Am I overreacting?

Hi ladies...I just need to know if I'm overreacting here. I have had increasing pain in my hips, back, pelvic area and lower legs for several months. It finally got to the point I couldn't ignore it so I went to the gyn. I had a TAH, leaving my ovaries, in 2006. Nothing felt on pelvic exam, but ultrasound showed a partially fluid, partially solid 7.7 cm ovarian cyst. We decided to watch for 6 weeks and see what happened. CA-125 also performed and results were within normal range. Within two weeks I knew I wouldn't wait another 4 weeks, so finally called back and told them it was getting worse. I went in for another exam and the ultrasound showed the cyst still there, not getting any smaller. Doctor wants it out laparoscopically so I've scheduled surgery for 2/25.

Here's my concern. Since last Friday I have really seen an increasing change in my bowel habits and have noticed that I sometimes feel like I have a UTI. Now, I've noticed this before last week, but it's increasing. Today I had a bowel movement that included pain in my lower pelvic region that made me wince. On top of that, I've been taking Lortab for several weeks steadily at night for pain. Normally I would be constipated, but instead, I feel like if I weren't on the Lortab, I would have diarhhea. Loose BM's hit me sometimes 2-3 times a day, which is not normal for me. I've also had increasing gas this past week.

So the question is, am I gettin alarmed for nothing? I obviously will share all this with my wonderful gyn at my pre-op appt. next Monday, but I just have this sinking feeling about possibe OVCA. Am I crazy? Am I reading too much? Any reassurance would be appreciated, but honesty is preferred!

Lisa:

I don't think you're overreacting -- sounds like there's something going on. Gosh, it's so scary not knowing, isn't it? I can totally relate to how your mind runs immediately to the worst and most scary outcomes. I suppose that's natural. You've come to the right place if you need to vent. Sorry you have to be here, but since you are -- welcome! :-)

I think you're doing exactly what you should be doing -- getting yourself thoroughly checked out and the cyst removed asap. You're smart not to explain away your symptoms -- to consider all possibilities, since we all know that OVCA symptoms are often the same as very benign conditions. So tricky. However, as our dear HysterSister Ellen would say, "Don't waste a good panic." Seems like there's also plenty of chance that it ISN'T OVCA.

You said that you felt like you had a UTI -- have you been tested for that? Have you talked with your Dr. about what he/she thinks -- if OVCA is a worry? I wonder if the increasing stress of your worry could be contributing to your symptoms -- I know that I get intestinal distress when I'm really stressed.

Sorry I don't have any better advice for you. There are others on this forum who know much more about ovarian symptoms than I do who may be more helpful. I sure can relate to your fear, however. Every time I go in for my 3-month check-up, that mean-old "cancerhead" rears its ugly head -- and I don't even have to have any symptoms to convince myself that something might be wrong.

So please know that we're here for you -- HUGS!

Hi Lisa
A normal CA125 is reassuring, very unlikely to be cancer.
ovarian cysts can become quite large, certain features are seen on ultrasound that suggest pace of needed follow up. solid material must be investigated thoroughly/large size of the cyst is important too.
Constipation, gas and bloating are known signs of ovarian cancer, but are usually gradual over a longer time; sometimes deep seated fear/anxiety can point toward outward symtpoms. I have had it happen to me and I know of others.
Have you thought about discussing prophylactic oophorectomy with your GYN if you have had large/recurrent cysts, any family history of Ovarian CA etc.
I can relate to your apprehension, it is probably helpful to motivate one to stay on top of things, good luck with this. I had a lot of fears before my surgery (LAVTHBSO on 1/23/08 for endo/solid cyst left ovary (turned out to be endometriotic cyst), I can tell you I feel a million times better with the knowledge that I never have to fear ovarian cancer grabbing me.

Good luck with all this, you will be okay
God bless
Louie

My suggestion would be to see a gynecologic oncologist or endometriosis specialist. I had many urinary and intestinal symptoms which I did not immediately identify with my cyst but when my surgery was done it was clear that they were due to my endometriosis...which got to grade 4 by the time I was identified for surgery. Worth a shot...my opinion, better to have one surgery that takes care of everything rather than multiple laps. FWIW.

Good luck to you.

dear otessa...i have to agree with flrabbit about consulting with a gyn/onc and if cancer is suspected, then have him/her perform the surgery or at least be available in case of complications.

re ovca symptoms...i did not have any pain when dx...my first visible sign was a watery discharge; pap smear fine; a month later had some post-menopausal bleeding; had ultrasound which showed a 3 cm. solid mass on right ovary. only in hindsight did i have symptoms which i attributed to my age...56 at the time...increased weight around the middle, change in bowel habits (more frequent) and having to get up in the night a couple of times to urinate. other than those "vague" symptoms, i was perfectly healthy, fit and active.

your pain, bowel changes and cyst may very well be caused by something other than ovca. maybe get a second opinion to explore additional options for surgery.

best wishes to you in making your decisions and i sincerely hope it isn't cancer.

