Ovarian Symptoms...seeking advice

Hi,

I have been suffering with persistent left ovary/pelvic pain/discomfort along with extreme bloating for several months now. Have been diagnosed with various types of deficiency anaemias from blood tests and have just had a CT which has shown enlarged left ovary with shadowing.

Am now booked in for MRI but feeling a bit worried.

Had CA-125 bloods done about 6 months ago when I first went to GP but never heard back so I assumed results were normal. Is there any point in this blood test being repeated now as symptoms have persisted and progressed?

Also wondered how others would describe their ovary pain/discomfort?

Feel like I've had to be quite persistent with drs initially dismissing symptoms as 'health anxiety'. It has taken about 6 months to get to this point of having symptoms properly investigated.

Many thanks x

  • You have probably already googled this to death but having done the same I saw that CA125 is not elevated in all cases and especially not in the early stages.  

    If you are booked in for an MRI I am sure at some point they will do your bloods again.  I had mine retaken a few times and because of my age (44) they also did some extra bloods to pick up on other stuff.  

    It is definitely worth asking for repeat bloods but if the MRI is being done it sounds like it is in hand and they are checking to see what is what.  xx

     

  • Hello,

    I'm going to keep an eye on this thread as I am also very worried and have similar symptoms to you. I am bloated day in day out to the point where I look pregnant on some days. I also get pain in my left ovary which is a dull pain that comes and goes often.

    I had an ultrasound scan and was told I had a cyst and that was what was causing the problems, I had a further scan and my cyst had gone but the bloating and problems have not.

    I feel the doctors don't take me seriously either and I don't know what to do. I'm only 27, I've been taking the pill for years which j have read reduces the risk of Ovarian cancer but I'm getting myself very worked up about it. 

    Would the scan show if I had anything to be worried about?

    Any advice would be great!

  • Hello

    My bloating now makes me look VERY pregnant (and I am definitely not at aged 46!) I have two teenage children and have never taken the pill, though I believe you're right that taking the oral contraceptive is a protective factor against OC, as is your age at 27.

    My first US found a complex cyst but that was on the other ovary and has now resolved (though I didn't have any pain/problems on that side anyway).

    My left sided pain is there all the time and ranges from a dull ache/fullness to a burning sensation which radiates numbness down my leg. My MRI scan is booked in for a couple of weeks and I will try to post an update once I find out what is going on.

    Keep going back about your symptoms if they do not resolve though - it's no good living in such discomfort.

    Take care X

  • Thanks for replying. Yes, I might have been guilty of some googling :) Am trying to stop that now as it doesn't really help.

    I too fall into a slightly higher risk age group at 46. There's just so much waiting between tests and results, which can be very frustrating when you want to just get a diagnosis, (hopefully!) treat your symptoms and get on with your life x

  • I went through this last year my ovarian cysts were found during a colonoscopy referred to oncology gynaecology clinic. I am post menopausal, I had a mri and ultrasound that showed that the cysts had not reduced my appointment with the consultant resulted in being listed for surgery. I had the op late October there were loads of adhesions so it took 4 1/2 hours!  Fortunately the cysts were benign lm really pleased that l have had the op. 
    susie

  • Sorry that you needed a longer surgery but glad to know that your cysts were benign. How long did it take you to recover from your surgery and symptoms? (if you don't mind me asking)

  • Hi ,

    I've had something similar, especially the bloating/swelling which is really uncomfortable. The swelling comes and goes. I only have one pair of pants I fit into, even pjs are getting too tight now :(  I get also get dull pains that resemble period pains when I'm not on my period. I'm 41 with no kids.

    My doc got blood tests done about 3 months ago - all came back normal, including CA125. I've been to 2 ultrasounds since and they found a cyst in each ovary. Roughly 2cm each, one "normal" fluid filled cyst and the another one, which is indeterminate. Neither cyst had disappeared by the control US, so got an MRI last week. Waiting on the MRI results now... it's stressful. I have no idea what to expect next. The doc is always upbeat and doesn't give too much info unless I ask specific questions.

    Have you had your MRI yet? Hope they get to the bottom of it soon.

    Take care xx

  • Hi,

    I can definitely empathise with the clothing situation. My mid section is now unrecognisable to me as I look several months pregnant most of the time! It's quite upsetting to see I the mirror. :(

    MRI scan is booked in but still have a couple of weeks to wait. There is so much waiting involved - I first presented at my GP with intense left-sided pelvic pain back in October. It's present all the time, every day, though sometimes more intense than others. It just feels like there's something there that shouldn't be, especially when sitting or laying on that side.

    I hope you get your MRI results back soon and that it's nothing too serious for you. Let me know how you get on if you feel able to and I'll do the same Xx

  • Hi,

    MRI showed the indeterminate cyst is a haemorrhagic one, which I take as good news. I read somewhere that most haemorrhagic cysts are found as they cause patients pain, which was not exactly the case with mine. I just have that persistent bloating and heartburn, heartburn's thankfully gone now. I'm relieved and waiting for a gynae appointment. The MRI also had an incidental finding of a dessicated disc (!) that I wasn't aware of. 

    Hope you get your results soon too and that they are good news xx

  • Thanks for the update and that sounds like good news. You must feel relieved (even if still bothered by the bloating) :)

    My MRI scans are tomorrow. Feeling a bit nervous as am slightly claustrophic and had a bad reaction to the CT contrast (though am told this contrast is different).

    Hoping to get some answers though...finally! Xx