Pain at base of abdomen with stage 4 HGSOC.

[Guilane]

I’ve had HGSOC stage 4 since April 2021. I was never offered surgery and I’ve just begun 6/8 sessions of Caelyx as third line chemo. I have a pain/ache at the base of my abdomen, it comes when I sit down and stand up and I also have it at night when I wake up to use the toilet. It’s alleviated slightly after I’ve been. Anyone had this? I kind of had the same thing before I was diagnosed and then it went away. The return makes me think that the Caelyx isn’t working and the tumour is growing bigger. I know there aren’t many if you out there who haven’t had surgery but maybe someone has had this feeling. Thanks for any help you can give. Gill X

[Rankij11]

Hi there. I sometimes feel like I’m the only one out here who hasn’t had the surgery so can answer you !!! Up to when I was diagnosed I never had any lower abdominal discomfort whatsoever. Since the end of first chemo I have , on and off ,a twinge /discomfort/stitch feeling right lower groin area , I have come to feel this is the treatment working on the ovarian lesion which has never completely resolved. I have only had first line chemo and Olaparib since April 2019, I do have intermittent bowel issues since chemo , with phases of general abdominal aches , cramps . So long as Ca125 remains stable I don’t worry too much.

I don’t know if this is in any way helpful ?? But maybe . Best wishes for your ongoing treatment.

Jennifer

[Guilane in reply to Rankij11]

Hi Jennifer. Thank you for your reply. We definitely form a small group within the large group that none of us wants to belong to. The fact that you have general abdominal aches makes me wonder, because I’ve had no pain up until now, if I am reading too much into this. I’ll keep taking the paracetamol and hang on in there until my next scan when there is something tangible to go on, or hopefully, not! Best wishes. Gill X

[Rankij11 in reply to Guilane]

Hi Gill, Just be careful as obviously we are all different. Just wanted to share my experiences so far , cos they are optimistic. And we are living with our cancers literally ! One day at a time , isn’t it?

Jennifer

[Guilane in reply to Rankij11]

Thank you Jennifer, I’ll let it go for a couple of days and then email my CNS. X

[Rankij11]

Good plan , I think

Take care

[Guilane]

Well nothing can happen til Tuesday anyway. X

[PlantPower]

Hi Gill, I have not had surgery due to a blood clotting problem as too risky. Pre diagnosis I was getting bad abdominal cramps for years and lots of tests but told it was diverticulosis! I kept pushing for scans and was eventually diagnosed with ov ca but by then it was stage IV. Treated with paclitaxel/carbo as first line, CA 125 came down from just under 20, 000 to 88. Went on Nirapareb which didn't work for me and CA 125 kept rising. CT in Feb showed progression so I am on 2nd line chemo of carboplatin. I used to get bad pressure pains in low pelvis which would wake me at night and the pain was most severe with a fullish bladder. Pain would continue for some time after voiding. It was awful and caused by the tumour pushing on my bladder. This part of the tumour responded well to chemo and went away but just after each cycle of chemo I do get some minor ache in my rt side and low pelvis. I think it's the chemo working its magic on the remaining tumour. I have been told you can get pains with chemo while it is working. Hang on in there and try not to let your imagination run riot. Tell your concerns to your oncologist. Enjoy the days you feel at your best. Eat good food and be kind to yourself.

Sending much love xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Guilane in reply to PlantPower]

Thank you PlantPower for your reply and benefit of your valuable experience. The pains have eased off a bit since my post so I have calmed down a bit and have been thinking it’s the Caelyx doing it’s job rather than not working! Sometimes I do get a bit worked up thinking the worst. Good luck with Carboplatin, I found it less harsh than Paclitaxel/Carbo. Gill. X

[PlantPower in reply to Guilane]

Dear Gill, Great news that your pains are easing. This says a lot. I had my 3rd carbo 4 days ago, got the usual pains in my right and pressure feel and ache low pelvis. Again, this has diminished and barely there today so I am thinking it's chemo doing its magic. Not losing my hair this time, either. Thanks for the well wishes, we all need them and we hold hands together. Best wishes and love to you. xxxxxxxxxx