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Mebeverine and ovarian cancer

Posted , 10 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Mebeverine was prescribed for me for colon spasms and diarrhoea which was actually caused by ovarian cancer. The symptoms can be very similar to those experienced by IBS patients and I was misdiagnosed for three years as having this complaint. When I was finally correctly diagnosed during investigations for possible bowel cancer I was found to have an advanced and unsurprisingly inoperable ovarian cancer with metasteses involving both small and large intestines. Cancer growths covered almost all abdominal and pelvic organs and peritoneum and replaced connective tissue in the omentum. I have survived for five years with occasional chemotherapy but would advise any ladies who have not had IBS properly diagnosed to ask for an ultrasound scan and a CA125 blood test. Make sure that malignant disease is excluded as a possibility. Other ovarian cancer symptoms can be waist size increase, bladder frequency and fatigue. ALWAYS make sure that your GP has considered this as a possibility. This disease is deadly. Most do not survive it.

2 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi Sandra, I read your posting about Mebeverine and missed/wrong diagnosis. I was sorry to hear that your experience was bad. I am worried about this too and have seen my GP but she has prescribed mebeverine, a drug, I understand which is used to treat IBS. I have not, as far as I know, been diagnosed with IBS. I have no tummy pain, but a very swollen abdomen right below my rib cage that makes me breathless sometimes. My gp doesn't seem to have any other answers though and thinks it might be gas?

    I just wish I was more confident to ask about other things, but I have no medical knowledge and so am trusting the doctor's diagnosis but at the same time I am worried that something might be being missed - I also find it difficult to speak to some gps as I find them intimidating.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Can you update me to how you are now? As I too have no faith in gp's as my gp has also given me Mebeverine.I am on a vegan diet with no gluten so it is not possible to have IBS.I also have a large swollen abdomen which is now preventing me from working as I can't bend down without pain.I' ve has an ovarian scan which was internal and I nearly hit the rof with the pain.Has anyone got any advice for me?
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Yes I have advice for the both of you, go back to your GP's and tell them that IBS does not cause abdominal bloating as you have both described and ask for CA125 tests and ulatrasound scans, please do not feel intimidated or be fobbed off many GP's do not know what the symptoms of ovarian cancer are and many ladies are not diagnosed until it is at a very advanced stage.
    • skyblu
      skyblu Guest

      Posted

      Absolutely agree Guest!!

      Get that CA125 test done & internal& external ultrasound scan done, dont be fobbed off

  • carol62
    carol62

    Posted

    Hi i have been reading your storys and i too have been prescribed mebeverine!!!!

    i have been to the gps several times and asked for an ultra sound as i feel that my problem is not ibs. the gp just seems insistant that my symptoms say it is.I too am very bloated ,find it hard to breath etc,my worst nightmare is ovarian cancer because of the seriousness of this .

    thankyou for the blood test advice i shall be returning to request these tests asap. smile

    • skyblu
      skyblu carol62

      Posted

      How did youo get on with Doc after rewuesting Blood test & scan??

       

  • joy2
    joy2

    Posted

    I too was given Mebeverine for IBS until a new lady Doctor referred me to a Gastroenterologist who sent me for various tests, endoscopy, gastroscopy, scan and a CT Scan. I am now waiting for a biopsy as the CT Scan has shown an Ovarian malignancy. I had a radical hysterectomy back in 2007 for cervical cancer and it never crossed my mind that it could be Ovarian cancer as I no longer have my ovaries - but this has now been explained that they suspect what I have is Primary Peritoneal Cancer (Ovarian). I have been told I will need Chemotherapy for 18 weeks - one session every 3 weeks.

    I would also advise anyone that if they are not happy with a diagnosis of IBS to ask to be referred to a gastroenterologist.

