Hello all, I'm totally new to this site and any advice would be very welcome. My problems started over 2 years ago now with pelvic pain and very heavy periods containing large clots of blood. I was afraid to go to the doctor fearing it could be cancer. After about 4 months my daughter forced me to go and see the doctor. I had a pap smear done and a pelvic exam. The doctor was concerned as I was bleeding more than normal when she did the smear and also my uterus was slightly enlarged. I was refered to see a gynaecologist at the hospital the same week. I had colposcopy and a cervical polyp was found. This was removed and a biopsy found nothing sinister. I thought the pelvic pain would go once the polyp was removed but it didn't. My heavy periods stopped though. Since then I have returned to the doctor complaining about the pelvic pain. I've had blood and urine tests, transvaginal ultrasound and a chest x-ray all have been normal. The pain is in my lower back, lower abdomen and into the tops of my legs now. I would describe it as a dull ache rather than anything particularly painful. It's more noticable when I am sitting or lying down. I am finding it difficult to sleep as it's really uncomfortable. My periods seem to have stopped altogether now aswell, still get them but only about every 3 months or so. I haven't been back to the doctor for months now but I'm really afraid that it could be ovarian cancer and I'm burying my head in the sand afraid to find out. Still working full-time and my appetite, water works, bowels are all ok and my weight is ok. I'm 44 years old. Please does anyone have any idea what could be wrong ? I'm absolutely convinced it's cancer and I'm worrying myself sick. I lost my mother to breast cancer at 48yrs old and this makes me worry even more. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hi and welcome! :wave:

Did your ultrasound show anything? What you're describing sounds like fibroids or endometriosis. You could also be approaching menopause, which could make your periods erratic too.

If I were you, I'd get a second opinion from another doctor and insist on answers. It'll help put your mind at ease, and hopefully give you some relief from the pain and other symptoms.

Big hugs,

Lisa

Hi Shashi, Thank you very much for your reply. My ultrasound was normal. Everything I've had done has been normal. Doctor even suggested it was all in my head. Find this difficult to accept as until all this started I was always well and seldom visited a doctor. I've just got myself paranoid that it's cancer and they just haven't found it yet. I think about it all the time. I will try to pluck up the courage to go back to the doctor and tell her how I'm feeling. I'll let you know how things go. Thanks again and big hugs to you too
Katy.

Hey Katy,

I am a newbie too. I agree, I would talk to your doctor about endometriosis. I was told at 22 that I had it. Same pain that you were going through, but a little worse until I got my surgery. I had a laparoscopy done and my doc found endometriosis. it has been 3 years and my pain has gone away with the help of Necon (generic BC for Ovcon). It has recently come back and I have 2 options. Surgery or a druf called Lupron. I joined to find out more about the drug and how people dealt with it. Is all I can say if you assume the worse, you bring on the worst? Read the book "The Secret". Wow did it help with life in general. Hope all is well!!! :)

So if the worst is you'd be diagnosed with cancer - would life be over? Only if you continue to stick your head in the sand. If you are not sure of what your DR. has told you then get a second opinion, right down your symptoms, make a list of your questions and TALK with the DR. I also suggest taking another set of ears in with you- if all you hear is Cancer then you need someone there who can hear the rest.
Fear, emotion, crying, pity will do nothing for you except lead you to the grave, divorce, family problems.
At 44 you have many things it could be , Menopause, ovarion cysts, endometriosis, age - none of those a death sentence.
Feel good about who you are- believe in your self, if you aren't able to care for yourself properly you can not expect you'll be able to care for anyone else or help them if they need guidance.
Get a second opinion, DR's do not take it personally - its your life, you can live it or hide from it.
From a cancer survivor (5 yrs) cancer isn't the end of the world, you can learn alot, share alot, undestand better, expierence what life is.
Relax, take a hot bath go get a massage, maybe try accupuncture- treat yourself to relaxation.
Also- How old is your mattress? How is your diet? Do you eat white rice, white noodles on a daily basis? Foods we eat can casue inner imflamation, maybe see a nutritionist.
You'll be fine if you believe in yourself and be pro active, not stuck in the sand.

Hi,
You sound just like me. I am 44 too and I experinced the same exact symptoms. I had a beign polyp taken off of my cervix, the weird periods with heavy clotting and bleeding. I usually have a least one day where I change my tampon and pad every hour! I have the lower pain in my pelvis and pain in my lower back and upper legs. But this pain isn't all the time, usually just before, during and right after my period. I am due to go to the midwife for a pap in sept. and I will mention these, but I expect it is approaching menopause. I know what you mean about ovairan cancer. I know 2 people that have been diagnoised with that this year and it is very scary. You really should check out the menopause section here. You wouldn't believe some of the symptoms that you can have with the onset of menopause. My periods are still regular, but I don't expect to be that way for long. Judging by my chin hairs anyway! If your test came back okay chances are you are fine, it could be anxiety that comes with menopause that is causing you to panic. As with all things the anxiety will soon pass, but just knowing that it's probably that might make you feel better. If you are really worried, call your doctor and tell him your concerns. If he is concerned he will order tests, but don't be surprised if he doesn't. My back hurts right now and I feel all crampy, and I just finished my period! In the back of my mind I worry a little too, but unless mine gets worse or doesn't go away like usual then I will wait until sept to find out more. Getting older is a pain, actually it's alot of pains, but what can you do? Try not to freak. Call your dr. if you are really worried, but I would read some of the posts on menopause first. God Bless.

Hey Katy,

I am a newbie too. I agree, I would talk to your doctor about endometriosis. I was told at 22 that I had it. Same pain that you were going through, but a little worse until I got my surgery. I had a laparoscopy done and my doc found endometriosis. it has been 3 years and my pain has gone away with the help of Necon (generic BC for Ovcon). It has recently come back and I have 2 options. Surgery or a druf called Lupron. I joined to find out more about the drug and how people dealt with it. Is all I can say if you assume the worse, you bring on the worst? Read the book "The Secret". Wow did it help with life in general. Hope all is well!!! :)
Yay! another shhhhh "the secret" fan :) I watched this movie a year ago (for the first time) :) and have been trying to practice the law of attraction in every situation ~ including this cancer scare... It truly does help to have positive thoughts :)
~namaste