Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Diamonds and pearls 53 on April 14, 2014, 10:18:28 AM
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I am worrying..I have come off hrt pending a referral to a menopause clinic due to bleeding issues but also had already decided that the combination of oestrogen and utrogestan did not suit me due to unpleasant pmt type symptoms. One of these was abdominal pain, lower right side only, nagging but intermittent. The bleeding stopped within a week but the pain hasn't and it seems to be worsening..have stupidly googled and scared myself..I expect my appt will take a good few weeks to come through... so, should I go back to my GP?
Diamonds and pearls x
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Sorry you are so worried.
TBH it may well be nothing connected with anything to do with your being on or off HRT.
Do you suffer from IBS for instance?
I wonder if it's something like that and being made worse by being anxious?
I can understand that you may be worried about other things like ovarian cancer, but this is usually symptom-free or only shows signs in the very late stages.
If you are due to see the meno consultant in 4 weeks or sooner, then I doubt if your GP would be able to arrange a scan much sooner ( they try for 2 weeks but it doesn't always happen.)
Maybe keep a record of what you can feel and so on?
The charity Ovacome has a tracker online (BEAT) where you can record your symptoms and show them to a dr so might be worth starting with that?
http://www.ovacome.org.uk/beat-ovarian-cancer-with-ovacome.aspx
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Thank you Sarah, I mentioned the pain to my GP when I saw her just under 2 wks ago and she said that according to my previous scan results I have a v small fibroid in that area ..but even if the hrt had set that off I don't think fibroids usually cause pain do they?
You are right, the dreaded ovarian cancer sprang straight into my mind so it's a relief to hear it is usually symptom free, but I will have a look at the website you suggested. Also my last transvaginal scan was only in November and everything looked ok then apparently...
I don't suffer from IBS and this is definitely a right sided pain only,but I have noticed I seem to be having to wee more than usual so did wonder about a urine infection...
Honestly, I feel so fed up and anxious, it's bad enough dealing with the usual horrid symptoms of coming off hrt but now this extra worry!
I think I will try and book a telephone appt with my GP and see what she recommends-and also make sure my referral is underway!
Diamonds and pearls x
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Try not to worry...if you had a scan recently, it won't be anything sinister in the time since then.
Fibroids don't cause pain . They might give bigger bleeds but they themselves don't cause pain- they are an overgrowth of the muscle wall, so not dangerous in themselves.
The only other common cause of right sided pain is appendicitis. You could have a 'grumbling' appendix, as they call them, but not very likely.
Maybe have a chat with your dr about your worries and see what she says?
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I had a ruptured appendix at 61 so not to be ignored.
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Thank you Sarah and Trey, I have booked a telephone appt with my GP for tomorrow as that was all that was available (fully booked due to Easter) so will see what she suggests.The pain is there all the time now, like toothache but with intermittent 'stabs' that comes in waves.Miserable...
Diamonds and pearls x
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I've had this type of pain for years. Usually because my bowel is 'slow' >:( or when I've pulled a muscle ::)
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This is weird. My appendix ruptured over Easter weekend. If you get nausea, diarrhea or constipation I would advise you be seen.
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Trey, I haven't got those symptoms..just a low, nagging right sided pain which twinges intermittently. It first started about 3 weeks ago but has been on and off,some days barely there at all.The last 2 days it has been more persistent and today has been there all day. How long did you have pain before you realised it was serious?
Diamonds and pearls x
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Probably a silly question but have you possibly strained a muscle doing something?
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Sarah, no I am certain it's not that..it's a different type of pain somehow and it is definitely worse today. It feels gynae related-when it first started I thought it was to do with the progesterone but in that case it should have stopped by now,not got worse! I can't help but worry, but I will see what my GP says tomorrow.
Diamonds and pearlsx
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The only bit of your body on the lower right that is gynae related is your ovary. If you had a scan only 5 months ago then it's unlikely to be anything serious. Just to try to re-assure you- I had a small ovarian cyst picked up on a routine scan. I had no symptoms whatsoever. Cysts are more common when someone is ovulating and this was a few years back when I was still peri ( age about 53.) I had it scanned every 4 months to check it was not serious or growing and eventually after 2 years it went away.
As far as I know, once your ovaries are past-it then HRT can't affect them - ie make them produce a cyst.
I do understand how you are worried - I had to live with my cyst for 2 years never knowing what the next scan would show, although I'd been told they were 98-99% sure it was benign.
Try not to worry - but see what your dr says.
