Ovarian Cancer

[cindy62]

I went to my family doctor because of something that I felt during sexual intercourse. Being the gross person that I am I did my own exam(vaginal), feeling something on my right side. Since I was almost 1 year pass due on my annual pap I made an appt. She couldn't feel anything, so she sent me for an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound. the tech decided to do a transvaginal. Well the results were 1 cm cyst on left ovary and 2 cm mass on right, endometriosis uterine fibroids. So off to the ob-gyn I go. She says nothings wrong. Her exam consist of putting her little plastic thing in and pulling it right back out, no clicking open no feeling of anything, off for another tv ultrasound. The tech says she doesn't see what the other ultrasound showed but my r ovary is 2 cm larger and the doctor would probably want to do laproscopic to see whats going on. Well no she doesn't, needless to say I left there feeling no better than when I arrived. So i go back to my family doc and asked for a second opinion. Well I'm getting it. I would like to know why they say listen to your body if they don't want to hear it. We as women know somethings wrong after all it is our body. Maybe we don't have OC but we are terrified we do. DON'T THEY SAY EARLY DETECTION IS THE BEST. I mean whats the deal here. WE ARE AFRAID!!!!!!!!! We need reassurance we are ok not just everythings fine and push us out the door. I guess I should mention my symptoms here. pain in both sides, back pain, bowel changes, frequent urination(thought my bladder had dropped) fatigue, felt like my thighs were swelled. SO SOMEONE TELL ME ARE WE ALL FREAKING OUT HERE I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHATS GOING ON!!!!!

[valmoo55]

You definitly need second opinions. My endomitriosis went ignored and undiagnosed for months. My personal physician (an old man in his 60's) said my pain was because I was not clilmaxing. I should have reported him. Needless to say his diagnosis caused me months of pain till I was able to go to a women's clinic who the doctor (a woman) did a laporoscopy on me. She told me she had done hundreds of these for diagnosis and she said to me and my husband "You have really got a problem" . I had to wait another 6 weeks to get into surgery. I had massive scarring from endomitriosis that had pulled my right tube and ovary to my groin and was attached there. They had to cut it away and remove it. Also a large endomitrio cyst was found behind the ovary. My left ovary was tied by scar tissue to my colon. That one had to remain so that I would not have to have my colon removed. The exterior of my uterus was covered with scar tissue and inflamed. They gave me a full color video of the surgery. this was in 1991. I still watch the video occasionally just to see how messed up I was. I suggest you find out more about endomitriosis. Have that Laproscopy! That is the only way to see what is really going on! Good luck!

[cindy62]

Thanks for replying I feel like I'm being pushed from one doc to another. My family doc said the reason the ob/gyn didn't want to mess with me is because I have medicaid and she knew she would not get fully reimbersed for everything. What happened to the the promise they made when they became doctors?????????? Well anyway I see another ob/gyn tomarrow I guess I'll see what he says. I just know somethings wrong I know there's something going on thats not normal. I can feel it, so keep me in your prayers. I need an explanation, and I will get some satisfation somewhere, somehow. THANKS AGAIN, CINDY

[Karen ov]

Cindy,

Please push for f/u. I would suggest a CA 125 blood test. tho not always conclusive, a combination of an enlarging ovary, symptoms and a high CA 125, they would have an option but to send you on for further treatment. CA 125 is a marker for ovarian cancer...by itself it is not considered diagnostic until or unless you have ovarian cancer.

I don't understand the medicaid (?) system, but could you just go directly for a second opinion from say UCDavis Cancer Center or is a referral required?

Don't be scared (I understand that that's impossible)...use that energy to push for care...you deserve it! Fear won't make you well...action will!

Good luck...i'll watch for you and stay in touch...and, no you're not crazy! I am a stage 1c ovarian cancer survivor...2 years in march. if you need to hear my story, i'll share, otherwise just know that you're in my prayers.

karen