Cervical cancer scare??

[Ayeshaxxx]

Hi, I’ll start this off by saying I have health anxiety and fully acknowledge this.
I am on the depo and have been since Feb this year. I’ve had one period during this time in May but since then nothing.
Last month I started getting abdominal pain lower left very sharp. I’ve been and got an internal and normal ultrasound which has come back clear.
I waited a bit as the doctors thought I may have an Sti so awaited results which all came back clear.
Whilst waiting I had sex and put a pad on (by chance) and when I seen the pad at lunch time it was covered in brown blood. For the next few days I had light brown spotting. I had sex again a few days later and had a bit of pink when I wiped. After this I panicked phoned the doctors and have been sent for a urgent referral to gynaecologist at hospital.

I’m really stressed and anxious as since the referral I have developed leg pains constantly all day and back pain.

I’m really really worried and am finding it difficult to sleep

I’ll also add I’m 23 so am to young to have had smears previously

Anyone? Would just like to hear experiences driving myself crazy with worry

Try not to worry the bleeding could be due to the depo injection. If they have done the referral now it won't be long for an appointment.

Sal

Yes my appointment is next week I just feel as though the pain is getting worse. It feels like I’m on an awful period but I have spotting / no bleeding at the moment. Plus as I’m on the depo and I haven’t bled since I started it I’m not sure if I’m even meant to be bleeding. I’m actually terrified

It could be a number of less serious things OP. I know it's hard not to panic and think the worst but your GP has done a referral, you have an appointment and there's likely a simple explanation.

I have also had HA in the past which manifested itself as pelvic pain (also had odd bleeding too), I had a number of gynae referrals due to it but nothing sinister was ever found. When my mental health improved the pain improved too. I'm not saying that to dismiss you but sometimes anxiety makes things worse in a physical way.

The anxiety definitely isn’t helping, I’ve just never had back pain like this before with unexplained bleeding and leg pain.
I keep waking up during the night sweating from stress and keep having nightmares. Just need a hand to hold whilst waiting for the appointment. I’m currently in too much pain to go work and live on my own so I feel extra alone right now

Perhaps work might help, to distract you from the pain? What help have you had for your anxiety?

Hi op I’m going through similar atm. I have pelvic/leg pain for the past 3 weeks and irregular bleeding but I have got the implant so there’s isn’t really a “regular” that I can keep an eye on.
The dr looked at my cervix on Friday and said she could see an ectropian. I know that’s usually nothing to worry about but
I have had stage 1a1 cervical cancer when I was 25 picked up on my first routine smear but I was treated with 2 lletz treatments and never had a problem since.
I’m 36 now with a 4 year old dd and had a completely normal pregnancy.
I have an appointment with gynaecology on Thursday. On google images (i know you shouldn’t google) an ectropian looks very much like how a cervix with cervical cancer looks to me 😐
Like you I’m terrified.
While waiting for results I always try to focus on positives yours being that you have recently had an internal and an ultrasound so If I were you, I’d feel a bit reassured that surely anything advanced would have presented there.
The bleeding like mine could be contraception related.
The pain could be anything really. As could mine.
I hope I haven’t wrote anything to make you feel worse I just wanted you to know I’m waiting too and ive been through it before and in the end on that occasion the outcome really wasn’t so bad.
Please try not to drive yourself mad over it. I know that’s so hard not to do.
I hope your appointment comes through very soon and I hope you will let us know how you get on.

@CorrBlimeyGG I would but it’s quite an active job and due to my pains my doctor has told me to rest as it will probably aggravate it. For anxiety I have propananol when my anxiety hits it’s worst at night and then I’ll just phone a friend and try deep breathing. The pain just doesn’t feel normal at all and every day I wake up hoping it’s gone and it’s still here, worse in fact.

@Noonoo8589
That’s so helpful!
The doctor looked at my cervix last month and was convinced I had an Sti from the look of it which has terrified me because now my results have come back clear I’m thinking what on Earth was she looking at?
When you had cervical cancer did you have any symptoms?? Glad your treatment all went well!

Please let me know how you get on, mine isn’t till Monday.

I’m so scared, but the clear ultrasound is positive you’re right. My friend said that the leg pain would be due to a tumour putting pressure on the nerves in which case if it was that advanced it should have shown on there, I try to think of this when My anxiety at its worst.

