Lower abdominal pains

[YourCalmPeer]

I’m fully aware nobody can diagnose me here, I’m just looking for some reassurance I suppose. For full disclosure I do have health anxiety which of course doesn’t help when physical symptoms manifest! For the past few weeks I’ve had strange abdominal pains and am worrying about ovarian cancer and bowel cancer. My pains comes and go and have been on both the lower left and lower right sides. They’re just moderate pains nothing excruciating. No bloating. I’m trying to make myself feel better by being logical in saying the odds of cancer are slim (I’m 33), especially bowel as I had a clear colonoscopy 4 years ago and from what I’ve read it’s usually slow growing so chances are something would have shown up then? Again, trying to convince myself that because the pains move around it’s less likely to be sinister. Am I right?

I have had 2 c sections, most recently a year ago, and am wondering if the pain could be adhesions.

any thoughts/experiences? Thank you in advance!

Could you be slightly constipated? The Bristol stool chart is a good guide.

@Whatabouthow definitely not constipated but thank you for your comment :)

Appendix out? (that is right side) can grumble for years.

2 years on the 28th fullness bizarre (it feels like someone has got into my abdomen died and is still there) feeling turned out to a fibroid that can’t be dealt with so have to live with it. I have tried a body brush circulations to drinking raspberry leaf tea.

Had a colonoscopy 7 months ago but that just showed slight inflammation and really don’t want to go through the repeated tests just to get answers.
Some people say the 4th colonoscopy was worth it but who really wants to be in that position.

@Ladymuck2022 thanks for your reply. I had my appendix out 13 years ago so not that! The pains are very strange in that they sometimes feel sharp, others like a stitch. Sometimes (most often) at the side, other times across the bottom. They come and go a lot. Sometimes it even feels like my ovaries. Just so random!

I have adhesions from previous surgery, it could be this causing the pain. From the previous surgeries.

Sounds like trapped wind, which doesn't necessarily come with bloating

It's most likely gas moving around, especially if you're a bit constipated or have IBS. Try upping your fibre intake or try some Deflatine tablets.
A clear colonoscopy 4 years ago is excellent but if you're really worried, see your GP and explain what you're worried about.
Hope you feel better soon

It's likely adhesions. I get them too after 2 c sections. Especially up to 2 years after surgery. After that it got less painful.

Thank you all. I don’t think it’s trapped wind as had that several times and know how painful it is. I’d say this is less painful but just keep getting random areas of pain on and off throughout the day. Often sharp fleeting pains, other times dull aches but nothing that persists all day long. I’m sure it’s maybe adhesions but I’m a worrier and my mind goes to worst case. I have sent off a fit test this morning, and have booked a pelvic ultrasound tomorrow as I figure I better deal with this anxiety before Christmas. Hopefully all shows up clear!

@Weightoftheworld8 how does your pain feel with adhesions and where is it located if you don’t mind me asking?

Always worse on the side I had an ectopic pregnancy. It's like a pulling tearing pain

@Weightoftheworld8 sorry to hear about your ectopic. That must’ve been awful.
is it always the same type of pain? Does the area feel tender when pressed at all?

Sometimes it's stabbing others it feels like gas. It's always worse mid cycle and at the end.

@Weightoftheworld8 that does sound quite similar to mine other than mine seems to move location - I can get it lower left then a few hours later lower right. Strange!

@Orangesandlemons77 thank you for your reply. Do you have symptoms from yours? I just assumed if it was adhesions I’d have had symptoms much sooner than 1 year post section but I could be wrong! Thank you

In all likelihood there is nothing wrong with you at all. Health Anxiety is appalling &, if you're anything like me, will manifest very real pain in you.

Book in with the GP who will likely want to do bloods & check your ca125. EVEN IF that's raised it doesn't mean anything at all, it's just one marker for ovarian cancer. If it's out of range at all they'll send you for an internal vaginal ultrasound.

Keep reminding yourself that the LEAST likely answer to things is always cancer. We've a very warped perception of how common it actually is. It's far more likely to fibroids or stress (don't give them that option).

Once that's done - get some help for your HA, you'll not regret it

Edit to add - ca125 fluctuates naturally & can be raised by endo or fibroids.

Hi, yes I have adhesions from previous bowel surgery, I was unlucky and they caused a bowel obstruction so I needed more surgery for that (which brings more adhesions)

That is pretty rare though, but if you have had previous surgery you will definitely have adhesions from it, that may or may not be the cause of your pain but it can sometimes get a bit worse with time.

Mine is in the pelvic area as well and gets worse with periods etc, I guess it all joins in together, and on scans the womb is held back in a retroverted way.

They are usually harmless tho0ugh just painful. A good GP might help with pain relief if needed.

Thanks for your message. You’re so right, HA is horrific and I feel like I’ve lost so much of my life to it the last few years. I do always try and tell myself cancer is the least likely answer but I feel as well as awareness (which is of course important), there’s so much fearmongering around cancer these days and how common it is. When you’re told your odds are 1 in 2 then I feel it’s really easy to jump straight to that as a diagnosis in your head!

anyway, thank you for your support and I am booked for an internal ultrasound tomorrow for peace of mind (private)