Questions about Ultrasound

ck1keeni
ck1keeni Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello all,
I was wondering if someone could clear the fog for me.A week ago I developed a pain in lower left abdomen. My stomach swelled and I was very bloated. It seemed to be brought on after intercourse, though I am not sure if that was a factor or coincidental. Today, I visited my OB/GYN with very mild, discomfort in same region. During pelvic exam, pain was localized to one spot but only when the Doctor pushed from the inside. I then and a vaginal ultrasound performed and the same exact pain was replicated when the technician pushed on the probe. The tech could not initially find my left ovary. She then asked if I was an "athlete" because I had a group of blood vessels located above my colon and near my ovaries. She said this was "normal". Doctor agreed that ovaries and uterus were perfect. I was able to fit in an appointment in the same day with my normal physician, who performed a rectal exam with no negative result. However, when I told her about the group of blood vessels in the ultrasound, she said it was not "normal" and the fact that the pain was replicated was a bit disturbing. She said that often times tumors need blood vessels to transform from benign to malignant. She ordered a CT Scan, but with my insurance, I have to pay 10% of everything. I don't know what to do. Has anyone heard of blood vessels and tumors being related? thank you so much.

Comments

  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #2
    blood vessels and tumors
    Hi CK, how frustrating to have pain and no one can find the cause.

    This is what I know about tumors and blood vessels. Blood vessels are formed on Tumors to feed them ~ a ct scan should show you more of what is happening. Not sure why they would show blood vessels adn no tumor though.

    Remember we know our bodies best so continue to be proactive in your health care.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • ck1keeni
    ck1keeni Member Posts: 4
    #3
    BonnieR said:

    blood vessels and tumors
    Hi CK, how frustrating to have pain and no one can find the cause.

    This is what I know about tumors and blood vessels. Blood vessels are formed on Tumors to feed them ~ a ct scan should show you more of what is happening. Not sure why they would show blood vessels adn no tumor though.

    Remember we know our bodies best so continue to be proactive in your health care.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

    thank you
    BonnieR, thank you. I have been thinking that I am crazy for the past few months. My abdominal pain didn't seem to overwhelmingly bad, but definitely not normal. It was accompanied by a swollen belly and swollen feet. My body aches when I get out of bed in the morning. I have had excessive gas and bloating for a year. I gained four pounds this past month and I am so tired sometimes, I can be standing there and just feel like dropping. Lately, my bowel movements have been off and on again diahrea. I am still active, otherwise. I tried to tell the doctor,and she said I would have to come back for a follow-up to go over all the other stuff because it sounded like irritable bowel syndrome to her. I just don't want to feel like I am losing my mind
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #4
    ck1keeni said:

    thank you
    BonnieR, thank you. I have been thinking that I am crazy for the past few months. My abdominal pain didn't seem to overwhelmingly bad, but definitely not normal. It was accompanied by a swollen belly and swollen feet. My body aches when I get out of bed in the morning. I have had excessive gas and bloating for a year. I gained four pounds this past month and I am so tired sometimes, I can be standing there and just feel like dropping. Lately, my bowel movements have been off and on again diahrea. I am still active, otherwise. I tried to tell the doctor,and she said I would have to come back for a follow-up to go over all the other stuff because it sounded like irritable bowel syndrome to her. I just don't want to feel like I am losing my mind

    ck1keeni,
    I'm not an ovarian cancer survivor,but it sure sounds like to me that maybe you should get a second opinion.You do not sound good.
  • Carolhodnett
    Carolhodnett Member Posts: 27
    #5
    Please get a second opinion
    Hi! All I want to say to you is listen to your body. You know when things aren't as they should be. No two people are alike and with that in mind I want to let you know that I had the exact same symptoms and fotunately for me I had enough tests completed within a few days to show that I did have a tumor in or around my left ovary. Within a week I had a complete hysterectomy and was staged with Stage 1 ovarian cancer. I am not telling you this to alarm you but to advise you to know what you are dealing with. I am a lucky woman to be diagnosed at stage one. My prognosis looks good and after six rounds of Chemo I am now in remission and happily cancer free. I know it sounds scary but I am so lucky to have found it early. I sincerely hope that you are not going to have to go through this and that it is just a minor problem but please be proactive and don't stop going to doctors until you know exactly what is going on. Best of luck to you. Carol
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #6
    Hi,
    I agree with all the other ladies who've written replies to your post, get the necessary tests done, get a second opinion and take copies of all your test results, and the doctors notes with you.
    In regard to the 10% your insurance won't cover, that's unfortunate, but this is your life you're dealing with, and with OVCA, early detection and treatment, is so important.
    Good luck,
    Jane
  • ck1keeni
    ck1keeni Member Posts: 4
    #7
    Carolhodnett said:

