Scared about ovarian cancer symptoms

Hey, so I need to put my worries down in words and thought this might be a good place to start.

I'm a 42 mum of two and am getting myself in a state about some symptoms I'm experiencing. Quick back history; I've suffered with painful ovulation for quite a while that generally lasts a day or three (maybe four) and is usually focused on my left side. I had pelvic inflammatory disease a couple of years ago resulting from an infection my coil caused that I had to have removed at the hospital. 
So, last month I had what I thought was my usual ovulation pain but after a few days it was still there and was worse in the centre of my pelvis. Then one morning I suddenly got urinary urgency and found myself peeing every 30 minutes, so I called the doctors and a nurse practitioner phoned back and diagnosed a UTI and prescribed antibiotics. I took them and over the next two or three days the bladder urgency eased but I was still left with the discomfort and pain in my pelvis plus now I had quite bad bloating.Another call to the docs and more meds prescribed plus a urine test that came back negative for UTI but by the end of the week my symptoms had eased considerably. Fast forward a couple of weeks, my period came as normal ( I take the pill) then last Friday at work I suddenly started getting the same ache in my pelvis and following that the frequent urination started that lasted a couple of days again. Also I was experiencing pain in my left hip and thigh, though the nurse put this down to sciatica in my previous appointment. After the weekend it had eased but I still had the pain in the left side of my abdomen and the centre. A couple of nights ago the discomfort was so bad I was sweating in bed, then last night the bladder urgency kicked in again, to the point I started peeing myself in my kitchen as I was making a hot water bottle ‍♀️ I hardly slept for the aching and toilet trips. I called the docs and a lovely lady doctor asked me to go in for an exam and further urine test. The exam was uncomfortable and and she has referred me for a scan as she said she felt 'something rolling under her fingers' in my left ovary during it. She did try to reassure me bless her not to worry as cysts were generally nothing to worry about (which I assume is what she thinks it is).This evening the pain/ache is worse in my lower back after feeling it in my right front pelvis region this morning and my hip pain is bad. Having made the mistake of consulting Doctor Google I'm now stressing things point to something sinister. I've never seen a doctor about it but I suffer massively with anxiety about being seriously ill. Last night my heart was racing, I was trying not to cry and it's been the same today.

I'm so sorry for the long ramble, I'm just worried that what with what's happening in the world today my scan won't be for ages and I'll be thinking about this all over Christmas. But could all this be cos of a cyst? Would the ache/discomfort keep changing areas and intensity? And why would my ovulation suddenly turn so bad?

I know I must sound silly as there's so many stories of ladies who've been diagnosed whose symptoms were so much more extreme than mine, but it's proper worrying me, but I don't want to bother the docs again (the lady I saw today was a locum who was leaving today). 
Any thoughts/similar experiences would be welcome. I'm trying to reassure myself if it was serious my initial symptoms wouldn't have gone away for that time before flaring up around what I assume is my ovulation again? 
 

  • Hello MrsJ_xx

    I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with some health problems at the moment. It's understandable that you're feeling anxious and as you've already discovered, consulting Dr Google often leads to people feeling even more worried about what may be going on for them. 

    I know from posts that we've had here on the forum that many women have mentioned how painful ovarian cysts can be and it's not uncommon that when someone is worried about symptoms that things can feel more intense or that they notice new problems. 

    You've mentioned that the locum you saw has left but if you're feeling worried then do get in touch with your GP who may be able to offer you some support and reassurance. 

    Alternatively, you could give our team of nurses a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 

    There's also some really helpful information and podcasts on the NHS website that you may find helpful in managing your anxieties. Hopefully they may give you some tips to cope whilst you're waiting for your scan. 

    I hope that you don't have to wait too long for news and that things are resolved quickly. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator