Newcomer with question

[metrogal]

I'm brand new to this site and it's bitter and sweet.  But, truly supportive and reassuring in many ways.  I have a question which I don't necessarily know is answerable.  Since the symptoms of IBS and Ovarian CA are so frighteningly alike, if OCA were to be ruled out, in your experience, what cause other than IBS could be causing these symptoms? A cat scan has been ordered since my Gastro DR. felt something on my right side.  Thank you in advance and wishing you well.

[mermaid26]

I had horrible gas pains immediately after the cat scan.  I had to drink 2 tall bottles within an hour at home before the test.  Well, I used a straw to make it go down faster, but I think this may have made the gas pains worse.  I had to ask the receptionist after if is was okay for me to take Gas-X and I went home and laid on my stomach for a while.  I don't think this is common but it was my experience.  The contrast they inject via IV is weird but not painful.  Good luck.

[metrogal]

Good morning ladies. First, let me thank you for responding. In order to give you my background, it will be a bit lenghty. I'll try to be as quick as possible. My situation goes back as far as 1988, approximately one year after my mastectomy. My main complaint at that time was unbelievable gas which would in turn make my lower back sore. Never had any stomach problems before that time, that I can recall. My oncologist sent me for a sonogram which found nothing. I remember the technician, while performing my test, remark, "you are loaded with gas." It's important that I add, y personality is such that I'm basically I guess and emotional individual (especially after my surgery) and I've had plenty of stress in my life, which til today have not taken the proper steps to relieve. To date, throughout the years I've had four colonoscopies, the most recent being Monday. I've had a vaginal/pelvic scope together. Then a couple or few years later another sonogram or two. Two years ago my Pap came back irregular and I wound up having the lining of my uterus biopsied and then a D&C. Due in part to the Tomoxifen I took for "7" years until I found the wherewithall to get myself off it. Pretty much my stomach symptoms have always been the gas problem which I feel exasperated other discomfort and some lower back discomfort. I don't necessarily become constipated, but at times do have great difficulty with my movements.Also, internal and external hemroids. After my first colonoscopy, I had a couple of benign polyps and one preadenoma(sp?). When I asked the DR for a diagnosis, he said, I have a lazy bowel. Thereafter, my scopes came back clean. But, my stomach continues to be an issue. Especially since my job the last three years has escalated to the point where I went from working 7 hours a day to 10 & 12 hours AND VERY STRESSFUL. Needless to say, this coupled with personal issues it's gotten worse. I was overdue almost two years for the colon scope I had this past Monday. To be very honest with you all, I had forgotten, or chose to bury the fact that IBS has all the earmarks of OV cancer. And, it's important that I tell you, I've been "assuming" all these years that I have IBS.  It's never been officially diagnosed. I'm sorry for the length, but I want to give you a clear picture. I have to add the following because til this week I thought it relevant. Back in June, my son convinced me to join him for a ride on his scooter. I picked my right let up too quickly and too high and as a result I must have pulled something in my groin because it was quite sore for a few months. Finally healed and then one morning, running for my bus, I must have pulled it again. Not as bad, but on and off it has been bothering me. Soooooooo, of course,I have been attributing the discomfort in my right groin, which sometimes radiates down the leg, to that accident. During my recent visit to my Breast Surgeon, who I love, during my pelvic exam which he does routinely and has never commented, he asked, have you had surgery on this side? I answered no and never questioned why he asked. We then discussed my stomach issues and he asked if I had ever been to the Gastro man he recommended, and you got it, I hadn't. Well, with an office packed with waiting patients, he got the Dr on the phone himself and had me set an appt. Me being the grateful individual I am, thought, how wonderful of him to take the time to do what I should have done myself. OK....I'm really confused and frightened. During the Gastro's exam, he kept pressing on the same area my BS did and asked if it hurt, which it didn't. He said I would have to return for a sono which I did. He said he hoped to have the results when I returned for my colonoscopy this past Monday. He also took blood. I like him very much and find him very thorough, but like most DRs today, very little time for explanation. OK, groggy and bit still wobbly after my scope Monday, he briefly came in to tell me they did not have my sono results back yet but that he got a "wet reading" which told him I had a small cyst on my LEFT KIDNEY. My scope came back good after he did a biopsy. THANK GOD. But, he is now referring to my right side as feeling a mass and has ordered a cat scan which I am having done on Sat. I'm totally bewildered because as I said, I can never recall having any problem with my right side or groin until the scooter episode and thought maybe that was contributing to this situation. I had a chance to recount that incident to him and he said that would having nothing to do with this new situation. I also mentioned to him how I had either forgotten or blocked the fact that IBS has the identical symtoms to OV cancer. His reply was, "of course, whenever there is a "gas" situation that is a possibility which should be investigated." Well, needless to say, my state of mind right now leaves a lot to be desired. If I might prevail upon you for just another minute, what can you tell me about the cat scan. I had a choice of going to the hospital to drink the liquid two hours before or I could pick it up and drink it at home. I thought I don't need to be in the hospital any longer than necessary, so picked it up the other night. It looks like it tastes horrible. When I asked, why can't this be done intravenously, I was told that's part of the scan also. First the liquid, then the needle. Thank you so much for your patience and this certainly is a GODSEND!

[utahmomma]

Personal experience, both large ovarian cysts and some gallbladder conditions can mimic IBS symptoms.  It's maddening, especially when you have more than one thing going on at the same time.  

Gallbladder may sound strange but mine was full of "sludge" and when it would dump bile my entire color would spasm, causing pressure (nothing moving through it), pain, etc.  I was amazed after my gallbladder surgery that those cramps and pain disappeared (I didn't realize they were related).  The pain felt ovarian.

The ovarian cysts were a bit more obvious (especially when one would rupture leaking about 1 liter of fluid into my abdomen).  Problem with ovarian cysts is, I would have huge ones one month then they would disappear the next month on an ultrasound.  When I finally could convince someone to remove my remaining ovary the largest cyst (I had a few) was the size of my fist and full of blood.  The surgeon and I were both surprised that it was NOT cancerous.

I have IBS too and both of the above conditions made it go crazy, as does having thyroid problems.  The stress over all of it doesn't help either.  Best of everything - I hope they figure it out soon.

[SimplyStar]

Although not always realible, I still feel the CA125 test should be done on any woman experiencing pain in the ovaries, bladder, bowel areas. If they had ordered it with my daughter we would have been months ahead of the game. They thought she didn't need it because she didn't have any of the 5 markers for OVCA.

[mermaid26]

Have you had any previous abdominal or pelvic surgeries?  Adhesions and scar tissue can cause lots of problems.  Right side abdominal pain could be gall bladder, which can be hard to diagnose if stones aren't visible on an US.  It just depends on all of your symptoms.  Try to write them all down and keep a journal noting times, diet, etc... The more clues the better.  I've had 4 doctors throw IBS at me rather loosley and much to my disappointment.  That is not my "gut feeling."  I'm now at a Urologist and am having a Cystocopy tommorow to screen for bladder cancer.  Frequent urination was a major symptom with me.
She has also ordered a trans/vag US for two pelvic masses over both ovaries pressing on my bladder.  She wants to rule out scar tissue.  I also have kidney stones and bilateral complex renal cysts that are finally being given some attention.  It has taken me from Feb 9, 2006 to get this far.  Best wishes for the fast track to healing.