23 year old with pelvic pain,bowel and urinary problems, loss of apetite, really scared...

[Kimberly83]

Hi, my name is Kim, I am 23 years old and I am very scared. On and off for years I've had rectal bleeding and blood with stools, and I get gassy and bloated, weight gain, and I figured it was due to eating fast or not having the best diet, I recent got more concerned about it and had a colonoscopy which turned out fine, they found nothing by anal fissures and internal hemmoroids (hemorrhoids). O had NO idea until looking up that this could be Ovarian Cancer. I've noticed that it has become harder to pass stool and that the pelvic area feels hard when I try to, and recently I started noticing the urge to urinate alot. I don't feel any definite mass put when I touch the side of the pelvic/stomach area that meets the hip (I think where the Ovaries are) it burns, mainly on the left side, and sometimes it's crampy there. I'm just terrified, I know it's somewhat unlikely at my age that I have Ovarian cancer, but it just seems like I have all the signs, and my GYN cannot see me for 3 weeks, so I am looking for some answers. I've also had a lingering cough lately since early this year, and I had a chest X-ray which showed nothing, could this be related if I do have Ovarian cancer? I was not anemic as of late February and as of about a year liver/kidney function were fine. I had a transvaginal ultrasound a couple years ago when I mentioned these symptoms, but they had me do it myself and it was uncomfortable and I'm not sure I got up there far enough for them to see what they needed to...also as the last few weeks I haven't been as hungry, and I don't know if this is another symptom or if it's just becuase I'm so nervous about all this. It just seems so scary to think of having this at such a young age, is there a possibility of this being anything other than Ovarian Cancer?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

hi Kim,
It is scary to have all these symptoms and feel so alone. You need a good physical examination. Most things are not cancer. The most likely explanation is irritable bowel syndrome however - first the exam...
best wishes to you

[bs1114]

The doctor will reply to you, but you sound so upset I wanted to say a few words to you.

There are many, MANY things that can be causing your problems -- I'm no doctor, but it sounds to me like ovarian cancer is one of the least likely causes. For one thing, you're very young (though of course cancer can strike at a young age, it's much more likely in older women).

But also, if you've had these symptoms on and off for years, it points more toward something other than cancer, as ovarian cancer would have most likely progressed very far along over that time if untreated, and would probably be causing lots of problems at this point.

I also know that stressing can make things much worse. I'm talking from personal experience here: Last fall, I was like you -- convinced I had cancer. I literally made myself so sick by worrying about it that I ended up in the ER twice. It took me quite a while to accept that I in fact didn't have cancer and my problems were caused by other things.

So definitely see your doctor, but please do what you can in the meantime to relax and de-stress (easier said than done, I know!).

[Kimberly83]

Thank you for your replies, yes it is easier said than done to stay calm. Some people I've discussed this with (family and friends) have offered the same advice about the worrying just making things worse. My appointment with my GYN was scheduled for the 29th, luckily I called am now able to be seen next Friday instead. So that's at least good. Also, as the doctor suggested, I am also going for a complete pyhsical with my general doctor as well...

[Kimberly83]

Unfortunately, I have realized due to my cycle the 18th will be no good anyway, so it's back to 3 weeks, oh well, just gonna try and hang in there until than...

[Kimberly83]

I realized I forgot to give some more of my medical history/problems to help with advice...family history, grandmother on my mothers side had breast cancer in her mid-60's, a great aunt (grandmother's sister) had Ovarian Cancer, in her late 50's/early 60's, and my mom had severe endometriosis before having a hyserectomy in her mid-30's. I heard endometriosis in families increases risk of Ovarian cancer-anyone know if this is true? Also if a first degree relative has endometriosis I heard it is likely that I can too-but I have a condition called Turner's Syndrome, which causes loss of Ovarian function, which I've heard makes it less likely that I'd have endometriosis and more likely I could have Ovarian cancer, realizing I forgot to add the information, I was wondering if the doctor could shed any light on this. Also, with the cough I've had on and off I believe I've had (and could still have) swollen glands, mainly under my chin area, and this concerns me too....I see my GYN in two weeks, hopefully then I'll get some more in depth answers as well..