Could this be ovarian cancer?? PLEASE help

December of 2016 I had slight pain in my pelvic area and was vomiting along with diarrhoea. My parents said it was probably just a stomach bug but I had a feeling it wasn't. I had them take me to the ER and they found 2 cysts on my left ovary. The Dr said it's normal and that they would go away on their own along with the pain. I left the state for school and realized that it wasn't going away but just hoped it would. A couple months pasted and in that time I began getting abdominal pain and constipation. I went to see a Dr near my school and he said my stomach was hurting because of constipation, said nothing about my history of cysts and sent me home. A couple more months passed and my pains began to worsen and I began having bad back pain. I went back home and visited my gyne who didn't check my ovaries but told me all tests were normal and to take birth control and that the symptoms would go away. I did for about 2 months and still nothing. So I went to urgent Care in September of 2017 because the pain was way worse. The Dr said they found bacteria in my urine and said it was a UTI. Gave me meds, but nothing helped. I then went to the ER a few weeks later and once again they didn't check my ovaries but had a CT scan of my stomach. Said my small intestine was  inflamed and said I had IBS. They said nothing about bacteria in my urine. I tried laxatives for a bit helped me go but pain hasn't left. It is now February 2018 and I went to ANOTHER Dr who said that my urine sample was normal and blood tests normal and said to come back in a year for my checkup. I'm SO confused and want to know why I am having these pains! It's has gotten worse than before. Pelvic and abdominal pain, bloating, back pain, constipation, extreme fatigue, when I have to pee it's never the normal feeling of having to go it's right away an emergency and I recently have been feeling heartburn along with burping and passing gas more often.

  • Hi Rebecca. Welcome to the forum.

    We're not doctors here, and even if we were we wouldn't have full access to your medical notes, so I'm afraid we can't make any diagnosis.  However, we might be able to answer some specific questions based on personal experience. 

    You specifically ask about ovarian cancer. I would guess from your comments that your age is about 20. Well, ovarian cancer is very rare in any woman under 40. There is also a test which is indicative of ovarian problems; it's the CA 125 blood test. You said that your gyne did some tests and they were normal. If you have a normal CA 125 and given your age, then ovarian cancer really is very unlikely. 

    I suffer from IBS. Reminding myself of the symptoms of IBS, it seems to me that IBS might be at least part of the reason for your problems. I've suffered from many of the symptoms you describe at some point, and I first started suffering when I was about 23 or 24, not much older than you are now.

    I get the impression that you've seen a few doctors, and maybe shopped around from doctor to doctor, never getting the full picture.  I suggest you find a GP you trust, and stick with him or her. I would explain your full history, say that you're worrying about ovarian cancer and would like a CA 125 blood test; ask for a urine test to see if there are any bacteria growing which might explain the urinary problems, and finally ask if you can be referred to a dietician to be put on the FODMAP diet plan for IBS.  

    The FODMAP diet plan is a phased exclusion diet which you stay on for a few months to see if your problems improve. Unfortunately, it's very restrictive which means you can't stay on it for life.  If your symptoms improve then you gradually add items back into your diet one at a time, to see which of them bring on a bad reaction. That way you learn what you can tolerate and what you can't. For instance, I can tolerate lactose in small quantities, but not in a latte (soya lattes taste great, by the way); I love baked beans, but they're a huge trigger and I've had to drop them from my diet; and I adore mushrooms, but they hate me so they're also gone from my diet.  As a result, I have fewer flare ups and when they occur I can calm them down fairly quickly. 

  • Thank you! And yes, I have seen a few doctors since so far no medications I've been given have worked. I also thought forsure it was IBS but even when I'm eating good, and even on days I haven't eaten much I still have pain and bloating. It's been like that everyday since it has started. I also used laxatives to help with the constipation it has helped me go easier but still all the pain and bloating is there. And yes, I specifically ask about ovarian cancer becuase I was talking to my aunt about my symptoms and she brought it up...even though I am 21. My mother got breast cancer in her 30's and passed away at 42. So I think that possibly I'm a bit paranoid that I too could get cancer at a young age. Especially with having these symptoms for a while and not knowing what they are from.

  • Hi Rebecca.

    Assuming for one moment that you really do have IBS, unless you follow the FODMAP plan you won't know what foods are triggering your symptoms.  On a day where you think you are eating good, you might actually be eating some of your trigger foods.  On a day where you haven't eaten much, you might still be eating some of your trigger foods. I never knew that beans and mushrooms were my triggers until I did the FODMAP plan. 

    I think you will continue to suffer until you start to take proper control of your situation. Here is what I think you should do:

    - Find a GP you can trust, and stick with him or her. Stop moving around from doctor to doctor looking for a quick fix. There is no quick fix! 

    - Discuss your cancer fears with your doctor and get the necessary reassurances.

    - Ask your doctor whether your symptoms could be caused by IBS and whether following the FODMAP plan might be helpful. 

    - Only if your doctor agrees, ask to be referred to a dietician who can help you with the FODMAP plan.

    Under no circumstances should you embark on the FODMAP plan under your own steam and without proper medical guidance. 

    If you do start on the FODMAP plan, then don't expect it to be easy. You will need to commit some 6-9 months to the process, it is no quick fix. If you're not prepared to make this commitment then don't bother starting.

    It will really help if you can get your family committed to helping you. It's no good if your favourite aunt keeps plying you with cakes while you're excluding gluten! At this stage, you will need to be firm. 

    Follow the plan to the letter, and don't give up when things get difficult. 

    Best of luck!

  • Hey!!

     I’ve  been having EXACTLY the same symptoms!! Seen doctors had bloods and urines and sti tests and awaiting results, but they don’t seem sure of what it is and I too have been put on antibiotics for a UTI!! Even though I’m convinced this is more an ovary thing.

     

    Did you get any results since?? Really interested in getting an update as I think I have the same thing.

     

    thanks! 

  • Hey, 

     

    I hope you are well.

    ive got the exact symptoms and was wondering did you get your results?!

  • Yeah turns out it was chlymidia lol. 
     

     

  • Hello lovely, 

     

    im so sorry you were going through this and I know it's been a little while but did you ever get to the cause? X