Panic Stricken

[Msbarkyj]

Greetings All.  I am 57 yr old, post menopausal woman who may be deemed a hypochondriac.  However, better safe than sorry is how I look at things.  I developed GI problems at a young age.  Mostly a nervous stomach upset brought on by any type of excitement or big event.    Eighteen months ago, on two occasions I went into the ER and the last visit was hospitalized with  pancreatitis diagnosis.  For the past 4-5 months I experience mild pain in my left side, as well as back pain. One certain area of my lower back hurts when changing sleep positions at night?  The pain is not constant nor is it severe, just annoying and on a daily basis, bloating, gas, and occasional bouts of IBS.  I have gained weight, but I contribute this to my age and addiction to sugar.  My mother died after a long bout with colon cancer.  I've been self-diagnosing (bad-I know) myself with Diverticulitis and have made an appt. with a GI doc. I think my husband is concerned with Ovarian cancer.  He makes mention that I need to get a hysterectomy.    Now I'm freaking myself out and thinking about Ovarian Cancer.  I know that no one can give me any answers and I should seek diagnosis from a doctor, but I just need to throw my concern out there to those of you who have  experienced the same. I work a very stressful and time consuming job and can't be shuffled back and forth between Dr. appointments  .I know time is crucial for many illnesses and most doctors schedules  are full and they can't schedule you out for days, sometimes weeks. Something is definitely not right.  I thought about entering the ER several times this week.  Just not sure which way to go right now.  Any suggestions or thoughts?  Thank you for allowing me your time and this space.  

[HVAC]

Gastro problems can be serious and cause pain. Ask your husband if he likes sex? If he does he wants you to keep your organs. Not only do you lose interest and orgasms, intercourse is too painful. I grit my teeth and say hurry up. Then it burns when I pee for a week. I now have to have sex for my husband. He feels bad and does not want to then he is miserable. I never had problems with intercourse. Plus the uterus is connected to the Vagina. Lose the uterus and what you have is a sock. A lot harder for intercourse. Not to mention bone density problems. I also miss the intimacy. I had to lose mine because of cancer but I miss my old self. If I had known at 49 I was losing my sex life I am not sure I would have had the surgery.

Alex

[icecream16]

I have had several bouts with what I've thought was a mild case of diverticulitis. theost recent two weeks ago . ache on left side just like you described! the antibiotic Flagyl and amoxicillon cures me and the pail goes away. it's hard for people to understand but I do! hope you feel better soon.

[old_before_my_time]

Chances of it being some sort of gastrointestinal (GI) issue is much greater than the chance of ovarian cancer. Contrary to the alarmingly high rate of hysterectomies and ovary removals and what most gynecologists lead women to believe, the uterus and ovaries are needed our whole lives for good health. So it is best to hang onto them absent gynecologic cancer.

Prostate cancer rates are much higher than any gynecologic cancers yet men do not have their prostates removed unless they have cancer. Ditto for their testicles. The problem seems to partly lie in the fact that women's organs are called "reproductive" organs versus sex organs. Plus gynecology is a surgical specialty.  

[HVAC]

Statistically ovarian cancer is a long shot, 2% in a life time. Start with a GYN and a transvaginal ultrasound it is the only way to find ovarian cancer. ERs are bad places to be diagnosed. I went in throwing up with full blown cancer and they sent me home. Hysterectomies are serious business to a woman's over all health. It takes awhile to be diagnosed with most conditions. Unfortunately it is not like on TV. Most of the problem is with doctors specializing. You have to get to the right specialty. I am sorry there is no easy fix.
Alex