Worried and frightened

[Alyford]

Hi, For about a month now, I have been experiencing some unusual symptoms - very bad back pain (particularly lower left back but also across shoulders and neck), stomach cramps like a period pain and there constantly, gassy, constipation then when I do go, dhiorrea, and heartburn. About two weeks ago, I decided to google my symptoms (big mistake!!!) of course, ovarian cancer popped up again and again. I am now petrified and scared to go to the doctor. I am trying to ride this out, hoping the symptoms will go away!!!!

[Coldethyl]

It may be nothing but really you need to go and see a GP and be checked out- if it is cancer it isn't going away and you have much better prognosis the sooner you receive treatment- it could be any one of a number of conditions from benign to ovarian c but only a full examination and chat with your doctor can sort it out and hopefully set your mind at ease again. Wishing you well x

[Alyford in reply to Coldethyl]

Thank you - I think I will make an appt today. Burying my head in the sand is just stupid! Xx

[Coldethyl in reply to Alyford]

It's a fairly normal response when we are scared but do make an appt. Remember to ask for a CA125 blood test too, x

[BeeWild]

Definitely go to see your GP and as coldethyl suggested ask for a Ca125 test

It is really scary undergoing tests and the anxiety waiting for results is awful but honestly even if it is ovarian cancer which I hope it’s not, knowing and getting a plan together with the team around you makes it less scary and you feel more in control if that makes sense xx

Please please make an urgent appointment to see your GP xx

Let us know how it all goes, keeping fingers crossed for you

Hugs xx

[Alyford in reply to BeeWild]

Thank you 😘 I will make appt today (I live in Australia and it’s only 4am, back pain has woken me) will call at 8am as soon as surgery opens xx

[BeeWild in reply to Alyford]

There’s a few of you Australian ladies on here 😁 I love Australia, where abouts do you live?

Let us know how you get on at the doctors today and hope you’ve taken some pain relief? Make sure you ask your dr for some adequate pain relief while you’re waiting for any further tests there is no point suffering sweetie xx

[Alyford in reply to BeeWild]

I am actually from Scotland - I married an Aussie 11 years ago. We have always lived in the UK but recently decided to move to Oz. We live in Queensland xxx

[BeeWild in reply to Alyford]

Aw must be a bit extra scary being away from home too sweetie xx

Hopefully you’ll get some answers today and start getting to the bottom of what’s the matter xx

[Alyford in reply to BeeWild]

Thank you - I already feel less anxious after speaking with you lovely lot!! What a wonderful, brave bunch xx

[BeeWild in reply to Alyford]

This is a fab forum for advice, information and support and a good giggle at times 😁 glad you found us and don’t be afraid to ask anything xx

[Lyndy]

Alyford....like you I wanted to ignore what was happening...so by the time I got my diagnosis I was stage 4. Please please learn from my stupidity and get along to the Doctors. They may be able to sort it out for you, reassure you it’s all fine and send you on your way...if by any chance it is cancer, then you will get timely treatment-so helpful to your overall outcome. Be brave xx

[Alyford in reply to Lyndy]

How long did you have symptoms for Lyndy?? And what were your main symptoms? Xx

[Lyndy in reply to Alyford]

Trouble with bowels...but not continuously...it would come and go x

[Caroles1]

Hi love,

It’s probably something or nothing, but, it’s best to have it checked out. I lost my appetite, very tired, sick and bloated, had just been to Singapore and Malaysia and was convinced it was a tummy bug.

I let it go for 3 months and was diagnosed early as 1c.

Don’t wind yourself up and read google, just get to your doctor, get the right checks and find out what it is, it’s probably nothing, but it’s not going away and as it is it’s ruining your quality of life.

Let us know how you get on,

Love,

Carole xx

[Yoshbosh]

Good luck, Alyford - hopefully by now you’ve booked that doctor’s appointment. Best thing is to get that CA125 test done - it’s not definitive, but it can be an indicator. I wish I had known about it when I started feeling symptomatic and I would have asked my GP to request it. Instead I went through the whole IBS, acid reflux etc for months first.

We’re all here for you. Hopefully it’s nothing sinister - far more likely to be something routine, but it doesn’t hurt to get cancer ruled out.

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi, I hope you made that appointment you need to find out the problem, as Coldethly said it does not mean ovarian cancer but you need to know, Take care Lorraine xx

[Lizchips]

Alyford, please go to a hospital that will run all necessary tests, don't panicking, I didn't have those symptoms ,but it still could be serious. Better always to be diagnosed early. This disease is not to be played with. Wishing you will be ok,Liz

[Alyford]

So, I went to my GP!!! She said she was not hugely concerned but she was concerned enough to send me for tests - I have about a million blood tests to have done and an x-ray on my back and abdomen. I then go back to GP on Monday to discuss results / decide on next action. Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement - not out of the woods yet but I have taken a big step in the right direction xxxx

[Coldethyl]

Well done on being proactive - everything crossed for you for Monday x

[BeeWild]

Brilliant the first step is the hardest x fingers crossed you get to the bottom of it and get sorted xx

[Hidden]

Hi Alyford. Just wanted to say that when I was diagnosed with OC, 6.5 years ago, my symptoms were different from yours. I had bloated belly & a groin pain, caused by swollen lymph nodes. I went to a young GP (I was on holiday in Sydney at the time). She knew immediately what it was & sent me for all the right tests. Within a couple of weeks I was in hospital (back in Perth) being operated on. Have to say I've always been pleased with all the medi people. Good luck. Pauline.