I would really appreciate any knowledge

Persephone

Last week I visited my new gyno. I hadn't had a pap or pelvic exam in over 2 yrs. I knew I needed a pap, however, that was not why I went. I have been experiencing my symptoms for over 6 months and they were getting worse. Changes in my period, cycle length, bloating, pelvic pain and pressure along with new constipation and needing to pee alot and not being able to fully go each time. I was checked for a uti, and I don't have one. I am having quite a bit of thin watery discharge like during ovulation most of the month including during my period. Or I have thick white discharge the rest of the time. I was checked for an infection...none. I have a lot of clots, some quite large or the blood comes out in long thin strips. I have worse cramps during my period, and have spotting during my cycle, ocassionally. By the time I went to my appointment on the 7th, I looked and felt very pregnant. None of my clothes have fit for over 3 months, so I have been wearing yoga pants. I'm very tired, losing weight, bloated, etc. During my exam, my doctor said my uterus was enlarged. I had an ultrasound, blood work, and a ct scan with contrast. None of them showed anything but constipation. My hormone levels are good. It showed that my uterus was tipped but I've had that for quite some time. She gave me perscriptions for the constipation and sent me on my way. I told her that I couldn't go for at times 7-10 days, and then it felt like something shifted and all would come out and also reexplained that my stools were normal when they came out. I told her I did not have the constipation before my other symptoms started but she seemed convinced all would be right when I cleared out by bowels. I wanted to tell her that something is wrong with me, I know it. I'm not imaging things. I'm not that sure she would listen though. I was just wondering if anyone has had these symptoms...mainly to tell me I'm normal and it's just not the constipation that is problem. I would like nothing better than to just need some more fiber, however, it wouldn't help my other symptoms. I would appreciate any feedback. This isn't normal for my 34 yr old body. Thanks for your help.

Robinflamingo · Regular Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Michigan

Bloating is one of the only symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. I would definitely pursue this. Don't let them tell you that what you are going through is normal. I had the thin watery discharge too. It was brownish all the time.

Did they test any of the fluid for CA125?
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Persephone

No, she did not test anything like that. Nothing showed up on the ct or the ultrasound, she said they were completely normal. At times, I have sharp pains for no reason, and then I have sharp pains when I try and pee or I am not careful in how I sit. I don't understand why I have to pee 3 times in a row, or change positions and try to pee again. If I was a guy, I would be running to the doctor to check my prostrate. My discharge is clear and watery and then other times it is milky white and very thick. I know that your discharge changes throughout a cycle, but my watery discharge lasts most of the cycle and into the period. I have brown blood the last two days of my period. My periods have changed so much. I have a faucet that turns on with no warning and then I won't have anything for a day, and then it will come back with the clots and then dark red strips in a watery discharge. The blood tests were a cbc, hormone, and cholesterol tests. I was told all were normal too. I've had cysts before diagnosed after they have burst. The last one was 1 1/2yrs ago and they said the fluid in my pelvis was darker which they thought was because it could have been filled with some blood. I've thought that perhaps this was a problem with my uterus and not my ovaries. I just don't know why nothing showed up in the pictures. I thought that a problem had to show up on the pictures to confirm a abnormality so I just thought that is why she 'abadoned' me with laxatives and a feel better. I know it is childish to feel abandoned considering that nothing showed up. When I had my daughter 2yrs ago, I had to have emergency surgery to remove the placenta. I fell 2 months before she was born and it had calcified onto the uterus. I was told that all was fine and that he got everything. I know something is wrong. I thought perhaps it could be endometriosis, another cyst, hormones, or possibly a uterine growth of some kind. I haven't had the CA125 blood test. She did not think it was a problem with the ovaries. I was under the impression that the CA125 wasn't always accurate. I'm sorry if my e-mail sounds disjointed and the spelling is off. My prebedtime epilepsy meds have kicked in. I hate feeling like I'm crazy considering everything was proven clear. I have tried on other websites to get someone to reply to my questions so I do appreciate your time and answers. I didn't know where else to post my concerns and I do not wish to 'cheapen' other's painful and scary experiences with my trivial thoughts. But, I'm very proactive in trying to find answers and connect with others.

