Large Ovarian Cyst waiting time?
Posted , 24 users are following.
I went to the gym in October and thought I pulled a muscle in my stomach, but it was really painful so ended up going to the doctors. They referred me for a scan and I ended up being referred to a consultant. I have been diagnosed as have an Ovarian cyst 10 x 10 x 8cm. My stomach is huge and I have been on painkillers for 7 months now. I was not expecting that news from the scan as it was explained as a small cyst, which may need keyhole surgery. Very shocked to find out it was that big and I may need to be cut open and possibly have an ovary removed too. I have a 12 - 16 week wait and am feeling pretty nauseous with constant bad back pain (my job involves standing up most of the day) which I am struggling with. My stomach is getting huge and I am a petite person. I am not sure I can manage 16 weeks wait, I will also have to postpone the op if that is the case due to circumstances, cannot believe the timing of it all. I have been told to go to A&E immediately if in pain as my ovary may twist. I cannot sleep as it is so uncomfortable I am having to turn every 15 minutes or so and am constantly tearful, which I cannot control. I am now eating little and often, getting indigestion and also pain in my hip too, just a few of many symptoms I am experiencing. Does anyone have any experiences of the waiting time they had? Or experiences of laparotomy or laparoscopy to share? Maybe just to put my mind at rest.
4 likes, 189 replies
Bek
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JulietNaturally Bek
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Bek
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Well I have to say that my initial euphoric start post surgery was short lived. I have had more bad days then good, but today is a good day so thought I would post.
I know I am now in the wrong forum, as my biopsy results finally came through. It was confirmed I had a degenerated fibroid, although it had degenerated so much it had turned to liquid and rotted (for like of a better word), It was between the walls of my uterus and protruded out more than 15cm in the end. The staff hadn't seen anything like it, so maybe my pain was a result of the degenration.
To those of you who have had a laparotomy I was wondering if you could answer a few questions (I know it is a little different but). I had a cut of 6ish inches in my abdomin and it is obviusly sore, but I am experiencing swelling above the scar if I stand up for too long. It is pretty uncomfortable.
I am now 4 and half weeks post surgery, thought I would be recovering quicker. My scar is still very painful particularly at the sides and very raised at the sides too. My energy levels are pretty low (diet fine), skin is awful, I am guessing the usual. I have been pretty tearful this week, frustrated. Having gone from trekking mountains and exercising lots last year to managing a short walks every now and again has made me a little up and down.
Obviously I am keeping myself busy, but I am now contemplating what an earth I am doing with my life in general. I think it is all the post surgery emotion coming out and perhaps the strong hormone treatment wearing off. Also getting the odd migraine again.
Sleeping is still uncomfortable and I am back to being unable to sleep much too. My apetite is good, well better than before. I was just expecting to be able to bend down and pick things up more easily. Made the mistake of twisting the other day without thinking, that was not fun. Took a longer walk than usual last weekend and that knocked me out for 4 days. In a week and a half I am supposed to be going back to work, I shall be going to the doctors I think. No way I can be lifting heavy things in class and be 100% alert.
Fingers crossed I have a 'second' honeymoon to look forward to if I amm well enough. Booked at the start of all this, as I realised my wedding and honeymoon were not going to be what I had hoped. I mean great time, but I had to sleep most of the week, not drink (except 1 glass for toasting) on my wedding day due to all the painkillers and spent every night with very little sleep sat in a hot bath for the pain and during that week still smile for the guests. Yes I made it, but can't help but feel cheated a little. Sorry people not feeling that positivity at the mo.
However today has been a good day, I have so many plans, just want to do them now, I know I really shouldn't complain, I could be worse. Shame all the medication and treatment was unnecessary and perhaps an MRI would have idenitifed the problem in the first place...........someone tell me theor good news
aliceb Bek
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I do remember the frustration of the slow recovery. It's very hard for active people and overdoing it's too easy! Can you take up a new temporary hobby whilst you recovery to keep your mind active? I drew loads in recovery. Also remember how far you;ve come and you're more than likely over half way there!
Regarding the recovery time; a lot can improve in a week and a half but yes I agree you should not return to work if not ready. I think I had 7-8 weeks off work. They advised 6-8 weeks recovery and I was in rush to go back! Plus I had a little complication of sneezing my scar open so I thought healing time was slightly lengthened. Anyway, we're all different and many factors to healing.
Swelling is common with wounds but if it hurts a lot or is red or weepy you definietly need to get it checked out. A little pain and Itching is alos normal as it's part of the healing process.
