Rib pain & tender tummy/sides

[Melnie]

Does anyone have rib pain? my whole tummy seems bit bigger or outy than normal and very sore and tender to touch, not only that when I slouch sit like on a couch rather than upright on a computer my ribs hurt and more especially I can't get comfy getting to sleep the pain was so bad I could hardly sit up and turn over, I put my bear there on my side, so if my tummy feels like 'it's supported it's not quite bad, and I'm not that bigger a person, but I definitely can feel it, my markers have just gone up again so guess it's so active and cancer creeping higher now this is what is causing it?

Has anyone else had this type of rib or tender tissue in this area please? Thank you

[27-359]

Once you have been diagnosed with cancer, the fear of recurrence is always there. This needs checking out, then you will knew exactly what you are dealing with. I hope it is not what you fear.

Jenny

[Melnie in reply to 27-359]

Thank you yes was diagnosed 3 years ago and palliative as too far gone, I keep trying to prove the Dr's wrong but now my tummy swelling up it seems I'm unable to, with the pain as well I guess I can no longer 'pretend' everything is okay thank you. Got a scan Saturday and I'm now sure it is Ascites, so is this the start of my decline?

[Starbarn]

Hi melnie. The pain I experienced was like a brick knocking round when I moved . I thought it was my bowel but a scan showed it was ascites. Fluid. My stomach was so extended I looked pregnant and felt full even though I was hungry. I would contact your team and get this looked into .

I hope you can find some comfort soon.

[Smileeveryday2021]

Hi Melnie Yes I have experienced what sounds like what you describe. I think the rib pain was ascites pushing up and out- increasing pressure. Please do tell your team. I had the fluid drained and was much more comfortable- my chemo then dried up the fluid and the discomfort went.

Do tell your team… xx

[NewtonEmma1900]

I agree, get it checked. It was ascites pain and bloating that first caused me to go to the doctor. The first time they drained 5 litres of fluid from me, the second 7 litres. Since chemotherapy it has not returned.

[Melnie in reply to NewtonEmma1900]

Thank you so much glad you're doing much better

[SUE7777]

Hi I’m also in this boat, I have ascites and a cyst on top so it can’t really be drained. I keep badgering my onc but she says if the cyst is drained it’ll come straight back…..difficult! Sue xx

[Melnie in reply to SUE7777]

Oh no, and so are you balooned? I must admit I feel a hard lump that wasn't there before maybe i'm the same? scan will tell me Saturday

[SUE7777 in reply to Melnie]

Yes I am ballooned and will be having a scan today so should be updated next week.

[Melnie in reply to SUE7777]

Good luck Sue, I wish we could make everyone better

[SUE7777]

Good luck to you too Melnie. Sue xx

[Kjpip]

Hi Melnie, I had ascites as my first symptom in sept/oct last year. I had to buy maternity jeans as I looked about 8 months pregnant! They drained a total of 20 litres from me over about a month as I just kept filling back up as soon as they drained it. However, since starting (& now finishing) chemo it hasn't come back at all, I'm sure there will be a solution for you as well. Good luck with your scan today 🤞🤞 xx

[Melnie in reply to Kjpip]

ah thank you, that's positive to know although I've had 2 lots of chemo second one not working so very much doubt i'll have some again, so probably also filling back up may be happening. Had scan now, gosh so painful get up from that, so fingers crossed not too long to wait to see if something can be done, thank you so much for replying. Does it hurt having it drained? is a needle with a tube or bag please?

[Kjpip]

Hi Melnie, no it doesn't hurt, they give you a local anaesthetic. They insert a big needle with a tube attached (with 3 of mine they used ultrasound to guide them, but they can do it without) and you can sort of feel them rummaging around a bit to get it in the right place but no pain. They attach the tube to a bag and then it merrily drains away - with mine I had to keep telling the nurses my bag was full as it drains quite quickly to start with!

If you're up to it, I would recommend walking about a bit when the drain slows down, to try and get every last drop out - on my last drain, I thought it had finished but walked up and down the room for half an hour (very slowly and with lots of sit-downs in between!) and got another litre out!

