Aa
many symptoms -- worried
Hello everyone --
I hope you can help. Here is my story. About 4 months ago, I started having diarreah -- not everyday, but every time I have a bowel movement, it's diarreah. This month, I've been experiencing low pelvic pain and pressure (like early labor, but way, way down in my pelvis), I had my regular period at the beginning of the month, and then started bleeding again 14 days later (never happened in my 41 years). My lower back hurts (might be a bad mattress) and I'm extremely tired. No real change in urinary symptoms, but went immediately before my ultrasound and had to go again during my ultrasound. My regular doctor has ruled out parasites and gallbladder disease. Still waiting to see gastro doc. I went to a gyn today, and after hearing my symptoms, she did a transvaginal ultrasound. She commented that my right ovary is "enlarged" -- everything else looked normal. She suggested we follow-up with another US in 6 weeks, that it may just be enlarged because I'm ovulating. That doesn't seem possible to me -- I've already ovulated twice this month -- could I be ovulating again?? I have 2 maternal aunts and one maternal cousin who died from ovarian cancer. With the sudden onset/increase in gyn symptoms, I'll be honest -- I'm worried. Does waiting 6 weeks to do another US seem like the appropriate treatment? Is there another test I should be asking for, or am I just overreacting? Would appreciate all answers and please include your symptoms/diagnosis.
I hope you can help. Here is my story. About 4 months ago, I started having diarreah -- not everyday, but every time I have a bowel movement, it's diarreah. This month, I've been experiencing low pelvic pain and pressure (like early labor, but way, way down in my pelvis), I had my regular period at the beginning of the month, and then started bleeding again 14 days later (never happened in my 41 years). My lower back hurts (might be a bad mattress) and I'm extremely tired. No real change in urinary symptoms, but went immediately before my ultrasound and had to go again during my ultrasound. My regular doctor has ruled out parasites and gallbladder disease. Still waiting to see gastro doc. I went to a gyn today, and after hearing my symptoms, she did a transvaginal ultrasound. She commented that my right ovary is "enlarged" -- everything else looked normal. She suggested we follow-up with another US in 6 weeks, that it may just be enlarged because I'm ovulating. That doesn't seem possible to me -- I've already ovulated twice this month -- could I be ovulating again?? I have 2 maternal aunts and one maternal cousin who died from ovarian cancer. With the sudden onset/increase in gyn symptoms, I'll be honest -- I'm worried. Does waiting 6 weeks to do another US seem like the appropriate treatment? Is there another test I should be asking for, or am I just overreacting? Would appreciate all answers and please include your symptoms/diagnosis.
Let me say that my mother had been diagnosed with diverticulitus (sp??) 2 months before the OVCA dx. Please go back and urge another look... as when they did the colonoscopy, all was clear.... but the cancer was wrapped aroudn the OUTSIDE of the bowel.... so of course it didnt show on the colonoscopy. After another month of misery, and no relief from the gastromeds... they decided to do an ultrasound.
I'm going through alot of symptoms myself and I'm very worried. All the sudden, I am analyzing every ache and pain in my body..(I don't know if this is such a good thing either.) I have a doctors appointment this afternoon and I'm writing down everything I want to tell him. I wish I could just turn off my brain it causes me alot of anxiety. What I have realized about this website is there is a great group of women on it ready to give you their support even though they are fighting their own battle. When I say my prayers at night, I say one for all of them.
Also forgot to mention that my last ultrasound was almost 2 years ago. I am certain that she will send me for one after this appointment.
Chanda
Chanda
Strange that you mention the terrible menstrual like pain during ovulation. I had that just last night. I have never felt like that during ovulation. It hurt more than my cramps hurt when I start my period. Honest to god I thought that I was getting ready to start another period, and a bad one. One look at my calendar told me that I am at day 14, but I could not believe the pain. I am actually scheduled to see my gyno on Monday, just less than a week. I plan to tell her that I want to rule out ovca. Thanks for your response. Good luck with your outcome, I will be thinking of you.
Chanda
Chanda
Mom - I agree with the others - it is your body, and you feel something is not right and have a gut feeling PLUS you have family members that have passed away due to ovca - you have every right and reason to want to rule this out. Early detection is key. I would insist on being referred to a gyne/oncologist if you can be. I know what you mean about living in a rural area and not having much choice. I have to travel 4 hours to see my gyne/oncologist. But if it makes you feel any better - your symptoms can be related to other things than ovca..........however - you need to rule it out.
My symptoms were few - I noticed for about 6 months or more that during ovulation I would get terrible menstrual-type cramping - bad enough to wake me up sometimes. (however - I was told it is not a sign of ovca) I also was really, really tired all the time. Some bloating, some stomach tenderness (but thought that was just from being so bloated) and also frequent urination. However - was training for half-marathon and drinking a ton of water and thought that was the reason for bloating and urinating so much. I only found the tumor because of a small, harmless cyst on my other ovary that pinched when I was doing situps! Ultrasound found a large mass on the other side - the side that didn't even bother me! So I am very, very lucky. I have had tumor (was cancer), one ovary and tube out and am awaiting pathology reports. My oncologist thinks I am at a stage 1c - but can't be sure yet........I find out next Monday if I need a hysterectomy and chemo, or just chemo. It has been a 6 week wait and it is looooong.
I know that it is frustrating that there isn't something to screen for ovca - there is a blood test that you can have done - CA125 but from what I understand levels can be elevated due to a lot of other things and there are a lot of false positives.........