Regarding feeling cheated about your wedding - I think I'd feel the same! I don't really have anything to compare to on that level but I would definitely look to the future. I admire your sheer determination to fly out and do it that's lovely
But it's important not to have any regrets. What abut something fab for your 1 year anniverasry next year? Planning could be a lovely distracter during the rest of your recovery 
Also the life questioning / emotional stuff - yes I remeber this too!! That resulted in me deciding I was ready for children
The emotional stuff could be partly to do with your reproductive system being messed around with so much, partly the sheer emotional stress of everything. It's major stuff emotionally and psychologically as well as physically, especially the impact on your life. Healing with take time for your mind as well as body. I would even say for me the first open surgery was life changing in terms of my outlook on life 
Hope your recovery is speedy and future is rosy
So my cyst news; it was a cyst but it ruptured by the time I had my scan and was 3cm deflated (maybe not a technical/medical terms!)
Because I was on the strong painkillers already I think I was saved a lot of pain thre
My belly was very swollen with the leaked fluid and that took some time to reabsorb but I'm now fine! No surgery required, no symptoms! I'm very happy about that 
Aaaand we've just started trying to conceive #2! :D
Beccy53756 Bek
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As for your scar, mine is exactly the same. It's really raised on one end and more tender. I think it is to do with where they actually start the inscision. I went in for my keyhole surgery on Monday last week and unfortunately it ended up being open as there were very dense adhesions left from the last surgery. My ovary and fallopian tube were also very diseased so both had to come out. I'm still feeling very tender and sore but I am expecting it as last time it took me about five weeks before I felt normal again and that as just the cyst removal. I expect it may be longer for you as yours would have been more complex.
When is your honeymoon booked for? Definitely go back to the drs, I ended up being signed off for ten weeks in the end after my first op. It was because of the pain of the second cyst but they like to leave you two more weeks and then send you for a scan if you're still in pain to check that you're healing properly. Hopefully everything will be fine though!
Sending positive thoughts your way!
X
Bek Beccy53756
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Cheers Hun for the advice. Hope you are rrcovering well. Sorry to hear you have had to have open surgery again.
How are you feeling now? Have they said what the likely cause is? I think really they have no idea, just very quick between your 2 ops.
I hope you are being well looked after. How are your work? I will have had a total of 11 weeks off soon. Nightmare. I did have a phased return after feeling a little better (energy from the complain I think ). Doctor signed me in 2 weeks pt then 1 week full time (school hols after that). Thank goodness my work told me to stay pt on that last week they said I was too ill. I guess everyone else noticed it more than me in the end.
Honeymoon is booked end of October, literally all inclusive on the beach in Greece. Cheap, but also just relaxing, planning on doing absolutely nothing but resting. Hopefully should be fine, I can only assume that my last flight was awful because of the pressure build up???
Anyway hope you are ok. Did you have to have an oopherectomy last time? When they did your last op, could they not see there was a problem?
Thanks for the positive vibes, can't help but think it should not have happened in the first place .
Look after yourself and let me know how you're getting on! X x
Bek aliceb
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I know now is not the best time to make life changing decisions, but I am having a lot of what if moments.
I have to say was planning on starting a family fairly soon, but also have a desperate urge to travel, so am organising a trip to China next year. Also doing a lot of reading and been putting together photo albums of our wedding as gifts for family. I do love art, but have not felt so motivated or inspired at the mo, but have found a distance learning course I am interested in.
Just pleased someone understands it all and you're right do something amazing next year. I have been looking into a trip from Vietnam to Cambodia. So lots of fab things to think about, just got frustrated with the lack of being back to normal. Feeling much more positive today, another good day.
Glad to hear your story and how you have moved forward. Also makes me think that I would like to start a family soon, get my travel bug moment out the way this year too. Lots to think about x x 😃
aliceb Bek
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Kids limit you for sure - get your travelling done now before, as even though you can travel with them it won't be the same
Keep looking forward to a fab and healthy future xxx
Beccy53756 Bek
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Gosh you have had a long time off. Is that all post op or is some of that from beforehand? I remember you were very uncomfotable with the huge fibroid! I'm glad your work are being good with it, I can't imagine what it would be like if an employer was pressuring or not very understanding.
Your honeymoon sounds lovely! And it doesn't matter where it is, as long as you are getting some good relaxation in! Are you going for one week or two? I think you deserve it actually! It's been a rough year! At least health wise anyway. I don't know about the pressure as my cyst was fine and I flew to LA which is almost 12hrs. It may have been dofferent for you though as yours was in the wall of your womb wasn't it. They do say you swell up in flight!
