' because you're not well. Perhaps you should post on the meno topic (not sure exactly what it's called but I know there is one) in case your GP is right and someone else has experienced these symptoms (I'm 54 and haven't had anything like that) . If they have then they may have suggestions - if not then maybe he's wrong and fobbing you off with 'probably menopause' sounds pretty poor.

[ragged]

Please don't freak out... but why couldn't it be signs of ovarian cancer? I'd want that ruled out, anyway.

Is there no natural HRT mimicking supplement you could try, primrose oil or whatever?

[GoatsDoRoam]

Could be food intolerance (gluten, etc). Get tests done to check those out.

Sounds like something is genuinely wrong, so don't give up!

[TheRealMaryMillington]

Have you had a full set of bloods done? If not I would request that immediately.

[Eliza22]

Wow! Quick replies!

Hadn't thought of gluten but already do make our own bread. But from time to time we have shop bought. Then again, my symptoms don't waver or change so, possibly not the bread.

My GP said the abdominal scan, which showed only small cysts on my liver, kidneys and lungs (nothing to worry about apparently) looked at ovaries as well and they were fine. I thought ovaries showed on a PELVIC scan? I had liver, spleen, kidney and gall bladder.

You see, they HAVE done loads of tests and nothing's really shown up.

Will post again, on meno thread and take a trip to the health shop for natural remedies. I take those Yakult things.

[orangeflutie]

I would push for a pelvic scan plus an internal vaginal scan. Also full bloods as already suggested. Is the bloating persistent or does it come and go?

[Eliza22]

Just perpetually "full". Also, can't push down as it were, when passing urine so, I feel I never fully empty my bladder. Up and down to the toilet all the time! Am just falling to bits, I think!

[orangeflutie]

Eliza you have three key symptoms that are really concerning and indicate an ovarian issue:

Increased abdominal size and persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)
Persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly or feeling nauseous.

Please keep persisting until you get answers. I don't think this is Ibs and your symptoms need investigating. Don't be fobbed off and see a different doctor if necessary.

Hope you can get things sorted soon x

[namechange2468]

Did you have a trans-vaginal ultrasound?

I think this is really important to have a good look at your ovaries and pelvic area.

[CarbeDiem]

I don't want to frighten you - your symptoms are not the same anyway but please don't give up going back to the GP and demanding that something more be done - you are not well.
The reason I say this is because my mum went back and forth to 6 or 7 different GP's since September last year - she was fobbed off with medication and her symptoms were blamed on the menopause (she's 54)
In February this year she was diagnosed with a brain tumour and in March we got the news that it was terminal. They are not always right.
Please go back, every few days if necessary.

[pinkfrocks]

I have already replied to your post on the meno forum here.
I'm pleased to see that others here have suggested a scan of your ovaries - transvaginal. I have had loads of those as I had a cyst. I was scanned for 2 years every few months.

A pelvic scan is not as accurate as a transvaginal scan- that is what I was told by the radiologist.

You need to look at the Ovacome site link I posted, go back to your GP and demand a TV scan. Sadly, too many women die from ovarian cancer because it is diagnosed too late.

[Eliza22]

Yes, sorry about the multiple postings. I wasn't sure where to put it to be honest so, some overlap for readers I think!

[Eliza22]

Oh, and it wasn't a pelvic scan I had it was abdominal CT

[pinkfrocks]

If you look at the symptoms for ovarian cancer, you have most of them. I think you ought to go to your GP and say this. They may reassure you that a CT scan of your abdo would have picked it up, but you still need to ask.

Your symptoms have nothing to do with meno except perhaps the weight gain and tiredness.
It could be IBS but that doesn't cause feeling sick and being unable to lie on your sides. You may have some severe kind of food intolerance and that is another avenue to pursue once the ovary issues have been assessed.

[Marshy]

I had an abdominal ct scan to provide more detail following on from a pelvic ultrasound when there was a query over an ovarian cyst so I think it's likely that the reassurance you have been given is accurate op.

Not sure what to make of your symptoms though. Persist with gp if you're still not right.

[Eliza22]

Go wants to see me after a cholesterol test in a fortnight.

Thanks all x

[pinkfrocks]

If you do have IBS or suspect it, then you ought to follow the FODMAP diet for 8 weeks to see if that helps. Info is all over the web but ideally you should see a dietitian (NHS or privately) to support you through it.
Many people who use the diet also avoid gluten and dairy initially to see if that helps.
If there is nothing obviously physically wrong then the obvious other issue is a food intolerance which is what IBS is in some cases.

[Eliza22]

Ok, have downloaded details of FODMAP last night! Looks interesting but very restrictive. Will give it a try.

[pinkfrocks]

It is restrictive but the idea is to gradually put foods back in and see if they affect you.

[Eliza22]

Yes, of course pin! I'll try it, in the meantime.

[pinkfrocks]

I think I'd contact your GP NOW and ask if the scan you had (CT) ruled out ovarian cancer- not sure how long ago the scan was.

You may be able to email them, have a phone consultation, etc if appts are difficult.

[Eliza22]

Thanks pinkfrocks