Ovarian or other gyn cancer? Please give feedback - worried sick

[mydogislove]

I am new here and scared to death. Have a doc appt Monday. I am hoping to get some honest insight on how NOT to be scooted out the door as a stressed out young mom.
For about 2 years I have had classic IBS symptoms (not diagnosed).  In the last 3 months they have become terribly frightening.  Bloating on and off to the point that I am wearing my pants around my hips. Dull ache in the area of my lower right ribcage - almost ulcer like, but more of a pulling than a burning.  
For 3 weeks I have had a strong pain just to the right of my belly button that I can feel all the way into my rectum -wax, wane and vary in intensity.  Marked swelling flares/dissipate from just below my right bottom rib to the right of my belly button...it is not meal specific.  I feel as though my uterus is up in my ribcage. I very frequently have back pain and lethargy. I do not get enough sleep and I lift my 40 pound toddler a lot, so those could be explained.  
From what I have read, "constant" symptoms are more likely to be malignant, but I am not sure if what I have is considered constant or intermittment.  Constant abdominal swelling...does that mean on and off all the time, or is it swelling that occurs and never goes away, thus once you reach the point your pants won't button, you stay that way. I can feel a tender lump in the area I am speaking of, but also I feel these constant "pulses" in the general area as well.  
I am 34 and have a personal history of malignant melanoma in- situ in my back 1995.    

[lizcrafts]

Have you had a gallblader ultrasound.  Pain that radiates to the right side under the rib to the back is classic gallblader.  Also indigestion and quiet a few of the other symptoms that you are describing.  I had gallblader surgery a few years a go and I felt alot of the things you're describing.  My mom just had gallblader surgery last month and she sounded just like you.  Funny thing is that on the ultrasound there was no stones and even on the hydascan everything looked o.k.  Mom had tons of symptoms for at least 3 years.  I kept telling the Doc that I thought it was gallblader and finally we got a Doc that listened.  The surgeon told me after the surgery that although there weren't any stones in the gallblader, her gallblader was scarred and was definately diseased.  She suffered for so long and in the end it was a very simple operation to fix the problem.

Good luck,

Liz

[Anna-maria74]

Simply, my belly stayed and got bigger yet it was benign. Until you are on deaths door it is mainly the presence of the cyst that causes the symptoms: heartburn, pain, bloating, stomach distention, difficulty breathing, etc etc etc not malignancy. I had elevated ca125 I had some ascites I had complex although only unilateral and yet I was benign. You can turn yourself inside out woryying about this.

Anna X

[Anna-maria74]

Constant symtoms are more likey to be malignant? I have never heard of that one to be honest. They symtoms of a benign and malignant cyst are the same therefore you absolutley can not second guess this one. Only a biopsy tells the story and until then i'm afraid its the waiting game. So far you have not even been dx with a cyst so I honestly wouldn't spend to much time worrying. Visit the Doc with your symtoms and insist on an U/S and trans U/S

good luck

Anna X

[SimplyStar]

Is your appt with a GP?  At least see a GYN specilist, and if you don't get the answers you need ask the doctor to order a TVUS,  and a referral to an onocologist because of your history of a previous cancer.  You might ask also for a CA125 although that blood test is not always reliable.  Be sure they do a vaginal exam,  You could be suffering with a benign cyst as they cause the same symptoms.  Good luck and let us know how you come out.  Some of the other ladies will have more advice for you soon.

[freshair]

The trouble with ovarian cancer is it can mimic a lot of other conditions. I would demand a transvaginal ultrasound with a CA125 test. DEMAND the CA125 test, also. Until the medical establishment comes up with a ovarian cancer test this is all we have. And if your doctor does not want to do it, tell him/her that you will find someone that will. Besides--They PAY FOR VIAGRA!!!

Have you lost any weight? Have any unusual fatigue? Have had an unusual fever that lasted days? Constipated or diarhea?

If you have had bloating that comes and goes then that is better. With ovarian cancer the belly usually stays and gets bigger.

Please don't worry (easy to say) but worry does not do anything. It makes things worse. Wait until the day you see the doctor. But they also can do an ultrasound.

The key to ovarian is transvaginal ultrasound and CA125. Maybe you have cysts. Then a colonoscopy might be in order. You may have diverticulitis. Sorry don't want to burden you with tests but these days and with me having ovarian cancer I highly recommend.

Good luck,
Helen