how do i get GP to listen, afraid it could be cancer :(

[lumpybumpyme]

I have been back and forth to the GP for the last 2 years with tummy pains, diahorra and tireness.
Last few months I started feeling sick alot and feeling like Im full all the time. This past week, I keep getting stomach pains like I have held wee for way too long.
Im aware it might not be anything serious but all he keeps saying is its IBS and sending me home with tablets that dont work.
I know some of these signs (if not all) could be a sign of overian cancer, and I would like more tests to rule things out.
My GP has done no tests at all in the past, just told me its IBS.
Im so tired and so umcomfertable, but everytime I go to doctors he just doesnt listen.
Do I take a list and demand more tests? take my husband?

I know I could be over thinking this too

[KoolAidKid]

I've had an ovarian tumour. I had similar symptoms for ages, and I was repeated told I had IBS. My symptoms were swollen tummy, a feeling something was there that shouldn't be, a full feeling, feeling tired, back pain, lack of appetite and needing a wee all the time.

My tumour grew so large that when I went back to the doctor the last time, he thought I was 6 months pregnant. Blood test was completely normal, but an ultrasound showed the massive tumour, and the histology showed a borderline tumour (small cancerous changes, but not serious). Luckily as it was only a borderline tumour, I had surgery to remove it and I didn't any more treatment. But I lost my ovary and tube, had massive abdominal surgery and had to take 3 months off work. I was very lucky, without doubt the tumour would have kept on growing and killed me eventually if I hadn't had the surgery.

You need to ask for a ultrasound, if your GP is still unwilling to refer you I'd be tempted to go to A&E. Is there a Women's Hospital near you with an Emergency room? They're likely to be more understanding of women's problems.

[MamaChocoholic]

I try and be assertive with docs. don't always manage it. but when really scared I roll out the story of my mum, whose gp didn't listen to her concerns, and who died of cancer which had spread by the time he finally referred her for biopsy. not at all suggesting this could happen to you, but could you tell him a tale like this? I find it focuses their mind. invent a friend if necessary.

if at all possible see another gp. even if that means booking an appt now for a couple of weeks time. if you have concerns you deserve them to be taken seriously

[activate]

You go and you say

"I am concerned that I may have ovarian cancer and I need you to refer me immediately for a scan"

when and if he argues tell him that this has been going on for 2 years and if he doesn't have all the tests he cannot draw the conclusion he has tell him you feel it is not competent to rule out diagnostic tests and you want a gynae referral

[OddBoots]

Do you have a GUM clinic nearby you could visit to see if they can at least do a swab and check for pelvic inflammatory disease which might give you more info to go on?

[sphil]

Same thing happened to my Mum as well :(

[QuickLookBusy]

Lumpy I would insist on seeing the Dr again when you get the blood results.

Ask what each result means and if he says they are all normal insist on having the test for Ovarian cancer at least. There is a huge campaign at the moment to encourage women to get to the Dr with the sympoms you are describing.

If he refuses, say you want a second opinion and that you wish to speak to the practice manager. Tell them you want the fact you have been refused further investigation to be put on your notes.

At the end of the day WE pay for the Drs to do a job. I know of so many examples of friends and family getting crap treatments from GPs which has resulted in illnesses not being treated at an early stage. Please don't give up and try and take someone with you at your next appointment and let them express their concern also.

Good luck

[IntotheNittyGritty]

I have had lots of blood tests and been told everything is ok even when results were not normal. I now have cancer. The sign were there in the previous results but because the results didn't tie in with their pre conceived ideas of what might be wrong they were never followed up on. Looking back I wish I had been more pushy.

[jezebelle]

If i were you i'd request a CA125 test, its a basic blood test for ovarian cancer, i have a persistant cyst so have them monthly as i'm pg and the cyst cannot be removed yet, i'm sure your gp cannot refuse and if he did you could always write to the practice manager stating your concerns. xx

[darleneoconnor]

Do you have any family history? You must mention that to the GP.

[Highlander]

There was an article in the BMJ a couple of weeks ago about ovarian cancer.

A worryingly high number of ovarian cancer patinets are misdiagnosed as having IBS.

[Highlander]

for ovarian cancer the gold standard initial screen is pelvic ultrasound and a CA125 blood test.

Colon cancer - stool sample for occult blood and colonoscopy.

Coeliac - IgG bloods and endoscopy into your small intestine.

Other stuff could be hypothyroidism, gall bladder, appendicitis.

How old are you?

Smoker? Drinker?

[lisad123]

sadly they missed my husbands cancer for well over a year! they refused to do any tests at all, saying it was cycts, just an infection and finally said it was coliecs when they did a blood test. Lucky for us his cancer did show in his blood, but he was very unwell :(
Please fight if you dont get your answers

[Elibean]

tallulah, so sorry to hear that. i stand corrected. It was actually a GP who told me that bloods would probably show any inflammatory processes (including cancer) going on...she didn't say definitely, but just 'probably'. Clearly not.
Good luck with your chemo.

