Results of MRI plus question on CA125

BonnieR
BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello, I don't know if anyone remembers but I have been having awful back pain. Well the MRI shows I have a disc herniation... :-{ not good but not cancer. :-}

But I have a second question. My CA125 had been 6 and now went up to 18 (which I know is normal) but my Dr. called and wants me to get another one as it jumped up so fast. How long did yours stay down? How fast did it start creeping up? I had stage 3c cancer that had spread to many organs (not in my lungs or esophagus) but everywhere else. I finished chemo on July 17th and was in a study group at the U so received 8 treatments. Like most of us ‘I worry’ … then kick myself in the butt and get on with living life. I know to have had the cancer in my liver & abdomen it was bad - it had to be bad or you didn't get in the study group. ;-)

Thanks already for your response to this posting. You all are such a wonderful group. Love & Prayers back at you. BonnieRose

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:1-2

Comments

  • Donnarufus
    Donnarufus Member Posts: 2
    #2
    Hi! I I had ovarian CA which had spread to my liver. My gyn-onc told me that the CA125 can be affected by things other than just CA. ( I think he said that muscle damage can cause it to rise.) For example it did jump up after the completer hyst that I had. It is not necessarily something bad, but at the same time, should not be ignored.
    By the way, what U did you have your chemo at?
  • TealRibbon
    TealRibbon Member Posts: 44 Member
    #3
    Hi Bonnie,

    I hate to say a bad disc is a good thing but in this case I think it is. Maybe you have some inflamation in your spine that could have caused your jump in numbers.

    It is so scary when that number goes up...no matter how small of a jump. Mine has been creeping up for several months, 16, 18, 20, 21. My doc is not concerned at this point BUT it sure makes me jittery!

    Hope your numbers drop like a rock!
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #4
    Bonnie:
    I'm so glad CA was ruled out. But my husband is going for back surgery next week so I understand the pain you are going through. I hope they can do something for you that is non-invasive. Anyway, I agree with the other responses. CA125 levels can fluctuate for a variety of reasons. In my case, my history of endometriosis could have been the original reason for the elevation (48) but also turned out to be OV Stage 1C. After the hysterectomy, it shot up to 90, but my doctor expected that. It eventually went down to 20 and during chemo to 15. These past 4 years it has fluctuated from 18 down to 11. Last month it was 21, so, like anyone else, I'm concerned. However, I called my doctor's office and they said it could be ANYTHING - stress, a virus, infection anywhere, etc. But I think most of us will agree that once we have been diagnosed, ANY elevation makes us jump. In the meantime, I always try to get my test first thing in the morning, so I don't eat anything beforehand. I've also kept some mental notes as to what had been going on the week before (stress, didn't eat well, didn't exercise, etc.). I will also tell you that the exercise program I am on speifically lowers my estrogen. When I was going full force on the program my level had gone down to 11!!! So, now I know what works for me. Hope this helps.

    Thank you so much for the inspirational scripture. My favorite during my difficult time was Psalm 91. Enjoy it sometime. Thank you and God Bless!
    Monika
  • pshnyc
    pshnyc Member Posts: 45
    #5
    Hi Bonnie,

    Sorry to hear about your back. I, too, was in excrutiating pain about a year ago and was dx with a herniated disc. It's been a bear to get rid of. I did two separate rounds of physical therapy. Now I'm seeing a chiropracter and getting theraputic massage once a week. If this doesn't work, I'm gonna try accupuncture next. I do know that having had two surgeries (one for ovac Stage 1C and another for a hysterectomy) weakend my already weak stomach muscles. I'm trying to do strengthening exercises. Good luck.

    As for the rise in your CA, I have not had any experience with this as my levels have been consistent since my first surgery. Sounds like you are doing the right thing and checking it out. I know CA levels can go up for a variety of reasons.

    Take care,
    pshnyc

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