Menopause and/or ovarian cancer?

[Miss Pickles]

Hello Ladies!  I've been perusing this website to see if anyone has symptoms similar to mine, but haven't found a good match.  Maybe someone could give me some advice.  I am 49, no kids. In November I started having lower back pain, mostly on the left side.  It has continually gotten worse to the point where it starts about midday, is on both sides of my lower back (but more intense on left side) and is pretty bad by nighttime.  I was having periods every 23 days, but then had two cycles 63 days apart.  Then nothing.  No periods in 4 months.  I've also recently started to have extreme pain with attempting intercourse.  Also have lots of hot flashes.  In addition, I've got the big, bloated stomach, constipation (only go every 3 or 4 days, whereas I was regular before).  About a year and a half ago, I had a vaginal ultrasound done and when the tech was trying to look behind my left ovary, it hurt like he**!  Surprisingly, the results of the ultrasound were "negative". I went to my PCP who took exrays and found arthritis in my lumbar spine.  She has sent me to physical therapy for the back pain.  I've had two traction treatments which haven't helped a bit with the pain.  I got my doctor to give me a painkiller, but that only works for a couple hours at a time.  The thing is, the back pain isn't in my spine, it's more in the soft tissue areas around it. My doctor said it's "referred pain".  I scheduled myself for my annual pap smear in May (earliest possible date)knowing they also feel your ovaries and maybe they'll find something, or nothing.  Has anyone had a similar experience and had it been nothing at all?  I don't want to sound like a hypochondriac, but I'm in pain.  This back pain is not like your usual "over do it, then get better in a few days pain".  It's different and it worries me!  Help!  And thank you in advance!

[Mary 53]

Hi,

Let's try to touch base tomorrow night. I apologize in advance for my shortness on time. I just switched jobs in the same company, but my new office is now 30 min. away from the old one and I am still trying to close out my one job as I try to settle into my old job.

But, I have some thoughts on this matter and your concerns. I am wondering about the menopausal aspect, as I find so much of what you say correlating to problems with hormonal imbalance/loss as you enter the menopause years, or perimenopause as in your case. I have researched the hormonal issue for seven years now and wish I could answer these posts more efficiently without writing a book each time!

The soft tissue issue might be related to a decrease in Progesterone. That is one of the effects of the loss of that hormone.

I am happy that you are being proactive on this and it sounds like you are ready with questions for when you see your doctor.

In the meantime, try to pick up the book, "The Wisdom of Menopause" by Christianne Northrup, MD. It is my menopause "bible" so to speak. I use bioidientical hormones....problem is there is soooooo much confusion out there on this matter. I just read a website today that was right on as far as so much great info on bioidentical vs synthetic hormones and then suddenly there was misinformation. I was crushed. Not that I am a doctor...and, I am open to learning, but they were citing a study and mentioning one of the hormones as being a problem....the problem was, they did not get the name of the hormone correct. It sounds like I am on "hormone rumor control!"  

Well, see if you can find that book if you can, and/or check out the websites for Christianne Northrup, Women to Women, and/or Erika Schwartz, MD. All are very good. And, all will give you good information. You will have to "google" these names to find the websites.

I could be way off...I get that, but, boy, my soft tissue acts up big time when I am out of balance on the hormone issue...and, I suffered from this in perimenopause, too...that and migranes, heavy bleeding, UTI's, bad pap smears not related to HPV....

Well, this is a start and I will check in tomorrow.

I wish you the best. Sounds like you are not going to give up...just keep researching so that you can get the best care.

Mary

[Miss Pickles]

Thank you for your time and kind words.  I will google those names and see what I can find while keeping up on the doctor appts, just to be safe.  What a great group of women here on this site!

[SimplyStar]

Mary is a whiz at the hormone business thank God,  I would suggest that it might be a good thing to repeat that UT scan if it has been  1 & 1/2 years,  although the CA125 blood test is not that realible , you might ask for it also.  Your symptoms are  distubing  and I can tell you are in pain,  Glad you are being proactive but you really do need to get some answers soon.

[Miss Pickles]

Thank you for your comment.  In your opinion, do you think an ovarian cyst could cause my problems?  I'm going to stop being so timid and call my doctor today with my newest symptom and update on the back pain and see if I can get an appt with her.  Coincidentally, I have a cold again that I've had 5 times in as many months.  Maybe that would be a good "excuse" to get in and get her attention for these other issues.