WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for January, 1998: Re: 7cm ovarian tumor, swollen abdomen and discharge from both breasts

Re: 7cm ovarian tumor, swollen abdomen and discharge from both breasts

From: Kelly (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 16 Jan 1998 20:50:54 -0600 (CST)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Kelly: "Re: Mammogram, PERFECT!"
Previous message: Dianna: "Dental Visit/cavity & Trying To Conceive"
In reply to: Marla: "7cm ovarian tumor, swollen abdomen and discharge from both breasts"

>My health background hasn't been very good. I lost my right fallopian
>tube to salpingitis in 1979. I developed pelvic adhesions and haven't
>been able to get pregnant since an early miscarriage in 1988. In 1993
>my husband and I finally sought help with our infertility and found
>through a laparosopy that I had terrible adhesions around my left ovary
>and tube. They were cut away, only to come back and still no pregnancy.
>In 1994 I had to have my gallbladder removed by laparoscopy, not because
>stones were found, but because of pain and indigestion from it being so
>diseased,........snipped.........
.........snipped............ >I felt better and returned to work only to discover that I was so tired,
>urinating a lot! A little nauseous and very hot at times over the next
>few months. I was having my periods on time, but they were much lighter
>and not as painful. I was also having so many weird mood swings, (quit
>my job!) hot flashes, and gaining a few pounds and my breasts swelling,
>that I assumed that I was maybe going through an early menopause or
>something. But I didn't see my family Dr. about any of this. I kept
>hoping I'd feel better!
...snipped.... >I wanted to wait until after the holidays. By Christmas I was huge and
>looked like I was six months pregnant! I kept waiting for it to go back
>down, but it didn't and my low back was still killing me.
>
>I finally got in with the specialist who asked me if I could be
>pregnant, which I replied that I thought that I might be, but was having
>my periods and my LMP was Dec. 19th. He said that didn't matter and
>ordered a serum blood test and CBC and other tests. My preg. test was
>negative, but he told me over the phone that they can be wrong and that
>I need a pelvic done by my family Dr. ....snipped..... In the
>mean time I thought that I was feeling a baby beginning to move inside
>of me! Little flutters at first and then it got stronger and was moving
>after meals and when I laid down was when I noticed it the most. My
>family and I became very excited especially after I noticed that my
>breasts were beginning to leak colostrum or so I thought that was what
>they call it. ...snipped.... So
>I got a new Doctor and saw him this past Monday. He checked me for
>pregnancy, which I just knew would have to be positive because every one
>I have been running into tells me I look 6 or more months pregnant!...... And
>with all of my symptoms, the nausea, the urgent trips to the bathroom,
>my breasts swelling and leaking. I was so surprised to find that he
>didn't feel that my uterus was enlarged and my urine test was neg. I
>cried like a baby and asked what was wrong with me? The Dr. told us it
>might be a hormonal inbalance and wanted to check this out and do
>another blood serum test and also an ultrasound because I have the
>pelvic swelling and fullness.
>
>I had the ultrasound done Wednesday and saw the Dr that day.
>He told us that I have a huge grapefruit size tumor on my right ovary
>and several smaller cysts. I'm not pregnant and that all of my hormone
>tests are normal. ....... He told me maybe the tumor is causing
>this. He got me an appointment that I couldn't get with my GYN for next
>Tuesday and told me he hoped that the tumor is benign!
>
>Now I'm left with this fear of cancer, no one to talk to about it. I'm
>still leaking colostrum and feeling a "baby" inside of me and getting
>sick when my stomach is empty and urinating more than ever. I look and
>feel so pregnant and find that instead of a baby I have a big ole' tumor
>that is making me ill. My back is still hurting and I started my period
>right on time today! I'm so sick and so confused and just wonder if
>after reading my long history leading up to this scary ordeal, if anyone
>might have some answers or suggestions for me. I am wondering if I
>might have an abdominal pregnancy that wasn't seen on the ultrasound
>because once the technician found the tumor he shot out of the room to
>show the Radiologist and told me to get dressed. He never scanned above
>my ovaries and uterus. Maybe it's gas I'm feeling, but I have never had
>gas feel like this before, but then again I never had a big 7cm tumor
>shoving my intestines over to one side before!
>
>The little jabs I keep feeling is mostly on my left side and is very
>active! The tumor is on my right side. I hope that I haven't lost my
>mind! I've only felt that I was pregnant since I first felt a flutter
>and then my breasts started leaking. It wasn't like I brought on a
>false pregnancy or anything by wishful thinking. At first I was just
>thinking that I had colon problems and maybe early menopause. I wonder
>how long this tumor has been inside of me making me sick???
>
>I'm also having some numbness and discomfort in my right arm and
>sometimes my leg. I guess it's pressing on nerves. I just want the
>darn thing out of me as quickly as possible. I do hope I don't have
>cancer and won't need a hysterectomy no matter what the outcome should
>be. I'll be 34 this month and do want to be able to try invitro when we
>can afford it someday in the near future if I ever start feeling better!
>
>I hope someone can help me with some kind of an explanation for my
>breasts leaking and tell me more about tumors and what I might ask my
>Doctor Tuesday.
>
>Thank you so much for taking the time to read my long history, my fears,
>and any help you might be able to offer.
>
>Marla

Marla,,

Ovarian tumors can produce all the signs you describe -- they can put pressure on the bladder, causing frequent urination; they can twist around, simulating movement; they can secrete hormones that can affect the breasts..

Ask your doctor whether the cyst is simple (one fluid-filled pocket) or complex (lots of different, adjacent cysts or part cyst and part solid) -- complex are more worrisome. Ask how he plans to do the surgery (thru the laparoscope or via an open incision). Ask if he will have a frozen section done to make sure there is no cancer. Ask what he would do if cancer was found.

You could also consider seeing another gynecologist for a second opinion.

Good luck to you.

--
Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG
S. Lake Tahoe, CA

note: Opinions here are for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your own physician. It cannot take the place of a face to face consultation and examination.
Sorry, but private e-mails will not be answered.

Next message: Kelly: "Re: Mammogram, PERFECT!"
Previous message: Dianna: "Dental Visit/cavity & Trying To Conceive"
In reply to: Marla: "7cm ovarian tumor, swollen abdomen and discharge from both breasts"

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: