Hi Laura. 

I keep seeing replies from you on many posts. It's very reassuring.

I am 26, I have two children 9 and 5. My periods have always been weird due to being on the implant. But I think in December it lasted a few days longer than normal. Fast forward to this month, I had my period as normal. It lasted around 10 days which is normal, then 4 days later I started bleeding again and bled for a week. Classed as spotting as it was never enough to wear a pad or anything. I phone my GP, explained everything and she didn't seem too worried. She booked me in for my first smear (haven't had one due to Covid) and also said she'd take some swabs 'to be on the safe side' (don't know what they're for?) 

Since speaking to her I've noticed I have lower back pain in a morning which eases off throughout the day. I have groin pain pretty much constantly, it's just a dull ache and I also noticed I had stomach cramps the day after having sex. Te cramps were pretty painful. They eased off in the evening. 

I don't have any smelly discharge, no bleeding during or after sex, no bloating, I'm not off my food and I don't think I've noticed any changes in bowel movement either.. 

Just looking for some reassurance really. My smear is booked for 10th March but I'm ringing to ask if they can bring it forward. I'm due on on the 10th march and all this worry is really affecting me. 

Hi, sorry I didn't see your post until now! I hope you are doing well and you've found out what is going on. At your young age I wouldn't think your issues would be cancer related but it is always good to follow up and keep tabs on things.  Please message me if you need to. 

Laura xx

I understand that. My GP did an examination and referred me would she not have said it was a cyst? I'm probably panicking about nothing but iv lost one parent to BC and another now has PC so my heads all over. 

The gp is not a specialist and may not have the answer, Or know what this is just from an examination, which is why you go to gynae. My gp could see an actual tumour, and I’m sure she must have been pretty certain it was cancer but she never mentioned what she saw-just made the referral. I’m glad she didn’t put anything in my head to worry about. It made it much easier for me to handle everything. x

Hi minska ive contacted the doctor they have given me tramadol I've got to collect them shortly, ive got to manage on paracetamol for now and take a tramadol about 8 or I might over dose if I mix the cocodamol with the tramadol, hopefully these work xx

Hi Dawn

I’ve had Tramadol. It’s a strong painkiller as it’s an opioid, so hopefully you will find it better than what you’ve had. I found them better than co codamol, so fingers crossed for you. Are you able to sleep ok? xx

I drift in and out of sleep as the painkillers wear off so not really getting a good night, hopefully these will work well and I can feel a little normal, the chemo should start to shrink the tumor and get rid of the spread and hopefully ease these horrible symptoms, it's like a living nightmare going from fit and healthy in august to this xx

It’s been very quick as you say from being fine to going through all of this. But at least you did go straight to the doctor. Hopefully the chemo won’t hit you too hard in terms of side effects and your pain will reduce as it gets to work. xx

Can anyone recommend a good laxative im

constipated now because of the tramadol, the sachets the doctor gave me arnt working xx

Hello Dawnann62, lve been following this thread and l hope you are well. I go through bouts of constipation and what l find helps is Prune Juice. Start off with 2 glasses on the first day and then once you have a bowel movement have a glass a day before bedtime. X

Thank you so much as if the pain from the tumor isn't bad enough now I'm in pain with constipation, il try that today xx

I think mine was laxidol? It was a sachet to put in water, but I also had lactulose which was effective. Prune juice too was good. xx

I think mine was laxidol? It was a sachet to put in water, but I also had lactulose which was effective. Prune juice too was good. xx

Thank you xx

It was Laxido! xx

The sachets have started working and I've took a dulcolax as well, the pain is easing thank you xx

Oh good! The problem with any opioid is the constipation so it’s a constant battle to balance pain relief and being able to go to the loo. Personally, I found stool softeners useful and less harsh than an actual laxative but keeping things regular is the main thing, otherwise it’s miserable. So long as the pain easing, that’s the main thing. xx

Sorry I have another question .  How long does it usually take from diagnosis to starting treatment.  I know I'm stage 2 possible node involvement.  The waiting is draining me.  I was diagnosed on or around the 3rd October.  Thanks 

For me it was 6 weeks or so, from mid September diagnosis to starting treatment in the November. Compared to other ladies that honestly was very typical..some were slight longer. The waiting to start is horrible...but I’m assuming you’ll be having chemo and radiotherapy so there will need to be a planning scan for the radiotherapy, and getting the tattoos for radio. All the planning is what takes the time...xx

The waiting is torture.  I need a pet scan and appointment with my consultant next, my CNS is on it and chasing them every day  hopefully get some news soon.  Will be having chemo and radiotherapy and think brachytherapy too Xx

Ah, I didn’t need a pet scan at my diagnosis. Just the mri and ct but I didn’t have node involvement. All the waiting is an absolute nightmare, I know, when you just want to get on. The stage would go to 3 if there’s lymphnode involvement, but chemo, radio and brachytherapy is standard treatment whether it’s stage 2 or 3, so that won’t differ. The pet-scan is putting an extra stage into the waiting process for you, but they need to know everything precisely to plan the radiation and exactly where it will be going. Hang in there! The waiting seems endless at this point. xx

Thank you, I'm trying to be patient but it's not working very well for me lol.  Will keep yous updated xx

I’ll give you a little piece of advice based on my experience and something that held things up for me. When you go for your radiotherapy planning scan, make sure your bowel is empty! No-one told me, and when I went for mine, they wouldn’t do it because my bowel as apparently too full. So a wasted 3 hour round trip to the hospital and I was sent away with suppositories and had to make another appointment. Such a simple thing, but some advice in advance would have saved me another trip and more delays. xx