I felt a bit weak and feeble for a couple of days afterwards, so take it easy on yourself, and line up some good TV to watch! Also, you're not allowed to drive for 48 hours because you've had 'a procedure'.

There are so many different drugs out there, I hope they can find a version of chemo that works for you. And good luck with your drain ❤️

[Melnie in reply to Kjpip]

Thank you so much, I got my results today of the scan. It's not ascites. But I wish it was... my expanding tummy of 6 inches so quickly.... is a belly full of more tumours i'm so upset... I'm normally so positive and I just can't help crying today, I'm not ready to leave this world yet

[Rosewall101 in reply to Melnie]

Melanie, I’m so sorry to read this. We all know and understand how you feel. It’s so upsetting when you get this news and figure you’re back to square one. Did the oncologist suggest a new chemo regime? I try to follow a plan on bad news. I can cry, shout, act up and give in that day and night. And then the next day try to steady out, and calm myself. It’s so very, very hard. I wanted to get back to you so you knew you weren’t alone tonight. X

[Melnie in reply to Rosewall101]

Thank you and yes I try and make a plan as normally I am so positive. All the time you're not in pain it's easier to push this disease to one side, but with my tummy growing and being 'disappointed' it's not ascites I was quite shocked it's advanced that quickly especially as it's supposed to be slow growing serous

[Rosewall101 in reply to Melnie]

I think the being positive is why you’re so surprised at your current reaction. How can we possibly not feel scared when we notice these symptoms. I’m generally upbeat and proactive, enjoying the good days. So when news comes through that floors me or I feel upset and low, I then feel I’m letting myself down. I hope you don’t mind me saying this but I have even tailored my advice for my son. He had a difficult A level exam and wasn’t happy at all. So I told him to wallow in the bad feeling, and feel disappointed in how it went, but then to move on as the exam was done and he has one last A level on Friday. He can focus on what he can affect. My current chemo treatment isn’t helping him concentrate at all so I feel very guilty about that too.

But more importantly, youve just found out that it’s not ascites but growing tumours. They’ll be chemo to consider and I really hope you have good supportive oncologists and cns’s. They’ll have a program and I sincerely hope that it’ll reduce the tummy tumours quickly. Good luck Melnie.

[Melnie in reply to Rosewall101]

Ah thank you and yes good advice, I do feel I need to wallow in it luckily only for a day, process it then deal with it. It is what it is and I have to get on with it, I've had chemo twice now and I don't think that's an option but I'm hoping he can come up with another plan when I see him next week and that i'm not written off yet, thank you so much and please don't feel guilty, great your son is taking your advice, but if you feel guilty that negative emotion stores in the cancer so please try rid good luck x

[Rosewall101 in reply to Melnie]

Thank you Melnie. I really hope next weeks oncologist meeting gives you a pathway and the options you need.

I joined this forum 6 years ago and have dealt with a great deal since, sometimes slipping onto the ovacome forum for advice and at other times being able to use my experiences to help others. Sometimes taking a great deal of time out and only reading posts. As many of us know chemo, treatments, covid, and family are a heavy weight.

I was at a very low point in 2016 when a wonderful lady called Trixie got me through. She gently encouraged me to be my own, best advocate and ask my oncologist team for more. Trixie passed away too early, like too many other wonderful women with Gynae cancers but I will always remember and be grateful for her amazing support.

[Melnie in reply to Rosewall101]

Thank you and yes I had a 'chemo' buddy but passed away too early and since my clinical nurse has left I have felt very much alone but thank you for your kind words x

[Kjpip]

Oh Melnie, I'm so sorry to read this. As Rosewall says, try to follow up your day of crying with a plan of action - pester the doctors for a new treatment regime and get second opinions if necessary. There will be something out there that can treat this new setback and I hope you can find some positive support on this lovely forum ❤️

[Melnie in reply to Kjpip]

Thank you all so much xxx