Cramping, bloating, nausea

Cecile Louise

I am almost 2 years out from my total hysterectomy, (endometrial & upsc, stage IB) and it's about a 1-1/2 years since my last chemo treatment (no radiation). For the last 7 weeks, I've been experiencing menstrual-type cramps (I keep feeling like I need to run to the restroom to see if I've started my period, LOL), bloating, a feeling of fullness or pressure in my lower abdomen, mild lower backache, the need to empty my bladder more often, and frequent (small) bowel movements. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms this far out from surgery? I have 2 titanium clips left in from my surgery and have experienced bad reactions to titanium hardware (knee surgery) before. I told my doctor all of the above. He is absolutely certain that the clips aren't the culprit (even with my history of titanium allergy) and he is ordering a CAT scan, but also indicated that he wanted to make sure "your mind isn't playing tricks on you" ...his words(sigh). I am trying to stay upbeat (maybe this is just a gastro-intestinal thing or adhesions/scar tissue ?) but of course that evil little "what if" lurks in the back of my mind. Thanks for giving me space to vent...and do let me know if anyone else has (or is) experiencing something similar.

Hugs to you all!
Cecile

california_artist

Very concerned
How soon til your doctor's appointment. Seems like you should be seen by somebody immediately. If your doctor's appointment is more than a week away, you might even consider going to the emergency room, where they might be likely to consider your problems not "just in your mind."

I swear, I may just land a punch to the next doctor that throws that tidbit out there and tell him it was just a figment of his imagination at work. Silly doctor.

Hugs, right back at ya,

Claudia

kkstef

california_artist said:

Very concerned
How soon til your doctor's appointment. Seems like you should be seen by somebody immediately. If your doctor's appointment is more than a week away, you might even consider going to the emergency room, where they might be likely to consider your problems not "just in your mind."

I swear, I may just land a punch to the next doctor that throws that tidbit out there and tell him it was just a figment of his imagination at work. Silly doctor.

Hugs, right back at ya,

Claudia

Concur with Claudia
Cecile.....I am hoping that you are getting your scan done real SOON! If not, I do think you need to see another dr. Do you have a GP that you go to? That person may be able to get you evaluated sooner! Your symptoms are NOT in your head!!!! ARGHHHHH!!

Karen

Kaleena

Go with your instinct
Cecile:

Doctors are not mind readers. Some doctor's just go by the charts. To ease your mind, I would request either CT Scan or PET Scan. Further, some doctors are not listening to what you are saying. I would also ask another doctor's opinion. Remember you are the one who cares about your health! And since it has been going on for 7 weeks, I would certainly demand another opinion and/or scans.

Let us know! We care about you!

Kathy

Cecile Louise

Kaleena said:

Go with your instinct
Cecile:

Doctors are not mind readers. Some doctor's just go by the charts. To ease your mind, I would request either CT Scan or PET Scan. Further, some doctors are not listening to what you are saying. I would also ask another doctor's opinion. Remember you are the one who cares about your health! And since it has been going on for 7 weeks, I would certainly demand another opinion and/or scans.

Let us know! We care about you!

Kathy

CAT scan set for tomorrow!
Thank you all SO, SO much for your support. Your concern has galvanized my resolve to get to the bottom of this. Unfortunately, I *still* tend fall into that "maybe he's right, he IS a doctor, after all, maybe I AM just imagining this" trap. Thanks for not letting me go there!!
I'll let y'all know how the CAT scan goes.
Again, thanks for helping me keep on the right track.

Hugs,
Cecile

kkstef

Cecile Louise said:

CAT scan set for tomorrow!
Thank you all SO, SO much for your support. Your concern has galvanized my resolve to get to the bottom of this. Unfortunately, I *still* tend fall into that "maybe he's right, he IS a doctor, after all, maybe I AM just imagining this" trap. Thanks for not letting me go there!!
I'll let y'all know how the CAT scan goes.
Again, thanks for helping me keep on the right track.