Chanda - I did have a few of the same symptoms as you and some cramping in my leg only one month......very similar to severe menstrual pain. But again - was told mid-month pain is not symptom of ovca. Have you had any ultrasounds done on your pelvic area? If not - it is something I would bring up with your doctor, to rule out any cysts, endometriosis, etc. and also your worry about ovca. Hopefully that isn't what you are dealing with - but it doesn't hurt to ask to have it ruled out. Actually - is important to do that.....early detection is key.
I am new to this myself, but I hope I could help some...........take care and let us know how it goes.
Amy:)
My symptoms were few - I noticed for about 6 months or more that during ovulation I would get terrible menstrual-type cramping - bad enough to wake me up sometimes. (however - I was told it is not a sign of ovca) I also was really, really tired all the time. Some bloating, some stomach tenderness (but thought that was just from being so bloated) and also frequent urination. However - was training for half-marathon and drinking a ton of water and thought that was the reason for bloating and urinating so much. I only found the tumor because of a small, harmless cyst on my other ovary that pinched when I was doing situps! Ultrasound found a large mass on the other side - the side that didn't even bother me! So I am very, very lucky. I have had tumor (was cancer), one ovary and tube out and am awaiting pathology reports. My oncologist thinks I am at a stage 1c - but can't be sure yet........I find out next Monday if I need a hysterectomy and chemo, or just chemo. It has been a 6 week wait and it is looooong.
I know that it is frustrating that there isn't something to screen for ovca - there is a blood test that you can have done - CA125 but from what I understand levels can be elevated due to a lot of other things and there are a lot of false positives.........
Chanda - I did have a few of the same symptoms as you and some cramping in my leg only one month......very similar to severe menstrual pain. But again - was told mid-month pain is not symptom of ovca. Have you had any ultrasounds done on your pelvic area? If not - it is something I would bring up with your doctor, to rule out any cysts, endometriosis, etc. and also your worry about ovca. Hopefully that isn't what you are dealing with - but it doesn't hurt to ask to have it ruled out. Actually - is important to do that.....early detection is key.
I am new to this myself, but I hope I could help some...........take care and let us know how it goes.
Amy:)
I have just recently started looking into this. I too have a LOT of symptoms that I have been putting together. I have had them for over a year, and been looked at for IBS, among other gastro issues. Just had a colonoscopy, results were completely normal. My symptoms are as follows: bloating/distention, fatigue, urinary incontinence(sometimes), abdominal and low back cramps (like period-when not on period), nausea, constipation/diarrhea (as I said colonoscopy came back normal),pain shooting down right leg to about mid-thigh from crease in groin area as best I can tell, and a tender abdomen. I am seeing a hematologist for unexplained anemia, that has been present for over a year and a half. Came across a website that helped me put this together and am a little scared. Also, my mother and sister have both had breast cancer. Can't get in to see my gyno for almost another month, then have to wait for results of any tests ordered. Nervous and wanted to find out if anyone else had the shooting pain down the leg thing happen to them as well?
Chanda
Chanda
Thank you all for your responses -- the problem is, I live in a very rural area, there's not too many choices of gyns here -- It took me 3 weeks to get into see the gyn even after I had so many problems. I can't explain it. I have a nagging feeling that something's just not right, but at the same time, I'm worried that I'm just overreacting. The gyn actually mentioned IBS, which bothered me a little -- she's already found one ovary enlarged, yet she's still trying to minimize it and say it's IBS. From your personal experiences, do my symptoms sound like OVCA, or am I just being paranoid? I certainly don't want a biopsy if I don't need one, yet I feel like that's the only way I'm gonna know for sure. Why, why why isn't there a better test for this??? You have mammos for breast cancer, pap smears for cervical cancer, PSA for prostate cancer, colonoscopy for colon cancer -- why is the research for ovarian cancer lagging so far behind? Sorry for the rant, I'm just terribly emotional and angry at the medical community right now. My heart goes out to all of you who've already been diagnosed -- you will be in my prayers tonight.
I agree with the gals above. It cannot be said enough, If the Dr you are seeing will not listen or take you seriously, find another Dr asap and as Marty said, tell them you want to rule out ovarian cancer. To many of us went through the same experience as Chris and did not know any better. You have that chance so please take it and get to a Dr that will listen to you and do something about it.
As we are not Drs, we cannot tell you yes it is or no it isn't, but we can advise you to not put off seeking medical help and help you in your search for a Dr that takes you seriously.
Please keep us informed as to what you find out.
Chris
As we are not Drs, we cannot tell you yes it is or no it isn't, but we can advise you to not put off seeking medical help and help you in your search for a Dr that takes you seriously.
Please keep us informed as to what you find out.
Chris
If they decide to biopsy the ovary, please make sure that you have a gyn/onc perform the surgery. If there is a problem they are specially trained in how to deal with it. And Marty is right, it wasn't until I told my dr specifically that I wanted to rule out ovca that I finally got the tests I needed. I wasted 18 months ruling out everything else and being treated for IBS. Best wishes, Chris P
i agree with marty and also believe u should post on the ask an expert forum
praying for u peace
sharon
praying for u peace
sharon
Get to a doctor and tell them you want them to "rule out Ovarian cancer". this was suggested at a large convention by doctors that were trying to get women to be more active in their health issues. there are more tests that will confirm what is going on with you, tell them you want everything done. I honestly feel 6 weeks is too long to wait. If my daughters doctor would have been vigilent then we would not have wasted 4 1/2 months. Good Luck hun and keep us posted Marty
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