Recurrence symptoms?

jbeans888
jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I would like to ask the ladies who have had a recurrence if they had any symptoms? Did you feel the cancer coming back at all? How long where you in remission if you did have a recurrence? It has only been less than 3 months and I feel like my cancer is coming back. I go to the gyn/onc tomorrow for a follow up and I am going to tell her I feel bloated and have some soreness. I am freaking out! Maybe I am just paranoid, but I am still freaking out. I am too young for this crap. OMG

Comments

  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #2
    I knew when it came back
    and I also new when I was ned. I had some lower abdominal pain and some lethary. I was remission for 6 months, You have been in remission for 3 month and I doubt your cancer is back, Stay ned and don't worry,,buy more icecream cake,,,val
  • Radioactive34
    Radioactive34 Member Posts: 391 Member
    #3
    I wonder if I will ever be
    I wonder if I will ever be able to tell a reocurrence from the normal? I mean chemo side effects are supposed to last a long time. What if it is just chemo left overs? Let us know what your onc says.
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #4
    Radioactive34 said:

    I wonder if I will ever be
    I wonder if I will ever be able to tell a reocurrence from the normal? I mean chemo side effects are supposed to last a long time. What if it is just chemo left overs? Let us know what your onc says.

    We've all got adhesions from
    We've all got adhesions from the debulking surgery. They can cause a lot of scary symptoms & even lead to bowel obstructions. There was some research that said OVCA symptoms usually occurred within 4-6 months of an elevation of the CA-125 (>70).

    All that being said, it is possible to be in a recurrence and not even be aware of it at all. Sorry there are no clear answers for your questions--everyone is different.

    I had to do a lot of deep massage on my abdominal-pelvic area for many months before could feel normal in that area again. I'm still on a chemo break for now but so far everything is staying inactive.
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #5
    Sorry to say
    The good news is that I was in remission for over 3 years (diagnosed 3C), but the not so good news is that I felt very well when a CA-125 showed my counts were creeping up. Here's the really strange thing, I was always very anxious before my three month check-ups, but there were times when cancer wasn't a constant thought. You're not paranoid, it's natural to be anxious. I have an appt. on Monday with my ONC before my Tues. chemo and I'm trying hard not to fixate on every little ache or pain. We'll be waiting to hear how your appt. went.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • pjdreams
    pjdreams Member Posts: 77
    #6
    Hello
    I was in remission for 10 months after my original diagnosis/surgery/chemo. In August (2010) my ca125 and CT scans were fine, by October I started having very pronounced, constant pain on my right side. Tests revealed CA125 of 77 and CT scan showed advanced progression. Major surgery followed plus chemo, trying to find the right combination that will stabilize the tumors, still trying.

    Try not to fret about every ache and pain, I know they certainly come and go, but watch for pain that's constant. you know your body the best and if you feel something isn't right contact your doctor.

    Wishing you all the best and sending strength your way.

    Paula
  • jbeans888
    jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
    #7
    I love you ladies
    Everytime I feel Lost I know I can count on you ladies. I saw my gyn/onc today she did an exam and said everything looked and felt fine. She thinks that I need a support group. Lol. I said I have one. She also said I have some neuropathy in my hands. I asked about chemo brain because I still feel weird at times and she said it can last for quit a while. I go to my hemo/onc Monday so I will have my blood work done and prob a scan in a month. I hope it is all just in my chemo head. I will keep you all posted.
  • sarahb74
    sarahb74 Member Posts: 81 Member
    #8
    I've had two recurrences,
    both of them quite diffent. I knew it was back though. The first time I was in remission for a year then started with ascites and vomitting. the second time I wasn't really in remission, they'd just beat my numbers back down again and my third line chemo started just 2 months after the previous lot had ended. Symptoms with second recurrence were bloating, but very little ascites, and severe abdominal pain.
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #9
    sarahb74 said:

    I've had two recurrences,
    both of them quite diffent. I knew it was back though. The first time I was in remission for a year then started with ascites and vomitting. the second time I wasn't really in remission, they'd just beat my numbers back down again and my third line chemo started just 2 months after the previous lot had ended. Symptoms with second recurrence were bloating, but very little ascites, and severe abdominal pain.

    You are not paranoid
    About two months after I was pronounced in remission, I was sure IT was back. I posted about it here. I made an appointment with my onc and didn't tell my family. I figured if it was back, they would know soon enough. It was nothing. That was in December and I have been much calmer since then. I get a little freaked before my CA125 every three months but other than that I try really hard to "think" healthy.

    You just need time to settle in. Your life will go back to normal, well the new normal I guess we call it. But you will relax about it. You can't let the monster control your life when you are well.

    Karen
  • dreamer007
    dreamer007 Member Posts: 61
    #10
    kikz said:

    You are not paranoid
    About two months after I was pronounced in remission, I was sure IT was back. I posted about it here. I made an appointment with my onc and didn't tell my family. I figured if it was back, they would know soon enough. It was nothing. That was in December and I have been much calmer since then. I get a little freaked before my CA125 every three months but other than that I try really hard to "think" healthy.

