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Ovarian Cyst? Or bowel problems?

Posted , 42 users are following.

kerry05445
kerry05445

Hi,

I'm wondering whether anyone has any advice for me. I am currently experiencing right sided abdominal pain, located around the belly button and below. I can take the edge of it with OTC pain relief but it does not take it away completely. I have had a cyst on my right ovary twice in the past, both times it has resolved itself and not needed treatment.

A few weeks ago I was woken up in the middle of the night by a sharp pain in my abdomen (right side) and felt hot, sweaty and as though I was going to pass out. I walked around for a bit feeling very disorientated and eventually (after 20 mins or so) was able to get back to sleep. The next day I was exhausted and could barely function. I then missed a period - when it was due my stomach became very swollen, felt really heavy and I looked six months pregnant. I went to the doctors because OTC painkillers weren't helping. I mentioned I was slightly constipated to him and he prescribed me laxido without feeling my stomach. I took it as instructed and started going to the toilet about four times a day so figured I didn't need to take it any more and stopped. I then started passing rabbit pellets again and the abdominal pain continued - some days I felt OK, some days I just wanted to curl in a ball and cry. Sometimes I would pass a normal stool and others nothing. I began to feel a pressure feeling in my rectum too like there was something in there. I went back to the docs and he said it sounded like IBS and told me to take IBucspan which I did, made no difference whatsoever. I then got my period and for those few days I felt relatively normal. A few days after my period ended the abdominal pain came back on the right side, it was so bad I got an appointment at the out of hours clinic. The doctor said it sounded like a problem with my bowel and she felt my stomach, was very sore when she pressed on the right side and she said that it could be because of constipation or maybe a cyst. She gave me Colofac. I have been taking those for the last few days and they don't seem to be helping at all. I went back to my doctor and he said he would arrange for me to have a test on my bowel (where they out the camera up there, not a colonoscopy, the other one flexible something?) which I will be having next Tuesday. I have started going to the toilet (normal stools) this week without the aid of laxido - I have been drinking cups of cooled boiled water and it has got everything moving along) but the abdominal pain on the right side remains.

I am petrified about having bowel cancer as my Mum's brother died of it. He was 44 and I am 40. I haven't had any rectal bleeding and my poo does not seem to have blood in it. The feeling of fullness in my rectum seems to have subsided since I have got my bowels moving again. I have quite a lot of gas though.

Obviously I want the test I am having on Tuesday to show nothing serious but if it does I don't know where to go from here? The only thing that makes the pain any better is holding a hot water bottle to my right side. Lying down flat is OK but if I sit up or lie on my side it is really uncomfortable.

Does anybody have any ideas as to what is happening to me? I have three children, my husband works abroad and it is hard to make it through each day (and night) in pain and with so many worries running through my head!

Thank you in advance

2 likes, 103 replies

103 Replies

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  • rami44
    rami44 kerry05445

    Posted

    Get checked out by a medical doctor, i.e. Emergency Physician or your GP. 

    You could have an ovarian cyst - when it grows large enough, it presses against other  internal organs like the urinary bladder (giving you a feeling of constantly wanting to pee) and the rectum (pressure causes constipation). 

    If it does not resolve itself within 2-3 menstrual cycles (also known as "waitful watching" during this time), then a Gynecologal surgeon will have to remove it surgically, hopefully laparoscopically. 

  • sasy31966
    sasy31966 kerry05445

    Posted

    Hi Ladeis,

    I am so glad I found this site, I'm having a frustrating time!

    I am 44 yrs old and have been experiencing pain in my left pelvic area.

    about a month ago I woke in the early hours of the morning in severe pain in left pelvic area. The pain lasted for about 50 mins and eventually faded to a dull ache which I was left with for the rest of the day along with low backache. The same thing happened for the next three mornings.

    From then on I have had a dull ache/ pressure in left pelvic area, low backache, nausea, loss of appetite and need to urinate more frequently. 

    Two days later I had my first period for 6 months which was heavier and lasted longer than usual.

    I visited my GP who arranged blood tests including a ca-125 these all came back clear.

    my follow up appointment was with a different GP he proceeded to do a pelvic examination & an internal examination, this was very uncomfortable. He explained he couldn't feel anything unusual but arranged an ultrasound referral  ( appointment 24th October ). The night of my internal I went to bed early as my pain was worse than usual. I woke at 11am with a fever and being violently sick, this continued until 5am until I couldn't be sick anymore. The next day I was being sick lots of dark green bile.

