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Avatar universal

Ovarian cancer?

Hi, please can any one help me, I'm at my wits end with worry.
For the past year or so I've had irregular periods, sometimes up to 3 or 4 a month. Not particularly heavy but I have always been completely 'normal' before that. The thing that worrys me most is the pain that I'm sure is coming from the ovaries and all the abdominal discomfort and period pain that I'm pretty much feeling every day of the month now.
I've talked to the doctor about it and have had a smear done, absolutely fine, I've had blood tests and they are all ok and also a pelvic ultrasound and they are all completely normal.
I am excessively tired and have constant lower backache, feeling sick at times amoungst other things as well.
I hadn't thought of it before but there was an advert on ovarian cancer on tv the other day and now I can't stop worrying, I seem to have all the symptons and it would make sense as I sometimes on getting up have a sharp pain through the ovaries.
Please can anyone shed any light on this and also would ovarian cancer have shown up on the ultrasound I had done?
Thanks to anyone who can advize I would so much appreciate it!
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Avatar universal
Just a quick update. Well I was so sure with all the symptoms I've had that it was something like OC. Went to the hospital today and the doctor feels sure that it is much more to do with damage, wear and tear etc to the colon. I hadn't thought of that, all I know is I'm in excrutiating pain this evening, I guess where he's been prodding me about and my left leg is hurting so much. Tomorrow I'm having blood tests to check renal, liver etc and then waiting for apointment for a cat scan where they can find out more and the exact problem, hopefully! Just wondered if anyone else thought these were symptoms of OC and then was told it was a colon problem? Thanks everyone!
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1019100 tn?1255207603
Good luck Wendy. I pray all goes well.
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Avatar universal
Sorry to hear you have had x2 OC but great to hear that you are cancer free now and really hope that it stays that way for you!
I haven't been diagnosed as yet, but I have just heard from the hospital that I am to see the surgeon this Thursday afternoon. I thought that was abit strange to see a surgeon when they haven't found out the problem yet? Still, at least come Thursday I should have some answers.
Best Wishes,
Wendy.
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1019100 tn?1255207603
I am have just read all the posts. I am sorry to hear you do have OC. Not a great diagnosis, but it is a diagnosis. I am a 2x OC survivor and am currently cancer free. "praise God".
I am also glad that you found support. IT is so hard doing this alone. I did at first and it is scary. If I can be of any help, let me know.
Take care
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329994 tn?1301663248
Waywen,
I am glad that you will finally be getting answers. You are so right, we have to push the doctors when we know something is wrong. I have had a rough few years doing just that and hopefully, am on the right direction to get answers. I hate having to do that, but they will dismiss women's complaints too easily.  My CA125 came back at 6, so they aren't as concerned. Since I still have all the symptoms and no other reason, I am still concerned. Please let us know as soon as you can, how all your tests have come out.

I am sorry to hear Pattilou2 that you were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It sounds like you are on a good plan with your doctor and I will keep you in my prayers. I hope you have been posting on here for any questions you might have as this is a wonderful group of women, supportive, caring and so helpful.

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Avatar universal
Thanks Collen and Pattilou2, your help and advice both much appreciated! They didn't get me into the hospital yesterday but am due to go in early in the week to have lots of tests, basically the doctor said they'd keep me there till they find out what's causing the pain.  
Now instead of a dull ache it's really painful so will be glad to get some results. The pain down the leg has now become very painful also. It feels like something is definantely blocked or something because it's hard to go to the loo as well! Most uncomfortable!
Sounds like you have had to wait and be messed about to Pattilou2? I find it incredible that doctors don't take more notice when patients are describing symptoms to them, it's almost like they just don't believe a word you are saying. The first doctor I saw just said to me I'm not in the 'right age group' for ovarian cancer and basically dismissed that idea, when the CA 125 came back ok, he almost said 'told you so'!
I have learnt (even though I'm not sure what I have got yet) that you really do have to give these doctors a real push up the backside to get anywhere!
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Avatar universal
When I called my family doctor's nurse about a med check appointment I also told her I could feel a lump in my abdomen.  That was my only symthom.  The nurse said that would be a well-woman check-up through Medicare and I would have to schedule another appointment for that - almost 6 weeks away.  Two weeks later at the med check appointment I mentioned the lump to my doctor hoping she would do a quick tummy check.  She didn't.  Why didn't I insist?  I am not a pushy patient but I am learning. Once she gave me the well-woman checkup she was obviously concerned.  She sent me for the ultrasound right away and 2 days later said to see a gynocologist.  I found myself a very good OBGYN and very shortly  got the blood test and cat scan  and they both indicated cancer.  I am very lucky to be only Stage1C (though I just started chemo 3 days ago and I am still scared and adjusting).  One thing I did find out in my very thorough search of all things OC in the last months is that your prognosis, if indeed you have OC, can be more promising if you are seeing an Oncologist/Gynocologist.  I found a great OBGYN right off and she wasted no time getting me to a specialist in the Oncology part of it.  I have a great deal of confidence in this doctor because she wasted no time in getting me to surgery and on to chemo.  My first pathology report said I was Stage1 only and that meant no chemo.  But they got a second opinion and pushed it up to Stage1c.  I am now wondering if I might have been able to avoid chemo if I had only nagged that nurse.  Push girl.  Follow your instincts - it's your right!!  
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329994 tn?1301663248
Waywen,
Glad I saw this and hope to hear that you have been to the hospital today. I think you definitely need all this testing. Thank goodness she stepped up to the plate. I will be anxious to hear from you. Please let me know, ok? Praying and hoping it will be something simple. Hugs, Colleen
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Avatar universal
Had my doctors appointment this morning and she is finally sitting up and taking notice! She could see the antibiotics haven't worked and that is wasn't an infection and she felt my lower abdomen area and said she could feel the lump there, she said it felt quite hard to the touch and tender. I told her about the pains in the left leg now as well and she is getting me into hospital this afternoon or Monday morning for emergency tests, she said ultrasounds and x-rays etc and see what is causing all this. I'm half scared and half so relieved that a doctor is finally listening to me!
She also said that my white blood count was higher than normal and that's why they thought it could have been an infection which is why they had to try antibiotics first.
Will let you know once I've had all the tests at the hospital. The Doctor said she is totally baffled what it can be, but in my heart I have a feeling I already know what it is but hope and pray I'm wrong!
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329994 tn?1301663248
Bumping this up for you. I hope someone more knowledgeable will answer. I think yes, the pain in your leg/groin area can be typical. I am pretty sure that others on here have had that. But maybe someone can answer you better. I think for sure that you need to see a gyn, not just your primary care. Please tell her that you want to go to a gyn, that this is their specialty and you want to be seen by one!  Please let me know. Be strong - I speak from experience and lack of being strong. Insist!!
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Avatar universal
Have now got really bad pain down my left leg, it almost feels like a trapped nerve deep inside the top of leg and groin area, can anyone suggest if it's all part and parcel of all the other symptoms I've so far described? I'm still having severe cramping, abdominal pain especially on the left, lower backache, extreme tiredness, bowel changes, abnormal periods with spotting every two weeks.
I'm seeing the doctor yet again on Friday but she is adamant that a pelvic ultrasound that I had would have shown up anything like cancer, cysts, polyps etc.
Don't really know what to do, they just can't seem to get to the bottom of what's causing all the problems.
Thanks everyone, you've all been great and it's so good to know there are people out there who care and understand.
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Avatar universal
Thanks Colleen, I'm now taking the second lot of antibiotics and they aren't making any difference so I'm positive it's not an infection, the pain if anything has intensified today.Still lower backache and cramping and pain in left ovaries region. I have an appointment next Friday and if I don't get any joy I'll insist on seing a gyn. I think they should have referred me to one in the first place! Will let you know what happens next!

