Ovarian cancer worries

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Some new symptoms have appeared in addition to my original and initial symptoms (abdominal and back pain, starting slight, and increasing in duration and severity over three year period. Most noticeable around ovulation and week before period).
The new symptoms (noticed over past few weeks, more severe past fortnight) are indigestion, almost constant, as pain under breastbone too, and 'wind' cramps, stomach bloating in the evening, which return to normal by morning. Also nausea which comes and goes in waves. I'm definitely not pregnant, I tested to be sure. Oh and breast tenderness/pain too, and some 'leaking' though I haven't breastfed for well over a year.

Smear test was clear and an ultrasound, last year, was clear. I'm just so worried. Endometriosis was mentioned as a possibility, but these new symptoms are a worry. I'm waiting for the GP to get back to me about a gynaecologist referral (supposed to have been made in Feb), which appears to have gone awry.

Try not to worry. OC is more common in women over 50, women overweight and with a family history.

TBH it could well be IBS caused by too much worry- or something like heartburn.

If you go to the charity Ovacome, you can download a symptom tracker which you can take to your GP.

If I was a betting person, I'd put my house on the fact that you do not have OC - try and stop thinking about that.

You probably have IBS or gall stones.

Thank you for replying. No I'm in my mid 30s, and lower end of normal for BMI, no family history, and (was) in good health.

Yes IBS would explain some symptoms. But I'm worried that my pains (the other initial pains, seemingly linked to menstrual cycle, and exactly like period pains) might not be explained by IBS, including my infertility (2.5 years unsuccessfully ttc)?

Would it be worth making an appointment to discuss the new symptoms? I was hoping the gynae investigations might throw something up (when I get news of my lost referral that is, four months waiting now).

I've been taking Ibuprofen and other painkillers a lot too over the past few months, whilst waiting for a diagnosis. Could that have any bearing on this at all. The GP knows, and said it wasn't good, but didn't advise me not to either, or offer an alternative.

My mum had ovarian cancer at age 58. She is now 62 and fully recovered [ touches wood ]. You just won't have it - the chances are so small it's barely worth considering.
I would call the dr and insist on a scan. You need one to see if it's gall stones or a cyst etc. And then you can have peace of mind and start treating what it is.

Why not call the surgery today?

Thank you, I will call shortly and today. I'm a mess with worry, and feel so unwell, yet don't feel I can talk to anybody about my concerns (aside from dh) until I know what is wrong.

I have some knowledge about ovarian cancer but it won't help to go into detail but from what I know the bloating is constant rather than coming and going.
What are you having for your IBS? I found a wheat free diet with regular probiotics and low sugar really help me. Taking buscopan before meals helps too.
I would push for your appointment for reassurance as much anything else. I have quite bad IBS and a family history of ovarian cancer so it's always on my mind. Actually had a CT scan for something unrelated but knowing my ovaries looked ok really reassured me! It's not on that you've been left especially since you're so anxious! Get yourself seen!

I'm afraid haven't been diagnosed with IBS, or in fact anything, yet. They suspected polycystic ovaries on sending for a (surface?) ultrasound, but couldn't see anything. Endometriosis has also been mentioned because of cycle nature of pains, or so it used to be, is almost constant now.

I couldn't get through today, though I did only try twice. I'll call first thing tomorrow.

I'm also thinking (hoping, how weird is that?) stomach ulcer now. I've been taking ibuprofen and other painkillers very regularly, for months now and wonder if that would make sense?

You could have a combo of IBS, polyc. or endo.

The Ibuprofen - too much of it- could upset your stomach but not give you an ulcer in the short term.

I'd put my money on IBS and endo!

get back to drs and ask for a quicker referral and do that plotting of symptoms the Ovacom website I mentioned.

From the little i know, it doesn't sound likely, if the ultrasound was clear last year. Did you have blood tests done also?

I would also head back to your GP and push for a more urgenet referral.

No, I didn't have blood tests, though now I'm wondering why not. The ultrasound was only a surface one, but they didn't see anything on the ovaries.

I still haven't been able to see my GP. Last week was the strike and it seems to have affected surrounding appointment slots.

I've had pain every time after I've eaten something, nausea in waves and randomly, and feeling faint when out and about. I had crippling abdomen pains for hours the day before yesterday (I had to lie down in bed until they had passed as I could barely move). It's all very odd.

I still haven't been contacted about the missing referral for my other symptoms (is now some 16 weeks), two weeks later, so am feeling cross. I'm trying again to get an appointment for tomorrow.

Your symptoms sound exactly like my IBS symptoms. Are you eating a particularly high or low fibre diet?

The thing about the menstrual cycle is interesting too, as your hormones can have an affect on your guts - you can become more constipated. I know that if I get constipated it can trigger my IBS, and then I get the abdominal cramps followed, sometimes, by diarrhoea. (Incidentally, diarrhoea can be a symptom of constipation - I know that sounds weird, but it's true!)

Here's a really TMI question - what is your poo like? Is it solid and in large-ish pieces, or is it more like rabbit poo - smaller pellets?

Oh, and carbs trigger my IBS too. Are you eating a lot of bread/pasta/rice?

Yes, I am eating a lot of carbs, but my diet hasn't changed recently. I haven't noticed any bowel differences, aside from 'slight' perhaps contipation, if that makes sense. Eek though, to answer your question, it is solid and large-ish.

Is IBS really so painful? And the general nausea and weakness?

Has anyone ever looked at your gallbladder?

I have andendomyosis, endo, PCOS, glallbladder problems and IBS.

My womb is swollen to the size of an 8 month pregnancy but it never goes down, only gets bigger.

The constant use of ibruprofen will muck your stomach up.

IBS can be incredibly painful and make you feel very ill. When your pelvic area swells after ovulation it can put much more pressure on an already swollen bowel.

Is your pain in the middle of your body or higher up in the right ribs?

Goodness, you have all of those! I'm fortunate that I seem to have had a few days grace from the pelvic pains, I wouldn't like to cope with both at once.

No, my gallbladder hasn't been looked at. The pain is around my naval area (like crushing waves of pain when at its worst), with some stabbing type pains going to my chest, but mostly the left side, under breastbone area.

It does sound like IBS tbh.

Try taking peppermint tea or tablets

Buscopan(sp) can be taken for muscle spasms of the bowel but i know people who take it mid cycle and through their period.

Like BIWI says try to low carb and cut down on your refined sugars.

If you get a full gynae MOT and nothing obvious pops out I would presume it to be IBS but even if you have endo remember IBS could still be one of your problems.

Ive been waiting for my hysterectomy since January!

Hope you get some answers soon and try not to worry stress will make your symptons worse.

Take care

My worst IBS attack was more painful than labour. That's how painful it can be!

Cut down refined carbs, drink plenty of water and drink peppermint tea.

Good luck with finding a solution and getting a diagnosis.