Robinflamingo · Regular Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Michigan

Your concerns certainly are legitimate and do not cheapen any one else's problems...and what you are going through is not normal. While the CA125 by itself is not a good diagnostic tool, it can tell if things have changed. There's also the omentum. That is the fatty lacey layer that lays across the abdomen and captures all kinds of good cells and bad cells and stuff. I'm no doctor, so my terminology is somewhat silly, but at least maybe it'll give you places to research. The omentum growing is often a sign that somethings not right also. My ovarian cancer tumor did not grow or shrink significantly because it was inside a fibroid host tumor, which stayed the same, but got filled and then unfilled with ovarian cancer. I had my surgery 4 weeks ago, and they basically took everything I didn't need to survive. I had been in menopause for several years, and prior to the surgery had started bleeding and discharging weird stuff every day. I don't know what else to tell you, my friend, but I don't think I'd let it rest if I felt that uncomfortable. God bless. Keep us posted.
_________________
Forget regret - or life is yours to miss. -Rent

rmaureen · Experienced user Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 87

Hi Persephone:

I have to agree with what's been written--these are not normal symptoms and definitely warrant further investigation. I also had a watery discharge, needed to urinate all the time, bloating, anemia, huge clots and even still my gymecologist never checked for cancer which I was diagnosed 1.5 years after seeing her. I think you should tell this gymecologist you want to rule out cancer out by taking the necessary steps to do so. It may only be some type of infection, maybe easily treatable; but I concur--these are not normal symptoms. And if your gynecologist refuses to test further, then do what I wish I had done--dump him or her for another one! Take care, and I hope you have some answers soon,

Rhonda

Persephone

I thank you for your responses. Yes, I am realizing that these are not normal. I guess I am being uneducated in what tests you are thinking of that will rule out cancer. My scans show nothing. Doesn't that rule out cancer? She repeatedly told me that nothing showed in my cat scan. She also said that was almost a surefired way of ruling out cancer. She said that since I drank the contrast and had some of the iv dye that nothing would have gotten past it. I'm confused, please explain. Exactly what cancers do you have and what tests did you have to find your cancer? Did some of your tests come back 'normal' before you had others? I know that you are not diagnosing me, I would like your answers from your situation. I want to have an "arsenol" of information to present to my doctor when I call for another appointment. She is determined in her decision that my constipation is causing all of this. Perhaps she is thinking I have IBS which has some of the symptoms that I have. Have both of you had severe constipation as one of your symptoms? She gave me a prescription of Colace and Mirilax. Sorry if the spelling is off. I have not taken the mirillax yet but have been taking the Colace for 5 days. It hasn't done much of anything for me. Do you know a trick to help the constipation? I know that is causing the bloating higher up in my abdomen, but it isn't causing my swelling/bloating/pregnant look in my pelvis area. I have never been a 'thin' person. Could this also be caused by my age. I am 34, and I know that your body changes, no matter how much a bleach my hair white and have gentle spikes and funky glasses. I know that I have eaten more not so healthy snacks because I am anxious and somewhat down about being labeled as a crazy chubby constipated fool. Thanks again for your responses and I hope that with your knowledge, I can be more of an advocate for myself.

Persephone

to Robinflamingo: I am sorry I did not add in my response that I wish you a fast recovery, better health sprinkled with yummy chocolate cake....I have a friend that is a pastry chef who lives by the motto: I can find something wonderful every day that I can celebrate with a piece of cake. I can't imagine the pain and the emotions that you are going through. My only reference in my life that I comes a tiny bit close to what you are dealing with is my double mastectomy with reconstruction. Valium and therapy kept me sane and it was somewhat less painful. I hated the tubes, the scars, etc. Rest up and watch crappy soap operas or girly flicks. That helps too

rmaureen · Experienced user Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 87

Hi Persephone:

I did not realize you had a cat scan for your situation, so I would think that should rule the cancer pretty much out. You could insist on an endometrial biopsy of the uterus--another assessment, nevertheless I would think the scan should would had showed any cancer up. I am by no means a medical person, I was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma of the uterus September 2005. My bloating was primarily the upper abdomen, cancer had jumped up to a lymph node in that region, and the uterus. If my gynecologist been on it,(the first time I saw her I was already severely anemic from blood lost) she should had ordered an endometrial biopsy. She did order ultra sound which indicated multiple fibroid tumors and ovarian cysts. I also had a pap from her which revealed nothing BUT I believe if she had ordered a biopsy of the area or a cat scan it would had showed. I think you can rest easy on the cancer part given you had a scan and thats good news!

Still something must be causing such symptoms. I wonder if you should see someone in internal medicine about these symptoms? Meanwhile in trying to narrow down the causes, you might try a herbal colon cleansing product from the drug store(a lot are online too) to see if that helps with the constipation. Ask your doctor about Fleet Phospho-Soda--it will definitely cleanse you out but make sure its safe for you to take! Please keep us posted, I pray that you will find the answers to your questions.

Rhonda

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