    Please get a second opinion
    Hi! All I want to say to you is listen to your body. You know when things aren't as they should be. No two people are alike and with that in mind I want to let you know that I had the exact same symptoms and fotunately for me I had enough tests completed within a few days to show that I did have a tumor in or around my left ovary. Within a week I had a complete hysterectomy and was staged with Stage 1 ovarian cancer. I am not telling you this to alarm you but to advise you to know what you are dealing with. I am a lucky woman to be diagnosed at stage one. My prognosis looks good and after six rounds of Chemo I am now in remission and happily cancer free. I know it sounds scary but I am so lucky to have found it early. I sincerely hope that you are not going to have to go through this and that it is just a minor problem but please be proactive and don't stop going to doctors until you know exactly what is going on. Best of luck to you. Carol

    Carol thank you
    Carol, would you mind telling me if there were blood vessels in your ultrasound that were near the ovaries? I am going to get a CT and I hope that will be enough because noone really seems to be alarmed. I am thankful that the physician decided to request a CT. I am 35 and I have always been free of ailment, until now, I feel like my body is plagued with minor issues...i.e. the bloating, achiness, gas, abdominal pain...etc. None of which are extreme just all occuring simultaneously and it makes me feel as if I am a hypochondriac. I will definitely get the CT,but do you have a recommendation of what else I should ask for? thank you.
  • Karen1418
    Karen1418 Member Posts: 48
    #8
    Insurance
    Hi ck1keeni, Your insurance comment brought a thought to my mind that you may not know about. I believe many insurances have an out-of-pocket limit per calendar year. If that's true, you would pay 10% of charges until you reached a maximum amount. Then the insurance would begin paying at 100% for the rest of the year. Maybe something to check into. Best of luck as you search for answers, and God be with you. Love, Karen
  • Carolhodnett
    Carolhodnett Member Posts: 27
    #9
    ck1keeni said:

    Carol thank you
    Carol, would you mind telling me if there were blood vessels in your ultrasound that were near the ovaries? I am going to get a CT and I hope that will be enough because noone really seems to be alarmed. I am thankful that the physician decided to request a CT. I am 35 and I have always been free of ailment, until now, I feel like my body is plagued with minor issues...i.e. the bloating, achiness, gas, abdominal pain...etc. None of which are extreme just all occuring simultaneously and it makes me feel as if I am a hypochondriac. I will definitely get the CT,but do you have a recommendation of what else I should ask for? thank you.

    Blood vessels
    Hi ck: I do not remember any discussion about blood vessels. I do know that my tumor was 12.5 cm. BIG! I did not even know I had it. I did feel bloated and I had some discomfort. I kept pressing on my left side. It did not show up on an ultrasound but it did show up on the CT scan. I would also suggest that you get a CA125 test which is a blood test that measures tumor markers. I had one before my surgery and it was very elevated so it gave me some forewarning of what to expect. This is about all you can do. I'm sorry that your insurance doesn't cover the entire CT scan but your life is so much more important. I really want you to think positively. You are probably just fine but I also want you to be sure. If I can help you in any way just let me know. We all care here and we'll be there for you. Carol
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #10
    Go for the CT
    I had a ultrasound that showed nothing. Three weeks later the CT scan showed tumors over 3 cm on both ovaries and three liver tumors and many in between. Stage IV. I would have gladly paid 10% for the CT.
    Saundra
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #11
    Ultrasound
    Hi ck1keeni,

    I had both a vaginal ultrasound and CT scan that didn't show anything but some uterine fibroids that had developed.

    Uterine fibroids are very common, and if pressing on your intestines, can cause a lot of the problems you describe. There are internal and external uterine fibroids.

    I think you should first see a gynecologic oncologist, and then have a CT scan. It should be well worth the money!
  • ck1keeni
    ck1keeni Member Posts: 4
    #12
    groundeffect said:

    Ultrasound
    Hi ck1keeni,

    I had both a vaginal ultrasound and CT scan that didn't show anything but some uterine fibroids that had developed.

    Uterine fibroids are very common, and if pressing on your intestines, can cause a lot of the problems you describe. There are internal and external uterine fibroids.

    I think you should first see a gynecologic oncologist, and then have a CT scan. It should be well worth the money!

    I am so glad...
    I am so glad I found this site. It has helped me to feel better about moving forward and getting CT and not so guilty. I can see, now, that there really is no choice here, only a necessity. thank you all so much for sharing.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #13
    ck1keeni said:

    I am so glad...
    I am so glad I found this site. It has helped me to feel better about moving forward and getting CT and not so guilty. I can see, now, that there really is no choice here, only a necessity. thank you all so much for sharing.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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