CA125

Hi, my 1st time posting. Background - for the past 3(ish) months I've had a dull ache in my lower back and pelvis. For the last month I've felt extremely exhausted every day. Not tired through no sleep, but like I'm walking with lead boots. Lots of clear, watery discharge, different to the thicker discharge I'm used to when I'm ovulating. And this watery discharge lasts until my next period. I've had what i thought was a UTI, and I've been leaking urine as I'm walking - never had anything like this ever. 2 courses of antibiotics and the burny feeling is still there, along with an urgency to wee. Sex has been painful during and a few times I've had painful cramps afterwards. No bleeding after sex. I have had normal periods and ovulated every month. January I had a very late and very light period. Then this month I had another light period. I finished my period on the Tuesday and late Wednesday evening I felt 'something' coming out of me whilst lying in bed. I passed a clot the size of a medium egg and it was like a water balloon of blood had popped inside me. I cleaned myself up and the bleeding calmed down dramatically to hardly anything. Over the next few days, the same thing kept happening. I'd feel a gush and I would pass a clot and a lot of blood, and then it would ease off. Sunday the pain was awful in my back and front,  so I saw my GP. She gave me an internal examination and I can't explain how much the pain intensified. It was worse than labour pains and wouldn't ease. She gave me high strength pain meds and wanted me to go to hospital. I asked not to as I needed to be home for my children. She did a CPR (CRP?) test to check for any infections in my blood, all clear, no infection in my urine, not pregnant. She also took some blood. She rang me the next day to say that my CA125 was above 35 - only 37 but along with my symptoms she referred me on the 2 week pathway for an ultrasound scan. 

I know my CA125 number is so low, but with my symptoms, I'm going out of my mind with worry.

I'm 47, I've had 5 children. Perfect text book periods. I know the 'menopause' is always mentioned to "women of a certain age"but this doesn't feel right. 

Any one help put my mind at ease 

  • Hello JH74

    I'm sorry to hear that you've recently had some health problems which have led to you needing a gynaecology referral. It's understandable that you're feeling anxious about things. 

    Many people find this period of waiting for appointments, tests and results can be particularly difficult. The unknown can be a scary prospect to face but it's important to try and keep busy and remain positive. 

    I can see that we've another new member [@Nat1989]‍ who has also posted about raised CA125 levels and is awaiting a scan on the 2-week pathway. You can read her post here but as I've tagged her into my response she may reply. It may be that the two of you are able to support each other through this period. 

    If you'd like to chat things through with one of our team of nurses you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. 

    I hope you have some answers and reassurance soon. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator