Elevated CEA marker

[ayle]

Hi. I am looking for advice. I have a CEA>10 I have found through research a CEA>10 is rarely benign disease. Mine was 10.2 about 12 weeks ago, and 8.8 7 weeks before that. I have had a clear colonoscopy, and chest,abdomen,pelvic ct. I didn't think I had bowel cancer symptoms but am having lung symptoms. I was in shock this ct scan didn't pick anything up on my lungs. I have had what I think is a chest infection for months as I have a chronic cough especially at night, and coughing green phlegm up constantly. My gp insisted twice I have no chest infection. He said I would be red all around the face! My lungs are painful too, and my throat feels like it has a lump in it. Could the ct I had have missed either throat or lung cancer? I read not to let Drs watch the CEA rise but to keep fighting. However I don't know what I can do next. I have been very weak, and have had breathless episodes. I stopped cooking,going to the shops, and lots of other things back in July when I first went to my gp with nausea and bloating, and not eating. Please can anyone offer any advice? Many thanks. I have only lost a stone in weight.

[sassy59]

Hello ayle, I’m sorry I can’t really help but I would urge you to get a medical professional to take you more seriously than your doctor appears to be doing.

Your issues clearly need further investigation and you have to keep fighting. I do wish you well. Please let us know how you get on. Xxxxx

[wheezybronch]

If you are worried about your symptoms and your doctor cannot allay those fears, ask for a second opinion. Although in general green sputum would suggest an infection, it is not always so. Even if it is, it may not be in your chest, it may be a sinus infection. Do you have sinus problems ? Do you have a post nasal drip ? Stress and worry can exacerbate any illness so try to keep calm and do positive things. I would take someone with you next time you see your doctor to keep a record of what he says. If still not happy, do ask for that second opinion, good luck.

[Ergendl]

So sorry to hear you've been struggling so much with your health recently. Many GPs are so overwhelmed with work at present that they may often take the easy option to get a patient out of the surgery so the next can come in. That leaves it to us as patients to insist on better treatment sometimes. So as the others have posted above, go back again, insist that you can't go on feeling so unwell that it's stopping you from living a normal life, and ask for a second opinion if the GP you see doesn't take you seriously again.

[Collie4]

I agree with what the others have said. Try and see a different doctor if you can and ask to be referred to a specialist.

We shouldn’t have to suffer unnecessarily and should have help to make us comfortable and live our lives happily.

I wish you all the best.

[Hidden]

I had regular blood tests for CEA markers when I was having treatment for Breast Cancer. It was always present but they stopped doing them when the treatment was over, so I don't know if they are still in my blood stream or not.

[SquirrelsHolt]

Hi to you ayle and like our members have suggested, the first thing you must do is ask/tell your GP that you want a second opinion. From there you can then see what your next course of action will be. Things like this are needing answers and reassurance and having that second opinion may well put you on the right track. Best wishes and do keep in touch.🐿🎅🎄💕

[ayle]

Thanks for all your comments. It is a relief to communicate with people about this. I really appreciate your help.