Initial symptoms

I posted this on Ovarian cyst Forum because that was what I was thinking I might have -  now I have had an email from someone asking if I thought about Ovarian cancer as the symptoms are very similar so I am posting here to see what people think. Sorry it is so long. Oh I am 35 years old and have 2 children.

I have always had more cramping, swelling and pain related to ovulating than actually menstruating... but the last couple of months it has been intense pain and aching and bloating and for the first time the pain has radiated round my back too -  also it has not been just the 3-4 days around ovulation but most of the rest of the month.

My periods are pretty regular and always last 3-4 days -  but Feb an March they were irregular and very heavy and alsted 6 days then April May I was back to normal. I put it down to my stress levels and dealing with Post Traumatic Stress.

I am being investigated for breast cancer and get biopsy results on Tuesday -  but this month my breasts have been swollen and tender and much more lumpy than normal.They were overflowing my bra and I was very uncomfortable and very self consious. I finished my period on Monday then today I have an increase in pain around my left ovary, a general cramping in my lower abdomen and now a brownish, discharge.

I am not sexually active (have not been for 4 years) so I can rule out STD's. I had my cervical smear 3 weeks ago and am still waiting on results but I have one every 3 years and it has always been clear.

Right now I am being treated for PTSD and my breast lump -  so I don't want to go back to the GP with yet another problem as I am worried they will think I am becoming a hypocondriac or paranoid....But I am also worried about the increase in pain and cramping.

What are the main symptoms of an ovarian cyst -  and is there anything I can do to get a clearer picture of what is causing my pain and cramping?

[TrudieC]

So sorry to hear of so much worry and pain in your life.  There is a very good description of types of cysts and their symptoms on the health pages attached to this forum.  I would strongly suggest you get your GP or gyn to do a transvaginal ultrasound.  This will determine if there are cysts involved.

[Whatawoman]

Thanks for replying -  I will take a good look at the health pages now -  never noticed them before..

I just think right now my body and mind is rebelling against me.....

I havea hospital apt for my son to see a surgeon re a rather large hernia onmonday -  and my Breast Biopsy results on Tuesday so I was hoping to get those sorted before going with this -  but the cramping is pretty bad and the discharge has me concerned.

[ChrisP2236]

I second TrudieC's suggestion - please request a transvaginal ultrasound asap.  If there are cysts you can go from there and if there are not, you can investigate other avenues to find out what is causing your problem.  I'm so sorry that you are going through this all at the same time.  Please let us know how everything goes.  ChrisP

[Whatawoman]

Thanks Chris -  After reading the symptoms of cyst and cancer I am a little concerend that without some medical investigation it could be either or neither. I have not read anything relating to the brownish discharge though....I guess I have to make another appointemnt to see my GP and go on another waiting list to see a consultant or get the Ultrasound done.
Helen

[slee56]

Your state of health sounds like mine right now. In April I had a D&C along with a histascope procedure done because of a thicken endometrial lining and hyperplasaya. During the surgery a   2 polyops and a fibriod were removed. After the surgery I felt 1/2 way better but still have had on going persistant cramping in my lower pelvic region. Feels  like my whole abdominal area is sore like after doing too many situps but the cramping in the lower uterus is really painful. Before surgey my back felt like it had kknives stabing through it and that is gone (mostly). The pathology report from the surgery was negative or begnine.
After my surgery I went to my GYN and was tested for a UTI which was negative because I was having to urinate every 20 minutes or more and not just a little but rather a lot of fluid. I still have that as an on going issue.  My GYN was wanting me to get a Depo provera shot but prior to surgery I was taking provera and I had a very hard timewith the side efects of moodiness, muscle aches were so bad and breasts were so tender and sore.
In may after still having the cramping and having to pee still every 20 minutes I went to a local Dr. She said my uteruse was enlarged again and that the pain and presure in my pelvic area was not from a cystaceal or a UTI. She gave me a script for Vicodin to help control the pain. I went back to see her June 10th because about a week before that I found a lump on my right breast. She scheduled me for a diagnostic momagram  that will be done on June 20th. My daughter is taking me at first I didn't tell my daughter about the lump till after I was scheduled for the diagnostic.
   Also I did have a CA 125 done and that result was within the range in fact mid way at 17 on a scale of 1-35. But read somewhere that there are 20% of false negatives on that test and that is why they often don't use it. On Friday the 13th I started bleeding and had three days of extreme bleeding and now its  slower but still bright red and have been in a constant pain except when sleeping and now when i first lay down my right side back has a stabbing pulling type pain.
I don't know sometimes I feel as if  everyone is treating me as if I am imaginaing all this stuff. I am 52 years old have had 5 children 3 of them were born at home so I can cope with pain but this is getting to be hard and depressing too . I am trying to get an appiontment with an Oncologist  close to me. But  really am thinking that if I can not get any answers here maybe try the Mayo Clininc in Rochester Min. I have a friend who lives near there and she has been wanting me to come see her. Thats something on my bucket list anyways.
I do have a good support system being built and my friend Tracy told me she'd take me anywhere I needed to go for medical help. My husbands employeer would give him time off to go too as I would want him there with me.
I just want to find out whats going with me and feel like I keep hitting road blocks along the way. I read too somewhere the 12% of women with real health issuses like mine are brushed off as being physocotic..... I don't know I don't really even feel like going to my appiontment on the 20th.
I do keep active as much as i can and have two of 4 grandkids here this week and my 15 year old daughter is being a big help with them. It helps me to focus on the Blessings I do have in my life rather then all the health issues I have...

