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Physical symptoms of OV cancer

Ceara
Ceara CSN Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Can anyone tell me how they felt phsically before they were diagnosed with ov cancer? I have not been feeling well and read an article about Gilda Radner and now I'm pretty scared. My grandmother died from gyn cancers and just want some input. Thanks very much, Ceara
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Comments

  • TealRibbon
    TealRibbon CSN Member Posts: 44 Member
    #2
    Ceara,

    I had most of these symptoms:

    Pelvic or abdominal pain and/or feeling of fullness

    Swelling of abdomen/ Unexplained weight gain.

    Weight loss / appetite loss

    Bloating

    Tiredness (I was extremely tired)

    Persistent gastro upsets: Gas, nausea, indigestion

    Backache

    Urinary problems (up every three hours at night to pee)

    Changes in bowel habits (Constipation)

    In addition to the symptoms listed I had a blood clot in my leg, which is what finally got me to the ER.

    I did not know these were signs of OVCA.

    You should get to your doctor and explain your fears to him/her. It may be nothing, but you need to be checked out!
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  • Airwayqueen
    Airwayqueen CSN Member Posts: 14 Member
    #3
    Hello, I had OVC and have been cancer free for two years. My symptoms were: a feeling of heaviness in my stomach, bloating, bowel movement inconsistency, spotting, and finally pain. Get yourself to a doctor.

    If you have more questions, please ask

    Gayla
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  • groundeffect
    groundeffect CSN Member Posts: 639 Member
    #4
    TealRibbon mentions a blood clot in her leg. Deep Vein Thrombosis can be a symptom of OVCA that is not discussed much, although ovarian cancer is sometimes given as a symptom of DVT.

    I was dx with uterine cancer (and ovarian cancer after my hysterectomy) after being submitted to a hospital with a pulmonary embolism in a lung, caused by a clot breaking loose. I didn't know what DVT was at the time, and had swelling in a leg for months before, along with the symptoms considered more typical for OVCA-bloating, bleeding, tiredness, and urinary problems, all things I was having investigated when I had the PE.

    I've had a number of medical professionals say to me that they know that DVT can be an indicator of ovarian cancer, but it's not a symptom that's usually listed for OVCA.

    I've been told I was fortunate to have the PE force the issue and bring the cancer to light in such early stages-the UTCA was Stage 1b, the OVCA stage 1c.
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  • groundeffect
    groundeffect CSN Member Posts: 639 Member
    #5
    Johanna's Law-The Gynecologic Cancer Education & Awareness Act o
    A bill has been introduced to Congress by Congressman Sander M. Levin and
    Congresswoman Kay Granger to promote education about gynecological cancers.

    The bill would authorize a national gynecological cancer early detection and awareness campaign directed at women and their physicians.

    For a synopsis of the bill, see http://thegrouproom.com/johanna.htm ;

    to send your representatives an email supporting the bill, see http://congress.nw.dc.us/sgo/home/

    Education has been a primary concern in the OVCA support group I attend. There is general agreement that if we had been more educated about ovarian cancer, we probably would have been quicker to find the root of the symptoms that we had. Sending an email to your representatives is a good way to express your opinion, and your right as a member of their constituency.
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