Digestive symptoms?

[Jlynn2006]

I'll try to make a long story short. My digestive symptoms started about 4 1/2 years ago. Unexplained diarrhea out the blue that never went away (mostly in the am, wake up having to go), and more gas than usual, occasional bloating, extreme fatigue.  Had colonoscopy done over 3 years ago that showed swelling of my colon, but no disease -Dx colitis. I have learned to live with it due to the fact that im home in am hours. In the past year i developed chronic heartburn also, sometimes cant stand to swallow. More recently Ive developed irregular periods this year,and had two full periods last month! Have nausea w/hot flashes, & dizziness a few days a week. I am now constantly bloated, have extreme gas (my whole system makes crazy sounds when I eat anything!) I only wiegh 109 pounds, but looks like its all in my gut! I fluctuate looking 2-5 months pregnant! Im very tired too.  I felt okay despite this for a few months, now feel some sort of sick everyday. I am often hungry, & must eat many smaller meals a day. I went to Dr. last week and she asked about urination urgentcy, I said yes that I do go very frequently, so she asked me to keep track of it and come back in two weeks, & to go on antispasmotic's. My Dr. probably thinks Im nuts, becuz when I mentioned the two periods last month, she said its from stress! Not sure if I should ask for a blood test, when most of my symptoms are digestive?  I just heard today about symptoms of ovarian cancer from an email from my Dad.  I dont to overreact.  Does anyone relate to these symptoms?  Maybe Im just paranoid?  Please respond

[Nataliecat]

Hi Jlynn,

I concur - please be persistent with your doctor. I was soooo fortunate, my GP did everything right. I am 36. For roughly 6-9 months, I had been experience more gas and bloating than I had ever in the past. The last few months, I started having more frequent diarrhea and my digestive system would get pretty noisy as well. On my last work trip in Oct, the diarrhea was so severe, it woke me in my sleep and I had messed the bed.

I knew at that moment, I could absolutely not keep putting off a doctor visit. I suspected GI problems. I went to the GP Nov 6. She pressed on my lower abdomen and initially thought my uterus was enlarged.
Nov 9, I went in for a pelvic ultrasound, and they found a 14cm cyst on my right ovary. I ultimately would up having an open surgery with staging on Dec 6. My final diagnosis is Stage II Low Malignant Ovarian Tumor - an extremely slow growing form of cancer, highly treatable via surgery with excellent prognosis. My GYN/ONC told me had I been 10 years older, he suspects it would have been late stage ovarian cancer.
I am so thankful I stopped putting off that doctor visit!!
Please make sure you get the care you want and deserve from your doctor. Best wishes to you!!

[Flyfree47]

A related discussion, Stomach problems with a 3.5cm cyst on Left Ovary was started.

[AnotherKatie]

Yes, please, insist that you have a TRANSVAGINAL ultrasound.  Just do it.  You have to.  You also need to back to the doctor who did your colonoscopy or a good GI doctor, and ask for scanning of your upper digestive system, as I wonder if you have reflux.  Are you watching your diet carefully because of the colitis diagnosis?  Try eliminating all dairy products from your diet, and all fats.  Don't overeat. Eating small meals is good for colitis.  Drink lots of water too.  

So many of us get that "stress" response to irregular periods.  NO!  Do NOT take that for an answer.  Irregular periods are not normal.  Get a new doctor if this one is not taking you seriously.  It's your body.  It's your health.  YOU must be the one to take the deep breath and fight for yourself.
Lots of ovarian problems can manifest as digestive concerns... not just cancer.  How old are you?  Be as paranoid as you want to!  But don't let fear stop you from getting in there and getting some answers.

[Jlynn2006]

Thanks for your suggestions. I am 39. I did have a history of "female" problems, being Dx with "precancancerious" tissue on my cervix at 15, then again at 27, both times I had crio-surgery (not sure if I spelled that right:)  When I was seventeen I was
bloated, in a lot of pain, & hospitalized for 7 days due to several grapefruit size abcesses in my abdomen, on my female organs, the dr used large doses of antibiotics, and it worked. Twice in my twenties I had cycts seen on ultrasound (abdominal swelling) that were treated with antibiotics. I never questioned how the use of antibiotics worked, but apparantly it did. Since all my paps have been normal. I have three children. After my third child (14 yrs ago) I had my tubes "tied", after which I had heavy period with large clots, (as many as 50 in a few days) for 13 yrs. but the flow and clotting have calmed down in the past year. I have not been to a gyn in over 13 yrs. With current problems, I have asked for a diet suggestion, and only told to take lots of metamucil. Ive been using lactaid with any dairy. Thanks for your diet suggestion. I think ur right I do need to go back to a specialist, I really like my dr. but she is a PA. Im scared of invasive tests, that I stay somewhat low key about my entire symptoms. U have all been thru a lot, & I appreciate any/all advice. Hopefully I am barking up the wrong tree, but I decided Im going to ask for the ultrasound & maybe the blood test, & possibly go back to the gastro. Dr. Thanks again for your input.

[dechen]

Hi,
Your symptoms have gone on for too long and without further consultation with a doctor we are all just guessing. However, I think it would very important to get an ultrasound ASAP. I was so worried that I went to the ER and had one there when they finally found a cyst.
Doctors at times push aside our complaints but they are real and you deserve to know what is going on with your body!
Good Luck, Dechen

[scoutshadow]

You have got to go back to your doctor and request an ultrasound.  Please do it Monday.  Go back and say the urinary problems have worsened over the weekend and you would like a further evaluation by a consult gynae at the very least.  DON'T take no for an answer.  Good luck with this and keep us updated.    You are not nuts - and your doctor won't think so either.