Ladies...as usual, the women on HS are wonderful! My gyn did ask about bladder/bowel symptoms last Friday, but at that point all I could say was that I did occasionally feel like I had a UTI and had taken cranberry for it. I do not think they checked for a UTI at the time. I've had what they used to call a spastic colon my whole life, so it's very hard for me to tell if I've had a lot of change. Like I said, I have noticed over the past couple of weeks the increased gas and loose BM's. But the noticed pain has been ongoing for several months and increasing...like I said, to the point of a doctor visit. I actually first mentioned this to my regular family practice doc in December who recommended I go to my gyn since I had had the TAH and that's where the pain was occuring.

My gyn also mentioned possible adhesions from the TAH, but it's been 18 months and we know that there was nothing there in 10/06 when I had a CAT scan for possible adhesions/hematomas.

Wow...wouldn't it be nice to not have to go through all this to figure it out?

You ladies are awesome and I will keep you up-to-date. I have never been so welcomed at a HS forum...I can't say enough good things about HS!!!!

s Lisa
I am sorry that you are having this worry. I am sure you have already learned that the only way to find out what the cyst is, is through surgery and pathology. Things like a CA 125, CT scan and transvaginal ultrasound can indicate there might be cancer. A CA 125 is not a very good diagnostic tool and it's usefulness comes into play following an ovarian cancer diagnosis to help determine if surgery and/or treatment is working and to help determine if there is a recurrence.

That being said, most ovarian cysts are benign and not cancer. It is good that you are being proactive in finding out what this is. You may want to check out the section here at HysterSisters called Ovaries Only as we have members there who have had cysts following their hysterectomies.

You may also want a second opinion from a gyn/onc too. They have the expertise in diagnosing, surgery and treatment of gyn cancers and one would be helpful in guiding you in what direction you should be going at this stage.

s and ers
Jane

hi again lisa/otessa...re your comment about adhesions not showing up on your c.t. scan of 10/06...i had a c.t. scan prior to my first surgery by my obs/gyn which did NOT show the adhesions. after removing ovaries, tubes and mass, he had to discontinue the surgery because my uterus was attached (at the back) to my bowel and he was not qualified to go any further. i was operated on by a gyn/onc 4-1/2 wks. later to complete the surgery, incl. bowel re-section,debulking, staging, etc.

sorry to make things even more confusing for you...just don't want you to have to go thru 2 surgeries like i did. best to get everything taken care of the first time.

good luck and keep in touch.

Hi Lisa,

Actually, ovarian cysts can cause all of the symptoms you mention. But it's good that you're getting everything checked out, just to be on the safe side.

Last fall, I had an ultrasound which showed a 4-cm complex, solid cyst (tumor) on my left ovary. I'd been having a lot of pain in my pelvic area and up under my ribcage on the left, as well as in my left shoulder. I also had constipation/diarrhea for several months previous, along with abdominal bloating which was attributed to IBS. Along with that I had lack of appetite, weight loss of 25 lbs. in just a few months without dieting, burning on urination, extreme fatigue, etc. All of these are symptoms of ovarian cancer, but, they are also symptoms that can be caused by ovarian cysts.

I had surgery in December to have both ovaries removed (the other one had a functional cyst.) It was supposed to have been a laparocopic surgery, but due to "extremely severe adhesions", I ended up with a laparotomy (open procedure).

The cyst turned out to be a cystadenofibroma, which is a benign tumor. In addition, one of my fallopian tubes was swollen, and everything was stuck to my pelvic wall and colon. My doctor had quite a time getting everything out and had a lot of work cleaning everything up.

Since having the surgery, all of the symptoms I'd been having have disappeared, and I feel world's better.

The positive thing is that the majority of ovarian cysts are benign. So, while I know it's scary, chances are, you have nothing to worry about.

s,

Lisa

Hi there ladies...thanks for the encouragement. I wasn't really too worried until these digestive symptoms started up. I'm going to keep good thoughts, make sure I discuss all this with my doc at pre-op next week, and know that I am doing the best thing. As I said, he was fearful of adhesions too so I have to know going in that I may be in for more than a laparoscopic procedure...but I've been through a TAH so at least I have a comparsison point! Many, many, many thanks to you all...and I'll keep you up-to-date!