  • lorna52359
    lorna52359 Guest

    Posted

    ive got a scan a week today as i been getting ibs symptoms i have suffered ovarian cysts in the past but i had a c section and they think i got lesions on my bowel my gp has been brilliant rushing my scan through as im also on tramadol for pain last time i was in hospital for a large cyst i had no tumour markers but getting worried now sad 
  • skyblu
    skyblu Guest

    Posted

    Excellent Post! There is not enough awareness about these symptoms possibly being related to Ovarian Cancer. I am sorry you have had to suffer so much due to lack of a proper diagnosis. I was lucky, I have been having symptoms of IBS or Diverticular Disease. My Doctor told me that in could be a sign of Ovarian Cancer, so I was sent for Scan & also had Blood Tests. A good friend who's Mother died of OC told me to make sure I had the CA125 test. I double checked with Doctor & she confirmed she had done this. I am now awaiting Colonoscopy & hoping nothing sinister will be found. But how many ladies are out there with the above symptoms not wanting to talk to their Doc about it & then finding it is too late. Or on the other side how many people go to their Doc & they may not be aware that Bowel probs could be a sign of Ovarian Cancer. I hope your Post reaches many people searching this website as they have a Bowel problem but worried about going to Doctor, it could save someones life!!! Well done for Posting!

     

  • XBITTERxFROGIEx
    XBITTERxFROGIEx Guest

    Posted

    Hi guys, it's great to hear some people who have had similar problems to me. I'm only 18 and have had about 3-4 months of severe abdominal pain, fatigue, sudden weight gain then loss (I'm currently at 7stone 10 pounds - when I should be 9), bouts of constipation then diarrhoea. My GP told me over and over that it was a urinary tract infection and kept treating me for it, despite my efforts to get them to look deeper. Ended up in A&E one day and they couldn't find anything. Recently had a pelvic examination and the specialist found that I have severely inflamed ovaries and cervix, they told me it was PID. The tests told me I don't even have an infection, and I didn't respond to antibiotics. Now my GP is convinced (for the second time) that I have IBS, but I'm not responding to mebeverine. I'm worried that it's more and they won't look into it because of my age. If anyone has any advice I would be grateful. 
    • jess71400
      jess71400 XBITTERxFROGIEx

      Posted

      Hi, I am in a similar situation too! I am 22 and have had similar problems; I've been having symptoms for 4 months now including shooting type pain, similar to bad stitch in right lower abdomen, general aches in abdomen in different places, bad constipation and nausea too. Blood count normal up to now. I went for abdomen ultrasound scan and results came back normal, however I was meant to have a transvaginal ultrasound but didn't in the end. I am now waiting to go for an Mri scan which I'm sure will pick anything up if this is something like a cyst or cancer? I am just really worried as some members of family have had them, some benign and some not. I also went for an emergency X-ray last friday and still have not had the results back yet which I'm very annoyed about but doctor said I will get them asap. They have also said that I might have to wait up to 3 months for the mri scan, which is such a long time, as I am in discomfort most days, how long did any of you have to wait for a scan?! I am also going to definitely ask at my next doctor's appointment if I can have the internal transvaginal scan as this seems to be most effective at finding out what's wrong. In the meantime, I'm not sure what to do, I keep going to do my doctor every few days with the same symptoms and they just keep telling to carry on taking laxatives (bisacodyl, lactulose, fybogel etc) and mebeverine for IBS but nothing is changing! Feeling very down! sad
    • skyblu
      skyblu XBITTERxFROGIEx

      Posted

      Ask for the CA125 test for Ovarian Cancer & get an Ultrasound scan done internally & externally. You will feel more relaxed knowing everything has been done to eliminate this worry.
    • skyblu
      skyblu jess71400

      Posted

      Hi jess71400, Just noticed your post was 3mths ago. Hope everything is sorted now & you are feeling much better. I note you said you were on Meberverine for IBS, this can cause constipation as it slows down the digestive tract, I didnt know this & could not understand why I was feeling worse, as rarely suffered from this problem before. I also had dizzyness & Nausia whilst on Meberverine. I do hope you are a lot better & the cause of your problems was nothing sinister.
    • jess71400
      jess71400 skyblu

      Posted

      Hi,

      Sadly I am still not better, had mri scan and having a ct scan and possible biopsy next week! I am not taking mebeverine anymore or any meds really at the moment, so think I am closer to finding out now!

    • skyblu
      skyblu jess71400

      Posted

      Hi, Jess71400, I do hope all goes well for you. Best wishes,                                                        
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