Dermoid cyst & raised ca-125 - what next?

[Rachel__5]

Hi Everyone,

Around 6 months ago I had a few UTI's, the last one had a lot of blood in it, my doctor was concerned, and felt around my tummy, and asked how were my bowel movements. Well at the time, they were fine, so I told her. She gave me antibiotics for the bladder infection and off I went. I was fine for about another 2 months, then I started to get the following symptoms:

Lower abdomen growing, feeling firm, jeans tight
Heavier periods with clots
Excessive facial hair growth
Sudden urgency to urinate
Constipation
Pain deep inside of right thigh, like a bone pain?
Hair loss
lower back pain/ache
Itchy legs to the point that I make them bleed

At the time, these symptoms weren't very noticeable, or particularly painful, so I didn't think a lot of it, but enough to write them down and save them to my laptop on notepad. Then in Jan I started to get the following:

Frequent urination
Feeling full quickly
Pain in groin/abdomen
Burping
Heartburn
Tender breasts
Itchy scalp
Dandruff
Indigestion
Swollen groin gland on left

The pain in my bladder was what was concerning me the most, it was like the feeling when I was heavily pregnant, and my baby would scrape a foot along my bladder. I also had an episode of severe pain in my left ovary, which I put down to a cyst.

I took myself to my doctor, we spoke about the heavy period, and the heartburn etc. She gave me some reflux tablets and sent me for some standard blood tests, and checked my urine again for good measure. All came back clear. I knew something was up, just not sure what yet. She arranged for me to have an abdominal/transvaginal ultrasound, which I had on 15th March. The radiologist spotted what she said looked like a small dermoid cyst. This didn't surprise me at all, and I was actually relieved to have found a reason for my symptoms. I went back to my doctor who said that the hospital had said return for an ultrasound in 3 months. BUT, I told the doctor of my new symptom, pain during intercourse. I've been with the same partner for 7 years and never has this been a problem, until now ( it was so bad last week I couldn't move afterwards and was laying on the bed for 10 mins )

So, my doctor told me, he didn't think that a small dermoid cyst could be causing all of these issues. I then told him of my concern of OVCA. He dismissed it saying he didn't think it was that. He arranged for me to see a gyneacologist. So I went home, feeling a little disheartened and worried about how long i'd have to wait to finally get an answer. Then that afternoon my doctor phoned me saying that he hadn't covered everything, and that he'd like me to come back down for a ca125 blood test. So I went for one on Tues, I went to see him for the results on Thurs. My ca125 is at 45. Now I know this isn't particularly high, but he seemed concerned and has arranged for me to see the gyn next week. I received a letter today saying that I need to go so that they can exclude a diagnosis of cancer.

So sorry this has gone on longer than I expected it to. Okay, basically, my question at the moment to you all is: what should I expect the gyn appointment to entail, if I've already have the ultrasounds and ca125? Will the next move be a CT scan do you think?

At the moment, my main symptoms are:

Painful intercourse
Pain in womb area when walking my dog
Bowel movements that look like a cats ( sorry )
Swollen tummy
Frequent urination
Extreme fatigue
Swollen groin gland

I really appreciate anyone who's taken the trouble to read my long post.

[HVAC]

If you disagree get a second opinion. They thought mine was bowel issues.

[Rachel__5]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your reply. I had a lot of blood tests prior to the ca-125 and yes thyroid was one of them. All came back clear. I do think i'm too young for it to be perimenopause, i'm 37. I was thinking they'd perhaps do another in depth ultrasound and maybe a CT scan. I will update on Thurs.

How are you doing now Alex?

[HVAC]

Women can be perimenapasal for ten years some times. Basically your hormone levels change. It may not be what is going on for you. Keep me postred.

[Rachel__5]

Hi Alex, I went to see the gyn but she had made her mind up before I even walked into the room. She says she's not concerned i've anything to worry about, and that my issues are most likely bowel issues. I totally disagree. Anyway, she's asked me to do another ca-125 blood test in 2 weeks, repeat ultrasound in June, and if my symptoms persist, she'll arrange a laparoscopy.

[HVAC]

They can usually see ovarian cancer on an ultrasound. If the doctor thought it was cancer you would be seeing a Gyn/oncologist. A dermoid is not cancer. You have a 1.4% of ovarian cancer in a life time less if you are under 50. 98% of cysts are not cancer. Pain with sex can come with perimenopause you all the sudden get dry. It is good that you are getting checked. They might do a CT scan. They might do another ultrasound.

The groin gland, ca 125, and stool are a little worry some. It might be an infection of some kind. Or constipation. It is good they are checking it out.

With my cancer my periods stopped. I threw up all the time. I lost weight because I could not eat. I had diaphragm spasms like having the wind knocked out of you,and a big belly. My ca 125 was 275. My ultra sound showed cancer, the next day I was at the oncologist.

I can't tell you not to worry. I just hope they figure it out. Did they check your thyroid some of the things sound like that.The itching and hair loss. The facial hair and periods could be perimenopause.

Alex