1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Menopause

Panic Attack

Posted , 4 users are following.

laura80566
laura80566

Hi Ladies,

I am having an acute panic attack.  The gas, bloating (abdomen and waist), lower abdominal heaviness, fullness after meals, intermittent back pain are making me wonder if I have ovarian cancer or endometrial cancer.  These symptoms started just prior to my last period (after not having period for 3 months).

The gas and bloating is 80% reduced in the morning but as soon as I start eating I blow up for the rest of the day (although the thickening around the waist is always there).  The upper abdominal sharp shooting pain isn't as frequent (it is getting less).

I have been diagnosed with borderline Celiac and an upper UTI.  I elimiated gluten about 10 days ago.  The spotting and watery blood (now and again) resolved after a few days of being on the antibiotics for the UTI.  No blood or spotting since.

I thought the bloating may have been caused by the UTI.  Then I found this forum and discovered the gas, bloating and pain could be explained by perimenopause symptoms.

I'm having a panic attack now because I remember the gyno diagnosing me with a thickened uterine lining a couple of years ago.  He sent it off for a biopsy and it was clear.  I forgot about it until I read the symptoms of endometrial cancer (I have had endometriosis and ovarian cysts in the past with them returning negative for cancer).

It's been a couple of years since the all clear but I am worried that my symptoms might be cancer as well as perimenopause.

Sorry for the lengthy post.

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • shaznay96184
    shaznay96184 laura80566

    Posted

    Yeah Laura, I get lie that. And I too think of all sorts. This bloody Peri gets us like that!

    But maybe go have a chat with your GP about your concerns, especially with your gynae history. I completely understand your connecting those symptoms. Afterall we're always told to get these things checked out.

    I'm probably the wrong person to reply to you as I am a terrible slf-diagnoser and never go to the GP. But the truth is I'm never really I'll! However I too think 'big stuff', just as you have, but believe there are loads of of suffering with wing/bloating/big belly days: all Peri-related.

    But me being you: I'd go chew the ear off my GP if just to reassure me. If he's not aware of anything remotely Peri/Menopausal (oh! I'm a terrible cynic!!:-) ), maybe he'll refer you to a Gynae.

    Try not to worry. Keep us posted:-)

    Sx

    • laura80566
      laura80566 shaznay96184

      Posted

      Thank you Shaznay.  It's so nice to have understanding.  These forums are so good for support.  Ignorant doctors have made me a cynic too. 

      Its so hard to know what is peri related anxiety and what is realistic.  I have an ultrasound on Friday. 

  • bobbysgirl
    bobbysgirl laura80566

    Posted

    Welcome to the club! I could have written your post. Get back to your GP and get yourself checked out. I'm still having yearly scans for cysts and fibroids (also had endometriosis). Everything was on a downward (shrinking) slope until the last blood test - markers are up slightly and I don't know why (might be HRT?) They want to see me again later in the year.

    I know how worrying it is - get back to your GP. Best wishes.

    • laura80566
      laura80566 bobbysgirl

      Posted

      Thanks Bobbysgirl,

      I trust your results were non cancerous and your yearly check ups are just for monitoring?  When you say downward slope, is that because you thought the worst?  Have you considered a hysterechtomy?  I am having an ultrasound this Friday.  Feeling very nervous.

  • annieschaefer
    annieschaefer laura80566

    Posted

    Laura,

    If you only removed gluten 10 days ago, much of what you are describing can be related to the celiac issue. Not to mention you just ended of course of antibiotics. Both can cause bloating, pain and gas. It took me several weeks to feel improvement once removing gluten (not sure what borderline Celiac means-did you have the biopsy done during an endoscopy?) but do not get upset that you are still having symptoms this early in your change of diet.

