So many symptoms but no diagnosis.

[Lyssa787]

Hi everyone, I’m Alyssa and I just found this group!

25 with a wonderful husband and four gorgeous kiddos. I have had 3 fairly healthy pregnancies (1 set of twins) and after this last one I went on the arm implant for birth control. I was bleeding 3 days on and 3 days off before switching to depo proverb after 3 months. As SOON as I got on that symptoms switched up on me.

Bloating , fullness, fatigue, twitches and spasms in my abdomen, nausea and vomiting, I have way less bladder control and have to urinate much more frequently, extreme thirst, and PAIN that is concentrated on the left hand side. It’s diagonal to my belly button.

At first I just assumed all of this was from depo. But it’s getting progressively worse, especially the abdominal pain. My OBGYN did blood tests that all came back fine, and today I had an ultrasound done. The tech said she had a hard time finding my ovaries but everything looked fine but the doctor would call me. I am just so confused! I can’t keep my kiddos on my belly or sleep on that left side even. I can’t shake the feeling that this is not birth control related, yet I don’t fit the typical risk factors, and apparently everything looked fine.

I’m not sure what other tests to ask for? Obviously you can’t diagnose me but do these symptoms line up with OvCa even with my age and history?

[GwenHP]

You didn't mention what blood work was done. Did it include a CA125? If not, you may want to ask for it. It isn't used as a screening test, but it can help differentiate ovarian cancer from some of the other possibilities in someone who is symptomatic. I would be persistent in going to doctors to help get a diagnosis and a solution. Your body is telling you something is wrong - whether it is a disease or a reaction to the meds you are on.

Best wishes,

Gwen

[1986reese]

CA125 might not tell the story for you. See if you can get them to do a CT scan, obviously something is wrong. I don't think she matters with ovarian cancer.

I've met and heard from other young patients. Sometimes you have to push for tests.

Good luck.

[1986reese in reply to 1986reese]

Not she, but age on my previous comment

[bbee13]

Hi Alyssa! I agree with the ladies below in that you know your body and if something is wrong. Some of your symptoms are in line with ovarian cancer, though in someone as young as you it is not common. That's not to say you have it or not, of course. If you're still feeling on edge and worried about it, there are other tests that can be done.

About to give you kind of a lot of info-- if you think you might get overwhelmed by it, the bottom line is just that you have to trust your knowledge of your body, and if you're not satisfied with your doctor's opinion, get a second one!

The following info is from the ovarian cancer guidelines for patients put out by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (say those 10 times fast )

First, the blood tests: these are NOT screening tests. But they can help a doc figure out if there's a problem with a particular organ or body system, which could then point her/him towards a diagnosis of ovarian cancer or something else. (note that surgery is really the only way to confirm ovarian cancer.) These blood tests include a CBC (complete blood count) and blood chemistry profile with total serum protein levels and liver function tests. As GwenHP said, you can also ask for a CA125 test, a tumor marker, elevated levels of which may indicate ovarian cancer if other evidence is present.

There are also imaging tests. Good they did an ultrasound-- was it transabdominal? They can also do a transvaginal ultrasound, which can sometimes help get a clearer picture of the ovaries. You can also ask for a CT scan along with the blood tests. However, it isn't good at showing small tumors. An MRI can also be done if the ultrasound was unclear-- it's good at showing soft tissues.

If there are suspicious findings, then there are other tests that they can perform.

Good luck, and keep us posted

xoxo