    I visited my surgery again & saw another GP who did a urine sample which came back clear. He said he thinks it's either a problem with my ovaries but more likely to be diverticular disease ! He gave me strong antibiotics.

    I do think my symptoms fit more with a problem with my ovaries rather than diverticular disease & my pain seems too low down.

    any thoughts would be greatfully received as I still have three weeks to wait for my scan.

    • Thesheen
      Thesheen sasy31966

      Posted

      I am 63 and have had diverticulitis and now have been diagnosed with a 9x8x6cm cyst on right ovary.  The previous bowel problems delayed diagnosis and it was only by asking for further investigation that cyst was  found. When I eventually saw the consultant he could not feel anything and referred me for further ultrasound. Following that pelvic examination I have experienced persistent pain. A hot water bottle and paracetamol helps. I am now on waiting list for full hysterectomy.  good luck with your ultrasound. 
    • sasy31966
      sasy31966 Thesheen

      Posted

      Thanks so much for your reply it was really helpful.

      sorry to hear you are due to have a hysterectomy, I wish you well.

      I went back to my doctors today for a follow up and saw the lady doctor from my original appointment. She said she disagrees with diverticular as a possibility and thinks I have a problem with my ovaries or kidneys. She is calling the hospital tomorrow to bring my ultrasound forward if possible as she wants it doing sooner. I will keep you posted.

      thanks again

    • Thesheen
      Thesheen sasy31966

      Posted

      Hope ultrasound is soon. Although I don't want an operation I do want to have full hysterectomy rather than just ovaries removed. Less to worry about for the future. Recovery time is only slightly longer. Fingers crossed for you

  • olivia12068
    olivia12068 kerry05445

    Posted

    Hi Kerry...just wondering how you are now? I've had similar problems for a few months now but progressively getting worse the last two weeks...I've just had a scan and it shows a cyst on my right ovary that looks a bit different to the normal functional cysts I get. I have had fullness in the pelvic area for over a month now and bloating. I'm normally a very active mum of three teens. 37 years old and never had bowel issues before. I'm a little bit worried it could be ovarian cancer and am anxiously waiting for my gyno to call with results and where to from here. Just happened to stumble across your post and when you said hubby is abroad for work I thought I was reading my own post!

  • mom82680
    mom82680 kerry05445

    Posted

    Hi Kerry...i found your post and something similar is going on with me. I see your post was over a year ago and was wondering if you have discovered what was going on medically? I have also had cysts and have rectum pain as well as a bowel movement every 3-4 days (was always regular) and extremely painful sex. But to throw something else is, i was given a Zpack (antibiotic) because i caught a nasty cold. I never take medicine and its a harse antibiotic. My doctor thinks it killed all of the flora off in my intestines. I have been eating yogurt and that has helped with digestion and bowel movements....What have you discovered?
    • mom82680
      mom82680

      Posted

      Oh i didnt add that i have PCOS & Insulin resistance (poly cycstic ovarion syndrome) hence why i have cycsts.

  • illeanna08592
    illeanna08592 kerry05445

    Posted

    One of the main problems is the symptoms overlap so many other issues. The problem is why is your bowel beingdisrupted. Have they confirmed endometriosis with you. Also you are 40 have they started checking your hormone levels as Perimenopause disrupts so many things in us as well as endometriosis. Such things should be discussed in order to get proper treatment and not just a quick fix on just the symptons. Please read and educate on endometriosis and hormonal chsnges and what they do to your body. I have those exsct symptons and sgter much persistent snd research i gound out i have endometriosis and wss beginning perimenapuse. Best of luck
  • amanda07817
    amanda07817 kerry05445

    Posted

    hi, Been dealing with severe constipation for about 10 years tried OTC laxitves nope nothing prescription meds linzess gave me severe diarrhea....and the other made me bloat and hurt so i stopped.... finally went and saw a specialist and just last week they called me for physical therapy that i needed to do pelvic floor exercise still no appointment...... went the other day for an ultrasound to find the strings to my iud and said i had a bowel blocking 1of my ovaries.waiting for results....

    hurt sever evéryday especially when i eat ive tried the diets drinking water, and exercise still no relif!

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