1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Ovarian Cyst

complex ovarian cyst

Posted , 6 users are following.

camay0104
camay0104

I was diagnosed this week with a complex ovarian cyst on my left ovary. A am 31 years old and have been visiting my doctor for the last 2 years with various symtoms at different times, nausea, back ache, cramp, fatigue, breathlessness, constipation etc. I was beginning to think that some of these symptoms were in my head as no one i saw seemed concered, although to be fair whenever i went to the doctors i would normaly only mention the symtom that was prominent atvthe time. I have not felt normal for anlong time. I saw a new doctor 3 weeks ago complaining of constant pelvic pains, she sent me for anninternal scan and then called to tell me it was a complex ovarian cyst on my left ovary. At the time i felt relieved that i wasnt being a hypochondriac and i didnt ask her much but now i have looked it up i am pretty terrified! I know she is going to refer me to the gynecologist but apart from that i dont have a clue where it goes from here. If anyone could give me any indication of whats ahead, i would really appreciate it. I have 2 small children and im a single parent, im worried sick about how long i will be in hospital for if it needs to be removed And how much time i will need to take off work or be unable drive etc.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • lisa7675
    lisa7675 camay0104

    Posted

    Hi Shelley,

    i was pretty worried the first time I had a complex cyst on my ovary. Solid matter etc, I was referred to the gyno oncologist and they were pretty sure it was ovarian cancer. I was booked for surgery and told they would biopsy it and if not cancerous, just remove the ovary but if it was cancer they would take everything. I woke from surgery and told that the cyst had burst a couple of days before surgery( the pain did get worse) and everything was clear so they left my ovary.

    6 months later I started slowly getting symptoms back - bloating, nausea, pelvic pain, pain in my groin, sometimes up near my hip, etc. was referred back to gyno after ultrasound showed another complex cyst and both ovaries irregular and about 5 times their normal size. 

    Basically this time I was told it's probably the same as last time, we will just keep an eye on it with regular ultrasounds. They don't want to remove my ovaries as I am too young(39), they don't want to do another surgery unless they have to because I already have to much scar tissue. So I basically have to put up with it. I was told I could try a marena to regulate things, I did but my uterus is too small for a marena. I was told to try the pill, can't do that, I have a liver reaction and go yellow. So basically I was told I will just have to put up with the pain. I was also told ovarian cysts can't cause the pain out towards my hip and groin so I must have something wrong with my hip. That made me pretty cranky because I know it's from the cyst, that's how I knew I was getting another and the pain went away for a while after the last surgery. I said that to the gyno and was told that how could that be, they didn't remove anything   during the surgery and I replied that no, but it did burst and everything was cleaned out so it wasn't there any more. 

    I used to have normal periods but have only had 6 in 2 years and 2 of those have been so painful I have almost called an ambulance and I am so scared of having another one like that.

    • camay0104
      camay0104 lisa7675

      Posted

      My goodness! So you have been told you have to live with the cysts and the pain? Thats pretty shocking!

      Im very concerned about the amount of time that i have had the symtoms and keep thinking the worst!

    • lisa7675
      lisa7675 camay0104

      Posted

      Hi, yes pretty much. They told me to take painkillers. I can understand where they are coming from, I am not to keen for menopause yet and I have had 2 c sections, ( one of those emergency and then they had to reopen it several hours later and also insert drain bags) plus the laparotomy, so there is a bit of scar tissue. I am a little worried because they were sure it was cancer last time but they think it's the same this time, but how can they be sure. I will do it their way for a while but I don't want to put up with the pain for too long.
  • Mummy_smith
    Mummy_smith camay0104

    Posted

    Hi, I'm not sure on your type of cyst but i had a torsion cyst (the stalk of it was twisted around my ovary and tube) i had it removed by keyhole surgery and was up and home the next day. It mostly depends if they have to open you up to remove or whether it can be done by keyhole. I was advised not to do any heavy lifting, high stretching for the first 2 weeks, i have 3 children so it was difficult but i managed. The consultant gynaecologist at the hospital will be able to tell you more about what needs to be done.. Good luck x
  • v17
    v17 camay0104

    Posted

    Hi,

    The recovery time depends on what surgery you are going to do.  If it is a key-hole (i.e. laparoscopy), it should be max 2 weeks.  I had a key-hole surgery a little less than 3 weeks ago to remove my dermoid cyst and I found myself to be able to walk the next day though very slowly.  On the 4th day, I went shopping at Costco.  A little bit of pain still came up by the 7th day, but now I am all good.  I mean I could chase the bus, but I have not tried jogging yet. 

    However, if it is laparotomy; it would take much longer.  I have heard with today's technology, cysts as big as 20cm can do key-hole.  So, do not be fooled by doctor to tell you to do laparotomy (open surgery).  This is only needed if you are doing more than removal of a cyst.

    Take care and good luck.

  • sandy67
    sandy67 camay0104

    Posted

    I have had oainful cysts over the yeas and spent  5 days in hospital last week with the most awful pain around the ovariesbut also in and around my belly button! In fact that is where it started so appendicitis was first suspected. After a ct scan they saw cysts on my right ovary, one I was told was quite large, but then I saw a junior gynae doctor who said they are all tiny and wouldnt cause this pain! She treated me like a hypochondriac! I started bleeding whilst in hospital. It was not aoeriod as there was no flow, only when i went for a wee, but a lot of blood! She insisted it was a period, just abit abnormal! Sorry but after having periods for at least 35 years, a young junior doctor telling me this was a period just infuriated me, it was nothing like one! They discharged me still in pain and still bleeding telling me nothing needed to be done with the cysts! My partners sister worked at a different hospital, same dept. she is outraged at how I was treated!! I know we all get cysts every month that burst, but some are complicated. God I didnt imagine the awful pain I was in. I am still getting it but not as bad. Good luck x
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.