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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask for help and handhold with symptoms

43 replies

ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 11:04

For a while I have had a bloated tummy, nothing too unusual or painful although I did sometimes look around 4 months pregnant (to the point I actually have taken a couple of pregnancy tests despite still having periods!), however it always went back down again after a day or so. I kept a food and symptoms diary to see if it was linked to any intolerances but found no pattern whatsoever. My GP thought it might be IBS but I don’t have any of the other symptoms such as diarrhoea, pain, constipation, etc. They did suggest doing the FODMAP diet but I know two people who have done this and found it to be inconclusive, plus it doesn’t sound very scientific so I haven’t committed to this yet.

Recently the bloating has become much worse - it is constant and my stomach is really firm and round, plus I’m feeling very uncomfortable and needing the bathroom more often due to the pressure on my bladder.

I did the NHS 111 symptoms test plus a couple of other tests online which made me think it might be ovarian cancer (or a few other nasty things). I had the CA125 blood test as well as a general blood test and it’s all come back fine - no positive CA125 and nothing indicating problems with kidney or liver which seemed to be the other likely suspects. I’m worried the doctors think it’s nothing and won’t take me seriously now.

I know women with ovarian cancer don’t always have a positive CA125 so I’m going to ask to be referred for an ultrasound but in the meantime I’m in a lot of discomfort and the whole thing is making me feel very scared and unhappy.

AIBU to ask does anyone have any experience of anything similar? Or have any words of wisdom? Just feeling very down and like I need advice and/or a handhold Sad

OP posts:
MoccaIceCream · 07/08/2019 11:10

you should insist on a gynae referral and get a scan to start with.

Original poster
ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 11:25

Thanks @moccal , I’ll do that at my next appointment. Just need to find a way to deal with the discomfort in the meantime I guess! It’s hard not knowing whether I’m doing anything (eg eating something) that will make it worse

OP posts:
Wilberforce2 · 07/08/2019 11:28

If the bloating is constant then I would insist on a scan and gynae referral don't mess around with diet changes until you have ruled out other things. They should be able to refer you on a 2 week urgent referral, failing that could you have a private scan? I paid for one earlier this year it was £60.

Original poster
ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 11:30

Thanks @Wilberforce2 that’s useful to know - I thought a scan would cost a lot more than that!

OP posts:
Wilberforce2 · 07/08/2019 11:33

I'm guessing it's different prices throughout the country, I'm in Kent. Mine was for gallbladder issues and I didn't want to wait because the GP said it was going to take 8 weeks for the NHS ultrasound. Good luck and try not to worry x

MrsMozartMkII · 07/08/2019 11:33

Have a look at this:

www.hyperparathyroiduk.com/about-us

The founder had the 'pregnant' look and did a whole lot of research and found she had hyperparathyroidism.

pseudonom · 07/08/2019 11:35

I think private pelvic scans round here are around £150 ... you could phone up today and either be reassured, or on the way to being sorted by tomorrow.

If you can afford it I would - by the time you've got a GP appointment, been referred and finally seen it would be at least 2-3 weeks, I would have catastrophised myself into an early grave by then!

Good luck (are you menopausal age? I've had all sorts of weird similar symptoms and the scan was fine)

Original poster
ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 11:54

Thanks @pseudonom I’m actually early 30s so hopefully not menopausal. Yes I think you’re right. I actually burst into tears when they said the blood test had come back fine - I couldn’t believe I was no closer to finding out what was wrong!

OP posts:
Original poster
ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 11:55

And thanks for the link @MrsMozartMkII - I don’t have any of the other symptoms but crazy to think how many different illnesses there are out there and how often people have trouble getting diagnosed

OP posts:
Queenunikitty · 07/08/2019 11:57

I had this, it was coeliac disease. Good luck OP.

OVienna · 07/08/2019 11:58

Are you in London, Conker? I can recommend a private ob/gyn to you. It's not at all cheap but she has a scan in her office where she can take a look immediately and see what is what. Excellent bedside manner, second to none. Do PM me if you're interested.

PookieDo · 07/08/2019 12:02

When my fibroids were very large I felt like this. One was putting pressure on my bladder and one on my bowel but I also was having horrendous periods

You do need a scan!

Annasgirl · 07/08/2019 12:11

If you find nothing on the scan and are still in pain, ask for a scope - MIL was found to have cancer and nothing came up in bloods or scans and she lost 18 months to faffing around with GP telling her go home as there was nothing there.

Just get every test possible done. Are you in pain? It could be ovarian cysts. I have IBS and it can be like you describe so it might end up being nothing but you need to rule everything else out first.

Original poster
ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 12:26

@Queenunikitty thanks for your reply - I’ve just checked the nhs coeliac disease site and it rings a lot of bells, particularly as I’m always told I have low iron/anaemia . I will definitely ask for the tests.

OP posts:
Original poster
ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 12:29

@OVienna yes I am in London and that would be very helpful, thank you - I will PM you

OP posts:
Original poster
ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 12:32

@PookieDo thanks for that info - I’ve looked up the symptoms and I have less of them than some of the other things but worth asking about them. Hopefully the scan would pick up either those or any ovarian cysts

OP posts:
Wilberforce2 · 07/08/2019 12:34

The clinic I went to was in West Malling which if you drive isn't that far. A pelvic scan is £65 or a pelvic and abdominal is £110.

www.kentmedicalimaging.co.uk/General_Ultrasound

Original poster
ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 12:34

@Annasgirl that is worrying, There are so many stories of things being missed and the patient’s worries being ignored. I know my own body and I know that what I’m experiencing is a sign that something is wrong!

I am very fortunate to have private scans etc available to me - I will definitely go down this route after everyone’s advice

OP posts:
Original poster
ConkerGame · 07/08/2019 12:35

@Wilberforce2 thanks so much

OP posts:
Vittoriosa · 07/08/2019 17:54

I could have written this post myself. Have also recently been to doctors with same symptoms. Blood tests all fine except low folate which I now have a prescription for. I am feeling exhausted, extremely bloated (doctor agreed I looked pregnant) and having horrendous periods. I was so disappointed nothing else showed up on blood tests - i feel so ill and just want something to fix me! Now awaiting scan appointment. Will follow your post with interest

Original poster
ConkerGame · 08/08/2019 19:27

Thank you so much everyone, just wanted to update you that thanks to your advice I have got my ultrasound scans booked in for tomorrow and extra blood tests for next week Smile Feeling so much more hopeful now and really hope there’s some definitive news.

@Vittoriosa I hope you get some clarity too - it’s so tough, isn’t it!

OP posts:
MrsMozartMkII · 08/08/2019 20:15

A good update lass.

I hope it all goes very well.

Wilberforce2 · 08/08/2019 20:33

Good luck for tomorrow Conker!

Vittoriosa · 08/08/2019 22:18

Good luck for tomorrow!

EThreepwood · 08/08/2019 22:34

Good luck for tomorrow. Just incase it is bloating from gas try peppermint tea it works wonders for me