    You just need time to settle in. Your life will go back to normal, well the new normal I guess we call it. But you will relax about it. You can't let the monster control your life when you are well.

    Karen

    i wanted to believe that my abdominal swelling was due to allergies...got plenty
    of those, esp to foods
    about the middle of last week, i was informed by my onc doc RN that the cancer
    is back, and that armidex must bediligently taken every day, and will be evaluated
    in a month... reading "My Grandfather's Blessings" has given me a better outlook,
    and renewed the committment to the great spirit...looking inside for strength

    its been an extremely hot summer, where i live (texas), which curtailed my long walks
    the walks were shortened to the store and back --about 30 minutes-- a couple days
    a week... each time, i got very winded on the return trip home... not sure if that is
    a sign that its too hot, or if my body is weakened by exertion due to recurrence

    even if chemo is recommended, i will continue to walk, when i have a little energy
    its good for health, and good to get out and see how wonderful nature truly is
    its been fun watching the squirrels getting ready for winter, and "acting squirrely"

    its not always easy to count the blessings, but when times are tough, its easier
    to appreciate the little things, and to give more than get

    dreamer
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #11
    dreamer007 said:

    i wanted to believe that my abdominal swelling was due to allergies...got plenty
    of those, esp to foods
    about the middle of last week, i was informed by my onc doc RN that the cancer
    is back, and that armidex must bediligently taken every day, and will be evaluated
    in a month... reading "My Grandfather's Blessings" has given me a better outlook,
    and renewed the committment to the great spirit...looking inside for strength

    its been an extremely hot summer, where i live (texas), which curtailed my long walks
    the walks were shortened to the store and back --about 30 minutes-- a couple days
    a week... each time, i got very winded on the return trip home... not sure if that is
    a sign that its too hot, or if my body is weakened by exertion due to recurrence

    even if chemo is recommended, i will continue to walk, when i have a little energy
    its good for health, and good to get out and see how wonderful nature truly is
    its been fun watching the squirrels getting ready for winter, and "acting squirrely"

    its not always easy to count the blessings, but when times are tough, its easier
    to appreciate the little things, and to give more than get

    dreamer

    I was diagnosed almost
    I was diagnosed almost exactly 2 years ago, and have been "officially" NED for 18 months. I have been convinced, during that year and a half, that I was having a recurrence about 4 or 5 times. So far, they have all been false alarms. One was an incisional hernia, which I was sure was a huge tumor. One was a UTI and a hiatial hernia. More than once, I've called my family together to give them the "bad news." I'm going to try and not do that anymore.

    If I could check my CA125 myself, like my husband checks his glucose, I'd probably do it every day. Maybe it's a good thing I can't.

    It's not a recurrence until you have proof of a recurrence. Keep reminding yourself of that.

    Carlene
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #12
    dreamer007 said:

    i wanted to believe that my abdominal swelling was due to allergies...got plenty
    of those, esp to foods
    about the middle of last week, i was informed by my onc doc RN that the cancer
    is back, and that armidex must bediligently taken every day, and will be evaluated
    in a month... reading "My Grandfather's Blessings" has given me a better outlook,
    and renewed the committment to the great spirit...looking inside for strength

    its been an extremely hot summer, where i live (texas), which curtailed my long walks
    the walks were shortened to the store and back --about 30 minutes-- a couple days
    a week... each time, i got very winded on the return trip home... not sure if that is
    a sign that its too hot, or if my body is weakened by exertion due to recurrence

    even if chemo is recommended, i will continue to walk, when i have a little energy
    its good for health, and good to get out and see how wonderful nature truly is
    its been fun watching the squirrels getting ready for winter, and "acting squirrely"

    its not always easy to count the blessings, but when times are tough, its easier
    to appreciate the little things, and to give more than get

    dreamer

    dreamer
    You are most defently in my prays right now I do hope that this recurrance is short lived and you will be back in remission very, very, soon. much love and hugs.

    Anne
  • dreamer007
    dreamer007 Member Posts: 61
    #13
    AnneBehymer said:

    dreamer
    You are most defently in my prays right now I do hope that this recurrance is short lived and you will be back in remission very, very, soon. much love and hugs.

    Anne

    thank you
    thank you so much, Anne... i appreciate it cuz thats what i need to hear
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #14
    dreamer007 said:

    thank you
    thank you so much, Anne... i appreciate it cuz thats what i need to hear

    sny time dreamer that is
    any time dreamer that is what this website is for I have had some much go come from being on this site from you and all of the other teal sisters I thank God every day that I found this site.

    Anne
  • cfont11
    cfont11 Member Posts: 115
    #15
    I was 3C when diagnosed.
    I was 3C when diagnosed. Was in remission for 2 months and then the cancer came back. Did not have any symptoms other than the CA125 going up. I recently had a bowel obstruction caused by the new cancer growth. My onc says it is growing very agressively and I started chemo last week. I am getting Gemzar once a week for 3 weeks and then a week off. I will have one more cycle like that and then a CT scan.

    All I can say is have your CA125 checked regularly and listen to your body. Do not be afraid to tell your doctor about every little ache and pain.

    I wish you and all the other ladies all the best and you are all in my prayers.

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