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My appendix is long gone ::) and I wasn't a classic case as my age was 'wrong' and symptoms were on and off ::)
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The reason I persist is mine would come and go for ages. When removed it showed many old abscesses. Try this test. Press on left side of abdomen with four fingertips not hard and quickly remove pressure and see if you get a rebound effect. I'll be back as need to check something.
Rovsing's sign. A health care provider tests for Rovsing's sign by applying hand pressure to the lower left side of the abdomen. Pain felt on the lower right side of the abdomen upon the release of pressure on the left side indicates the presence of Rovsing's sign.
Again. Just a thought. But you actually might google appendicitis and see if you see yourself.
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Hello....sorry to hear about your pain. Have you considered it may be gallstones. This pain can appear to be abdominal
Hope your GP diagnoses whatever it is, so the pain can be treated soon
Wombat x
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Agree on fibroids and cysts. My cysts were painful at ovulation.
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Hope you get on okay!
Gallstone pain tends to be much higher- not low abdomen- my mum has lots of small gallstones, like gravel she was told, and it's def. high ab ( ribcage area)pain.
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Hi Ladies, thank you for all your input/suggestions..strangely the pain died down yesterday evening and I promptly fell asleep on the sofa for a couple of hours.It's back again today but more of a dull ache now. Interesting to read your post, Sparkle, yes I have been experiencing a throbbing,pulling sensation and the sharp pains too- it sounds very similar!
Trey,I did try the procedure you mentioned but didn't get referred pain-was probably doing it wrong though!
Sarah,somehow I do feel it is something to do with my ovaries but no idea what as they were said to be 'normal' at my scan...
I am waiting to speak to my GP to see what she thinks and trying not to imagine all kinds of horrible scenarios...what makes it worse is that having just come off hrt I am battling with feeling pretty grim anyway and my anxiety levels are sky high.Feel thoroughly fed up :(
Diamonds and pearls x
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I hope you get some answers- try not to worry as it's only a short while since you had a scan.
When I had a cyst I was advised that if I had severe pain to go to A&E because some cysts can twist on the stalk ( if they are that kind of cyst and mine wasn't at the time) but the dr did say it would be AGONY so to try to reassure you, I doubt it's a cyst that is misbehaving.
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Hi Ladies, just to update you..I spoke to my GP and she made me an appt to see the Gynae Dr at the surgery this afternoon. Well, incredibly the pain had subsided and was almost gone by the time I saw her. I did explain it has come and gone over the last 3 weeks though.
My urine test was normal and on examination she said my tummy felt soft and there was nothing to worry her. She definitely didn't think it was appendicitis as temp,pulse and blood pressure were all normal and I looked 'too well'! She concluded that the pain was probably ovarian in origin and as a result of the changes my body is going through due to coming off hrt. Ditto the extra weeing which hrt prevents apparently.
The thing I don't understand here is that I was having some abdominal discomfort whilst I was still on hrt but she just said it was perhaps because it didn't suit me.
She gave me Mefenamic Acid tablets which are anti inflammatory and target the womb directly should I get any more pain but said my recent scans would have shown up anything sinister. I also have an appt with a Menopause clinic pending so will see what that reveals.
I feel relieved,but still anxious that the pain will come back-it feels like it is 'lurking' somehow and I am not sure I have seen the back of it!
Thanks so much to all of you for your support and reassurance, it means a lot.
Diamonds and pearls x
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Pleased you got on okay- I think you will get more sense out of your appt at the clinic so fingers crossed it won't be too long to wait.
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Hi Sarah, I agree-I have to say I was not entirely convinced by her diagnosis but am just relieved the pain has subsided-for now anyway!
Diamonds and pearls x
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Hmm :)
Mefenamic acid is usually given for period type pain/ and heavy bleeding as it stops spasms- my gynae gave me some to take (if I wished) before he did a biopsy of my lining, but I didn't take them because they are a strong anti inflammatory and can upset some people's stomachs. (Glad I didn't take them as I didn't feel a thing.)
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Sarah, I queried it when she gave them to me as I've had them in the past for heavy periods but she assured me this would help any pain issues..I don't think I found them particularly effective then so will only take them if I need to..certainly don't need an upset stomach to add to my problems!
Sparkle, Thank you, I will bear that in mind and mention it when I go for my clinic appt. I know I have a small fibroid but have been told at previous scans that it's inactive..never had any hint of endo or adhesions though... It must have been a shock for you to discover you had those as well as fibroids..did you ever have any indication of them before they were diagnosed?
Diamonds and pearls x