Worried about symptoms

[bird65]

Hi, I am 41 years old and have several health issues. I have fibroids, possibly adenmyosis, one completely blocked fallopian tube, adhesions from surgeries I assume, crohns disease that is not active right now and hypertension. I am always sick with something and am embarrassed to go to the doctor with new symptoms all the time. However I am worried because I have this constant pressure and pain in my lower abdomen. It feels as if I have a UTI. I have had several UTI's so I know the symptoms. But the last few urine screens showed no sign of infection. I just went to the ER a few days ago for UTI symptoms, and asked for an antibiotic. They did a urine screen and again found nothing but they said that sometimes it doesn't show up so they gave me Cipro anyway. I have lower right abdomen pain pretty much all the time. Sometimes it is a dull ache and sometimes it can be quite severe. Once in a while I have pain on the lower left side but it is usually the right and middle of my lower abdomen. I have lost weight over the past several months due to not having as big an appetite as I usually do. I feel full quickly and can't eat alot. I'm tired all the time, I feel like I have been drugged sometimes. I am anemic though, I guess due to the crohns, I'm not sure. I am severely constipated but that has always been a problem. I'm not nauseaus much and I have a little bit of a bloated stomach but it is not huge. I notice it but my bf doesn't see it. My stomach is soft though, it is not hard. I had a pelvic exam done at the ER and the doctor said she could feel a fibroid (she thinks) on the lower right side. Anyway, I have almost all of the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer and I'm worried. I had an ultrasound almost a year ago but they couldn't see anything even though I had a very full bladder. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to tell him my symptoms but I am scared. I wonder if I am overreacting. I do have fibroids and crohns and my symptoms could be from that I guess.  I guess I am looking for someone to tell me that my symptoms probably are not cancer. Especially since I don't have the big hard stomach that everyone seems to describe having. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[bird65]

Well today I went for the depo shot and the doctor did a pelvic exam. She said she felt a fibroid. I told her about my symptoms and that I usually get a transvaginal u/s because they can never see anything with a reg u/s. So she told me she will send me for the transvaginal u/s. So I guess now I will find out if it is fibroid related symptoms or ovarian. I tend to think it is probably fibroid or something other than ovaries because I have never had a problem with my ovaries. I have been on the pill on and off for at least 15 years and now I'm on the depo shot so I haven't ovulated much and they say that protects you from ovarian cancer. I'm hopeful. My prayers are with everyone with this disease and I pray they find a cure for it soon.

Bird

[bird65]

Well, I went to my appointment. The appointment was for me to get a depo provera shot it wasn't for an examination. I did tell the doctor about my UTI symptoms. He said it was the depo shot. He said that causes those symptoms. I left it at that. I don't know why. I just figured I will wait and see if I get worse, or if my stomach gets larger. I feel as if I am being a hypochondriac. Every symptom I get I feel is some dreaded disease. I don't have insurance either because I'm unemployed. I go to a clinic. The care is not the best and I don't like to go. I am working hard at finding a job with very good benefits and then I will be able to get the care I need and the tests I need. However if I am running to the Dr. all the time I will be out of a job again. Oh well. We'll see what happens. Thanks for your support.

Bird.

[birdbath]

Hi Bird,
I'm sorry you're not feeling well, hopefully you can get some answers soon. Thought I'd share my past experience with you to see if I can help. I had adenomyosis and a cyst on my ovary last year. Before the cyst grew, my issues with adeno caused very similar syptoms! I had bloating, swelling, horrid cramps, pressure, you name it. When my cyst formed, it just compounded all of the problems. I had my uterus and ovary removed and felt like a million bucks within a few weeks. As a matter of fact, I didn't realize how truly miserable I had felt until those sickly part were removed!
Now, unfortunately, my other ovary has formed a cyst - so I'm back in the same boat again. This time, it was very easy for me to tell something was wrong - those same old symptoms flared right back up.  Anyway please realize that adenomyosis and fibroids can cause similar symptoms to OC, and even a simple ovarian cyst can play havoc with our system. Also, pressure on the bladder from either an enlarged uterus or ovarian cysts can give you symptoms of a bladder infection. Frequent running to the bathroom, and even bladder spasms can be caused by external pressure (I found this out the hard way myself last weekend - thought I had the worst infection ever, but read that it was probably from my cyst). A few days later, the spasms were gone. You're doing the right thing in getting this all checked out, it's the first step to feeling better. Don't ever feel bad about going to the Dr., the only time to feel bad is if you SHOULD have gone, and didn't. We have to be our own best friend and advocate regarding our health. You should ask for a transvaginal ultrasound, especially since it's been a year and they didn't get any good pictures. Pleae keep up posted, we'll be here for you!

[rmarie]

The only way anyone can tell you probably don't have cancer is to see a Gyn for your Gyn issues, sounds like it has been a year, and the gastroenterologist for your Crohn's.  Are you on any meds that could cause constipation?  OC is rare as small percentage of women get it.  You have other issues that you will be having checked tomorrow, stay cool and don't look for the worst, until they tell you that it may be. I know easier said then done.  When they told me I had cancer I did not go near the web or any research on OC for 11 weeks, I left it to my husband.  When I was psychologically ready I started my research.  Good look