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Original poster

Does anyone have experience of gall stones or ovarian cancer symptoms

28 replies

Mallowmarshmallow · 23/12/2019 11:52

For the last few weeks I've had a constant feeling of fullness. I also had terrible heartburn so I went to the dr who gave me indigestion medication for a month to try. The burning has reduced but the feeling of fullness is still constant.

I'm spending every night awake worrying about this being a symptom of ovarian cancer. The dr mentioned investigating gallstones as a starting point when I go back a month into the tablets.

I'm wondering if anyone can share their experiences with me?

OP posts:
Chihaha · 23/12/2019 11:55

I wouldn't wait a month. The fullness is worrying. Have you asked him specifically about ovarian cancer?

It probably isnt, but I would be pushing it until its ruled out.

Do you have other symptoms?

Chihaha · 23/12/2019 11:57

www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms/

There is a blood test they can do - it isnt completely reliable but I would push to have ca125 checked.

Flowers I know it's really worrying, but keep on at your GP. It might just be indigestion, but make sure you keep on their case.

ffswhatnext · 23/12/2019 12:02

When I had ovarian cancer I had no symptoms. It was a routine smear that picked it up.

Are you pooing properly? I feel constantly full and have heartburn when I'm constipated.

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NotDavidTennant · 23/12/2019 12:07

DW had gallstones, and the symptoms were severe abdominal pain which came on an hour or two after eating a heavy meal and lasted a few hours before gradually easing off. Some times she would also be sick.

Chihaha · 23/12/2019 12:08

Whatnext how did the smear pick it up? I thought it couldnt decent ovarian cancer.

I could barely eat in the weeks leading up to diagnosis, struggled to walk and the heartburn was awful. I was eventually diagnosed after writing down every symptom and taking it to my gp who sent me for an ultrasound.

Toomboom · 23/12/2019 12:27

I have had my gall bladder removed. The pain is dreadful with gall stones. My started at the front and moved to my back. It was so bad it was thought at one point that I was having a heart attack!
The pain could go on for ages before easing off. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

I would push your GP for a referral to the hospital.

Fishcakey · 23/12/2019 12:31

@Chihaha my sister had an ovarian cyst detected at a smear so there must be things they can pick up.

nicslackey · 23/12/2019 12:36

My doctor knew I had gallstones as soon as I told him the pain started in my shoulder and was abdominal including my upper back in waves like labour pains. No feeling of fullness though. Hope this helps

Original poster
Mallowmarshmallow · 23/12/2019 15:27

@Chihaha, I suggested ovarian problems when he mentioned the gallstones and he said it could be but I had to try to treat it as indigestion first.

@ffswhatnext, my bowels have always been an issue so normal for me but not by anyone else's standards....

@toomboom, that's what's strange, I didn't report, as I don't have, any pain, just the fullness. There is, however, a strong history of gallstones on the female side of the family.

@chihaha, what were your symptoms if you don't mind me asking?

I do only have the fullness, nothing else to report really. Well, apart from that I'm exhausted all the time but then I have two small children, a job and insomnia.....

OP posts:
Chihaha · 23/12/2019 15:49

Fullness, heartburn, exhaustion (going to bed at 8pm and waking up knackered at 8am), weightloss overall but weight gain round my waist, pain when walking, periods went mad - they were very heavy and also coming every two weeks. Eventually I looked pregnant but I had a fairly rare type which grows very large whereas the "normal" type tends to cause ascites which is fluid.

Smear tests have been mentioned a few times here, I assume that cancer was found as part of the internal exam but if you have had a clear smear please dont let this reassure you as that's not what a smear test is looking for.

As I have said, it probably isnt cancer but I would insist on that being ruled out first. Ask about bloods and ultrasounds. Ovarian cancer is too easy to dismiss.

ivykaty44 · 23/12/2019 15:54

My mum had ovarian cancer & kept being diagnosed with cystitis, had fullness. Unfortunately over 6 months they kept sending her away at her surgery with the wrong medication

mrsed1987 · 23/12/2019 15:57

My mum had ovarian cancer her symptoms were vague, feeling fuller quicker and indigestion. She was diagnosed after blowing up like she was 9 months pregnant as she was full of water (ascites). Push for a ca125 test. Mums was 1500 (normal is 0 - 35)

joystir59 · 23/12/2019 15:58

Go to A&E, they will get to the heart of it immediately. My oh went to A&E with similar symptoms and had been scanned and had full blood test within 4 hours. 6 weeks later surgery. Don't mess about OP.

joystir59 · 23/12/2019 15:59

Ca125 is only indicative not definitive. You need to be examined and scanned as well.

LoveNote · 23/12/2019 16:02

my mum died of ovarian cancer

so when i had symptoms (pain in ovary area, random bleed) i was rushed through all the tests. all were clear but i really picked up on the concern from medical staff. it was quick.....3 weeks i'd had a smear, biopsy and coil removal, scan and blood tests. results all within 3 weeks

so impressed!

Chihaha · 23/12/2019 16:06

Ca125 is only indicative not definitive. You need to be examined and scanned as well.

I think they check ca125 and if it's high they scan. I was the opposite way round (my tumour marker was completely different in the end) because it was obvious I had some kind of cyst by the time the GP examined me (5th appointment).

Original poster
Mallowmarshmallow · 23/12/2019 17:12

Hmm, I do also have a big tummy but I've had a spectacularly bad year diet wise and have put on a few stone which I'm certain is from the terrible diet....

OP posts:
Ceefax101 · 23/12/2019 17:56

I had a lot of symptoms such as bloating and bowel problems but it was the bleeding between periods that got me taken seriously. I had a Hysteroscopy which found pre cancerous cells and when they did the full hysterectomy the ovarian cancer was found. The surgery got all of it, I was very lucky

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 23/12/2019 18:39

I have a gallstone. I get awful reflux and my stomach feels tight.

springydaff · 23/12/2019 19:29

The pain with gallstones is out of this world. I actually passed out with the pain a number of times.

ivykaty44 · 23/12/2019 19:48

Lovenote- I had similar when I adviced my concern at random bleeding...scanned within 2 weeks

Original poster
Mallowmarshmallow · 23/12/2019 19:55

I'm fairly sure my mum didn't have pain with her gallstones....

I'm not sure I have random bleeding although I do have strange periods nowadays with a day of spotting then often a day off before a short period....

OP posts:
ffswhatnext · 23/12/2019 20:32

@Chihaha
Routine smear detected something, blood taken. Sent for scans. 8 weeks later I was in theatre having what needed to be gone, gone. Thankfully it was early enough to be fully treated with surgery and some chemo.

It's been nearly 10 years of remission. Did have a scare this year as I had symptoms. Keyhole to remove remaining ovary, womb and cervix and the growth that was there wasn't cancer. Not that I cared either way as I just wanted it all gone. And there was a high probability of it coming back.

There are lots of different types of cancer in the family so when I go gp's with something not right, they are extra precautious. I know I'm very lucky to have a great service, it's a shame it varies so much depending on the area.

Sorry if I alarmed anyone when I first posted. That wasn't my intention.

And because sometimes shit happens during surgery, I have the same symptoms as op, and do throw up sometimes due to constipation.

dahliaaa · 23/12/2019 21:24

A sensation of 'fullness' (like a ball stick under my ribs) was my main symptom of a gallbladder completely full of big stones.

Obviously still get everything properly checked.

dahliaaa · 23/12/2019 21:25

A sensation of 'fullness' (like a ball stuck under my ribs) was my main symptom of a gallbladder completely full of big stones.

Obviously still get everything properly checked.

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