What could this be?

[Frustratedandworried]

Sorry if this is long and waffle I'm useless at being concise.

Background: have extremely heavy but regular periods, usually requires maternity pads plus Tena full pants. Have underactive thyroid currently medicated and last check was all good. Low iron and vit d so take supplements for those also

In July I experienced severe bloating for a few days with a heavy feeling in my lower right abdomen along with nausea. Attended a and e after a while as developed severe pain and a feeling of not " being right" . They suspected appendicitis but a brief scan in a and e showed no issue with appendix but a cyst on ovary and a bladder infection. Was given antibiotics and told to return if severe pain / bleeding / vomiting. Gp called next day and arranged scan for a months time ( this is now due next week)

Severe pain subsided but has continued intermittently and the dull heavy feeling is always there along with bad nausea and swollen stomach.

Attended pharmacy last week due to unusual discharge ( now realise was spotting ) and they referred me to out of hours querying a UTI. No UTI but was referred to a and e for poss cyst complications... gynae wouldnt see me as I wasnt writhing in pain and said to wait for my scan but advised me to have swabs at GP as likely some infection. Had swabs done Monday, all came back clear.. stomachs still swollen and intermittent pain today, and now I'm bleeding

Only finished my period a week ago so it's not that ... I'm a bit baffled and tbh although unlikely keep worrying its something serious.

I guess i dont need to seek medical help today for this new bleeding along with old symptoms? I'm fed up and exhausted and just want to know what's happening

[Peanutbuttericecream]

It could be ovarian cancer, something clearly isn't right. You need to get yourself fully checked out ASAP. I'm an ovarian cancer survivor, five and a half years on. I hope you're okay but don't delay in getting a proper diagnosis.

[MrsEricBana]

I would say don't get in a panic and start trying to 2nd guess anything when you have the scan this week. Make a note of your symptoms, go to the scan and take it from there. Hope all ok.

[Frustratedandworried]

Thank you for the swift response and to you. Tbh OC is my worry and not helped by the fact my swabs are clear ( first time I've hoped for an infection)

Do I just wait for my ultrasound? Or maybe see someone over the weekend.. I'm sure they think I'm worrying over nothing but no gynae doc has actually even looked at me / my notes so I'm worried its being missed.

[Frustratedandworried]

Thank you... I've noted all my symptoms including when I'm spotting / bleeding / loose bowels etc

[MrsEricBana]

What about you make a GP appointment now for a couple of days after the scan to go through your symptoms and scan results. If GP thinks any chance of OC they will do a CA125 test. I'm sure it won't be that but definitely raise it so they can check and hopefully reassure you. The good news is scan is soon. Try not to worry

[Queenfreak]

This is probably a really stupid question- but have you taken a pregnancy test?

[bluestripedtop]

Endometriosis?

[Frustratedandworried]

Follow up Gp app is a really good idea will do that to avoid the anxious waiting! Thank you

Def not pregnant...DH had a vasectomy ( and a and e checked just in case!)

Endo is something I considered but wasnt sure if was possible / is it something you develop or have always had etc?

I had a laparoscopy years ago which kist showed PCOS

[Frustratedandworried]

Sorry forgot to mention PCOS in initial post... however it is well managed with metformin so GP felt wouldnt suddenly cause these issues

[Drum2018]

What age are you? I'd wait for your scan, see gp when results are back and take it from there. If the scan doesn't show anything conclusive maybe ask about a hysteroscopy where they insert a camera into the uterus and have a look. You could have fibroids.

[Frustratedandworried]

In my thirties < feel fifty!>

[Frustratedandworried]

Think I'm going to try see out of hours today as I'm bleeding quite heavily and its making me feel quite unwell :(

[Peanutbuttericecream]

Let us know how it goes.

[Frustratedandworried]

Out of hours sent me to a and e and I'm there now waiting for gynae to see me. Bleeding heavily still, passed something, dodgy bowels, pain was bad but theyve given me codiene so feeling more manageble currently

[Peanutbuttericecream]

You poor thing, sending a handhold.

[MrsEricBana]

Oh Frustratedandworried I've just seen that you went. Definitely the right call. How are you getting on? Thinking of you.

[Frustratedandworried]

Feeling horrendous tbh. A and e doctor was lovely and said I def needed to be seen by gynae but they refused to see me. They said it was likely an early period and as it was a sunday the wouldnt scan me so pointless. After much back and forth the a and e doctor couldnt persuade them.to see me so advised me to make a complaint which I did... the staff nurse on duty said all they could advise is to go back if it got worse or go elsewhere so I did.

Saw a gynae team.there who didnt examine me but declared likely endo so referred me via outpatients. Just woken up in bed at home having flooded and lost more large clots

[Frustratedandworried]

Basic bloods were fine so I guess that's a good sign!

[MrsEricBana]

Bloody hell, why wouldn't they examine you?! Excellent though that basic bloods ok as they can pick up a huge amount from that. Endometriosis not ideal but definitely better than what you were worried about. Hope you have some answers soon.

[Robs20]

Could the clots/ bleeding be due to the cyst? I had 3 cysts a couple of months ago and on the day I was scanned to check if they had gone, had a large clot and then heavy bleeding. I would insist on a gynae appt, or if you can afford it I would go private (this is what I did after being sent home with 2 6cm cysts!).

[Frustratedandworried]

They just kept repeating early periods are really common ( which I get, except ive never had one early and didnt explain all the other symptoms over the past 6 weeks)

I have a scan Wednesday ( that was booked 6 weeks ago) so hoping that sheds some light on what's going on

[MrsEricBana]

How did you get on OP? Hope all ok.

[Frustratedandworried]

Hi, thank you for thinking of me! They said I have adenomyosis and symptoms also point to endometriosis so referral to gynae for further investigation/ treatment however they said the only real solution for adenomyosis long term is the menopause or a hysterectomy and I'm likely a fair few years off menopause.

I have absolutely horrendous periods and debilitating pain and we have finished our family so a hysterectomy is currently my preferred solution. I know all.surgery carries risks etc so I imagine this will all be covered by gynae when I see them

[Peanutbuttericecream]

I’ve had a hysterectomy. For some conditions it’s the very best way to go. I’m fine and dandy! Good luck 🌻🌻🌻