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Are these symptoms of ovarian cancer I am experiencing?
I am terrified at the moment...my mother died from ovarian cancer almost 5 years ago and I fear I have it now and my gynaecologist is on holidays until 4th ,November. I am 45 years old and about 3 months ago I started to experience bad hip pain while I was sleeping. I recently moved house and went to a new gp who treated me like I was a hypochondriac, but did suggest I go see my gynaecologist. I have a great gyno, though I haven't seen him in 3 years as I was off travelling overseas and didn't get my annual ultrasounds that he recommended. I work as a lawyer and have been involved in a nasty trial that has been going since April and am in court every day for probably the next 6 weeks, so I decided to put it off until the trial finished. My periods also got funny about 3 months ago with one coming about 2 weeks late (before that they were always regular) then I got another 2 weeks later, then I got one 4 weeks after that, then my recent one was 2 weeks late and very heavy. I assumed it was probably periomenopause symptoms. I googled hip pain the other day and it seemed many people my age were experiencing the same thing, so I felt pretty confident it was menopause related. My period finished about 6 days ago and today I started to get what I thought was very bad ovulation pain on my left side, then about an hour after it started I started to get terrible pain down the inside of my left leg (something I have never experienced before). I also have terrible pain in my pelvic area and now also some pain on inner right leg.
On Friday (it is now Sunday here in Australia) I became worried enough about the hip pain and irregular periods to contact my gyno to make an appointment....he's on holidays until the 4th of November and I have an appointment that week. But now I'm very worried about leaving it that long. My mother wasn't diagnosed until it was already stage 4 and she only lived for about 5 months after. I really trust my gyno and he does the ultrasounds in his office. The reason I trust him so much is because after my mother died my periods became very irregular with heavy bleeding etc and I'd seen other gynos who wanted to do invasive procedures under general anaesthesia, and when I eventually saw him, he said he thought it was probably hormonal and due to how upset I was about my mother passing away, and he was right. I have adverse reactions (usually anaphylactic) to pretty much every drug I take and because of this haven't even taken an aspirin since 2002. My mother had an anaphylactic reaction to her chemo, went code blue, and was placed on life support and was unable to get any more chemo after that (anaphylaxis runs in the family).
When I googled my symptoms today I found this site and now am terrified that I may have ovarian cancer and that is what is causing my symptoms. What should I do next? I'm thinking of trying to get into my gp after court tomorrow if they can fit me in and getting her to send me for a c125 test (i've had those before) and wondering if I should be waiting til my gyno comes back or not? He is one of the few doctors I have felt confident with in many many years. I am of course still hoping it's menopause related, but when I read the forum here and saw that it may be related to ovarian cancer, I am truly terrified. I have no family to speak of and am single so the possibility of getting sick and having no one to look after me is also very frightening.
Would so appreciate any/all feedback. Thank you.
On Friday (it is now Sunday here in Australia) I became worried enough about the hip pain and irregular periods to contact my gyno to make an appointment....he's on holidays until the 4th of November and I have an appointment that week. But now I'm very worried about leaving it that long. My mother wasn't diagnosed until it was already stage 4 and she only lived for about 5 months after. I really trust my gyno and he does the ultrasounds in his office. The reason I trust him so much is because after my mother died my periods became very irregular with heavy bleeding etc and I'd seen other gynos who wanted to do invasive procedures under general anaesthesia, and when I eventually saw him, he said he thought it was probably hormonal and due to how upset I was about my mother passing away, and he was right. I have adverse reactions (usually anaphylactic) to pretty much every drug I take and because of this haven't even taken an aspirin since 2002. My mother had an anaphylactic reaction to her chemo, went code blue, and was placed on life support and was unable to get any more chemo after that (anaphylaxis runs in the family).