I just feel like a different person since this pain and worry started. I don’t care about anything anymore I just want to be healthy, due to the anxiety and pain I’ve lost my personality I don’t feel like me.

Try not to worry until you know what you are dealing with.

I had cervical cancer last year. Had chemotherapy and radiotherapy to deal with it as a hysterectomy wouldn't have removed it all.

I had zero symptoms. Was picked up on a smear. I hadn't been for one for ages.

You need therapy for health anxiety, to stop the negative thought patterns before they start, not just tackle the symptoms when they do.

Please ask for some talking therapy. Health anxiety can be very debilitating mentally, but also leaves you at risk of healthcare professionals not taking you seriously when something is genuinely wrong.

Was picked up on a smear. I hadn't been for one for ages.

Presumably you weren't 23, possibly not had the HPV vaccine either? Please take care not to exacerbate the OP's anxiety.

@CorrBlimeyGG yes I’ve had the HPV vaccine so I guess that’s in my favour.

I was kinda hoping it would be an Sti as that’s easily dealt with and I could face it, but now all infections have been ruled out I’m beside myself thinking what on earth this could be.

@CorrBlimeyGG yeah my health anxiety is definitely exhausting me. It’s keeping me awake at night and giving me nightmares. I have another doctors appointment tomorrow to discuss blood test results so will bring up therapy perhaps.

Something just feels very wrong in my lower abdominal area and With no infections shown I’m running out of causes

@CorrBlimeyGG I told her to try not to worry.

She asked about symptoms, I'm telling her I didn't have leg and back pain. So she shouldn't worry that she has and that this means she has cancer

@Chesneyhawkes1 I appreciate your comment thank you and glad your treatment was successful!

I just feel sick with worry as my pain is so severe I can’t ignore it 😔 I’m running out of things that could be causing it other than the depo or endo?

@Ayeshaxxx I didn't get on with depo at all. Had to stop using it. I got quite bad cramps and exceptionally emotional on it. When usually I'm very unemotional.

I know it's easy to say - but try not to worry and get yourself into a state. Have you got good pain killers? Hot bath / water bottle.

Hopefully Monday you will get some answers and medical help. I know it's a few days to wait and I feel for you

@Chesneyhawkes1 I’ve cried every day so far since my referral so defo in a state!
I’ve got a whole range from gp as they’ve seen me break down from the pain, I have cocodamol, naproxen and tramadol. Only thing is that I’m aware I’m barely eating at the moment so worried about taking so many pain killers. Avoiding all really but the cocodamol.

I have a hot water bottle on my back at the moment, feel a bit drowsy but am definitely aware of the pain.

I did break down crying on the phone to woman who booked my appointment so I presume Monday was the first available one but it feels so far away. And even then if they do tests I can’t imagine what I’ll be like waiting for results 😭

Don’t listen to the advice of a friend !! It’s highly unlikely it is cervical cancer. It may be something simple your anxiety is probably exaggerating the pain in your legs .

I was diagnosed with vaginal cancer last year and had no pain at all. I did have bleeding but my tumour was being rubbed when I had sex and it was quite large. I’ve had treatment and had a number of scans and examinations since and show no evidence of disease.

@Mistymoors I think my friend was trying to reassure me in the way that my ultrasound come back clear, she is in the medical field -not gynae admittedly but she did say that if there was a huge tumour in cervix it would’ve been picked up on US

@MrsPnut so sorry to hear of your previous diagnosis how are you now?

How was it diagnosed if you don’t mind me asking?

I’m so so scared the pain is making me more nervous x

Sorry misread what your friend said, yes if it was anything urgent your scan would be red flagged.

@Ayeshaxxx I had bleeding during sex and made an appointment with the nurse. She did a full STI swab and a smear, arranged an ultrasound and referred me to the gynae department. Ultrasound was clear, STI was clear, Smear came back with HPV and abnormal and colposcopy was arranged for 4 days later. They saw the cancer as soon as they started and got the consultant in to check.
At no point have I had any pain at all from it, it is more likely to be something else if it is painful but the gynae appointment will give you more answers.

@MrsPnut do you mind me asking what stage this was? Just trying to get an idea thank you for the info, I’ve also had ultrasound and Sti check clear
It’s just all so scary

@Mistymoors I’m hoping that’s true and she’s not just trying to falsely reassure me :( I have heard cervical cancer is not usually picked up via ultrasound