Ovarian cancer worries.

[mumbar]

Hi, I've come here with concerns, I noticed theres another thread here recently which I've read but it doesn't answer my questions so I hope it's ok I've started this one?

The past year I have had quite an uncomfortable and sometimes sharp pain on my right hand side (I have felt like theres a lump there - but you can't feel one if that makes sense?). My periods have changed got very heavy with clots (50p piece size) and the last one not really any 'bleed' but 1 large and 5 smaller clots lost. My period ended 12 days ago and now I have the pain I've noticed before that starts in my side and goes around my back. Its not what I would call constant or too painful iyswim more a constant but noticable back ache.

Saw GP last Thurs and have had blood tests today for coagulation, FBC and liver. I have a pelvic examination next wednesday.

As my back 'pain' has come back today I googled the symptoms I have. Its a hard one to decipher as I have IBS but noticed that my bowels habits are changing monthly - but there seems to be a pattern iyswim and I seem to bee weeing a lot lately (altho I do drink a lot due to my IBS)

Sorry rambling out of fear here, basically the symptoms all keep coming up as ovarian cancer on the internet (yes I know lay off google). Should I be pushing for the GP's to at least rule this out by testing.

I'm sorry again for the waffling post but I'm concerned and as a single mum with one DS I need some perspective before I worry myself stupid.

Thanks for reading.

I get those symptoms with a UTI have one atm and have had 5 days of antibiotics and it isn;t gone yet.Spoke to nurse today and she said when an infection becomes more than just cystitis the whole lower abdomen and back can be involved and sometimes need more antibiotics to shift.Mine is right side too .have you sent off a urine sample/

No, I had antibiotics for suspected UTI a few months ago, sent urine for analysis but all receptionist said about results was - normal procedure taken??

It seems tho all to be related to the cycle if that makes sense?? Maybe nurse at work tomorrow can dip test tho??

Oh this is horrible

Stop googling! Seriously it is prob making you worse.The infection could have returned or you could have endometriosis.Get your urine dipped tomorrow and start with that and try not to worry x

I wasn't worrying about the link with the back pain tbh. And I know googling was STUPID I wanted to know what a pelvic exam would entail so innocently looked it up. Led me to ovarian cancer (amongst the other possibilites) and that was the only one which descibed all the symptoms. Although the good news is they are early warnings.

I'll definatly ask for urine test. Although it does mean thats what I've been getting monthly for a year - that in itself can't be good - perhaps it kidney pain??

Oh to have all the answers !!!

mumbar - this is the problem with ovarian cancer - its symptoms are so often the same as other conditions. Try not to worry and definately stop googling!

There is a blood test for OC though isn't there? If you're really worried maybe they could do it for you?

I'm sure it isn't this though and you do right posting here for support.

I worry about cancer a lot too but have good reason to (won't go into it quite depressing) Hope you're ok and get sorted soon.

Google off - I promise - I actually do not want to know more.

I'll see what GP says at pelvic next Weds and some back for advice when I have more info.

I get ovulation pain around 12 days into cycle.
I hope it is nothing to worry about, for you x

I think you can ask for a blood test to look at your cancer markers within your blood whcih they will usually take into account with any other clinical symptoms/presentation. If you are still worried i would see if you can bring your next appointment forward - sometimes the waiting is the worst thing

I'm waiting as Gp wants bloods available when I have pelvic, - its for aneamia etc, has asked for coagulation and liver too. I didn't mention the back pain etc as important to him - jsut that it happens but its when it comes back I remember how annoying it is iyswim. I'm seeing a lady GP for pelvic (also hence the wait) so will try and discuss more with her.

I am aware theres a test which can indicate O/cancer but it apparently gives false negatives and false positives so usually done along side physical exam. Maybe if GP finds anything unusal then would be the time to demand request they do the test?

When my mum's cancer was found (on pelvic exam for something different entirely) they told her immediately that something wasn't right and she went for blood tests and MRI PDQ (within days) so you shouldnt need to request this I wouldnt have thought

Oh thats good (or not iyswim). Hopefully then by next weds will have some answers about what its could be and what to do next. GP I first saw did say something about maybe needeing a scan but think that was probably dependant on the blood and pelvic.

Guess I just expected GP to say normal, don't worry (had clear smear 6 weeks ago) give me the pill on send me home.

Hogshead, sorry your mum went through this (and you had to see that).

Thanks Mumbar thats very kind. I hope that it turns out to be good news for you. Will you update us to let us know how you get on?

mumbar - I may have just posted on the other thread you refer to as my wife who had ovarian cancer.

You need to press your GP to get you referred for an ultrasound of your abdomen and CA125 test that detects the ovarian cancer marker if you are really worried and then take it from there with a consultant. Your GP is not necessarily wrong but you need to exclude the ovarian cancer possibility. The CA125 and ultrasound are just first steps and not definitive but it gets you into the process of dicovering what is happening.