Thanks avijitdutt also, the doctor insists that the ultrasound I had done would have detected anything like cysts, polyps, cancer etc, but I've read on here that it doesn't pick up ovarian cancer so am really not sure what to do! It seems like they can't find the problem so they are just putting it down to an infection which it isn't or it would have cleared and pain ceased but it hasn't! I haven't heard of the PET-CT scan but will definantely ask the doctor about it on Friday when I go.
Wendy.
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Avatar universal
Ultra sound fails to detect ovarioan cancer known as the silent disease.By the time it is detected it is usually in stage 3c condition(advanced0.looks like you have not seen an oncologist as yet.If your Ca-125 is normal,ask your Doc's that you are interested to do a PET-CT Scan.This more advanced than CT and can catch micro tumours.
Avijit
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329994 tn?1301663248
Waywen
Let me know what happens next week.  If there is no resolvement, I would definitely be going to a gyn. I think you should anyway, but that is just my opinion. Will be thinking of you,
Colleen
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Avatar universal
I saw my primary doctor at the surgery yesterday and the time before that another doctor at the surgery, haven't seen a gyn. I think they think it's some sort of infection causing the swelling and tenderness, and have given me a different lot of antibiotics to try and see if they help. I have to go back when the course is up in a week and let them know if the pain is still there. The doctor did an internal yesterday but I've had no transvaginal ultrasound as yet. Will let you know when I've been to the doctors next week the outcome of the appointment!
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329994 tn?1301663248
Waywen,
Was the first doctor you saw a gyn or your primary doctor? and who are you seeing tomorrow afternoon? A gyn or someone else?
I would think that they would definitely do a transvaginal ultrasound, that is why I am asking what kind of doctor are you seeing? and yes, it sounds like you need that test. Let us know,
Colleen
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your very helpful words. The doctor said the CA 125 test came back ok and he even said he doesn't know what is causing all the pain, but I have an appointment to see a different doctor tomorrow afternoon, see where to go from there as tablets aren't helping to ease the pain. I have a swelling which is in that area and it feels about 5cm big, I can even see it in the mirror! Also unexplained weight gain. Will see what doctor says tomorrow and go from there.
No, they haven't given me a transvaginal ultrasound, do you think that would be the best test for finding out what's causing all the problems?
Many thanks!
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Avatar universal
CA-125 is a very iffy test, especially before a diagnosis. It can be normal even if you have cancer, and elevated if you don't. As Ivfrogs said, it is usually used to follow up women who have already been treated for ovarian cancer.

Did you have a transvaginal ultrasound?

What does your doctor say?
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329994 tn?1301663248
Try to stay calm and wait for Wednesday. I know that is easier said than done but you need to be calm for you.  The CA125 is usually used as a marker after diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It can be raised for other reasons, such as endometriosis, infection....write down all your symptoms and how long you have had them, the severity and take that list and your questions to the doctor. Let us know!
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Avatar universal
Can anyone tell me if a CA 125 comes back as normal could it still be ovarian cancer? Still in so much abdominal pain and bad backache but getting no answers!
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Avatar universal
Thanks Teresa.
I hate going to the Doctors at the best of times, but this is one time I'm not going to give up until I get some answers! Thanks for your advice, I have an appointment on Wednesday and I will ask for that test to be done and also the vaginal ultra-sound, I'm in too much discomfort now to let the doctors ignore me any longer!
Thanks so much.
Wendy.
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349465 tn?1289081764
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are ignored much of the time due to the fact that everyone has one or two of the symptoms in their lives sooner or later.

If you are concerned about having ovarian cancer, have your doctor run a CA 125 test and have a vaginal ultra-sound done and take it from there.

I wish you the best in your pursuit of health.
Teresa
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