Scared- Symptoms of Ovarian CA

[Charcey]

Hi ladies! I’ve made my way to this site in hopes that it will be of great support. I figure sitting at home panicking isn’t going to help me.

Here’s my story:

I’m 44 y/o. Had a partial hysterectomy in 2/2017 for abnormal bleeding. In 9/2018, I started having some occasional discomfort on the left side of my pelvis. I immediately went and got it checked out with an exam and a Pelvic ultrasound. They found a hemorrhagic cyst on my right ovary. Fast forward 6 weeks later and Pelvic ultrasound showed it resolved with a new small cyst to take its place. Told it was normal. January 2019 I had some pelvic discomfort that came and went in a few days time. My physician ordered another pelvic ultrasound, but told me only to complete if pain persisted. Fast forward to February, I began having diarrhea alternating with constipation (often in the same day). I have IBS and I had also started a new diet plan (no dairy, no gluten, no soy, no eggs) that involved celery juicing at the time, so I chalked it up to those things. I checked in with my physician who attributed it to IBS. At the end of March I started some maca root because my breasts were sore and tender, so I assumed I was having some hormonal changes. A few days later, I had terrible stomach cramps and found that eating made my cramping worse. I had a loss of appetite (but still made myself eat 1800 calories a day), watery diarrhea/constipation, constant fullness, bloating, indigestion, gas, and belching. I stopped all of the supplements I was taking on April

1st. My stomach pain subsided, but all of the other symptoms remained. In looking back with my physician, I was 213 pounds February 21st. I had lost three pounds by March 28th, which I attributed to the diarrhea. However, since April 1st, I have lost another 7 lbs and I continue to lose. Some of it is loss of appetite. There are a couple days a week I forget to eat until the afternoon because I have no appetite, but for the most part I make myself eat and consume

1800 calories a day. Today, out of the blue, I began having pain in my left hip, pelvis, back, and bum area that lasted for most of the evening. I had a CA125 done yesterday and scheduled my pelvic ultrasound for tomorrow. I am stressed and anxious beyond belief about all of this and am hoping some of you lovely ladies can offer words of wisdom, reassurance, or a positive story about your diagnosis with similar symptoms. I’m really scared, especially with the rapid weight loss. I have panicky thoughts of being diagnosed too late. I am beside myself with this and kick myself for not seeking sooner testing.

[Charcey]

Also, should I be asking for an MRI instead of a CT?

[Lyndy]

Charcey I can understand that you are scared but you are doing the right thing in getting further investigation. OC symptoms are vague and can be attributed to all sorts of other things- no one can second guess what is going on for you. You sound pretty anxious so maybe focus on trying to relax, do something nice for yourself- let the Doctors do their job xx

[Lindaura]

Dear Charcey,

Please don’t despair. You are on the correct path with the CA-125 test and scans, but a CT scan would give you a much better view point.

Hopefully, you can get one along with thorough investigation, because your symptoms are troubling.

I have to say though, many years ago I went on a diet where I was eating mostly Spirilna, a protein filled seaweed. This gave me all the symptoms of sudden onset severe diabetes for which I was hospitalised at UCLA med centre.

I felt like an idiot, when we figured out what was actually wrong with me. So be careful and eat a sensible IBS proven diet.

My experience p was a thousand years ago and now I am battling cancer.

But I have been fortunate in not ever having any gynaecological problems until this hit me.

It is sad that you are really and truly suffering from cysts and other miserable pelvic torments, but I hope you do NOT have Ovarian Cancer.

Wishing you all the best,

Laura

[Charcey]

Thank you so much ladies. I truly appreciate the support. 🙏🏻

[BeeWild]

Hi Charcey and welcome to this wonderful forum x

Waiting for results is the worse and most anxious time for all of us both before and after diagnosis so you are not alone with your fears. All I can suggest is that you try and distract yourself with doing nice things whilst you need to wait. Go have a beauty treatment or get together with friends anything to stop your mind working overtime.

I was diagnosed at stage 3c so pretty advanced and I won’t lie it’s been a rocky road at times with surgery and treatments but I’m still here almost 2 years later, still having a good life with my family and friends. It’s a bit different to previously but OC has made me re evaluate, so work is now not my be all and end all and I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore!

Try to eat small amounts often if you can and things high in protein such as beans, eggs etc. You need to keep your nutrition balanced and good.

Good luck with your tests and we are here if you need is

Hugs

Bev x

[Trathi]

Hi Charcey, welcome to the site. I see you are extremely anxious but you are doing all the right things, and having a Ca125 taken and a CT scan arranged is really good and should help you and ease your anxiety. Unfortunately there is nothing else you can do. Keep an eye on all your symptoms, keep a diary and discuss the findings with your consultant.

Don’t despair, is there a particular reason you are worried about having ovarian cancer (family history perhaps), at least you are on the right path. Everything does take time though which doesn’t help when you want answers.

Sending you lots of love 💕 hugs 🤗 and positivity xxx

[CarolinaGull]

Hi Charcey,

I hope this message finds you well. How are you doing? What was the outcome of your CA-125 test? Did you need surgery?

My thoughts and prayers are with you. 💜🙏🏻