    It's true many of the symptoms of celiac disease overlap Perimenopausal symptoms but it's best to get to your doctor and discuss your concerns and have the appropriate tests done to rule out your larger concerns. Many women, including myself have had thickened endometriums that have turned out fine. Worrying that this might be ovarian or endometrial cancer will simply drain you of valuable energy and does not serve a good purpose. I know how easy it is to research things on the internet and think, "wow-sounds familiar." Please take some deep breaths for now and let your doctor help you.

    By all means, see your doctor asap, so that you may relax and find out what is really going on for you.

    Hoping you feel better soon and again, please relax and for now, simply read less because it's way to easy to connect dots that really shouldn't be connected. Let us know what your doctor finds out for you!

    Annie xx

    • laura80566
      laura80566 annieschaefer

      Posted

      Thank you Annie xx

      It is comforting to hear from those who have experienced the same thing and are okay.  I'm glad my symptoms sound like celiac because that would be preferrable.  Good to know I shouldn't expect relief for at least another few weeks. 

      I am going through perimenopause too and I think somehow it brought on the celiac.  The doctor took a blood test that revealed borderline celiac.  My eldest has celiac so it makes sense. 

      I only get sudden diarrhea once very 4 months after I've eaten something spicy at a restaurant.  Otherwise I have constipation most of the time.  Since going gluten free I have normal bms. 

      I wonder if the anxiety is adding to the bloat too.  I also get a bubbly feeling in my lower abdomen that seems to be exacerbated by anxiety.

      Thank you for your support.  I will take your advice and stop searching the internet.  I feel a little calmer now.

      Will keep you posted. xx

    • annieschaefer
      annieschaefer laura80566

      Posted

      Laura,

      Please really follow the celiac diet and remove everything (all gluten, wheat & etc including modified food starch contains wheat) READ ALL labels-seriously and you will feel better quicker. I had no idea that the coffee creamer (very popular) actually had the modified food starch had wheat in it, which kept me feeling lousy. We even had to buy a 4 slice toaster due to cross contamination. 

      Mine also was discovered during Peri, so that was one thing that I was able to get under control and feel better about. It's frustrating as it does limit our ability to go out to dinner with friends but feeling better is worth it!

      Again.......our bodies are very cyclical and while you had a previous thick endometrium, may or may not be the case now. I have had ovarian cysts come and go, endometrium get thick, then not, had the biopsy-all was fine. I see you are having an ultrasound this Friday! Perfect! Now deep breaths until then, ok? You'll be fine-this is a very tricky time and if you can get a hold of the anxiety and find techniques early on to not let it over power you, all the better.

      Looking forward to hearing the outcome Laura, just know many of us have been where you are right now. smile

      Annie xx

    • laura80566
      laura80566 annieschaefer

      Posted

      Thanks again Annie....you're very kind.

      I had no idea about modified food starch containing wheat.  I will have to be more careful in future. 

      I'm glad your tests returned normal.  You must have been relieved.

      The bloating, distension and upper abdominal pain is something I have never experienced before.  Knowing that you have and it is normal for celiacs makes me feel calmer.  I also think hormones are playing a role.

      I will keep you posted.  Thanks for your reply.  Take care. xx

  • susan21149
    susan21149 laura80566

    Posted

    Hang in there laura i have been anxious about my health since I have been in menopause myself. I have had a lot of anxieties palpitations stomach issues feeling like something is always wrong with my but always find relief when they tell me my blood work is fine and my heart is fine. 

    Its scary when your hormones are all over the place 

    • laura80566
      laura80566 susan21149

      Posted

      Thank you Susan. It is very frightening. I've had anxiety all my life but not to this degree. No-one prepares us For it. I worry about back pain in conjunction with stomach pain because that might mean ovarian cancer. I worry about bubbles in urine a couple times a day because that might mean kidney disease even though blood tests returned normal except for Celiac result. It's a nightmare and I feel useless. I have the in-laws coming over from New Zealand for two weeks and I don't know how I will cope. Sorry for being a misery guts but it sounds like you all understand because you've been through it or are going through it. I appreciate all of the replies. I hope you getting enough support and finding relief. Thanks again Susan.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.