When Do You Worry?

I am 24 and have been having gynecological complications since I was 12 (just months after starting my period). For the last 12 years I have already had two surgeries for the treatment of endometriosis and ovarian cysts. I have never had a painless period and am only 'regular' when I am on the continuous pill. For the most part I have been able to manage my issues with a strong dose of faith and persistence to get better. Unfortunately this doesn't always seem to work. For the past 2 1/2 years I have been seeing a reproductive specialist (exclusively) for all my gynecological issues. However just recently I have begun to worry again about my health. Despite all my earlier issues I have never had an irregular pap smear. My last annual was a month ago which included a regular Pap smear. At the time of the exam I felt my regular pelvic pain but was pretty sure I was normal. During my exam my doctor noticed that my cervix was very inflamed (which made the exam difficult - particularly because I began to bleed as soon as the speculum touched it). Once the bleeding stopped (which took lots of effort) the exam continued, and included a transvaginal ultrasound. Although I am no expert to reading sonograms, nor am I trained in it, I could very easily see that my left ovary was larger and different colored and shaped than my right one. My doctor said she wanted me to monitor my health and to come back in 2-3 months for a check up. Since my exam I have continued to have more and more symptoms and discomfort - particularly on my left side. More alarming is that my symptoms seem to mimic both ovarian and cervical cancer. I have also noticed a great deal of bloody discharge. I have phoned my doctor, whose nurse insures me that my pap came back normal and that my symptoms and discharge are only related to my endometriosis. While I trust my doctor I am wondering when I should worry - and what I should do next?

I know it can be difficult to stand up to doctors (who supposedly know so much) at your age, but you should tell your doc you want more tests done right away to determine the nature of the ovarian mass. Tell him/her you aren't comfortable waiting, and that you would like them to preform a biopsy as soon as possible, not in 2 or 3 months. If they discourage you, find yourself a different doctor, preferably at a reputable medical center in a big city. Believe me when I tell you - this will not only save you a lot of time, it may save your life. Good luck. Lyn

Here are the top 15 medical centers in the US:

Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston

Cleveland Clinic

UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles

Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University, St. Louis

New York-Presbyterian Univ. Hosp. of Columbia and Cornell

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.

University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle

University of California, San Francisco Medical Center

University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

University of Chicago Hospitals

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, Calif.

I hope you can get yourself to one of these.

You need to trust your feelings, too.
For so long, I just did as doctors said without questioning, without standing up and saying things...and now things have become worse for me.
A pap smear does NOT indicate ovarian cancer.
I think you should either question your doctor more (about tests for the endometriosis and tests to rule out cancers).  Or, you should get a second opinion.
I have had problems since I was 13, similar to yours.
That is too long to have to deal with discomfort and pain.

I understand exactly how you feel.

 I have had many problems like yours and more since I was 12 when I first started my period as well.

 The doctors have kept putting me off and saying that I am too young, but I live in constant dailing pain.

 I have had surgeries and medications, etc. that have not worked. These issues run in my family when the women are young so you would think that my doctor would listen to me.

 I posted a message to another girl similar to this but the message messed up when I was posting it so I don't know if it went through.

 I just want you to know that you are not alone and if you would ever like to talk then just write me a message.

 

Jessica