signs of recurrance

[Conquerer]

well i am getting ready for my next visit  it will be 16 months since my last chemo  i was stage 3b  for those that have had a recurrance did you know, like did you feel different, have symptoms like the first time.  i am feeling good but wonder if it is coming back back or if I will know when it starts.  I take suppliments no longer eat meat or dairy which i am sure is why i feel good i love my new way of eating.  It was prescribed by an oncologist in chicago but in the back of my mind i wonder if there are signs i should now about.  I lecture on signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer at health fairs and am asked often if the signs are there for a recurrance  please fill me in


tahnks

[crecco]

My CA is a good indicator for me, so a steady rising CA is a sure sign for me that something is going on. Also if my Ca gets to high, I do begin feeling symptoms very similar to what I had at dx, just in a milder form.
  But as your numbers are low and you are feeling good, then you are probasbly just fine.
I wish you the best of luck when you have your next appointment.
  Chris

[momofsandj]

I hope you only have a bad case of nerves!  The only symptom I had other than a rising CA125 and eventually something showed on scans for both of my recurrences was the presence of a weird rash that had no pathology on biopsy.   If the CA125 has been acurate for you and isn't rising, I wouldn't rush to do a scan .  On the other hand, after my initial diagnosis , surgery and chemo, I had scans every three months so I guess it depends on your counts and your doctor.  I'm in chemo again now and am waiting until I am done with 6 cycles to scan as my counts are slowly moving down (no where near remission though).  And the rash I had with my first recurrence is going away after years so I'm hopeful.........
Good luck and hang in there -- we all get nervous around check up time....

[Jan214]

I would not subject myself to any more scans than necessary.  It sounds like your numbers are great.  I wish you continued good luck with all of this.  Try not to worry to much about this next checkup.  Most of us get apprehensive when something is coming up like a doc appt but it will be fine.  He is going to tell you all is well.
Take care of you and try to quit stressing.
Jan

[Conquerer]

yes  every 3 months i have a ca125  but have nnot had any scans since 3 months after my last chemo when i had a ct scan and a pep scan they were both ok.  i wonder if it is now a year even if my ca125 is low if i should have a scan  what is everyones thoughts. my lowest ca125 was 1.9 but it was 400 before surgery.  and after 2 treatments it was 5  so i guess i wait and see   thanks every one

[Jan214]

Looking back before my diagnosis I know that a low grade fever for over a month straight and than off and on was a symptom for me.  It was also for Gilda Radner.  When I got married last August, I woke up the day after with a 102 fever and I knew it was back.  I did Gemzar for 6 months and will start again on June 10th.  I did not get a remission either time so I keep taking chemos.  I also had a rise in the CA125 with a clear scan.  Have you had scans and CA125's over the last 18 months?  That is the only way my onc knows for sure it is back.
Good luck and I hope you are still cancer free.
Jan

[msjazz]

I only had a rising ca125. It started doubling rapidly, like every 2 weeks. Other ladies have something show up on scans, if the ca125 was not a good indicator for them. If it comes back, you willl probably feel something is wrong. A lot of us get worried when it is close to checkup time, even when we are still doing chemo. I hope you get a good report.   Donna