Really worried

[Dog_1976]

I had a dodgy stomach a couple of weeks ago and knocked me for 6. I went to doctors and told him i still felt achey and sore in my stomach, so he did the blood test, I thought he was doing full blood count and a biochemistry profile, but he did the CA125 and he rang me yesterday to say it's elevated, at 47 I'm only 42....I am so scared and cant get it out of my head! I'm now waiting for an ultrasound. I'm also grieving too as my brother in law died 2 weeks ago from a sudden heart attack. Really don't need this stress. Keep thinkingthe worst case scenario.

[Lindaura]

Dear Dog,

I am so sorry you are faced with this frightening situation.

But you are so lucky to have a doctor willing to jump right in and test you for the Ovarian Cancer Marker, your CA-125.

Now, your symptoms are very murky, and your CA-125 could be raised for the simplest explanations, such as inflammation, a benign cyst, or any abdominal infection.

But your doctor jumping right on this so swiftly, means that if there is anything sinister to be found, the best case for early stages is possible.

It is so hard to wait for tests, like the ultrasound and then the results... we all can understand.

All I can recommend is for you to take a deep breath, let yourself finish grieving and try to keep your own fears on the back burner.

Please keep us informed of any outcomes of your tests.

Wishing you only good news,

Laura

[Maus123]

Hello there and welcome. What a lovely avatar.

You are doing the right thing in getting checked out. Hopefully nothing sinister is going on.

As the other ladies mentioned, a ca125 couldclimb a bit for various reasons like infections.

Mine was at 4500 when diagnosed, and since then has never been lower than around 80, even with no visible disease.

Fingers crossed for you. I know you must be somewhat worried but just try to take it one step at a time for now. All the best. Maus

[Dog_1976]

Thank you, I am just so scared, my back, stomach and legs are aching, but not sure if thats cos I'm worrying. I'm thinking the worst case scenario, just hate feeling so anxious, absolutely dredding the ultrasound tomorrow, because I'm scared of what they'll find....Just want to cry! I've never had a CA125 done before and then for a doctor to say it could be cancer.... Im losing my mind! I suffer with health anxiety and this is my worst nightmare! An old colleague died of this 10 years ago and ever since i have been frightened of this, as I have had symptoms since then. I'm so scared I'm only 42 and have two beautiful children and cant bear the thought of this.

[Maus123 in reply to Dog_1976]

That time period of waiting and uncertainty can be extremely scary, with any number of doomsday scenarios flying around in your head... possibly even more so when you have small kids to care for.

But you really can't do better than going through the steps right now and trying to find what causes your issues and the slightly elevated ca125.

Maybe you could try to distract yourself somehow? We're here to support you and to tell you that - even should the findings be unexpectedly grave - there is a life on the other side of a diagnosis. And a good one, for the most part.

Hang in there. Maus

[Neona]

I think you have a great doctor but there are many reasons CA 125 could be raised and yours is only slightly high. There is also a stomach bug going around! Really good you are getting checked out though.