New, and need advice please...

[Angel96]

Hi everyone,

I'm just looking for some advice really on what I should do next. I feel like I've hit a brick wall, and like people will think I'm being a complete drama queen, but I'm just at my wits end, and desperate for answers.

I have been having minor problems for at least a year now - frequent urination (every 30 minutes), stomach aches, abdominal pains, etc, all of which my GP said was probably IBS. I was originally taking buscopan everyday for stomach aches and pains, but it's now no longer having any effect, as the pain has suddenly got worse over the last month or two, as have the frequent urination and bladder pressure.

I've eventually ended up back at my GP, as the frequent uruination was becoming unbearable, and he found my blood pressure was a bit high, and I had high level of protein in my urine on dipstick test. He took bloods to check kidney, liver, glucose, etc, and sent my urine for analysis, but everything came back no abnormalities. No urine infection, nothing.

Eventually I got sent to hospital with abdominal pain, where 3 separate doctors examined me, and said they could feel a mass (left adnexal). They said they would do an X-ray to look for gas, constipation etc, but everything came back clear on that count. They were by then so concerned, they wanted to keep me in overnight, and get me an ultrasound first thing in the morning, then depending how that went, I might need a CT scan.

During my ultrasound scan, they couldn't see things properly (just regular abdominal scan), so they sent me out for another ten minutes to drink more water, then said they could see a bit better. But the technician basically told me there and then - "there is no mass, everything is normal".

A different doctor came to see me to talk about the ultrasound results, and basically said it must be constipation, and showed me the door.

Now I'm still suffering, I feel like such a diva, but it's hard when you feel something is wrong, then you are dismissed. I don't know what to do now. I'm in my 30's. These symptoms are destroying my life!

Thank you to anyway who will read or reply to this.

X

[Katmal-UK]

HI You really are having a tough time of things and this needs sorting. I'd go back to your GP and refuse to leave until you are given a second opinion. Do you have anyone who can go with you? Hopefully nothing sinister will be found but if there is anything then the sooner it's caught the sooner treated and if you have 'created a fuss' for nothing so be it. Have had a CA125 blood test done? xx Kathy xx

[ShropshireJo]

Hi. You’re having a difficult time. Kathy is right, a CA125 blood test would be a good idea and ask for a CT scan. In my experience, nothing showed up on the ultrasound but my Gynae was convinced he could feel something and sent me for a CT. Hopefully, it will put your mind at rest. Let us know how you get on. All the best Jo 🌼🌻🌺🌸🌹

[yewbarrow]

They are probably right and you won't turn out to have anything sinister, but I have said this here before: the technician told me there was nothing after an abdominal ultrasound scan, but after the trans vaginal one, the mass that was OC in my case was very clearly found. If I were you I'd go back to the GP, tell her/him my ultrasound story and ask for a CA125 blood test at the very least. Can you take someone with you for backup?

Don't be alarmed by me saying this, because hopefully they have good reason for not being concerned and it will just be constipation but you need peace of mind. Good luck xx

[Angel96]

Thank you all so much for replying! I really, really appreciate it.

I've never been offered the Ca125, and feel like if I ask for it they'll think I'm some kind of hypochondriac. But you're right, now is the time, and I will call my doctor and ask about it. Thank you so much.

I am one of those types of people, that I feel I can't assert myself with doctors, as they "know best". But I need to try and be more confident, and I will ask about the CT scan.

I do have someone I can take with me

Thank you guys x

[Sunfleury-UK in reply to Angel96]

theres some useful tips here for helping with GP appointment. As others have said it most likely will not be anything sinister BUT you have concerns and need to be taken seriously. Sxx

targetovariancancer.org.uk/...

[Angel96 in reply to Sunfleury-UK]

Thank you x

[January-2016-UK]

You must go back. An abdominal scan isn’t as easy to interpret as vaginal scan, a CA-125 test and possibly a CT scan. Hopefully it’s not ovarian cancer but few doctors see ovarian cancer in their careers. They are simply insufficiently alert to the symptoms. Given your age they are even less likely to consider it but while it occurs mostly in older women, very many younger women are affected too.

If all the tests are negative, which hopefully they are, you still need to find the cause or your symptoms

All the best!

[Angel96 in reply to January-2016-UK]

Thank you so much for that info and advice, it's very much appreciated.

X

[choconut56]

Hi I went through the same as you with hospital .severe abdominal pain ,bloated stomach .had abdominal scan told I had an abnormal bowel and I was a mystery then discharged .refered back to gp.then sent for ultrasound for gall stones ,that was when she found mass .it was all systems go after that .i had 30cmx24cm pelvic mass so please be firm with your gp .you know your body and what does not feel right x

[111173]

Please insist on a CA125 test and a CT scan. I was told everything was fine after an ultrasound scan but in fact I had PPC - peritoneal cancer which most GP’s never see. We don’t want to worry you but better be sure than sorry. Don’t forget your GP isn’t god he’s just doing a job.

Lynne

[Nicky100]

It sounds as though many of the tests are good but worth getting a second opinion. Speak to your GP again or ask to see someone else. Good luck x

[Angel96]

Thanks again for your replies, I really appreciate it!

I'm seeing my GP later today, and feel more confident now in what to ask for. Just feel I'm in limbo right now.

I'll keep you posted x