Any Help Is Appreciated!

I am a 32 y/o with some questions about possibly having early ovarian cancer.  In April 2008, went to dr for annual and complained of having some pain in my left ovary that felt like severe ovulation pain.  Thought nothing of it, but my gyno sent for a transvaginal ultrasound.  They found a "1.8 x 1.7 x 1.5 septated cyst on my RIGHT OVARY."  I thought this was weird since I was having pain on my left.  Anyway, went back in June 08for follow up.  Cyst still there and now pain on my right ovary but gyno didn't feel it was anything to worry about.  Now in August 08, severe pain in right lower area and stomach all the time, indigestion, sometimes constipated, sometimes go alot in one day, alot of false alarms bm, pee alot, and pain shooting down right leg.  I am concerned.  Also, in the past two months have had reoccuring fever last weeks at a time.  Extreme fatigue, night sweats, etc.  Every blood test done you can think of. done.   I had a  positive lyme test with a negative western blood, positive ANA and been referred to a rhum.  Could any of this be related to this cyst and being cancerous?  I am getting a tubal ligation 9/4 and the gyno is going to look at my right ovary then.  But I am freaking out b/c I am still having all these symptoms.  Any advice?

 

If you have the slightest thought that it is Ovarian, make sure they did a CA-125 Analysis on you. Normal is ~20. Elevated means you may have the protein marker in your blood being caused by ovarian cancer. (You may already know this please excuse if I am telling you something that you are already aware of). If Ca-125 is elevated go for a physical exam so they can physically feel if you have any abdominal fluid build up (usually builds up around lower abdomen in peroteneal sp?cavity).  This is what docs have told us is typical. My wife also had pleural effusion (fluid surrounding but not in lungs). If you have upper back pain or shoulder pain and have any trouble breathing please waste no time in going for PET Scan. This will determine for sure if you have tumor present if the Ca-125 shows elevated. Not to scare or offend but do not delay. When my wife was finally diagnosed correctly (after 2 mis-diagnosis) she  was stage IV = not good. her name is Debra.  Prayers for her healing are much appreciated. She is in chemo presently.  I am not a doc, but we have learned much about this disease in the last couple months. Hope this information is helpful to you. 

Have all your female organs checked out, by MRI or some other scan. Don't let them stop at blood tests. I remember those symptoms, had 'em for years. Doctors think female complaints are vague, but cervical cancer, for example, is often caught when a woman keeps complaining that she doesn't feel "right", and keeps insisting until she has the whole battery of tests. Even if nothing is malignant, those symptoms are serious enough that they need to be addressed!

It turned out I had ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, but I just had them pull the whole works, as I was already 50. At your age, if you want to maintain your childbearing capacity, it's even more important to catch things early -- maybe they can just remove the problematic ovary.

Did have CA done...I think it was 18.  Doctors have been so blase about it b/c of my age.  So I will take your advice.  My prayers are with you and your family wishing your wife a full recovery.  Thanks!

I have been pushing, but I am starting to feel like they think I am some sort of freak calling them all the time.  I guess at this point, I will wait and see what the ovary looks like when I get my tubal ligation in two weeks.  I am done having children.  I have two beautiful and healthy children.  Thanks for you advice!

u normally have to worry if the ca125 is over 35; however the marker is not always elevated even with ovca: i also had those symptoms! but my marker was 3200! my gp didn't even catch all my symptoms, was complaining for 4months! hope it turns out to be nothing, harriet

What were your symptoms, Harriet?

 

On 8/25/2008 concernedinpa wrote:

What were your symptoms, Harriet?

only constipation, urinary infections, acid stomach, then very frequent urination; no stomach pains whatsoever! after 4 months my abdomen was swollen (i thought it was due to constipation!); dithered another 2 weeks, then went to my gp: ultrasound that left no doubt; i'm only angry that my gp didn't act sooner, he had no idea whatsoever!

 

On 8/26/2008 Harrietg. wrote:

 

On 8/25/2008 concernedinpa wrote:

What were your symptoms, Harriet?

only constipation, urinary infections, acid stomach, then very frequent urination; no stomach pains whatsoever! after 4 months my abdomen was swollen (i thought it was due to constipation!); dithered another 2 weeks, then went to my gp: ultrasound that left no doubt; i'm only angry that my gp didn't act sooner, he had no idea whatsoever!

 

In July, I had a bladder infection, bacterial infection and yeast infection all at the same time.  My gyno told me to go back to my gp because something was going on with my system.  I think that maybe it had to do with this cyst and they didn't take it seriously enough.  Like I said, I guess I will know for sure in two weeks.  Can't really do much before then about it anyway.  No reason for ER and those doctors don't really help much anyway.  Thanks for your response.  I wish you all the best.

Yes, please do keep watch on yourself.  Last fall I was at some friends house and tried going to the bathroom and could not empty my bladder.  Called my gyno on Sat and she called me in an antiobiotic....on Sun I still was not going....anyway ended up in ER with a cath....went home with it then one thing led to another and one test after another....I did have a CA-125 test done and it was like 120.  I had never heard of this lab test before until now & my daughters will have this test done regularly.  I then was told I would have to have a hysterectomy in which I figured so.  I had had some symptons before but my gyno just blamed alot of it on possible endometriosis.  I had pains before in which I blamed it on ovulation...had a pap smear and it was fine in Aug 2007 and then ended up with surg in Oct 2007...there were other signs in which I guess I just passed off at the time such as ingestion, few bowel problems, irregular bleeding etc.... I went into surgery to have my hysterectomy and they found stage II ovarian cancer. I then did six rounds of carbo & taxol....finished up at the end of March....so far so good...I have my CA-125 done monthly right now....the highest has been a 5.....I am a survivor & am so thankful  Please keep watch of yourself though if you have any doubts do something about it..and if it comes down to a hyster... (and if you are finished with having children) go for it....it is not bad at all.