Ovarian cyst painfull and not liking watch n wait approach

Hello Kay8644,

My journey with this started at the end of October. I had back pain. (Lower right). Upon visiting the clinic at my work (I work in a remote location with a clinic but limited diagnostic resources.) They did a urine test which came back looking suspicious for a uti. Upon physical exam (which was quite painful) they felt with the urine test and the pain (specifically location) I needed to go for further diagnostics to rule out kidney stones (or infection in the kidneys) or appendix. By further diagnostics they sent me to the hospital two hours away from my work site with hopes I would get an ultrasound or CT Scan. I had another urine test, blood test and physical exam. They said, "Nothing concerning about the urine or blood test" and based on the physical exam wrote me a prescription for pain medication and a muscle relaxant, calling it a pinched nerve.

Upon return to work our protocol is to follow up with the clinic when they send you to the hospital. I explained the outcome, they did another urine test and physical exam. The urine test was worse and the pain was still bad. They said they disagreed with the hospital 100% and based on the urine culture, they said they wanted to put me on antibiotics. I agreed with the clinic and took the antibiotics they gave me but had an allergic reaction.

When they switched out my antibiotics they made it clear that if the infection was in my kidneys (as they suspected) the antibiotics they gave me wouldn't help I would have to go home and follow up with my doctor because they didn't have another medication that I was able to take. The antibiotics didn't resolve the pain.

I visited my family doctor and with the exam she 100% agreed with the clinic at my work and that it was likely kidney stones or appendix. She was going to send me for an urgent CT. When she looked at the urine test though she determined that it likely wasn't appendix and revised my orders to an ultrasound to look for kidney stones or ovarian cyst.

I had my first ultrasound November 12th. They diagnosed a right ovarian cyst about 2 CM with a slight bleed. I had a repeat ultrasound on Dec 30th. They want you to go through a couple of cycles before they take a new snapshot, to determine if the cycle changed anything. Sometimes for those not going through menopause, the cysts can resolve.

I visit the doctor today. If the cyst has not resolved then I will be asking to be referred to a specialist and looking to have the thing out!!! I have had menstrual like bleeding: November 18 - 4 days, December 3 - 4 days, Dec 22 - 2 1/2 days and started again on the evening of January 5th. While much of the back pain had been resolved, I am woken up in the night with it about every hour and this time with the bleeding the pain is back during the day in my back. The pelvic pain is also quite prominent to the point where I needed to sleep with a hot water bottle.

I am not sure what the ultrasound results will say or even how my doctor really feels about it all but based on what I have read so far and the feedback I've gotten on this site, if the cyst isn't gone, I will be making them get rid of it.

I know this doesn't ease your worrying. But I hope it lets you know that you are in NO WAY alone!!! I will post after I see my doctor.

Shanda

Hi kay81644

Thought i would share my experience with you, l as by reading the forums before my op it really helped. Had pain on and off for a year, irregular bleeding, but most annoying wanting to wee all the time, this became the main reason along with my Auntie being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer (stage 3) that i visited my doctor, i also had developed high blood pressure ( not sure how much this is linked to cyst). Was sent for a scan on kidneys in October 2013, found a cyst 5cm, referred for a internal scan 2 weeks later, they found 6 marble size fibroids, 5cm cyst (fluid filled) and a 7.5cm tumour. was a little bit shocked..... Was referred to Gynaecology, which i saw on the 28th November 2013 , consultant explained that the pain was related to the pressure and not the cyst, the fibroids were not a concern at the moment, but because of my family history he wanted to remove the cyst and tumour (which he did think may be a dermoid cyst?) along with ovary and tube on the left side. Only waited 3 weeks, which was good because i was by this time in a lot of pain. Had surgery on the 20th December 2013, this was done by key hole and a 4 cm cut along bikini line, the cyst was stuck to the tumour which was growing off my fallopian tube not my ovary, this meant they could leave the ovary and only remove the tube. Had no pain on tummy, used some pain killers, could of left that evening but my blood pressure was not right so stayed over night. on returning home took pain killers for a couple of days. Had no pain on going to the toilet. The only real problem i have suffered from is pain in my shoulders and neck from the trapped gas, this can be really painful and can catch your breath, so be prepared. Peppermint tea helped, hot bath, heat patches and a massage, im nearly three weeks post op and still have pain in shoulders,guess it will go eventually, just awaiting lab results, should hear this week, good luck to everyone will keep you up dated re: progress, dont give up, keep pestering yor doctors, i am feeling alot better, starting to feel normal again, lots of energy, first period last week since op, no pain and much lighter- only 4 days instead of 8 !!!

