To wonder what to say to the doctor? (Sensitive)

[Worriedobsessive]

Namechanged.

I am NEVER unwell. I'm 45, regular cycle, and last two weeks I'm out of breath a lot, absolutely knackered and taking naps every day, and v bloated lower abdomen. I'm wearing normally I think, but always feel so bloated. I've got indigestion if I eat too fast (again never a problem previously) and I've got constant lower back ache. And one elbow hurts too!

I'm not celiac, not anaemic, not b12 deficient (had recent blooods for something else) but something feels different.

If I see the doc they're likely to say "hormones, go away" aren't they?

Thanks Chilvers. I hope I'm not overstepping but what made you go to the doc when you went? Did they not think you were too young for ovarian? I'm so sorry you went through that.

Don't be fobbed off but equally don't listen to PPs saying that you 'must' get a referral to this or that specialist immediately. There are literally several hundred diagnoses that could cause your symptoms. You might need to see a gynaecologist, gastroenterologist, colorectal surgeon, urologist, cardiologist, respiratory physician, haematologist or endocrinologist - and that just covers the most likely diagnoses. Or it could turn out to be something simple and benign like an infection.

What you need your GP to do at this stage is to listen carefully to your concerns, examine you and then decide what the most urgent tests are to help him/her make a working diagnosis. From that will come the best referral pathway.

A list is a good idea. And make sure that you stress how sudden the change has been. Good luck

Or it could turn out to be something simple and benign like an infection.

Sorry I phrased that badly - I didn't mean that I thought it was either an infection or cancer. I meant it might be something simple and straightforward for the GP to treat without needing referral.

S'alright Selma, I understood.

I'll add the suddenness onto my list.

When you say "definitely not pregnant" do you mean that you have not had sex in the past 9 months? Otherwise don't rule it out.

It's alright, I do a lot of speaking out on the topic so happy to share if it will help others.

Ironically, I had very few, if any, symptoms on the list that I was aware of at the time. I had a horrific pregnancy though where I was in excruciating abdominal pain a lot of the time and blue lighted in and out of hospital numerous times. Each time dismissed as 'normal' part of pregnancy . The digestive issues continued after I gave birth (c-section) but I was on cloud 9, breastfeeding, weight had dropped off post birth (!) and was fit and healthy and baby doing well - apart from the digestive issues and then a 'hernia' which poked up through my abdominal wall about 6 months post birth. I did keep on at my doctors though as something wasn't right. Doctor referred me to hospital for gastro scans (never actually asked him whether he suspected anything different, just thought he thought it was a c-section hernia and/ or gallstones. Must ask!). Long waits, cancelled appointments, told I had gallstones etc etc until I got a phone call out of the blue 5 months later saying 'oops, you actually have cancer'. They then lost my paperwork so couldn't refer me and it was all a bit of a mess really. But I pushed and pushed to get seen. Two massive tumours missed on my ovaries during c-section, multiple opportunities lost during pregnancy to diagnose (but don't regret that as I have my beautiful child now) and then a very late diagnosis for me eventually so stage 3c by the time they found it. Earlier diagnosis would make a big difference to my long term survival chances. Hence why I am so insistent women are aware of the normal symptoms and that we should always get something that is different for our bodies checked out whether it's a 'normal' ovarian symptom or not.

I am cancer free now 4 years post diagnosis and am insistent I will beat the odds to see my daughter grow up. My pre-menopausal age at diagnosis actually stand me in good stead for this - and I'm stubborn

excellent list worried
There is nothing at all wrong in voicing your concerns and saying if you have a particular worry about what it may be - it's all part of helping to diagnose.

good luck

Handholding OP. 🌸

Been to docs, they want me back at 2:15. Got my sample bottle at the ready. I didn't see any healthcare people, it's just the way the spots work if I want seeing today.

Spots? I meant *appts!

Keep us posted

Good luck, I'm glad you're being seen quickly.

Now bear in mind you don't necessarily have cancer, it could be something simple like a cyst and all the worrying you are doing is making you tired hence the naps. You're doing a great thing seeing the doctor. What are you going back for, blood tests?

Ah sorry didn't read your post properly. Good luck this afternoon

Yes, there are many things that it could be, also stress is a killer, and can leave you physically and mentally exhausted.
Great that you've secured an appointment !

Glad you went, good luck!

Do let us know how you get on 💐

Do remember the CA-125 blood test is not a good diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer. You need a scan.

Is your period still regular? Do you have any reason to believe it may be related t menopause asides from your age? The back pain and bloating would have me worried. Have you had any blood in your excrement?

Hope your appt goes well this afternoon, OP.

I am home! My apt was for 2.15 and they saw me at 2.55 so then I was stressed about missing the school run! Anyway, the Doc was v nice, she said I'd done the right thing and has referred me for the following:

1. CXR (lower abdo acetes)
2. pelvic USS (fu ca ovary)
3. MSU (lower abdo actes) and marked that in red
4. bloods = Creatinine and Electrolytes, TSH, LFT, Random glucose, FBC and CA125 and iron/ferritin.

I think that's it. Seems quite thorough to me but what do I know. She had a good poke about and said she couldn't feel anything ovarian but it was worth ruling it out.
My spider senses wonder if I have some sort of kidney/bladder infection, because last night one of the kids accidentally caught me in my back near my kidney and the pain was unreal. My water looks normal and I've no pain but I do feel a bit hot.

Anyway, I'm going back tomorrow morning for all this to be done. I feel much better for having talked about it!

Great news that they're being thorough and glad you're feeling happier

Glad it went well and the GP was helpful, OP.

I hope other posters will be sensitive and not speculate unhelpfully on causes. It's all about ruling the most serious things out at this stage. Just because the GP has sent the OP for tests to rule out causes of ascites, rule out ovarian cancer etc does not mean that she thinks those are the likely diagnoses. She is focusing on those as the most important things to rule out.

You have a very good GP 💐

Great that your GP listened to your points and concerns and is taking appropriate action to rule things out. Well done on persisting! Good luck with the tests and results; hopefully 'just' a kidney/ bladder infection.