Help please

[millyfan.livejournal.com]

Newbie here, and yes, this post is TMI. I'm sorry. . . this is the first time I've ever posted anything like this, so I'm embarrassed.



I'm 21. For the last two months before this one, my period has been very light, almost unnoticeable in August. This month, though, I started bleeding around September 1. Since then, I've been either spotting or bleeding, but only about enough for one pad, maybe not even that. Then it stops and starts up again.

My stomach feels upset much of the time, and I have abdominal pain, but more like heartburn than the usual horrible cramps I used to have, and I've had some intermittent digestive problems for the last four or five months or so. Before anyone suggests I'm pregnant, I'm a virgin, I'm bi but don't swing toward men for the most part, and the closest I've gotten to sex is my own fingers. Pitiful, that, but it's the truth. Ugly people don't get much.

I'm terrified that I have ovarian cancer. I honestly don't care about losing my reproductive capacity (I don't want a kid, ever), but I know the fatality rates for symptomatic ovarian cancer, and I don't want to die an agonizing, painful death before I even have the chance to live my life.

I'm scheduled for a doctor's appointment on the 22nd, as they said they couldn't get me in faster, but until then, I'm very worried. Please, give me some hope if there is any.

Comments

HUG and needed pat on shoulder

[flyingskull.livejournal.com]

DON'T, whatever you do, condemn yourself out of fear.

First, you have symptoms that can be associated with a LOT of things, including ovarian cistes. I've had them, they're a true nuisance, they come out with micro-surgery and you're as good as new... after a rather annoying convalescence. Also you have stress symptoms, so it could even not be an ovarian cistis, which is innocuous.

So get hugged, calm down a bit and don't chew more fingers than you've got until the 22nd. Oddly enough, I'm not the only one to go rah rah rah at you! Stress is a killer, you know, luv?

Think of teh HItchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and in bright neon pink letters... DON'T PANIC!

Re: HUG and needed pat on shoulder

[howlingsickness.livejournal.com]

you dont necessarily even need micro-surgery for ovarian cysts. Mine went away on their own.

[stripling.livejournal.com]

simmer down, you know, it's probably not ovarian cancer, but it's good you're going to the doc to get checked out. maybe it's pelvic inflammatory disease? who knows. perhaps it's just a little infection.

try not to worry about it too much because stress is hard on the body. take care xo

Don't Panic

[winifred.livejournal.com]

Are your cycles usually regular, or is it normal for you to alternate between light and moderate periods each month? Does ovarian cancer run in your family?

It's normal for some women to experience digestive problems around their period. It's also normal for your period to evolve over the years. Your cycles in your twenties won't be anything like the ones in your teens, and once you hit your thirties they will change again. The intensity and location of your cramps will change as well as the amount of your flow. Which way will they change? Well, that's different for every woman. A lot of what you are experiencing is normal. Bodies change.

One symptom to look for is where your pain is originating. If you are experiencing pain on one side, that's relevant. Your doctor will want to know about it when you see him or her. Keep track of that pain and its varying intensities, and if it's accompanied by a change in your menstrual discharge. Sometimes this pain is normal, so try not to dwell on it. That would only cause more stress, and stress will only make things worse.

In the meantime get plenty of fluids and rest, and take something for the pain you're experiencing.

Re: Don't Panic

[millyfan.livejournal.com]

They normally vary wildly. By that I mean they have kind of a migratory pattern, where I'll like start a year out as having a middle of the month period and then it will move to the end of the month or beginning of the month.

I had really heavy periods until 3 months ago when I got my first light one.

My pain seems to be in my upper-mid abdomen, not constant, just occasional, and not "cramplike" at all.

Re: Don't Panic

[winifred.livejournal.com]

I highly recommend tracking your periods with a calendar and counting the days. Mark the first day of bleeding as day one and the day before the next cycle of bleeding starts as the last day. It's not always going to be 28 days. For a number of women a regular cycle is as long as 35 days -- which would explain the migratory pattern you describe. A great online tool is http://www.cyclespage.com -- it's free.

The change you're experiencing sounds normal for your age, but I'm not a doctor -- I'm just older, and myself and my girlfriends all went through similar changes around that age. As for your pain, that could be due to the digestive distress you've been experiencing.

Unless your mother, grandmother, or close aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer it's not very likely you are experiencing it now.

I can remember worrying about these changes in my own body and having doctors and family tell me I was normal. I thought "how in the world could I be normal when everything I'm experiencing and feeling is so distressing and out-of-place? Why won't they listen to me?" It was years before I believed them, but they were right. I hope this is the case for you as well. Worrying about your health is no fun.

[efficientgumby.livejournal.com]

if anything, it might be ovarian cysts.

and drink some tea.

[tifyshan.livejournal.com]

It may just be hormonal. I bled for 11 days this month. The doc sent me to get an ultrasound which showed... NOTHING. They told me it's just my hormones. I have to say, the more you tend to worry, the more you will incur digestive distress. TAKE IT FROM ME. Relax until your appt. It's hard, I know. Sometimes when you fear that something is wrong.. you will convince yourself and actually exhibit symptoms. Until you go to the doctor try to relax w/ hot tea and hot baths. I hope you feel better SOON, and keep us updated!

[skeptictank.livejournal.com]

Just in the rare case that all of this panic is substantiated, remember that early detection is key. I work with a few women who have all had different forms of ovarian and cervical cancers and they were all treated early on and are fine now. I don't think any of them can have children, but they're completely healthy now.

I've stopped bleeding yesterday.

[millyfan.livejournal.com]

My stomach still feels grumbly though.

Re: I've stopped bleeding yesterday.

[skeptictank.livejournal.com]

I hear ya. I have all kinds of weird digestive issues and my stomach likes to be the first to tell me that I'm not feeling well... and the last... it's such a bitch sometimes.

[skeptictank.livejournal.com]

oh yes, and although it's hard lets not forget that no amount of worrying or scaring yourself by reading things on the internet is going to change what the doctor says when your appointment comes, so you're better off just saying, "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it the day of my appointment" and relaxing until then.

Its Most Likely Nothing! :)

[howlingsickness.livejournal.com]

You sound like a bit of a worrier, no offense to you. I used to have problems with anxiety and self esteem that caused actual physical pain in my abdomen, cramps and digestive upsets and the like. I still have these pains sometimes if i dont keep my stress in check. From the way you spoke of yourself "ugly people get no play", you sound as if you are a bit down on yourself. You could be manifesting your physical symptoms thru your mental/emotional state. Take care of yourself, okay? and its a rough road to learn to love yourself and your life, but its a road most women go thru, so you're not alone. Don't worry so, and drink chamomile tea, and do things just for yourself and don't feel bad/guilty about it! I'm sending some love your way!

Re: Its Most Likely Nothing! :)

[millyfan.livejournal.com]

I was spotting blood again on the 17th and 18th.

Re: Its Most Likely Nothing! :)

[howlingsickness.livejournal.com]

well, spotting blood is something else. Definitely get checked out either way, but still, dont worry. Spotting can also be stress related.