Very Scared

[JillP]

I just turned 40.  I have a history of IBS-D for 15 years.  Approx 6 -9 months ago I began experiencing constipation with bloating ect and severe nausea (bloating and nausea go away pretty much after I finally empty myself out.  Last month and this month my period started on day 28 as opposed to 31.  I am so stressed from this I am constantly crying.  I recently asked for an u/s and ca-125.  Nothing abnormal on my u/s at all. CA-125 was 10.  I am still convinced it's ovarian cancer although not only my Gynecologist but my Uncle who is one in another state both said several things. 1. Usually a mass is present 2. Presenting with these symptoms that long you wouldn't see all tests coming out normal.  I am wondering if I should just ask for a Laparoscopy anyway or does my Uncle and Dr make sense?  Cancer does not run in my family.  As a matter of fact, one grandma is 90 and has her ovaries, my mom had her ovaries removed last year for a benign type cyst and my other grandma past away from complications of her heart due to  rheumatic fever at 68.  Most of my problems started when I awoke from a hysteroscopy for a benign polyp in May with extreme nausea and I have been playing around on/off with several medications to combat all of this and have continued since.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated I cannot seem to be a good mom of my 2 year old and 10 year old while ovarian cancer is always scaring me.

[Liza55]

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[Hudson]

Hi there, I am not a doctor, but I've had 3 ovarian cysts...the last one being a serous cystadenoma, which caused me to lose my left ovary. Being you have no mass, normal U/S and and normal CA125, I'm not sure why you are focusing on ovarian cancer? You also say you had a hysteroscopy for a benign polyp in May. It is my guess that the stress of all that has left you kind of traumatized and you are still thinking something is wrong "in there" despite negative tests.

It sounds to me like you are having typical symptoms of IBS, not ovarian issues. Try and relax and maybe ask your doc for an anti-anxiety med temporarily, until you can get things back into perspective.

Hope you feel better soon.

Hudson

[JillP]

Thank you very much.  Let me clarify my state of mind. I am only scared when I think this could be ovarian cancer, otherwise I lead a totally normal life.  I guess my biggest question is would ovarian cancer present itself in this way 1. no mass, tumor or anything else 2. Having these symptoms long enough would my ca-125 be so low and coupled together (sono and ca-125) being normal does that pretty much lean towards no ovarian cancer?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Jill,
It sounds like you think something is terribly wrong even though all your tests are normal. It is hard for me to give an opinion without doing an examination and reviewing your films but I would say that you need to separate these issues into two groups.

1. Fear of Ovarian cancer
2.Trouble coping, trouble dealing with your life, stress, crying all the time

Issue one: This is tough because there is no screening test for ovarian cancer. You have shared that you have IBS and bloating. You also have a normal gyn work up and no risk factors for ovarian cancer. It is hard to recommend a laparoscopy in that setting. I would recommend that you get repeat ultrasounds and CA 125 test every two to three months for six months. If they continue to normal, you should be reassured. In the mean time, you need to see you primary care or gastroenterologist to work hard on diet and meds to control your IBS and bowel symptoms.

Issue 2: Regardless of issue one, you need intervention. You are in crisis and this could be dangerous for you and your children. You need to see a counselor. If you see one, you need to increase the frequency of your visits. You may need antidepressant medications.

I see from your note that this is a terrible time for you.
I wish you the best