New here: Ovarian cyst worries

Hi. Ovarian cysts are very common and usually come and go on their own. The doctor will not usually recommend having them removed unless they are over 4cm.

You will probably find that the scan puts your mind at rest and that there is an explanation that can be easily dealt with. Sometimes stress can make the pain worse anyway. I did have a laparotomy because of an ovarian cyst. By the time it came for my surgery, the cyst had gone! The operation did reveal some other things though so it was useful and they are nothing too worrying. If you do have to have a laparotomy then it really isn't a big deal and recovery is very quick.

Good luck

Sue

Hiya hun. Have they offered you am ultrasound or anything like that? I too had a gyne appointment before anything and they couldnt tell quite what it was. I too had numb legs too which i found quite odd. Have you had any abdominal swelling? X

Hi Sue,

Thank you for the reply. I'm glad your cyst had gone away on its own...that gives me some hope! I'm not even sure what I'm afraid of seeing that this operation has been done on many women, and has had successful outcomes. Hearing you say that a laparotomy isn't "a big deal" helps to calm my nerves a bit. Sometimes we just need reassurance from someone who has more knowledge and experience than we do.

Thanks again

cmarie

Hello Laura,

I initially called the gyno regarding pain and the receptionist said the doctor with probably do an ultrasound to see what's going on. I should also note that I've never had a pelvic exam before.

I am thin, but I have noticed a lot of abdominal bloating. I wouldn't say any swelling, though. I've been gassy the past few days which is only putting more pressure on my ovary! I feel as though I won't be hearing good news tomorrow considering that I can pinpoint the pain and it has been going on for a while. As for the numbness in my legs, it sometimes feels like an electric current from my ovary down to my legs....like a "shock" that travels and then goes numb.

Have you found anything out from your doctor?

Edit: *will probably do an ultrasound

Mine was all sorted in october. Had quite a large cyst that needed to be removed with a laparotomy. I know exctly how hard it is to come to terms with stuff like that. Im 24 never had surgery and it seemed like a massive deal. Try not to worry too much until you know exactly what it is. I know its easier said than done because i was left in the dark for a while about mine so all i seemed to do was worry. I hope everything gets sorted soon for you though. Keep us updated and if you ever have any concerns or questions dont be afraid to ask x

Hiya I seem to be getting the same achy pain as you pulling sensation in my right side, this can go from my pelvis to under my ribs, sometimes achy legs. I've also had this pain for a couple of years, I had a scan but it was for upper abdominal not pelvis, this was diagnosed with gallstones. But I really do think I have an ovarian cyst. Do you have any other symptoms? Please let me know how you get on with scan x

Laura, thank you for the support. I'm glad you got everything taken care of and I hope you're feeling good as new!

Lisa, some of my symptoms recently have included fatigue, loss of appetite, a loud gurgling stomach, gas, and severe pelvic pain. That pulling sensation is quite a unique feeling (It feels kinda like I have to stretch my ovary, as dumb as that sounds). I read somewhere online that the aches and numbness in our legs could be due to the cyst's expansion hitting nerves.

What scares me is that women sometimes don't even have symptoms of a large cyst, but still end up having to have surgery. Here I am with all these symptoms and pain, so the outcome isn't looking too good and I figure I'll need surgery....

I know what you mean, I don't go many days where I haven't got this horrible ache. Good luck for tomorrow , let me know how u get on x

Thank you Lisa, you're in my thoughts. I will let you know how everything goes tomorrow

Hi cmarie, please dont worry, i had 2 large tubal cysts removed 3 days before christmas day (2013)

i was the same as you, very stressed and fearful about the op, I had the same symptoms as you for about

12 months, decided enough was enough and spoke to my doctor. I was seen by Gyne and within 4 weeks was in having my op. Recovery was okay, i stayed in over night, the wounds healed well, the only problem i

had was extremely painful shoulders that apparently is gas pain from the key-hole surgery, pain killers took

care of that, and plenty of walking around. No heavy lifting or hoovering for a while, i was back to normal

after about 3 weeks. I am now waiting to go back in to have my ovary removed, it has doubled in size in 10

weeks so needs to be removed urgently. I will be well prepared this time and know what to expect.

Hope this helps, please feel free to ask any questions, i will try to help, good luck for tomorrow.......

Emma, thank you for the reply. I'm hoping that if I need surgery, it can be done laparoscopically just as you had.

How big were your cysts? Do you know if they usually drain cysts so that laparoscopic surgery can be done rather than the large incision alternative? I am mostly afraid of a laparotomy because of the incision and having to cut through my muscle and all that invasive stuff.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems and are facing another surgery. You will be in my prayers as you go through this

Good luck today! I am sure you will be fine

Also, you would notice it if it was protruding. I am a size 10 and mine protrudes so much I look pregnant.

It is large though at 12cm by 9cm but it grew very quickly and even when it was vastly smaller it poked out when I lay down, a hard lump to the right hand side of my belly. I hope that you get the answers that you are hoping for. I think if it was a very big cyst and you are quite thin you would notice it.....its unlikely you would need a laparotomy if you only have small cysts.

Good luck.