Intro, history and issues :)

Hello, Cath here *waves*

I am in awe of so many amazing, inspiring, brave, strong, empowered, beautiful people ❤️

I guess I'm looking for a comment, post or something to jump out from the screen and confirm my irrational overthinking (not sure how my logical and methodical nature let that emotion get through to be honest).

I haven't bothered with Dr Google as I much prefer reading what has been written from real life .

I should mention that, until January when I needed a medication review, I hadn't been to a GP in over three years.

1. Medical bits and bobs

Hereditary hypertension (current)

Tunneling wound surgery (right s) Basal cell carcinoma surgery (right s) Adult strabismus surgery (right eye) Adult cystic acne (right s neck only)

Anyone notice the right side theme?

This is also applicable to only breaking bones on this side, a now noticeable drooped/dropped eyebrow and my lopsided boob.

I've assumed recent issues were food intolerances, possible menopause, lifestyle or just age. So decided to list the more bothersome ones and note (in brackets) how I've tried to combat each one or what I attributed it to.

2. Recent, frequent and annoying stuff

Painful bloating (food intolerances) Abdominal width increase (age) Constipation (take laxatives daily) Urgency to urinate (limit fluid intake) Unable to finish food (spit out often) Nausea (gaviscon / induce vomitting) Decrease to loss of appetite (stress) Intense pelvic pain (menopause) Lower back pain (walking)

3. What led me here?

Those annoying issues above have been laughed at, photographed, made fun of and are the subject matter of many messages between my elder daughters and I.

In May, after over two years without a period, I had a long, painful, heavy clotted bleed. I said to myself, wow, they're back with a grudge, put the years without one down to stress and thought nothing more of it.

Two weeks ago, at an unrelated GP appointment, I asked about contraception (highly embarrasseing as I hadn't needed any for years) and commented, laughingly, that I had recently thought I may be about to start menopause. She asked why and my response of not having had one for so long led to going for a blood test (fsh level) and an appointment at Gyneaocology last Wednesday (13th June).

4. "Not sure why I'm here you know"

I said to the Iovely receptionist before heading off into the waiting room.

So I didn't think answering yes to changes in toilet habits was necessary as they are pretty common to women and seem normal to me now.

5. Tests and stuff

Unfortunately (or by fate) the over the stomach type ultrasound failed as my bladder was empty (due to limiting fluids as mentioned above) so I agreed to an internal one.

I honestly didn't pay much attention to what was happening on screen, I was more bothered about her pressing my bladder and causing a little leakage, so I didn't hear the bit about what she first noticed.

The scan continued, she commented each ovary had a cyst and I waffled on about smear tests.

I got cleaned up, dressed and waited back in the other room.

6. Not menopause then?

The nurse said that along with what was told to me during the scan (oops pay attention next time) my womb lining was quite thick and warranted further investigation.

Hmmmmmm ...... at this point I am guessing the majority of women have discussed issues and possible causes with a GP before an appointment because I definitely confused her with my "ohhhhh so I'm not about to start menopause" question.

She paused, looked at notes onscreen and kindly informed me that I am most definitely THROUGH menopause

She then went on to explain that a vaginal bleed in postmenopausal woman is not normal and with the ultrasound findings they need to look in more detail and take a biopsy.

I went straight for a CA125 test and am going for hysteroscopy next week.

I know I shouldn't worry but after the tvus, recent issues, abnormal bleed and me knowing my mum and all her sisters have undergone a hysterectomy, I can't help it.

7. Quick summary

Postmenopausal bleed. Thickened womb lining. Ovarian cyst (both). Frequent persistent bloating. Abdomen width increase. Constipation. Loss of appetite. Intense pelvic pain.

Would be grateful to hear any similar experiences x

[BeeWild]

Welcome to the forum none of us want to have to join but it is a very supportive knowledgable group of brave and inspirational women and a few lovely blokes too xx

Best not to jump the gun until you have all the facts and tests back, waiting for results is the worse for everyone and waiting for diagnosis is positively nerve wracking!

You’ve done the biggest step and that’s having the scan and Ca125 test x

Your symptoms could be associated with OC but like I say don’t take too

many jumps forward yet x

You’re bound to be worrying and driving yourself crazy with what ifs and fears, we have all been there xx you’re right not to start looking on Dr Google, it frightens you out of your skin and the info is generally very outdated x

Have any of your family been BRCA tested btw?

All I can say is you will surprise yourself at just how you can deal with anything x

Good luck for next week and please do keep in touch and ask anything you want you will always get support on here x

Hugs Bev xx

[RonLitBer]

littlemissdg, I hear you and agree about not checking with Dr. Google right now but I did find out that if someone who has had a basal cell carcinoma is much more likely to get another cancer. I wish I had known this many years ago when I had one removed from the top of my nose by my right eye. I would have been far more vigilant as I had no clue. My dermatologist did not say anything to me. In fact the first time he removed the basal cell it came back and he had to remove it again. I told my GP about having the basal cell carcinoma removed and she also did not follow up at all about it. So I am going to provide a link for you and for others:

livescience.com/28991-skin-...

[Hidden in reply to RonLitBer]

What a mine of info you are! I too had one and was completely unaware of this.

[TinaB1]

Hi Cath ...

And hello.

A GP sees, on average, one Ovarian patient every 5 years. The likelihood of you having Ovarian is slim. It’s good to get checked but try not to worry. Easier said than done, I know.

You seem to have issues with your post menopausal uterus. I had a hysterectomy at 39 and thank goodness I did. There are other more conservative options to hysterectomy now so they’re worth exploring first.

If you do get a raised blood test reading, inflammation alone can cause that to happen.

I hope you’re feeling much better soon.

Xx

[Hidden]

Hi Cath. You have a very long tangle of possible symptoms. I have to say that when my OC was diagnosed (6.5 yrs ago), I had very few symptoms, even though my stage was 3C. I had swollen lymph nodes in my groin; a couple of bouts (out of the blue) of diarrhoea, for no reason (these gave me a huge headache); my pooh came out crooked (tumour pressing on bowel no doubt); and my belly was occasionally bloated.

I too never needed a GP, except for pap smears (not sure what a medication review is that you mention above).

When I had an ultrasound I was told I had a "mass" that couldn't be seen through. My CA125 was 440.

OC, although suspected, wasn't confirmed until my first operation. But things have moved on since then & it probably no longer needs to be that drastic to be certain.

Symptoms can differ quite widely from person to person. Prior to diagnosis, I felt extremely well; in fact about 2 weeks prior to diagnosis I'd been on a 15km walk.

You seem to have very few similarities to me. The results of the CA125 will be useful, although it can be raised due to other factors.

I hope you get it untangled very soon; uncertainty is stressful.

Best wishes. Pauline.