signs and symptoms

[kania0512]

Hi,

I have a history of hormonal imbalance and my two big symptoms are abdominal distention and fluid retention. I have had a hysterectomy and had my left ovary removed in 2003. I am 42 years old. I just had a saliva test done to check my hormones and everything looks pretty normal. However, I spent 29 days with huge abdominal distention and fluid retention in my lower body and also some actual weight gain. For two days my stomach was normal/flat getting up but by evening was sticking out again. The third day it went back to being swollen 24/7 and it still is swollen. I am also dealing with fatigue but my cortisol levels AM, mid-day, evening, and PM were all normal indicating no adrenal fatigue. In May I had a CA-125 which came back normal and a GYN exam which came back normal. However, given the abdominal distention and fatigue as well as digestive issues, would it be good to get an ultrasound to check for ovarian cancer? I am puzzled why my body is swelling up like this when my hormones look normal.

I guess what I would like to know is, are a normal CA-125 and a normal exam enough to rule out ovarian cancer?

Thanks,
Kristina

[kania0512]

I know this probably seems crazy or silly, but I just hate to spend hundreds of dollars and find out nothing is wrong. I spent around $2,000 on a colonoscopy and it revealed nothing.

[JC145]

Cost for the US depends on the contract your insurance company has with the facility doing the US.  Call the hospital you would use and ask the billing department if they can give you an estimate.  While I realize money is tight, you don't want to overlook a more serious ondition than hormonal imbalance.  Good luck,  Judy

[kania0512]

Hi - I had scheduled a transvaginal US with my gyno and then the abdominal distention went away. This was after I started using some progesterone cream. It stayed away 4 days (2 of those days it was back in the eve but gone the next morning) then it started back up and I have had it 24/7 now since Monday. When the AD went away I cancelled the US because I figured the AD was from hormonal imbalance. If ovarian cancer is the cause of abdominal distention, can it go away for a few days and come back or is it persistent? Also, can the hormonal imbalance be a sign of ovarian cancer?

I want to get the US but money is SO tight for us. I have a $250 deductible on my insurance (just got insurance again) and then they only pay 70%. How much does a transvaginal US run roughly?

Thanks,
Kristina

[Terrin2]

Most definite get a cat scan and check again......

[Jan214]

I just sent you that info you wanted.  I would definitely ask your Dr to do a transvaginal ultrasound.  Keep after them until you know what it is.  It is not normal for your stomach to stick out like that although mine does it almost every time I eat, but it eventually goes down.

[jlock]

I'm gonna assume your pre-menapausal....which is important as the ca-125 can give lots of false positives. with pre menapausal women. So many things can change the outcome of that test.It is not considered a valueable test for premenapausal women...so do not let that effect your decision. I would ask my gyn for a ultrasound to see if there is anything growing.  This is a difficult disease to catch,so your gonna have to be your own best advocate...keep going until you get answers. Good luck~~~Joanne