ovarian cancer symptom?

[Stills]

In February this year I became unwell with raised GGT, weight loss, fever terrible headaches, malaise and random abdominal pain. To rule out ovarian or liver cancer (!?) Dr arranged gastroscopy which found nothing. Four months on omeprazole and watch and wait until end of June. Weight settled, but fatigue, malaise, dizziness and random abdominal pain remain. I have a chronic rheumatoid disease but med free except pain relief so it’s possible symptoms arise from that but GP unaware/dismissive of this and not prepared to consider it. I’ve started to feel unwell again and these last two days have produced a tiny vaginal bleed. I’m 61 on HRT with no other illness I know of except the Stills Disease of rheumatoid speciality. I’m wondering if I should try and speak to GP about this bleed (spotting) or am I worried about nothing given gastroscopy found nothing?

Thanks for reading such a long post.

[Lyndy]

Hello Stills

It’s horrible when you don’t feel right. I have RA as well as OC and as you know it can make you feel pretty awful sometimes.

However, I think you owe it to yourself to rule out malignancies so that you can focus on the cause of your illness.

You need a ca125 test and an ultrasound to give an indication about OC. I think for stomach they do colonoscopy. Ask to be referred on a two week wait. Your GP should be acting on your behalf not blocking routes to the answers you need.

Jump up and down, make a fuss because it’s your life and feeling ill is not where you want to be.

If you still have no luck with GP you can complain or move practices.

Don’t give up until you get answers xx

[Stills in reply to Lyndy]

Thank you for your sensible reply, I admit to feeling quite hysterical about this having already had some tests in March. Urine and bowel tests clear, bloods showed high GGT hence the gastroscopy…… I did say to the clinical chap that did it almost as a joke that I’m pretty sure you can’t reach my ovaries this way….. I will call surgery today and try and get a telephone appointment booked in as that’s all they offer! In March I only actually saw clinical/nursing staff for all the procedures as Dr only speaks in the phone. Thank for your nice reply .

[RomanZ]

Hi Stills,

My mum had similar symptoms (really bad headaches/migraines and unexplained weight loss) and was misdiagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. A few months later they found a large mass in her abdomen and she was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. I read somewhere that OC can present with similar symptoms to RA.

I'm not sure that a gastroscopy is the most suitable procedure to rule out OC.

I don't want to alarm you but you should push your GP for a referral to a specialist. They should check your CA125 levels (tumour marker) and do a CT Scan to rule out anything sinister. Don't take no for an answer and go to another GP if you have to. If you can afford a private specialist that's even better.

[Stills in reply to RomanZ]

Yes it’s an added complication already having a chronic AI condition and over the years I’ve tended to attribute all ills to it. I’m lived with Stills since 17 so it’s an old friend now.

The headaches are getting worse and this one has been present several days. It’s not my usual migraine as it feels different. I definitely feel as if I’ve eaten two Christmas dinners (vegetarian ones) as well which combined the the bowel habit change, desperate need to wee and volcano that’s rumbling away in my stomach and the other symptoms I know I need to speak to locum GP. My surgery only offers telephone appointments and they are in short supply but I’ll try that first.

I believe some rheumatic diseases make one more susceptible to lymphoma. My dear Dad died at Christmas of Non Hodgkinsons Lymphoma (plus he was 86 ) so that’s worrying me too.

Thanks for your kind reply and suggestions which I shall action today if surgery answers the phone!

[meadowgirl]

I’m with the comments above, all good advice. When I first presented to my GP with symptoms he tried to brush me off with an IBS diagnosis. I insisted on a private testing so paid to have Ca125 and abdominal ultrasound. The abdominal ultrasound was negative so I was sent for vaginal ultrasound. This flagged that something was going on so then sent for CT scan. These are the sort of tests you should be having if you are suspected of having gynae issues, it won’t be diagnosed with a gastroscopy . Honestly, if you can’t get this sorted with a GP go to A &E, but be prepared for a long wait and get there as early as you can in the morning before the crowds build up. I hope you get some answers soon.

[Stills in reply to meadowgirl]

Thanks for your reply, you are all correct, I must press surgery for appointments and get tests instead of brushing it aside, it’s been 6 months since first symptoms. Thanks again.

[Ruebacelle]

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