Coping with Ovarian Cyst(s)

Also, my little boy has refused a couple of feeds yesterday and today so I'm wondering whether he will miraculously self-wean before surgery!! He's teething bad and will alternate between feeding lots and refusing feeds depending on how he's feeling. I'm thinking of dropping the daytime feeds (only 1 or 2 anyway, which he doesn't have when I'm at work) so it will be just morning and bedtime feeds he'll be missing out on post-surgery.

I also spoke to the pharamicist today about when I can breastfeed after taking tramadol and he said if I took it for a week he'd recommend 24-48 hours wait after stopping taking it before it's at a safe level in my system to breastfeed. I know it has an acculative effect in the body so the longer I take it the longer gap I'll need. Good to know!

I had to find out! I asked about the referral process and they said when it (finally) comes in from the GP - which could be by fax or post - it goes to the appointment centre and then out to the consultant to 'mark up' - which I guess means prioritise based on clinical need, possibly even given specific surgery slot - and then back to the appointment centre to book the appointment on the system. Long winded eh? I think phoning back Friday for a date might be a little optimist

OMG! Injecting yourself?! That I could not do!!! I was warned about clots with abdominal surgery as I have potentially got something called Factor V Leiden. I've ONLY just found out about it from my aunt because of everything that is going on. (Why it would only just come to light after 27 years I do not know!!!) but it is basically an inherited gene mutation that means your blood is more prone to clotting. My aunt, mum and nan all have it. So the chances of me having inherited it are very high!

I was tested for it a week and a half ago but I have not had my results back yet as it is so rare that they can take up to six weeks (!!!) Joke.

Did you find it ok injecting? I am really not looking forward to this all now (

No I am not on anything right now as I am not in any pain, I have got some co-codamol for when I come on as that is really painful but nothing for day to day.

For your meds, good news that the tramadol comes out of your system quickly for you! But on the flip side, also good news on your son refusing your breast too! I hope that he is going to take it smoothly...that would be brill and make things so much easier!

I think I had my letter one or two days after referral so it has to be quite quick. I think they must refer you electronically as it would make no sense not to be able to.....

Fingers crossed it is through soon!!! I know at my hospital they have a bookings line, maybe you can google what the line is and they can tell you if they have sent out the letter????

It's not a big needle but I had to get OH to do it first few times! Then it was ok

Sounds like your PCT are really efficient I phoned the appt centre to get that advice just now and they hadn't had the referral in yet from the GP (done yesterday). They asked if I knew whether it was sent by post or fax! So I have no faith it's going to be quick. Maybe it's all done electronically and quicker once it's in from the GP. My experience last time was the hospital were much more efficient at getting anything done and I had no problems with them last time. It's just the GP that's the hold up!

At least you know about the clotting risk and it won't be a nasty surprise for you or your medical team! Also good you're not in pain although stress is very debilitating in itself isn't it? I can't concentrate on anything it's horrible. I keep thinking I just need to know the date and then I can make all the necessary arrangements and psychologically prepare myself. Also I hope I get a morning slot because it's less time to go without food and coffee

Oh god what a pain! lol Shame that they have not had it but also no shame in calling each day.....you will likely hear sooner that way and if you are anything like me you will want to know at least a week ago! lol

I know. Although I havent got a clue if I have actually got it or not yet.....going to have to call every week to find out if the results are back in or not. I cant believe that they would leave you waiting so long. I am waiting to go on holiday and have surgery so both things that I WILL need to know about it for and they have not put any kind of rush on....LOL thanks NHS

The stress and worry isnt great. Every time I notice something on my body I convince myself there is something sinister and things are spreading around. Its really not nice Im just praying for the call that it is all ok and just a normal (non dangerous) cyst!

Yes a morning slot sounds best! Do you know I have never had surgery before so you will have to give me all the tips lol!!!

Dont think I could go too long without my morning coffee and I can be a bit of a cow when I am hungry!!

It may be slow but at least my surgery experience last time and maternity care for that matter were top notch I must say (except **** GPs that is). My last cystectomy was my first surgery too and first time ever I'd needed any major medical care or hospital stay at all since I was born. It was a big thing then and is again this time now with the toddler.

I had to cancel a trip to India last time which was disappointing especially as the inlaws went (we were all booked to go but insurance only covered me and OH) and they kept texting me about sandy beaches and delicious curry while I was laid up in recovery!!

I know what you mean about every little thing going on your body. Chances of anything sinister are really really low at our age though - your 27?? (I'm 30, so would've been 28 first time round). My scan/diagnosis helped this massively for me as before even though I was sure it was another cyst there's always that doubt in your mind. Doesn't help when your mum goes ooh nausea? frequent urinating? bloating? are you sure you're not pregnancy again? Lol! The way I deal with it is one step at a time; diagnosis, surgery date, biopsy, recovery etc. I was told the biopsy result of the last when when still in hospital and I was still quite out of it on the drugs and it was just another piece of information in the haze of what was going on.

Recovery is definitely about one day at a time. You get some good days, some bad. Have you got plenty of support for when you're discharged? You might not *need* it but it's always good especially for the emotional side of it. Also you might feel fine one minute but rubbish the next and need to put your feet up, so don't turn down any offers of help!

For me the experience was quite life changing because I was always on the go working 12 hours a day busy busy busy burning the candles at both ends and I suddenly had to slow right down to nothing and build it back up again slowly. The experience prompted me to consider having children as a possibility as I always thought I couldn't fit them in to my life but having had to slow down for surgery and recovery I thought oh this must be like having a child in a way! Which it kind of is lol. Except you have children forever and cysts go away with surgery :p Well, until they come back again But, you have to look for the positives in these things and that's what I took from my experience last time that I realised I could handle a child and a career simultaneously which has worked out ok until now! We'll see what happens this time.