Hugs,
Cecile

BIG HUGS TO CECILE
We will all be thinking about you tomorrow and will anxiously wait for your update! I am SOOO relieved that you are moving ahead and getting this checked out!

Prayers and hugs to you!!!

Karen

california_artist

kkstef said:

BIG HUGS TO CECILE
We will all be thinking about you tomorrow and will anxiously wait for your update! I am SOOO relieved that you are moving ahead and getting this checked out!

Prayers and hugs to you!!!

Karen

Ditto to Karen's sentiments
Warm hugs and don't panic.

Unknown

california_artist said:

Ditto to Karen's sentiments
Warm hugs and don't panic.

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Cecile Louise

CAT scan clear!!!!
Nothing untoward showing on my CAT scan, except for some cysts in my liver and some mild diverticuloses, so now we're on a hunt to find out what is causing the cramps, nausea, etc. Onc is sending me to a urologist and if that doesn't show anything, I'll see a GI guy.
Thank you all for holding my hand...I'll keep you informed as the saga progresses.

Love, love,
Cecile

Kaleena

Cecile Louise said:

CAT scan clear!!!!
Nothing untoward showing on my CAT scan, except for some cysts in my liver and some mild diverticuloses, so now we're on a hunt to find out what is causing the cramps, nausea, etc. Onc is sending me to a urologist and if that doesn't show anything, I'll see a GI guy.
Thank you all for holding my hand...I'll keep you informed as the saga progresses.

Love, love,
Cecile

Cecile
Great news on your
Cecile

Great news on your CAT scan!

shortmarge

Kaleena said:

Cecile
Great news on your
Cecile

Great news on your CAT scan!

Ceclie
That's wonderful... You have a very Merry Christmas!

Ro10

Cecile Louise said:

CAT scan clear!!!!
Nothing untoward showing on my CAT scan, except for some cysts in my liver and some mild diverticuloses, so now we're on a hunt to find out what is causing the cramps, nausea, etc. Onc is sending me to a urologist and if that doesn't show anything, I'll see a GI guy.
Thank you all for holding my hand...I'll keep you informed as the saga progresses.

Love, love,
Cecile

Cecile so happy for your good news
So happy for your good CAT scan results. Hope you can get an answer for your cramps and nausea and hope you are feeling better soon. In peace and caring.

kkstef

Cecile Louise said:

CAT scan clear!!!!
Nothing untoward showing on my CAT scan, except for some cysts in my liver and some mild diverticuloses, so now we're on a hunt to find out what is causing the cramps, nausea, etc. Onc is sending me to a urologist and if that doesn't show anything, I'll see a GI guy.
Thank you all for holding my hand...I'll keep you informed as the saga progresses.

Love, love,
Cecile

GREAT NEWS!!!!
Cecile....WHEW!!!I am soooo relieved to hear your report. That is GREAT news, especially before the Holidays. So relax and enjoy everything.....and then you can get back on the trail of what is causing the nausea and cramps.

Such happy news! Karen

TiggersDoBounce

kkstef said:

GREAT NEWS!!!!
Cecile....WHEW!!!I am soooo relieved to hear your report. That is GREAT news, especially before the Holidays. So relax and enjoy everything.....and then you can get back on the trail of what is causing the nausea and cramps.

Such happy news! Karen

Awesome news Cecile
::::Doing the happy dance::::


Laurie

Unknown

Cecile Louise said:

CAT scan clear!!!!
Nothing untoward showing on my CAT scan, except for some cysts in my liver and some mild diverticuloses, so now we're on a hunt to find out what is causing the cramps, nausea, etc. Onc is sending me to a urologist and if that doesn't show anything, I'll see a GI guy.
Thank you all for holding my hand...I'll keep you informed as the saga progresses.

Love, love,
Cecile

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

california_artist

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Patricia
Hi, sometimes the bladder gets nicked during the surgery. That could have happened to you. Your idea of a visit to the urologist sounds marvey pooh. Try to cheer up. I love you, even though you are way, way out there at times. I can be a very endearing quality.