Last time it was just a cystectomy. This time I had a cystectomy with salpingo-oopherectomy! So I still have one healthy ovary and tube, thank God as my partner and I do want children in the next couple of years. It is quite sad to lose the other side all together though. Was it just the fibroid they took with you?
Glad you are doing ok too! Hopefully this nightmare is over for us now! 😁
Bek Beccy53756
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Well you're right, fingers crossed this is it now. We can move on and do what we want to without feeling really ill all the time.
I hope you recover quickly.
With me it was what was left of the fibroid once they had drained it and then stitching up my womb afterwards. Even though one of my ovaries had been pushed up it was ok. I guess I am relieved it was nothing more serious
marissa40118 Bek
Posted
I am nineteen years old, and I realized I had a massive left ovarian cyst (15 x 8 x 14 cm) a little over one week ago. The symptoms I experienced prior included constipation, bloating, feeling sated, lethargy, lower back pain, and lower abdominal pain, oddly on the right side.
I live go to school 6 hours away from home so I spoke to a doctor there who told me she believed I had a cyst and referred me to a sonogram place scheduled for the next day. The doctor there told me I had a massive cyst likely arising from the left ovary and hydronephrosis. She told me to see a gynecologist immediately.
A few days later I took a flight back home and saw a gynecologist who gave me two additional sonograms and a pelvic exam. She also had similar results as the first sonogram, aside from the hydronephrosis. She scheduled an MRI for me the next day to ensure it was from the left ovary.
The MRI was scary because you are lying in such a narrow tube, but they give you music. Just close your eyes and pretend your somewhere else, and it’s way easier
The MRI results confirmed it arose from the left ovary and that it was most likely benign. We were able to proceed with the gynecologist.
I went in for presurgical testing that took nearly 3 hours. They took my weight, got my insurance info, drew blood, and asked me tons of questions (like if I smoked, history of cancer, etc.).
The next day I spoke to my gynecologist who was going to be performing the surgery. She told me that because the cyst was so large, it may be difficult to do a laparoscopy so she may have to resort to a bikini cut. Further she warned me that my left ovary might need to be removed (but it would not affect fertility). Of course, I was terrified because I also had to sign a consent form that said, during the surgery, if it was deemed necessary by the medical staff that my ovaries and even uterus needed to be removed, that they could.
I was terrified and in my head, thoughts of adoption for when I was older and ready to have kids swarmed in my head.
The next day I went in for surgery. They gave me an IV, some pain meds, a sulfur tablet, and an anticoagulant into my belly to prevent clotting during the surgery. They then brought me to the OR and knocked me out (general anesthesia, tube down the throat, the whole deal).
The surgery took 3 hours. The doctor was able to do it laparscopilcally and was able to keep me fully intact (2 ovaries, 1 uterus).
Today is the first day after the surgery, and my right arm and shoulder hurt from the gas they had to use to inflate my stomach. I also had corneal abrasion from rubbing my eyes too hard and had to get drops for that. My stomach hurts, and it hurts a little when I pee. It’s difficult for me to get up from bed, but this pain shouldn’t last long, the doctors said.
I feel great, am really happy that they didn’t need to remove anything, and yeah, trust me you or a loved one will be fine. It’s scary but you can do this.
I hope this helps answer any questions that people have regarding laparoscopies and large ovarian cysts. Good luck!
amber22090 Bek
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Dayanara Bek
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Guest Bek
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alicez32753 Bek
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Bek alicez32753
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I am not telling you this to scare you, but urge you please to make sure they have got the information correct as I had one scan and nothing else, no monitoring etc. I ended up around 5 stone/just under in weight, continued working until I could as I didn't realise how bad it was and genuinely got very ill. The good news however is I am now fine, still get the odd ache in my back and joints which I never had before and my energy levels are lower than usual, but it was a big op in the end.
My surgery itself was honestly a relief, I felt better fairly rapidly as I did not have the pressure in my back or on my kidneys or bladder (which was agonising). I have worked hard on my fitness and I am getting there, definately more pro-active.
Although it was a negative experience in some ways, there have been lots of positives. I have re-evaluated my life a lot, but also learnt that if I do not feel well I need to listen to my body.
Please feel free to ask me any questions, I can explain details of laparoscopy or myeomectomy and there are some really great people on here willing to help. Honestly ask away, I know some of the side effects etc can be embarassing and uncomfortable, but will help as much as I can and try and put anyone's mind at rest