It's been really good to chat with you Beccy - it's reminded me of how I coped last time and I think it's help preparing me for the event ahead! Ask me anything you're worried about and I'll try and remember from my last time X

This might sound a bit crazy - but do you think my VERY ANNOYING right eye twitch tht's been intermittently present since the other ovarian cyst symptoms could be related?? I just put it down to tiredness/stress but now I've got pins and needles in my hands and feet and shooting pains down my right leg I wonder what else it's affecting?! When I had my scan I told the sonographer I'd had right ovary pain then left ovary pain and when she said there was just the left ovary cyst I said that right ovary.side pain was weird and she said it was common! Apparently it transfers across. It's very weird. I've had eye twitches before when tired etc but this is freakishly coincidental and persistent.

OMG!!!! I have had the WORST eye twitch for ages, I had been putting it down to tiredness!, I am so freaked out that you said that! Hahaha

I get a dead leg sometimes and I asked the dr about it and she said it is very possible that the cyst could be bumping into a nerve so I guess it could be?!

I think mine has bumped my sciatic nerve a few times as I have got agonising - but split second - shooting pain about four or five times since I have been diagnosed.

You made me laugh out loud with the "are you sure you're not pregnant" stuff!!! ..... Hello EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE!

I know that there are very slim chances but as you know that doesn't stop doubt. As long as there is a "chance" it isn't really any consolation but I know that you are right....

It has been really good to chat to you too!! I find it so nice talking to all the ladies on here....makes you feel like you're not e only one in the boat!!

Sorry for my really randomly organised reply....I was picking bits out and it probably doesn't make sense!!

Thanks so much for sharing all your experiences! It really helps! xxxx

By the way, what was the reason that you ended cancelling your trip in the end? Were you advised to or did you just feel better to cancel?? Xx

Sorry, posting again. I just re read and missed some points.

It's so lovely that you ended up wanting a child out of your cyst experience. At least there was something positive! I bet you were made up when you had your little one?

I have my partner who is going to be around a lot. My sister and my dad will pop round ans stay in the spare room also friends are all ready to help so that's good.how long were you out if action f or? Xx

I'm totally convinced the eye twitch is related now lol!

We had to cancel the trip primarily because surgery date was day after we were due to fly but also because of the different healthcare system in India; even with holiday insurance, I wouldn't want to need emergency medical care there. They have some excellent healthcare but insurance does not guarantee you'd get access to it. With the urinary retention there was a risk of a repeat and the dr advised not to do a long haul flight, but that was all irrelevant with the surgery date anyway.

Good to hear you have help organised

Yes it's all the cliches about having a child; best thing ever, life-changing and can't imagine life without him now

I think it is too....mine has been mental. Goes on for like ten seconds at a time sometimes. Its persistent all through the day.....

I am going to LA so I am not too bothered about the standard of medical care as I know that it is good over there but I asked my gynae and GP a lot of questions about whether flying would actually have any negative impact on me and they both said no. The actual flight wouldnt do anything, the only issue would be if it burst and you couldnt get to see anyone but it is just as likely to burst sat at your desk as in flight. I will see what they say when I hear from them though....

Awww that is so cute! How old did you say he was now? Do you think you will have any more? xxx

Aw you are braver than me flying! But LA wow I wouldn't want to miss that either!

I'm not sure if the eye twitch is caused directly by the cyst or whether it's the extra tiredness and stress that the cyst has caused! I've had eye twitches before but this one is ridiculous too! It's about every hour or so and goes off for no good reason!

LO is 13 months nearly, he's brilliant When we embarked on the journey to have him we said let's see how it goes, no major plans to just have 1 or more really but now we're over the worst of the birth, feeding issues and sleepless nights etc I could see us having more and we said a 3 year gap would be ideal. I think that the cysts are caused by ovulating so the follow up from the surgery I need to find out what birth control will stop ovulating that might help with the risk of another repeat large cyst. The other options to stop ovulation (I know of) are pregnancy and having the ovaries out which will prompt menopause and obviously no more babies ever (biologically). So with this in mind the 3 year gap we had in mind might now be reduced to more like 2 years. I didn't know when we started to TTC that they recommend 12 months gap from a c section to TTC to let you heal properly. The c section obviosuly involves the cut to the uterus as well so more problematic for future pregnancies than the abdominal surgery but we only had 4 months gap from surgery to conception and we had positioning and delivery issues with him being back to back and needing ventouse and forceps delivery. We won't ever know whether that would've happened anyway or whether the tight scar tissue stopped him turning and birthing properly but it's something I'm now wary of when considering #2. I think I need to consult with gynae properly after surgery and recovery about my options as I never got that aftercare and advice last time.

I phoned the appointment centre back and the very snotty advisor said the referral wouldn't come through and show up on the system til mid-late next week and then I would have to have a consultation with the consultant first and then they would finally book me in for surgery. Why it should take over a week to send a referral through is beyond me. So I'm not even going to get a consultation til back end of next week earliest probably week after and then another wait for surgery :'(

Oh what a nightmare! Why was she being so snotty? I did have some arguments with them at first as they said that my scan appointment would be 20th march, (this is at the end of February) I kicked off and said I wouldnt accept it as I could see my stomach growing and needed to know ASAP!!!! I got passed between three hospitals before I got my appointment on March 3rd.

Awww so cute! Well it definitely sounds like you have the baby bug for round 2! I'd get asking straight away when you get into surgery!