Getting an ultrasound tomorrow to check for an ovarian cyst

[fuzzyeyes]

I'm worried and scared though. My mom has had ovarian cancer, but I'm only a 21 year old woman. She didn't have it until she was around 40.
Does anyone have any other ideas what the problem could be? These are my symptoms, more have added between these two months I've been experiencing this:
- Lower left abdominal swelling after eating [it's always a little swollen now, even when not eating]
- Lower left rib cage protrusion
- Slight sting in stomach/left rib/left lung at certain angles
- Green bowel movements [sometimes]
- Watery stool for four days straight accompanied by terrible cramping
- Red/Orange period blood / not as heavy as usual
- Sleepiness
- Nausea
- Trouble breathing in steamy environments like a shower with the door shut
- Lower left dull sting of pain from time to time
- General fullness in my abdomen

I think those are it

Does anyone know what the hell is wrong with me? The rib has me pretty darn concerned, I've been to three doctors [without blood tests, just urinalysis, which came back clean by the way] and they've just said it's protruding because I'm so thin, but that's not the case.

Please help :( Thank you

Also I keep getting swollen lymph nodes [ I think ] I have one right now in my right armpit and it hurts and is red
I thought I was getting them from shaving or doing push ups but now I don't know. Also two month ago when this all started I had a cyst in my breast, it was like a zit and it was painful but it's gone now, dunno if that means anything.

[fuzzyeyes]

also another weird things started happening. Three days ago, and right now still, my breasts started feeling sore. Now I am of course thinking the worse- breast cancer. Which would make sense because I keep getting swollen lymph nodes every now and then lately. Bodies suck when this stuff happens in them

[fuzzyeyes]

I've never been diagnosed but I'm pretty spot-on for social anxiety

I haven't gotten the marker test yet, last weekend I was finally able to get my ultrasound. My appointment for results are on the 28th of this month. I'm pretty scared, why would they need to make an appointment if it were nothing? So I'm guessing something is wrong, but the woman giving me the ultrasound never said anything.

The doctors that looked over me were honestly really stupid and because they were so off with their results I knew I needed all sorts of scans and tests like ultrasounds and whatnot. I know anxiety can play tricks, but they can't make my abdomen swell for three months and continuing or the lower part of my left rib protrude out and sting, and cause me to have trouble breathing if I lay a certain way, that's how I know this isn't anxiety, though believe me I wish it were

Thank you so much again

[specialmom]

The marker test is more important for determining cancer than the ultrasound.

What else could be going on to cause these issues though?  As I said, some sound very unrelated.  Do you by any chance have anxiety (more than just the normal nervousness that we all get)?  it very well could be irritable bowel syndrome.  A GI related issue.

At your age, to have ovarian cancer is very unlikely.  Statistics show that it is not your age range that is afflicted.  That is not to say it can't ever happen though and that is why I brought up the marker test.  Ovarian cancer is tricky.  It's not usually detected until it is stage 3 or 4 as that is when symptoms happen.  Then as they remove the bulk of the cancer, seeds they couldn't se remain in other places.  It's a difficult type of cancer to treat because of the seeding.  But I am about 98 percent sure you don't have ovarian cancer at this point.  It is true, that with your mother's history you will need to watch more closely and do breast exams and keep on top of watching for any signs of cancer.  However, I will tell you that my mother in law died of ovarian cancer and none of her daughters have gotten it.  They are in their 50's and 40's.  so, please try not to worry about this.  Again, I'm 98 percent sure you don't have cancer but to be prudent, bring it up to your doctor.  The marker test is a pretty full proof way to know because if the number is elevated on anyone, it is a red flag.  This is how we could tell if my mother in law had cancer.  if the number was increasing or outside of normal for her two relapses.  

Again, probably GI related.  What does your doctor say?  Have you had a full exam?  I believe squeaky wheel gets the oil when it comes to getting doctors to go all out to determine our issues.  I do also know that anxiety can start to play tricks on us and we can have physical symptoms from that too.  

Let us know how it goes dear!

[fuzzyeyes]

Thank you for being so helpful. That's still dangerous. Dare I ask.. but do you know how quickly this sort of cancer moves through the body? I'm scared to find out.

I went to the hospital to get the ultrasound, but I couldn't afford the price. I rescheduled the appointment for next week. I really hope all holds out until them. I'm experiencing pain not only in my abdomen, but also my lung and heart. Not constant pain, just sparks from time to time.

I will definitely have to ask them to do that marker test. Do you know the cost of that off hand? Yes, after doing research online I thought it may be Irritable Bowel Syndrome. [Possibly even breast cancer?] It sounded right, but given my mother's history with ovarian cancer, cysts are more likely.... for now.

It really is terrifying. Thank you for being someone to help me through it, and thank you for helping to ease my mind. :,)

[specialmom]

Hi, well, definitely ask for a cancer marker test, the CA125.  If that number is elevated, then it is a concern.  since it runs in your family, this would be really important to have.  Hopefully your insurance covers it.

Let me explain seeding.  This is not meant to scare you but it is more than just being small.  Think of it as weeds.  When you have one big weed, you can pull that out if it hasn't started seeding at the top.  Once it seeds, little particles go everywhere and the you have a lot of weeds.  So, it is better to get the big weed before it goes to seed.  Does that make sense? The seeding cancers are some of the hardest to treat because little cancer seeds spread out.  They are small but a lot of them and they grow.  

I think it is important to get checked out fully if you have symptoms of ovarian cancer and a family history.  While it is much more common with women much older than you----  it can also happen to a younger woman.  

Many of what you listed would be unrelated to ovarian cancer for the record.  The bloating, abdominal pain, and gi problems along with lymph nodes are more concerning.  but I wouldn't think you have cancer from what you've listed per se.  But with a family history, it is smart to get it checked out.

I do wish you luck.  I know it is scary. But the odds are totally and completely on your side that it isn't cancer.  good luck

[fuzzyeyes]

I went to get the ultrasound today and it turns out I won't be able to afford it until Monday. They haven't done that test, it's not even confirmed there's a cyst in me yet, but I believe there is. It's been a relief to know that ovarian cancer is small but spread out. Well, the 'small' part has been a relief. I've had that on my mind. Thank you for letting me know

[fuzzyeyes]

Thank you so, so much. It means a lot to me

[Nighthawk61]

I'm praying for your physical and mental health dear child. Peace be with you.

[specialmom]

Well, I think that they are looking into the cyst is good.  Some cysts are benign.  In truth, ovarian cancer is a seeding cancer meaning much of it is very small but spread out.  Have they done an ovarian cancer marker test on you?  It is the CA125 test.  I would ask for this as it can show if there is an elevation of the numbers that indicate cancer.