Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer and Stomach is Swollen 5 inches in 4 Weeks, What's Wrong With me?

[Dimples112409]

My periods have been unusually heavy for a few years and for the last 9 weeks, I have been having persistant gas(that gets worse daily), nausea, indigestion, changes in bladder habits, including frequency and occasionally burning, changes in bowel habits, including now being constipated all the time and sides hurt when trying to go, loss of appetite, feeling full quickly, constantly tired, VERY abnormal menstrual cycles and low back pain. For the last 4 weeks, I have been experiencing swelling in my stomach (it has gained 5 inches in 4 weeks, but I have gained no weight) severe pelvic pain, shortness of breath, horrible pain in my lower (left) abdomen, some occasional pain in my legs. I went to the ER Monday and theysuggested it could be ovarian cancer, but they didn't seem concerned and sent me home and just told me to make an appointment with my gyno. I don't have any of the risk factor though. In the last 4 weeks, my waist has gone from a 34 to a 39. I have had a huge loss of appetite starting 9 weeks ago, so I hardly eat and water is all I drink and not an excessive amount either. It very well may not be that. So, what I am asking is why the heck my stomach feels so stretched out, has so much pressure and has grown in size so much so quickly? I am freaking out, because excluding pregnancy, my waist has never been this big and it hurts to take normal breaths, I have to take short shallow breaths because my back and stomach hurt if I don't. I am not menopausal, I have had children, I have no history of cancer, I am not over 55 and I am pretty sure there is no history of ovarian cancer in my family.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,

Unfortunately the "symptoms" of ovarian cancer are also the symptoms of  irritable, colitis, reflux, endometriosis, lactose intolerance, gluten allergy, gall bladder disease , and many other conditions. In other words - these are nonspecific symptoms that plague us all.

That can make it very tricky to sort out what is going on just based on symptoms alone.
You need a pelvic exam and a pelvic transvaginal ultrasound.

If those are normal, then your doctor can think with you about which of the many other things it could be .
There are times I suggest a CT scan because that really clearly evaluates the upper abdomen.

It is very distressing to feel bad. It is also frightening to be told you might have ovarian cancer without a solid evaluation.

The first step is to see your gynecologist.
take care

[jeannie545]

I am 21, I have ALL of what you have in the same sqquence and as i write this. Unfortunatly i am not a doctor. I have been refered to a geinocologist for my symptoms but am unsure how long i can wait. Seems like evry day something gets worse. and i get more and more tiard as it goes on. The only things i have that you dont is onging Urinary Tract Infections. Iv had 5 since april.I hope you find out whats going on. lease updat me and i will do the same. I am also freaking out. the symptoms of mine to ovarian cancer are so spot on but no one seems to care in the hospital or the clinic(i do not have a doctor). Seeing your post on here with the same symptoms as me makes me a little reasured im not crazy thinking it is ovarian cacer. Atleast i can tell my husband that :P He thinks its in my head. Take care...i know how your feeling.

[Dimples112409]

I had a CT Scan, it is not cancer, some of the symptoms, for me anyways, are probably diabetes and others a gall bladder problem. I also just got treated fo a cervical infection. Everyone is different. Best of luck to you hun.