Constant abdominal pain - really ibs? or test for ovca?

[randjj1]

I am young (30yo), but my gma died of ovarian cancer. For the last 3 ms I have had almost constant abdominal/back pain. It started as tenderness under my left ribs, then varied between left upper/ mid and back with occasional pelvic twinges. That lasted a week and mostly subsided, then the next week I had acute upper mid pain and vomiting for just a few hours. The pain then settled into my right side (like a stitch) and went away several days later. For 2 weeks it was gone and then came back on the left side under ribs. It has been there ever since and varies in intensity and position (upper, mid, lower, back, sometimes burning, sometimes really tender). Went to GI and the only test he did was a colonoscopy which was clear - he told me I have IBS. The pain isn't affected by BM or eating and constipation isn't a major problem. He still insisted I have IBS and basically didn't want to see me again. I also went to a GYN to rule out ovca and he did a pelvic exam and told me everything felt ok. I'm going back to my GP now. She did some bloodwork - H. Pylori negative, CBC normal, pancreas levels fine. Gave me medicine for IBS and told me if not better in 2 weeks will do CT scan. Since pain was originally in upper left she thinks its IBS too; she said there's nothing else in upper left to cause pain. It's driving me crazy b/c it won't go away and nothing makes it go away (ibs meds, tylenol, advil, etc.) Could it be ovarian even though it's all over my left side with occasional pelvic pangs? Should I just get the CT scan or should I ask for US/ CA125? Any advice appreciated!

[ddemaso]

Actually, mine was strange, yes I was diagnosed with IBS, however, I had this awful bloating and pain when I would ovulate. I had very frequent urination and would hardly go, when I had to even though I had to very badly. I am not sure if that was normal. When they found the mass, it was about 1 1/2 weeks to my initial surgery, and from the time they found it until my surger, I could hardly sit upright with the pain & pressure of it against my bladder.

When they removed the canteloupe size mass, it burst in my abdomen which led to my second surgery of the ovarian cancer staging and the intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy.  The staging would have been done at my first surgery if the gynecological oncologist showed up.

Enough of that horror story.  My point is, my symptoms rapidly became worse, probably because of the size of the tumor.

One in 57 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetimes.  I hope and pray you are not one of them.

Danielle

[Tybear]

With my Ov/Ca, my symptoms gradually became worse over time. If I were you, knowing about your family history and all, I would suggest a CA125 test and a CT scan. With you being so young, they may not do the CA125 test, as it tends to be even less reliable in premenopausal women, but I would push for it. I was 26 at the time of my diagnosis, with no family history - it really can happen to anyone.

[LindaF]

I was thinking gallbladder myself. Points to it. A HIDA scan and U/S would show gallstones. Danielle, are you sure that the OVCA was there for 5 years? That stinks! The muscle problem in the ribs is called costochronditis, it's an inflammation in the cartilage. I have this and my surgeon considered gall bladder. Mine occurs with too much pilates.

Ask for ultrasounds of the pelvic area and of the gall bladder to rule things out. They are painless and simple.

Linda

[Gatsby]

Welcome to the site!  Not only does ovca mimic ibs, so do ovarian cysts.  With your family history you would be wise in getting a 2nd opinion with a gyn/onc.  They are specialists and have at least 3 more years of education.  Like dian says, you only have 1 chance to get it right the first time.  Even though 99% of ovarian cysts are benign, you need to seek medical attention.  Please do not ignore your symptoms.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed
~Tascha

[randjj1]

Pretty sure it's not a bug, but it could be muscular (except don't know about the inital gas and bloating). I've been wondering lately if it's muscular/ spinal, like nerves compressed or something. I guess in my mind, ovca is worst case scenario because of my vague abdominal symptoms and knowing my grandmother had it.

[ddemaso]

I was diagnosed with IBS and found out 5 years later it was Ovarian Cancer.  My CA125 came back normal, however. My tumor was the size of a canteloupe in my abdomen. I was diagnosed with a mass after an ultrasound showed a rather large growth.

My point is, Ovarian Cancer is often mis-diagnosed as IBS. I did not have the same pains you are having, however.  Both IBS and ovarian cancer have the same symptoms.

Get the CA125 and if the pain doesn't go away, maybe getting an ultrasound would make you feel better (however, CA125 tests are great, but are not always accurate in depicting who does and does not have ovarian cancer, remember mine came back negative).

My mother, my aunt and three great aunts all had ovarian cancer. My mother and aunt are still living.  I wish I would have been as pro-active as you instead of thinking I was invincible.

I admire you for taking a pro-active approach to your health.

Danielle

[Teresa210]

If I were you I would do both the CT Scan and the CA125.  You want them to rule out everything else if you don't feel you really have IBS.  I am still kind of in the middle of them finding out what is wrong for certain, but I had the same problems.  Starting on the left side and getting quite painful and sickening before they figured anything out. They didn't tell me it was IBS.  I had an infection that was missed for the first four weeks but now being treated and I am feeling a little better, but it was caused from something else.  A CT Scan can see a lot, including inflamed or infected areas around the colon.  I don't know for certain, but I do believe a colonoscopy only sees what is inside the colon.  It's just a camera moving along the colon looking around is what I was told.  I have to do that once the infection is gone.  Have you had surgery in the abdomen or pelvic regions before?  We have been thinking adhesions (from past surgeries) caused blockage and possible backup and tearing of the colon which in turn causes infection.  Does your pain kind of move around?  You know, I get bothered when doctors do one test, and then just guess what you might have and give you a pill.  Because cancer and so many other dangerous things are missed this way, if I were you, I really would, just to appease my mind, have both the CT Scan and CA125.  Take care and let us know what you find out.

[randjj1]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I really appreciate it. When I go in next week, I'll ask about hydascan, CT scan, ca125 and u/s. One other question - with ovarian cancer and cysts, do symptoms come and go or are they always constant? Thanks.

[Pum]

Are you sure it's not muscular? I had a pain there and finally worked out it was from lifting wood for the fire, also my baby was kicking me there when I was changing his nappy and it had become tender.

Also, sometimes after a tummy bug (which it sounds like you had) your intestines can remain "sensitive" for a while so normal gas can hurt.  That settles down over weeks.

Good luck.

[randjj1]

Also, forgot to mention when it first started I was extremely bloated and gassy, but now am not really bloated and not as gassy. Thanks.