Ovarian cyst and very swollen ovary support and advice

Posted , 2 users are following.

Could really do with some support and advice after a really stressful and emotional day. I have been to a gynecologIist today following a year of pain and problems and finally I have answers. I have a 3.4cm cystic mass and a very swollen right ovary which they believe is due to partial torsion of the ovary. Also believe I have endometriosis which will be followed up with laparoscopy at a later date.

They are happy to proceed with a watch and wait as they do not suspect anything cancerous (ca 125 is 20 and ca 19-9 of 47) and the ovary currently isn't twisted so may settle down so have follow up blood tests and ultrasounds but may ultimately lose the ovary if not. I have the option to go in and arrange surgery if the pain becomes too much to cope with which at times it has been.

I'm just at a loss as to where to start to process it all. Has anyone else experienced this? What was the outcome? Did your swelling go down? Did you have to surgery. Think I would just would like to hear from anyone who understands what I'm going through.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    I know what you're going through. Ive seen about 5 professionals and after about a year I finally had answers too. I have an enlarged left ovarian cyst that is 5.5 cm. Ive had horrible pains that projected to my lower back as well. I couldn't sit or lay normally. It hurts with heightened sex hormones and cold temperatures. It could burst with any sexual or strenuous activity. I also found out about it when we found out about my moms stage 3 ovarian cancer that started in her left ovary too. I was terrified but I got through it and you will too. My swellin went down and so did the ovary a but. I was 16 and now 17 btw.

    Something that helped was when I started taking birth control to prevent the hormones (that are made during periods) from making the cyst grow. Also even though the doctors say birth control doesn't help with pain, it definitely takes the majority of mine. The birth control is also supposed to help the cyst go away on its own but it hasn't so surgery was also recommended but I didn't do it bc I could've lost my ovary too or if I didn't, the pains would still be there and another cyst could've grown.

    Now I'm just living with it. I run daily but I know my limits and when to stop (to keep it from bursting). I know women who have cysts and go on with their lives without removing them. I also know women who had cysts and they popped. They went on to have children and everything was okay.

    I hope this helps. I know what you're going through and once you process that you have a cyst, it will be a lot easier to live with. Maybe do some reasearch on how cysts happen and work to help you understand what is happening.

  • Posted

    I know what you're going through. Ive seen about 5 professionals and after about a year I finally had answers too. I have an enlarged left ovarian cyst that is 5.5 cm. Ive had horrible pains that projected to my lower back as well. I couldn't sit or lay normally. It hurts with heightened sex hormones and cold temperatures. It could burst with any sexual or strenuous activity. I also found out about it when we found out about my moms stage 3 ovarian cancer that started in her left ovary too. I was terrified but I got through it and you will too. My swellin went down and so did the ovary a but. I was 16 and now 17 btw.

    Something that helped was when I started taking birth control to prevent the hormones (that are made during periods) from making the cyst grow. Also even though the doctors say birth control doesn't help with pain, it definitely takes the majority of mine. The birth control is also supposed to help the cyst go away on its own but it hasn't so surgery was also recommended but I didn't do it bc I could've lost my ovary too or if I didn't, the pains would still be there and another cyst could've grown.

    Now I'm just living with it. I run daily but I know my limits and when to stop (to keep it from bursting). I know women who have cysts and go on with their lives without removing them. I also know women who had cysts and they popped. They went on to have children and everything was okay.

    I hope this helps. I know what you're going through and once you process that you have a cyst, it will be a lot easier to live with. Maybe do some reasearch on how cysts happen and work to help you understand what is happening.

    • Posted

      Thanks so much for replying Anna.o79. I hope you and your mum are doing well.

      It wasn't so much the cyst I was worried about as it's only 3.5cm but my right ovary which is apparently the size of a small orange and has had partial twisting or torsion which has cut off the blood supply making it swell.

      Your symptoms are exactly as mine (although I'm older at 40) so it's great to hear from someone who has been through the same thing, although I'm sorry you've been through that at such a young age as I know it's horrendous. My pains got worse this week to the point of landing in A and E. which they said is from the torsion. I've now got a week off work to recover.

      Do you mind me asking if your ovary was swollen as well as the cyst and did the ovary go down?

      I would love to avoid surgery if possible so it's reassuring to hear you are coping x

    • Posted

      Oh and I'm going to ask my gynecologist about the birth control so thanks for the advice x

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