Lump in lower Stomach - Gp not treating as urgent what to do

Hi all,

I'm after some advice / experiences please. I'm a 35yo female & last xmas (over a year ago) I started with bloating to the point where clothes would not do up. Assumed it was festive overeating etc. Normally a size 10. Fast forward to mid Nov 2018 I was away on a course and noticed in the hotel long mirror that one side of my bloated stomach was sticking out noticeably more (it was left side) there was a distinct swelling on the lower left of my tummy amidst the bloating.

I visited the gp as had had some blood in stools and in the loo, plus constipation. He could see the swelling and thought it was perhaps near ovary - took til almost Xmas to get that scanned via ultrasound and ruled out as he couldn't put it through as urgent as he needed a female gp to examine me (he was junior & didn't feel he could check properly).

in the meantime general bloods have come back as normal aside from anemic (not very about 12.7) and vit D very low. Went back to gp again beginning of Jan 2019 and they were trying to blame it on ibs saying as bloods were OK and as I'm young there was no point in sending me for a scope. I again reiterated the blood in stools, constipation, a pain that had now started around the area of swelling and was getting worse and feeling sick, I asked him to get his superior in.

they eventually agreed to investigate it but he rang me later that day and said after a surgery review they had just decided to refer me to 'surgery' at my local hospital, so sounds like it wouldn't even be a scope on that day just consultation. That appt is not til 5th Feb.. So over a month from the last gp appt - clearly not in the 2 week urgent guidelines.

Having to take Senna each day just to get bowel movements... And pain around the swelling area getting more constant. Swelling doesn't feel hard to touch but even friends can see what I'm talking about. Doctors asked me to cough etc to rule out hernia and they can see it too - really baffled as to why they wouldn't put it through as urgent. 

what should I do? Is it safe to wait that long? Looked at a private check cheapest is around £875 for a virtual colonoscopy. :( 

sorry for the long post, I have two very young children and I'm sick with worry and feel I've been fobbed off & delayed by the gps at my surgery. 

  • I have something that sounds so similar! Lump under my right rib area, can push it around, cant feel it when im lying down, its causes alot of pain and uncomfortable. Ive had ultra sounds and mri all coming back with nothing! Docs just want to say the same, it could be bowel and can feel it cos slim?! But feel the same how can somthing be stuck in bowel ?! I also dont suffer woth constipation so dont undwrstand how thwy cam say that! Isnt this strange??? Does yours cause u pain??? 

  • Yes this can go as high as under the centre of my rib, I wouldn't say pain, it's the strangest feeling In the world, it sort of hardens up and feels like it's pushing everything else around it out of the way. I was previously pregnant with twins, and when they used to change position it is a similar feeling. I've been doing a lot of research, borderline ovarian cancer can go mia diagnosed as ibs for up to 10 years. And similar reports of a movable lump. There's not really a proper test for it except a CA125 test I'm not sure if the uk offer it but I am going to push for it. I have a massive family history of cancer and have previously had suspicious things removed so I'm hoping and praying they will do it. I have been a size 4 since the age of 14 without any real explanation other than I'm built that way. I really feel like there is an issue somewhere I just hope I can get to the bottom of it. I know of a lady who had exact similar problems on her 6th pregnancy they discovered she had stomach cancer she died when the baby was 3 weeks old. It's so worrying that it's my body and I have no idea what is going on with it x

  • yes push for the test, i had the ca125 blood test done amd came back fine and also they checked my ovaries as part of my ultra sound scan so they can check if you are concerned its that. it is scary, i feel so stressed with it, despite having tests and coming back fine i dont understabd how u can have a lump and thwy cant tell u what it is ?! 

  • I am also having this issue. I feel like I'm swollen on the inside and things are being pushed outward but only my on my left side. Not really in pain as much as it's just feels uncomfortable. Also massive decrease in appetite!  Lost 3lbs in the last week alone, although I am a larger lady. Don't know what to do about it. Pain can go from under left rib all the way down towards my hip, around the back a bit and even into the top of my thigh. Really worried it's something serious.

  • Hi guys, I just though I would message to suggest one possibility for you to look into if you haven't resolved the issue. I have a mass in my abdomen which is quite visibly noticable and has turned out to be a uterine fibroid. This may be worth checking out and discussing with your doctor if you think it is appropriate. They are supposedly relatively common and don't always need treatment. However, if they're causing symptoms there are medical or surgical options available.

  • Hi, how have you been since? Did you discover what was wrong? Hope you are ok now. I have had similar symptoms for the past year and need to get it checked out now as it is getting worse. Pain like a stitch mostly, lump between hip and left rib that moves. BMs a bit erratic recently so I am convinced something is going on in the ascending colon area. Seeing my doctor on Thursday and not sure what tests I should ask for? Annie121

  • I have this. Sounds like you're feeling your right kidney. Ask them for ultrasound and then ask to stand up, show them where the lump is. I did this, and sure enough, it was my kidney.. lower than it should be though.

  • Ive had a scan and strangely enough, when i was pushing the lump the lady said thats your kidney moving?? But then had an mri and they said my kidney was fine?! Its very weird 

  • Hiya, just read this thread and have a similar issue, I think mine could possibly be a hernia, I'm seeing my doctor this week and if I'm not happy with response (if I'm dismissed with no outcome) then I am going to book a private gp appointment . I know that will cost me but you can't put a price on your health. The only problem then is sorting treatment if they find something . Sometimes just knowing takes a lot of anxiety away x

  • Yes it really does, im v stressed with mine still. Hopefully if a hernia its easy to see from a ultra sound and fixable. Fingers crossed for you x