Hi everyone need some advice please. Iv had night sweats for around two years. Didn’t really bother me much as it was only occasionally. Untill the last 3 months it’s been happening every night and they’re drenching in I’m waking up shivering freezing cold because Iv been sweating so much. For the past 5 months Iv also had. Frequent needing to wee. Bloating constipation. Spotting all the time. Been 2 the doctors twice. Smear test was fine. Full blood count fine. Tried blaming it on my antidepressants that iv been on for 6 years. Then tried saying it could be early menopause. They gave me some tablets to try stop the sweating. Been on them 4 weeks still getting worse. Any advice please I’m really worried it ovarian cancer. Thank you
Hello Courtney97
I am sorry to hear that you have been having all these symptoms and are not getting the reassurance you need.
Have you actually said to your doctor that you are concerned that the symptoms could be due to ovarian cancer? Sometimes it can help to ask the question directly- about what is most worrying us.
I can understand your worries concerning all these symptoms and it is true that some can be connected to ovarian cancer but there are also other reasons that could explain them.
I would think after a month on the tablets that are supposed to be helping - and they clearly aren't - then it would be a good idea to go back to the doctor. Something is causing these symptoms and that needs to be looked into.
I would suggest that you make a list of the symptoms - you could perhaps use this post- and then ask them whether they feel a scan would be helpful. And a blood test that measures CA125. This is a marker that can be raised when there is an ovarian issue. If they feel it could be menopausal- and that can cause some of the issues- then is there any sort of blood test they can do to confirm or exclude this as a cause.
With the spotting you could ask whether a transvaginal ultrasound would be helpful. This is used to investigate endometrial problems. They would basically be getting a closer look. It is reassuring that you smear test has come back normal but there are separate investigations for womb and ovaries. Perhaps a referral to a gynaecologist could be suggested.
I think it could be a case of investigating what you are most concerned about first and then to look at other potential causes. Have you got a different doctor at your practice that you could see?
Maybe make a list of bullet points and push for an appointment- saying that you are concerned about ovarian cancer and that the treatment given so far is not working. You could also say you have had the symptoms for some time and they have not improved and in fact progressed. I would suggest a scan and blood test (with CA125) may be first step.
If it would help to talk things through first you could call the Support Line and speak with one of the nurses. They are there from 8am-8pm daily and they may be able to help you.
Hope this helps a bit.
Jane