OP, as I said, go ahead and ask for scans/get second opionion/referral - good bloods is still good, but clearly not good enough!

[issynoko]

My mum was misdiagnosed with IBS which turned out to be bowel cancer too. Caught early enough for her treatment to be successful at the time but she was fobbed off for over a year.

I am very assertive at GPs now and basically INSISTED on a scan when I had similar symptoms - had bladder and ovarian scans and a colonoscopy. The GP did take it more seriously when I emphasised my family history and told him about the persistent misdiagnosis of my mother. Fortunately my symptoms were due to IBS and the reassurance of the clear testing has probably contributed to lessening of those symptoms caused by stress. I did mention concerns about cancer - and asked the doctor if he was aware of the current awareness campaign to highlight ovarian cancer symptoms and said I felt it would be irresponsible of me not to investigate that bearing in mind I have a young family etc. He referred me the same day...

[tallulah]

Sorry, I don't agree that it's nothing serious if your bloods are ok.

I had been going to the GP monthly for 7 months with worsening bowel problems. I saw 3 GPs, had several blood tests and was reassured it was IBS. I was told that if it was anything nasty it would have shown up in the bloods, which were clear. In the end my new GP said she would refer me, although she was convinced it wasn't serious. Within 2 months of her referral I had surgery for bowel cancer, which had been growing for 2 years. It had started to spread to the lymph nodes as well, so good job I didn't just accept the diagnosis and go away. I'm just about to start chemo.

[Elibean]

lumpy, c-reactive protein (CRP) will show any inflammatory processes going on...if its normal, and your white cell count is normal, and all the bloods are normal, you are very unlikely to have anything awful going on. Not saying that to put you off getting second opinions or scans, but just to reassure you that the bloods are worth something - hopefully they will give you some degree of reassurance. Especially as your symptoms have been going on a while - so you'd expect to see something in your bloods with anything major by now?
You could ask to see a different GP in the practice, and then ask for a referral to a gynae maybe?

[Smum99]

I also feel that when GPs dig their heels in you have a real problem trying to get the treatment. Sadly I have had experience of GPs failing to make correct diagnosis for serious conditions so I I would seriously consider a private scan. The likelyhood is that it is IBS but what do you have to lose - only money!

[acumenin]

I agree with MissMary. If you are not the right kind of person, you should never ask your doctor for tests and certainly never for pain medication, even for amazingly apparent illness and injury. My DP's spinal cord injury was ignored for years as the GP assumed he was a drug seeking attention whore and did no investigation.

You have to manipulate them, unfortunately.

[WeirdAcronymNotKnown]

Coeliac is a good test to have (and actually not that basic compared to others) - it can be quite hard to get those IME.

But that's beside the point really... As your biggest concerns haven't been addressed.

Have you actually said to him "I am worried about cancer"?

[hsurp]

Go to your Gynocologist! Check that 1st as he/she can tell you if you have cancerous cells down in that area (that is how I found out about mine and I need to go back soon!). If that doesn't work, then ask for a Colonoscopy or an Endoscopy. Those will show the rest of your insides and help a lot. I've done these 2 also and had polyps in my colon (pre-cancer) and abrasions in my stomach and GERD. If you tell your Doctor that you would feel more comfortable with having these procedures, then he/she should refer you. If he/she doesn't, change doctors!

[purplepidjin]

See a different doc. He shouldn't be refusing you treatment (or feeling like you have been)

[lumpybumpyme]

ok, saw GP today. He asked what was wrong i went though list, he then looked at the notes on screen and said yes its your IBS
I then said I didnt think it was, im sick of being tired and in pain. He checked me (I have quite bad pain in right side today), and agreed to blood tests but refused me a scan :(
Bloods are basic, cell count, coliec tests, C reactive proteins and a few other i cant remember.
Have spoken to DH and he said if they cant get to bottom we will pay for a private scan (not that we can afford it) :(

[Elibean]

My GP always says 'what are you worrying about, specifically?' because she knows that in any given situation, people worry about cancer/other things. She aims to deal with worries as well as diagnose.
I would go with two pronged approach: a) I'm worrying a lot that it could be cancer of some sort because b) its been going on a long time, and not got better: I would like some further testing please.
Good luck, worrying can only ever add to symptoms so reassurance is extremely valid need!

[mrsravelstein]

dh has been back and forth from GP for over a year now with worrying symptons that they aren't able to diagnose or treat - eventually he went back last week and said "i'm here because i want to be referred for a scan so that we can rule out cancer". they did it with no complaint. so i think sometimes upfront is best, especially if you keep being fobbed off. i hope it all works out.