What's wrong with me? I shouldn't have googled...

[ilove]

sob

Two issues...

1. My fingertips are numb on my left hand, and I have a "numb line" running down my arm. I've had three episodes of Optic Neuritis in the last 7/8 years, which with follow-up MRI scans after the first two were decided to be pregnancy related. No MRI after the third episode. My sister has MS...

1. I had a hysterectomy two years ago after cervical cancer started to head north. They left my ovaries in as they "looked healthy enough". The last couple of months I've had deep-seated pain on the lower right side of my abdomen, that is now constant with stabbing episodes...

I'm a bit of a wreck and shouldn't have googled I know, and I know they are unrelated things...

I don't drink, don't smoke and am no longer obese. I struggle to stay awake recently and am constantly knackered, but have 4 children and work full time shifts (no childcare either)

Any reassurance anyone?

Oh, had my appendix out 25 years ago so it isn't that!

[mammyto1]

You really need to go and see your doctor. It could be any number of things. Have you seen your doc recently about these problems.

You can have a blood test called CA125 (I think) and this checks how your ovaries are and if abnormal you will get referred for a scan etc.

The numbness could be a trapped nerve. When was the last MRI scan.

[mammyto1]

Forgot to say - I hope you feel better soon xx

[ilove]

Thanks. I have rung the docs but they aren't taking appointments as they are om "high alert" for Swine Flu.

Last MRI was about 6 years ago

[Drooper]

Hi,
Try not to google again . You need to see your GP as he knows all your history.
Your symptoms could be of relatively minor conditions, so try not to worry til you've seen GP.
You sound healthy generally, so am sure all will be well.

[Drooper]

Just seen re GP -that's really crap! Will they see you next week?

[mammyto1]

OMG thats terrible, so even if your not showing signs of flu you still aren't getting an appointment. How bad is the pain in your abdo - you could you go to a&e if it is bad?

I think I would also be looking to have further investigations with the numbness, i.e an up to date MRI.

God poor you , I think that is bloody crap of your doctors !!

[mammyto1]

Drooper is right too that it's more than likely nothing at all but best to get a full check up.

[NanaNina]

Are you sure you have phoned the GP surgery, as what you say does not sound right. There is a swine flu helpline which GP surgeries are directing patients to and it is not possible for surgeries to refuse to give appointment to people - that's like saying Tesco won't sell food!

You do need to consult your GP -sorry

[ilove]

Yes I rang the surgery, they are (were) full today and won't book any advance appointments for next week because of the supposed Swine Flu epidemic they are expecting. There are a small number of appointments available each day and you have to ring at 8am for them apparently, as of Monday. I found it strange too that they aren't booking stuff through...I'll see what happens on Monday.

[dearprudence]

Are you calling again today ilove? Hope you're feeling OK.

[WallyDoodle]

The hand could be carpal tunnel but the abdomen pain sounds more urgent, do you not have direct contact to a gynaecologist, oncologist or nurse practitioner from when you had the hysterectomy? I would call them and by-pass the GP. If you have an appointment card for regular check ups (you should have 2 years post op) I'd call that number and say you are in a lot of pain. I'd be surprised if the hospital didn't see you within a week.

Calling directly was what I was told to do for related post op pain (different operation but assuming similar protocol) and I've always found it very efficient. Much better than waiting for an appointment then a letter based communication from GP to consultant to you.

Don't worry about kicking up a fuss that turns out to be nothing, you are more likely to be admonished for putting up with the pain for a couple of months. I hope you feel better soon, best of luck, x

[ilove]

Hi

I got in with the GP yesterday morning, who did an internal and says the ovary on the right feels enlarged. I have an appointment tomorrow night (private through work health insurance) with a Consultant Gynaecology Oncologist, so we'll see what that brings.

GP seems to think the first thing they will do is a trans-vaginal scan. I asked her about the CA-125 blood test and she said that she'd rather leave that for the hospital to do in with the other tests, as it can apparently show "false positives" for cancer markers.

Thanks for messages, I'll try and update after the appointment tomorrow night or on Thursday if I head straight for bed with painkillers tomorrow.

[ilove]

Oh...she also said that the pain/enlarging/tiredness etc is more than likely down to me heading into the menopause early because of the hysterectomy rather than anything sinister, and she sent a urine test off to be checked to eliminate an infection.

[JJ]

Hope you're feeling ok. Just wanted to post and say that I had a positive CA125 result and they did a trans-vaginal scan to check it out. It was a false positive. So don't worry if they do the scan but not the blood test, I guess!

[ilove]

Thanks JJ

[dearprudence]

You OK ilove? Have not been on MN for a few days so only just caught up with this.

[ilove]

I just got home...sore, tired and battered. Was rushed in by ambulance on Fri afternoon and emergency operation yesyterday adter they trandferred me to another hospital..

Bowel/ovary were stuck with scar tissue and the other side had a cyst which they drained. Three sets of stitches to come out on Frday.

[mylovelymonster]

ilove - that must have been really frightening. I hope you get better very soon x

[JJ]

Oh ilove, I hope you get a chance to get some rest this week. Good luck on Friday. xx

[ilove]

Thanks all. Tired and sore this morning, trying to make myself stay sat down with a coffee...easier said than done though with the kids! Hubby has had to go into work today but thten is off until he goes in on Friday night.

[JJ]

Hope you're feeling better, made it through yesterday okay and are getting some time to heal now.