Some female specific symptoms

Worried you might have a blood cancer?
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Hello all,

First off I hope I don’t offend anyone by posting here, but I am really quite scared.

I have a few symptoms. I’m a 30 year old female with a family history of blood cancer (notably 4 female relatives of separated generations with current/previous myeloma.)

I have been back and forth to the GP recently due to the symptoms and I’m now starting to feel a bit worried.

Symptoms include heavy periods and bleeding outside of my periods both from the front and back (sorry for the too much information post), quite severe back pain, and most recently in the last couple of months extremely unexplained easy bruising - talking three/four new bruises a day - to the point where a friend thought I was experiencing domestic abuse recently (of which I am not) and a very painful area under my left rib area.

The most notable new symptom which a very sympathetic GP picked up on at my last consultation was a very very rapid unintended weight loss (10kg in 2-3 months) and night sweats.

My GP initially due to the bleeding (although I was quite persistent that it was painless bleeding aside from normal period type cramping) suspected “MSK pain +/-rule out endometriosis and sent me for a pelvic ultrasound which came back normal with “no sonographic conclusions” for patient symptoms.

However the recent more sympathetic GP has sent me for bloods and specifically asked for a clotting screen to check my platelets due to the bruising/bleeding.

My last blood test a few months revealed a very minor abnormal result in my white cell count and a “moderate anaemia” which I am being treated for but the GP suspected it was down to the blood loss from my heavy periods and bleeding outside of my periods.

I’ve got my next set of bloods on Tuesday and I am just really freaking out that they are going to ring me and say it’s bad news on the basis of a clotting screen.

I’m a single parent to a beautiful one year old and I’m just so frightened that the clotting screen will be the one test that comes back and answers everything and I won’t be around to see my little one grow up.

I guess it’s a really weird feeling when you want answers to your questions but you’re also scared that the answers will be bad news… I just wondered if anyone had had anything similar where initially they’d been reassured with some blood tests but then had another one (clotting specifically) done which threw up some further issues.?

Sorry it’s late and I’m rambling. Any support appreciated. Due to my family history family members tend to freak out at any mention of anything mildly out of the norm and I don’t want to cause further upset to any of them.

Many thanks,
Lou x

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Hi @LLMH I am so glad that you have found us and had the courage to post.
As you have so clearly shown we are complex beings and our symptoms could indicate
several conditions.
I always think that it is better to actually know what is wrong with me than my head going off in all directions and usually to the worst scenarios.
I was diagnosed with blood cancer 19 yrs ago and came home and wrote my will and funeral music. My son was in his late 20’s and I thought I would never see him married with children. He is now coming up to 50yrs old and he has never married!!!
It is no wonder you are freaking out with your family history and a little one, it is a lot.
Perhaps write out all your symptoms, their severity and impact on your life.
Perhaps write out your family history.
Perhaps write out your fears and all your questions and ask your GP what is the next step and what you would like i.e. a test for myeloma, a second opinion or a referral.
Sometimes when you write and read thing out it has more impact I find.
Have you anyone that can come with you to support you.
If you would like to talk to someone please do contact the Blood Cancer UK support line on 0808 2080 888.
The main thing is that you be kind and look after yourself.
Please do let us know how you get on and I look forward to hearing more about you.

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Hi there I echo what Erica says

I have myeloma diagnosed 6 years ago
Just to reassure you there are treatments to help you live with myeloma

As you have a family history I would ask for a blood test to look for myeloma
These look at Paraproteins and lightchains and a range of others

Myeloma Uk is a very useful resource

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Hi. Thank you both for your replies.

As I think was reflected in my post I am very worried. I spoke to a family member today who is also worried. This weekend alone I have counted 7 new bruises on my legs which is new but they are almost like old bruising.

I will let you know how I get on x

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Hello Lou
I’m new here too and have myeloma, I don’t know what to say about your symptoms except I’m glad you’re getting the blood tests. I hope everything goes well, I’m just responding to send my support to you lots of love and fingers crossed xxx

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