Thanks ladys I hope everyone gets answers soon and recover well im worried sick its driving me bonkers I dont understand why they dont remove it im 31 have been blessed with 3 gorgues children been sterilised and have marina coil fitted will update when I find anything out thanks very much ladys.

hi Kay, your experience sounds identical to mine. I was in minor pain from Feb 2013 then in June 2013 it got serious had a Ultrasound which confirmed 4.5 x 3.5 cm cyst plus a couple of smaller ones and I was put on watch and wait - it was the longest 4 months of my life but towards the end of Sept I started to feel a little better, I was in terrible pain as the cyst was pressing on nerves and some days I could barely walk. GP kept saying 'its only small and shouldnt cause much pain' In October 2013 I went for another Ultrasound which showed the cyst had popped - there was quite a bit of fluid on my ovary but that would be absorbed back into the body. and since then I havent had any more pain. So they do disappear in time, just horrid waiting for that time to pass. Good luck. x

Ladies please don't give up if you feel it is affecting your life dramatically insist with you doctor and specialists that something be done.... i was in terrible pain about 5 years ago, i am convinced that i had a cyst burst then, it was put down to ovulation pain. After i think the cyst had burst i had no more pain until beginning of this year. Cysts can regrow and cause many problems that can take over your life, i was passing urine all the time and had painful breast, i did endless pregnancy tests (all negative) i am 42 and have a brilliant grown up family so pregnancy would of been a big shock !!!! i insisted to my specialist that i would rather have my ovary and tube removed to stop all the problems, they look horrified at you because it is a little drastic, but when your in that much pain you resort to pretty much anything.... thank god i didnt have to 'watch & Wait' i was operated on very quickly, but please dont give up, i feel so much better, even after just 3 weeks, at the moment i have my old self back, good luck ladies x Emma

So just to update everyone. My cyst is completely gone now. My doctor says that is the best scenario! I am now going for some blood work to check hormone levels and thyroid because of the between cycle bleeding. Early menopause perhaps.

I will still continue watching this board and offering support wherever I can!

Shanda

Hi shanda really pleased it has gone good result xxx

Little upadate have an aappointment for a ultrasound on 30th of jan while away yet not happy im positive I can feel a lump in my right side of abdomen im stressing big time yesterday I had intercourse with my partner aferwards the pain was unbearable but didnt get advise from doctor but I have aches in top of my thighs and hip area wish they would get me in sooner

Hi Kay, please try and stop stressing - it can make you worse (easier said than done I know) but I too could feel a lump in my abdo - one time I was squeezing and pressing it so hard that I ended up having a huge bruise across my abdo. A cyst can feel more painful on intercourse as it can get 'knocked' I was convinced I had ovarian cancer, I had even come to terms with it and looked into what treatments I can expect!!! your symptoms sound exactly like mine and mine has gone on its own now - but looking back the pain was some days unbearable but with having 2 small children I just had to get on with it. The 30th Jan will soon be here and fingers crossed it will be a positive result and you can put negative thoughts out of your mind. Good Luck xx

Hiya , I think I might have an ovarian cyst too, have been having on off pain for a couple of years in my pelvis right side, hip. Also my upper right side, hurst when I go for a wee, especially last little bit, I've had the marina coil for 5 yrs, which I've heard are prone to bringing on cysts, my doctor sent me for an abdominal scan which diagnosed gallstones, but they didn't scan my pelvis. I worry so much about ovarian cancer : ( I'm foreverGoogling my symptoms , just don't want to go for all those tests & worry again , any reassurance would be appreciated : ) x x

I think you should ask the doctors for another scan Please dont worry I know it hard to but im trying to stay positive xxxx

Update of for my scan tommorow hopefully it has gone but I arent holding my breath still having pains I have had 3 periods since December wish shouldnt be normal and they are just brown discharge sorry for sounding yukky

Hi kay81644

Sorry you are having such a miserable time of it. I have been through a similar experience twice now. I had an ovarian cyst about 2 yrs ago. I was very anxious - but it turned out to be a simple cyst - I had 4 scans and it went away after about 5-6 months. Then last year I had pelvic pain again and a scan showed a 5 cm cyst in my right ovary again. This time I was less worried and 3 scans later (last one Nov 2013) the cyst had gone away. Relief!

i wanted my gynaecologist to do something to get rid of the cyst but she explained this was not necessary. i found the waiting for the next scan very worrying. I did a lot of reading about ovarian cysts and "watchful waitin". it seems this is the normal approach and seems to be the right one - unless the cyst looks worrying when they scan you - if it appears solid or more complicated. I spent lots of time Googling my symptoms and the tests that I was having.

This internet article sums up watchful waiting well - with references as well if you want lots of detail:

http://www.enetmd.com/content/watchful-waiting-ovarian-cysts

I had a lot of pain with my second cyst and had to take strong painkillers. There is also an article about ovarian cyst pain: http://www.enetmd.com/content/ovarian-cyst-pain

I hope this is reassuring. Let us know how you get on and try not to worry, I am sure the cyst will go away. best wishes dawn