[Whatawoman]

Im so sorry to hear of your ongoing problems but please do go for the mammmogram -  it is foolish not to carry through with any dagnostic testing offered. It is a shame that there are good and bad doctors and it is a gamble whether you get one who is sympathetic and helpful in your own situation.... my GP surgery has 12 drs and they are all individually better and more interested in some things than others -  so it is good to be able to choose which one to see....

[slee56]

Yes I am going to go for the mammogram as I have so much to be here for and u r right about the individule drs and I also do many many natural really good vitamines. I have been using swedishbitters a lot like the essiac tea except w/o the Mt yew tips. My blood pressure has been higher then normal because of the pain I belive. But my husband takes BP manager which has Lycopene in it and I drink a lot of Tulsi tea which is Holy basil and it helps the cortasol levels stay lower as that is the stress hormone. I grow alafala sprouts and eat them daily. I now only have the ibuprohime to take as I get iritated at drs cause of the fear of me turning into a junkie they don't give narcotics but I feel as I would at this point be more comfortable with them.
all this we have no insurance so do worry about paying for everything too...

[slee56]

Just wanted to update you on the trip on Fri to have the diagnostic breast mammogram and a sonagram of the breast. At first the Dr who looked at the pictures said that everything looked ok and that he wanted me back in 3 months. While in there I asked him that since I was having so many problems with pain and pressure in my pelvic area ... if the breast thing now could have anything to do with whats going on in the pelvis...He said yes that ovaries and breast are very much related. So then early Sat am I get this call from the dr and he says that he wants a biopsey done ASAP and he was going to bring in another Drs opion from the local clinic in our town. He thought it would be good to get more drs involved. So last night (22nd) I recieve a call from the other dr and he is wanting to schedule the biopsey and I told him that I really needed something done way bad for the pelvic pain and pressure. So before he asked me which surgon I would prefer and I gave him the GYN/ONC name whos office I contacted last week he said that is an excellant choice and he was going to get with the other Dr in the same clinic and I will be going in for surgery and none too soon for me and we never finished with the setting up the biopsey. So now am waiting to hear as I belive that I need an emergency histerectomy. So please keep praying and will let you know more later ... at least i don't feel like I am being thown under the bus anymore...so that is good  have  hope now that I can soon be better.
I have a lot of support from my family and friends and i am a fighter. I am less depressed everyday is a gift from God and we have been praying for wisdom in all those involved in resoloving my health issuses. Everyone take care and listen to your body.

[TrudieC]

I'm so glad the doctors are moving forward.  My thoughts are with you.  Do please keep us updated.

[slee56]

I am scheduled to go Rapid City for a biopsey on both breasts this thurs at 1pm. Yesterday I was in phone contact with a second opion Dr from the local clinic here where we live no office visit and was prescribed some oxycodone and thank goodness for that as when they called I was told I could no longer take Ibuphropen or any blood thinners.
       The narcotic does a better job of controlling the pain  thats persists in  the whole uterine abdominal area. I told the dr I had 3 babies born at home and there was so much pain I could tolerate and that the ibuphropen was not even touching it.
Also when I go this time back to the radiologist this time I have a second opinon Dr there this time. who will do the biopsey.
Being able to think positive and lots of prayer for everyone who struggles... its not just me but many others are going through even worse then me....

[ireneo]

Today's the day you get your breast biopsy results. Hope it's good news. How are you feeling overall?

[slee56]

yes please be positive and let us know I will be the  second person  here to bring a good report back on Thurs evening....... (((((((whatawomen)))))) We will keep u in our thoughts...  

[slee56]

Yesterday at about 2pm we got the news that cancer was confirmed in my right breast and lymp nodes..  precancer in left side. So no wonder I have been feeling so much pain.For about 6 months I just knew something was wrong and had symptoms consinet with OVCA. Thing is now they are waiting some tests sent to the Mayo to see if it is primary or mestasitic type of cancer...
The drs were not wanting to answer very many questions on friday maybe see what monday brings ..... take care