Urinary Urgency Sign of Relapse?

[jamiimaj]

I'm 35. Ovarian Carcinoma in 2003. Removed tumor and one ovary + lymph nodes. Two miscarriages at about 7 wks since then + growing loss of urinary control w/ pelvic pain. Strong urinary urgency with very little in bladder. What should I be looking at here?

[jamiimaj]

Mary and everyone- I want to thank you so much for taking the time and for the information. I really appreciate it! I will post what I find out.

[Tybear]

Hello... The urgency in the bladder would concern me a little. I know my initial diagnosis came from a pain in my bladder, but I'm not sure about recurrance (if the pain would be the same). Are you being monitored with CT scans and CA125 tests? It sounds like you were able to catch your disease in the early stages, so they may not follow you as closely - I'm not sure. As for the ball rolling thing, it wasn't me! Sorry Mary - I remember reading about it, but can't remember who it was! I'm not the best person to ask about this - I'm 5 months out of finishing chemo for stage 3c and every little pain has me concerned - I'm a hypocondriac now! Mention it to your Dr and see what they have to say.
Becky

[kathy o]

These were my symptoms when I relapsed. Heavy burping and belching, flu like symptons, tired and yes bathroom frequency. The worst one being the belching.... also became very emotional, crying. CA125 started rising 10 then 20 ect....
Hopefully you are not having a relapse, maybe because summer drinking more fluid and eating less. Good Luck. my relapse was 6 months out og chemo.....
kathy

[Mary 53]

Hey Tybear, just thought of you when I was responding to this post. Any thoughts? I know you tried the ball rolling thing. The other thing is...just as I was sending this post, I realized that I might have not totally understood the question. Wondering now if it was more about a worry that the cancer is back. Duh...I have been sitting in a classroom for four days taking classes prepping for a test. Brain is gone. Well, I initially wanted you to see this post so that you could put in your two cents for the ball rolling, but now I am thinking you might have thoughts about the bladder issue. I recall you had some problems with that before you got your diagnosis.

Also...when you get a chance let me know how your doc responded when  you were asking for help a few weeks ago....I recall that you had asked me a question and I felt badly not getting more information out to you....not sure I answered your questions. I am sorry about that. I have had exams and extra dictation at work...not an excuse, but a reason.

Alright...talk to you later, Mary

[Mary 53]

Hi. It's not fun, is it? Urinary incontinence is something I have been dealing with for about 8 years...totally on and off. Before my hysterectomy in 2000 for ovarian cancer, I was sent to two urologists to see if they could diagnose the problem. I was having a similar problem as you. They did not come up with a specific diagnosis at the time and did not recommend surgery which the oncologist had suspected they might (bladder or ureter surgery, that is)..it would have been done at the time as the hsyterectomy. But, once I got on a steady stream of bioidentical hormones, the problem went away. It surfaced ocasionally along with vaginal dryness (very uncomfortable just walking!)...and, my doctor prescribed bioidentical estriol in suppository form to help strengthen the vaginal area. That area can start to atrophy when adversely affected by hormonal changes.

Just over the past year I have had the problem again. I am suspecting it is hormonal again as my doctor recently changed the doses of the hormones I use, although it started again before the dose change...baffling. Although, there has been some hope for me recently...I will explain.

Doc had me add DHEA (I know that this is not available in some countries without a prescription) and I take it only because I am having it monitored by a doctor. But, that has been very helpful...it supports the urinary tissues. My doc has me on a high dose and I do not know if that would be appropriate for everyone...but that is what I do. First time in almost a year that I don't have to wear protection.

I also consulted with a female doctor who specializes in women's urinary problems. I have chosen not to go for a follow up appointment since I have been able to control the matter with hormones..but, I suspect some day I might have to have some kind of surgery. Although, I have not had stress incontinence....and that is the one for which they frequently do the surgery. I  have had urge incontinence such as you have mentioned. I know there are meds for that...but, my sister said that they really dry you up and can cause much constipation. Hmmm...as I said...this is not fun, is it?

Wondering if the pain you mentioned is due to adhesions? I am going to see if I can get some posters on who have done the "ball rolling" to break up surgical adhesions. I would check with your doctor before you do any special massage, though, since there might be something else going on and that area might be prone to problems (it would not be a cyst that could burst, could it?).

I had horrible surgical adhesions for over a year and got great relief from a simple exercise using a little ball that I rolled on. I had an instructor teach me....but I know there is info on the web...google body and rolling...and massage. See what you get.

Well, I feel for you and hope you get some answers soon. I know what a pain this can be. You are so young... I work with kids and am running around with them all day, and I always felt kind of young at heart...but, this problem makes me feel restricted for sure.

Good luck and take care. Mary