When I googled my symptoms today I found this site and now am terrified that I may have ovarian cancer and that is what is causing my symptoms. What should I do next? I'm thinking of trying to get into my gp after court tomorrow if they can fit me in and getting her to send me for a c125 test (i've had those before) and wondering if I should be waiting til my gyno comes back or not? He is one of the few doctors I have felt confident with in many many years. I am of course still hoping it's menopause related, but when I read the forum here and saw that it may be related to ovarian cancer, I am truly terrified. I have no family to speak of and am single so the possibility of getting sick and having no one to look after me is also very frightening.
Would so appreciate any/all feedback. Thank you.
I was really interested to read your post and feel I can identify with you more than anyone else I've read about on this website - although everyone has been very good. I wonder where you are right now with your diagnosis as you were seeing your gyn on 4th Nov. Would be interested to hear from you as my symptoms are almost identical.
I have had heavy painful periods for as long as I can remember and these have got progressively worse - I am now 47. I have also been suffering with lower back pain which has got worse and in early October it started around my right hip, around over my hip bone, into my back, down my leg, and particularly the front groin downwards. I have suffered with my back and hips for years but I knew this was different and was coming from inside my pelvic area on the right side. I knew I had fibroids as these were discovered on an MRi scan to do with my back 2 years ago but just got on with it.
I had the pain I describe above for about four days until it suddenly got worse as I was driving back from a court appointment (I, too, am a lawyer) and I ended up in the A&E where they eventually found cysts on both ovaries - 1 clear 4cm and 1 complex 6cm on the side with all the pain.
I had a laparoscopy two weeks ago and they've found extensive endometriosis. They thought they were going in to sort out the cysts but couldn't even get to the ovaries as they were "obliterated" by the endo. I still have the same symptoms, and am struggling to try and get back to work full time but failing as it is just so uncomfortable to sit at my desk all day. I've not done a court appointment since that day I ended up in A&E. I feel I want my life back but feel no-one is taking my symptoms seriously.
My surgeon said he is confident there's only endo and nothing more sinister but I don't know how he can tell when he couldn't even see the ovaries and couldn't take a biopsy. Also, I had the standard CA125 test which was normal and I know these aren't always reliable. In fact, given the extent of the endo they've now apparently found I'm surprised this wasn't elevated for that reason.
I am having hormone treatment now with a Mirena coil being fitted to try and shrink down the endo - with a follow up apt in 3 months - but I have daily symptoms and can't empty my bladder or bowels without discomfort and sometimes severe pain.
I too have an analytical mind and i've probably been a bit of a pain to the doctors about my treatment etc. I read earlier that it's more important to look out for yourself than be nice - but despite being a lawyer I find it hard to be aggressive and tell them they don't know what they're doing as I hate it when clients treat my advice that way! I'm trying on the one hand not to grizzle and just get on with it, whilst on the other hand thinking constantly they ma have got this wrong and I'll end up like so many others i've read about who were fobbed off and diagnosed too late to do anything.
One thing that differs for me is that I did not have a mom who had ovarian cancer - my advice would be to push that issue as far as you can to ensure you are being treated properly.
Would be very interested to know how you're doing.
Hope all is well
Regards
Hellen
I have had heavy painful periods for as long as I can remember and these have got progressively worse - I am now 47. I have also been suffering with lower back pain which has got worse and in early October it started around my right hip, around over my hip bone, into my back, down my leg, and particularly the front groin downwards. I have suffered with my back and hips for years but I knew this was different and was coming from inside my pelvic area on the right side. I knew I had fibroids as these were discovered on an MRi scan to do with my back 2 years ago but just got on with it.
I had the pain I describe above for about four days until it suddenly got worse as I was driving back from a court appointment (I, too, am a lawyer) and I ended up in the A&E where they eventually found cysts on both ovaries - 1 clear 4cm and 1 complex 6cm on the side with all the pain.
I had a laparoscopy two weeks ago and they've found extensive endometriosis. They thought they were going in to sort out the cysts but couldn't even get to the ovaries as they were "obliterated" by the endo. I still have the same symptoms, and am struggling to try and get back to work full time but failing as it is just so uncomfortable to sit at my desk all day. I've not done a court appointment since that day I ended up in A&E. I feel I want my life back but feel no-one is taking my symptoms seriously.