That's ah, the regular kind of love, not the girly with girly kind.

I think someone spiked my coffee, I've gone loopy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

california_artist

kkstef said:

Concur with Claudia
Cecile.....I am hoping that you are getting your scan done real SOON! If not, I do think you need to see another dr. Do you have a GP that you go to? That person may be able to get you evaluated sooner! Your symptoms are NOT in your head!!!! ARGHHHHH!!

Karen

Karen
I just love it when people concur with me. Hat's off to ya!! or me, I forget.

My coffee is definately spiked. You know, now that I think about it, I did get a different brand. It's one of those fair trade coffee things, it doesn't say what they traded it for,maybe they traded some of the coffee for marijuana. I better read the label.

Love your emails. Thanks.

Claudia

Unknown

california_artist said:

Patricia
Hi, sometimes the bladder gets nicked during the surgery. That could have happened to you. Your idea of a visit to the urologist sounds marvey pooh. Try to cheer up. I love you, even though you are way, way out there at times. I can be a very endearing quality.

That's ah, the regular kind of love, not the girly with girly kind.

I think someone spiked my coffee, I've gone loopy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

california_artist

Cecile Louise said:

CAT scan clear!!!!
Nothing untoward showing on my CAT scan, except for some cysts in my liver and some mild diverticuloses, so now we're on a hunt to find out what is causing the cramps, nausea, etc. Onc is sending me to a urologist and if that doesn't show anything, I'll see a GI guy.
Thank you all for holding my hand...I'll keep you informed as the saga progresses.

Love, love,
Cecile

Cecile
When I read that you scan was "clear except for some cysts in my liver," it really nagged at something in the back of my mind. I decided to let it go til Christmas was over. The nagging is because I'm not certain you can tell the difference between a cyst and cancer on a CT scan. I was wondering if your doctor had thought or offered to do further testing to make certain it is only a cyst. Like I menitoned I don't know how reliable a CT is in deciphering cyst from cancer. Please ask your doctor if he or she would be willing to stake their life on the CT scan results being accurate.

That, in combination with cramping nausea and bloating? I'm worried.

Sorry, but I have an obligation to say something.

Sincerely,

Claudia

daisy366

california_artist said:

Cecile
When I read that you scan was "clear except for some cysts in my liver," it really nagged at something in the back of my mind. I decided to let it go til Christmas was over. The nagging is because I'm not certain you can tell the difference between a cyst and cancer on a CT scan. I was wondering if your doctor had thought or offered to do further testing to make certain it is only a cyst. Like I menitoned I don't know how reliable a CT is in deciphering cyst from cancer. Please ask your doctor if he or she would be willing to stake their life on the CT scan results being accurate.

That, in combination with cramping nausea and bloating? I'm worried.

Sorry, but I have an obligation to say something.

Sincerely,

Claudia

I had the same thoughts, Cecile
I ditto Claudia. I think you should see your GYN/ONC.
Mary Ann

Cecile Louise

Love you guys!
Thank you for all your comments, thoughts and for keeping me on track here. No, my onc explained that the cysts are common and has not ordered any additional tests. My CAT scan report lists 3 stable cysts of varying sizes and 1 hypodensity in my liver, but then says "otherwise normal liver". Since he said it was normal or common I haven't given it much thought (can you say "denial"? LOL) but I'm pulling my head out of the sand. My onc has recommended that I see a urologist (I'm seeing him today) and if he can't figure out why I'm cramping, then I'm off to see a Gastro-guy. In addition, thanks to y'all, I've decided to be a little less passive and give my GP & my regular Gyno-guy a call and see what they have to say. One thing I'm learning: fear can make an otherwise fairly intelligent person (me) do some pretty stupid stuff (like ignoring something, hoping it will go away). I'm still not convinced my symptoms are not caused by the titanium clips, since I had a bad reaction to titanium before, but regardless, I need to get to the bottom of this. My life just may depend on it. Thanks for reminding me of that - and for just being here with me.
Hugs to you all
Cecile