As others have said, the problem is that pain can be caused by many other things. My wife had no pain at all but still had ovarian cancer.

The key thing though is to get in front of a consultant with the CA125 and ultrasound results - not just your GP. I know from my DW's history that fibroids and endometriosis can also produce similar symptoms.

I wish you all the very best. I know very well how you feel and yes do please please try not to Google until you have seen a consultant.

Mumbar I had these symptoms and had an ovarian cyst. They are relatively common and can grow quite large. Mine was the size of a melon by the time it was operated on, as it took my GP a long time to diagnose. I went 3 separate times and he examined me but couldn't feel anything at fisrt, blood tests were fine.

Please insist your GP sends you for a scan, ovarian cyst and tumours are notoriously difficult to diagnose. I lost my ovary and tube because mine got so big :(

Thanks for your replies.

I will definatly push for all tests even if it just rules out everything iyswim.

I will let you alll know how pelvic exam goes next week and what is happening further.

GP has metioned possibly needing a scan but I think I'll push for one anyway.

I've had pelvic pain for a few weeks now and got myself really worked up about OC. I have had loads of tests(smear, swab, bloods, scan, more blood-CA125)

Most of my results are back now, apart from CA125 but after a visit to my doctor last night, he seems to think I have polysistic ovaries, polyps and IBS. I came away with some Kolanticon gel and need to chase up the CA125 result in a few days.

As my "pain" seems to have spread right up into my ribcage on my left hand side and I feel bloated and so uncomfortable I had convinced myself for the worst.

am still not totally at ease with the DX, I am trying to change my diet, lifestyle etc, take my medicine like a good girl and see how things go with the blood test.

Not sure what will be recommended for the polysistic ovaries/polyps???

Thinking of you mumbar.x

Thankyou Dingle, I understand the problem with IBS involved. I have IBS and have done for 20 years since I was 10yo. The pain and discomfort from that can come and go, hence the reason I made no real connection between the pain and my cycle. I'm hoping that the stomach back pain is the IBS and is worse because some gynae not right but the gynae problem is minor iyswim.

I'm still clinging to the hope this is something and nothing - that my periods are just clots due to hormones and I'm tired due to work and pain is from IBS. See the more I say/ type it the more I can convince myself its nothing. Just wish that tiny nag in the back of my mind would disappear

OK, been and had the pelvic exam and swabs taken too.

GP has reffered me for an untrasound but didn't seem too concerned. I mentioned I'd had an ECS with DS and so it could be scar tissue. All I know is when she was pushing from internally and externally I felt a bruised like pain between where she was pushing, she asked if it was internal or external and I tried to explain.

The clotting with my periods could just be hormonal changes and she said I was right now that I'm 30 (just!) these changes often occur. If scans come back OK I think I'll asked about the pill if its hormonal?

mumbar

If I was a betting woman I would say that endometriosis is a distinct possibility here (its usually only diagnosed though via laparoscopy which is a keyhole surgery op). I used to get both back and pelvic pain with my endo as well.

Btw no ultrasound scan will detect endo if it is there. Any abdominal surgery can cause adhesions to form; these are sticky strands that tether organs together. The only way to remove these is surgical.

IBS is often confused with endometriosis as well; many women who have been told they have IBS actually have endo instead.

Think in this case IBS is a given as symptoms been there since I was 10 YO. Rules out everything else through numerous tests.

However I did discuss with GP how I presume all pain or discomfort below my rib cage is IBS so I guess that the pain in the back that goes around my side and down towards my groin could be something else.

Would endometriosis be picked up during a pelvic exam?? If not should I ask about a laproscopy if ultrasound is clear??

mumbar,

I have had period problems since starting menstruation at 14 and the cause in my case was endometriosis. If your periods started and remained problematic from that time then this may be a reason for your health issues now. Some women who have been told they have IBS actually have endometriosis.

Endometriosis is NOT picked up during any internal ultrasound scan, swab or blood test. It is usually only diagnosed through laparoscopy which is keyhole surgery. It can also take an experienced surgeon to spot it. I have endo and it was only diagnosed after lap surgery (I have had more internal ultrasound scans and blood tests than I care to mention!).

I started my periods at 15, they weren't a problem until the last year. Can endo start later??

I'm being very firm with GP that I've put it down to IBS pain but may now think I have been wrong as this has got worse over the past year and IBS seems to be improving as cut down on wheat/ dairy quite a lot.

I do have very sensitive bowel lining but I know that pain and this definatly is not.

Can endo also cause pain in groin area and feeling of swelling slightly above the pelvic area as well?

Thanks for all the advice ladies this will realy help me push for tests despite stomach problems already diagnosed.