My surgeon said he is confident there's only endo and nothing more sinister but I don't know how he can tell when he couldn't even see the ovaries and couldn't take a biopsy. Also, I had the standard CA125 test which was normal and I know these aren't always reliable. In fact, given the extent of the endo they've now apparently found I'm surprised this wasn't elevated for that reason.
I am having hormone treatment now with a Mirena coil being fitted to try and shrink down the endo - with a follow up apt in 3 months - but I have daily symptoms and can't empty my bladder or bowels without discomfort and sometimes severe pain.
I too have an analytical mind and i've probably been a bit of a pain to the doctors about my treatment etc. I read earlier that it's more important to look out for yourself than be nice - but despite being a lawyer I find it hard to be aggressive and tell them they don't know what they're doing as I hate it when clients treat my advice that way! I'm trying on the one hand not to grizzle and just get on with it, whilst on the other hand thinking constantly they ma have got this wrong and I'll end up like so many others i've read about who were fobbed off and diagnosed too late to do anything.
One thing that differs for me is that I did not have a mom who had ovarian cancer - my advice would be to push that issue as far as you can to ensure you are being treated properly.
Would be very interested to know how you're doing.
Hope all is well
Regards
Hellen
Thanks so much for your reply. I've been very busy all week so didn't have much time to worry. My hip and back pain has gotten far worse since my last post, and it's now going from side to side (last night both hips were the most painful I've ever experienced) but I'm holding out hope that it's peri-menopause related rather than anything to do with ovarian cancer...at 45, I think/hope there's a real chance that that is what it is.
I've decided to wait and see the gyno that I have faith in....my appt is for the 4th of November. He does trans vaginal ultrasound in his office, and I feel very confident with him, so I think I am better off waiting to see him than starting with a new doc. It was 5 years ago today that my mother passed away from ovarian cancer....despite her complaining for at least a year before she was diagnosed at stage 4, it went undetected, so I suppose I am more aware/paranoid than many others would be about this dreadful disease. I am angry at myself for having not been to the gyno for almost 4 years, but won't be letting that happen again.
Thanks so much for your wise words....they have helped me keep calm and I really appreciate it!
I've decided to wait and see the gyno that I have faith in....my appt is for the 4th of November. He does trans vaginal ultrasound in his office, and I feel very confident with him, so I think I am better off waiting to see him than starting with a new doc. It was 5 years ago today that my mother passed away from ovarian cancer....despite her complaining for at least a year before she was diagnosed at stage 4, it went undetected, so I suppose I am more aware/paranoid than many others would be about this dreadful disease. I am angry at myself for having not been to the gyno for almost 4 years, but won't be letting that happen again.
Thanks so much for your wise words....they have helped me keep calm and I really appreciate it!
You need to take a deep breath and try to quiet that run-away mind of yours! Not knowing what is going on is really hard......waiting is just as hard.
If you don't want to wait until your gyn gets back, maybe you could see your gp and he could order a trans-vaginal ultrasound and see what is going on. If something is going on he could refer you to a gyn/oncologist and together you will decide what comes next.
You have an analytical mind and that is good......you just need to keep the horse in front of the cart...try not to let it run away. Once you get the facts you will be able to decide on a course of action.
Until then, keep talking......we can all relate , and, we are here for you.
Peace.
dian
If you don't want to wait until your gyn gets back, maybe you could see your gp and he could order a trans-vaginal ultrasound and see what is going on. If something is going on he could refer you to a gyn/oncologist and together you will decide what comes next.
You have an analytical mind and that is good......you just need to keep the horse in front of the cart...try not to let it run away. Once you get the facts you will be able to decide on a course of action.
Until then, keep talking......we can all relate , and, we are here for you.
Peace.
dian
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