Ovarian Dermoid Cyst - Very Painful!!

Hope all goes well Mags! The waiting is the worst part, isn't it! We will be thinking of you and wishing you a successful op and a speedy recovery, take care, Shaunagh xx

It has been very helpful reading all the posts, I am waiting to have my 3cm dermoid cyst from my right ovary removed also, op in 3 weeks. My CA125 was elevated to 49 but apparently it can be raised if you have a cyst. Consultant is removing both ovaries just In case, as I am 56 he has reassured me I don't need them?? I am not sure whether I am having keyhole or abdominal surgery as until he goes in with a camera he cannt be sure. I am praying for keyhole After having an mri, it showed my organs are stuck together maybe from endometriosis I didn't know I had, or recent or old infection. so I may need full hysterectomy.

It is def scary waiting to see what happens if I new definitely which I was having it would help. It is helpful to hear about the possible after affects so I am prepared. I am getting in some box-sets of movies to keep me occupied. so on my coffee table I will have pain killers, laxatives, hot water bottle, dvds, phone is there anything else I need?

It has been very helpful reading all the posts, I am waiting to have my 3cm dermoid cyst from my right ovary removed also, op in 3 weeks. My CA125 was elevated to 49 but apparently it can be raised if you have a cyst. Consultant is removing both ovaries just In case, as I am 56 he has reassured me I don't need them?? I am not sure whether I am having keyhole or abdominal surgery as until he goes in with a camera he cannt be sure. I am praying for keyhole After having an mri, it showed my organs are stuck together maybe from endometriosis I didn't know I had, or recent or old infection. so I may need full hysterectomy.

It is def scary waiting to see what happens if I new definitely which I was having it would help. It is helpful to hear about the possible after affects so I am prepared. I am getting in some box-sets of movies to keep me occupied. so on my coffee table I will have pain killers, laxatives, hot water bottle, dvds, phone is there anything else I need?

oh yes I meant to add, I have been feeling extremely tired so much so I thought I had chronic fatigue syndrome, could this be from just having a cyst? my consultant said not, but from what some of you have said I feel it is, too much of a coincidence. I have a constant dull ache in right side, have had ibs type symtoms for months on and off, bloating etc. but the tiredness has def been the worst symptom. Looking forward to feeling normal again. Did your consultants tell you the same?

Hello Bernie! Fingers crossed it will be laparoscopical surgery for you. My consultant said she would only resort to open surgery if there were any complications that threatened my health and safety. As it happened my surgery took a lot longer than planned as I had a lot of adhesions; my uterus was fused to the stomach wall and other areas needed 'freeing up' also. Like you, I felt very unwell prior to my surgery; lots of IBS type symptoms, bladder problems and chronic fatigue. It is a bit early to tell but I am hopeful that when I am recovered from the operation I will feel much better. I was also told my symptoms weren't caused by the dermoid cyst but I am convinced they were, particularly as the cyst had grown to the size of a large lemon in the space of two months. I was also confused about the need to remove both ovaries but my consultant said that I no longer needed my them and by removing both ovaries and fallopian tubes she was eliminating the risk of a recurrence of further cysts and possibly cancer. My only advice to you would be not to underestimate the fact that you will have some pain and discomfort after the operation, mostly as a result of the gas they pump into you and to accept the pain relief you are offered. I was convinced I could manage without and then found out I couldn't!! I prepared lots of easily re-heated meals and froze them before going into hospital and this has been a God-send. I had a nasty reaction to the adhesive dressing that were used so keep an eye open for that, nap often, eat whatever you fancy and get in a good supply of books. Good luck, take care of yourself!

Hello Bernie! Fingers crossed it will be laparoscopical surgery for you. My consultant said she would only resort to open surgery if there were any complications that threatened my health and safety. As it happened my surgery took a lot longer than planned as I had a lot of adhesions; my uterus was fused to the stomach wall and other areas needed 'freeing up' also. Like you, I felt very unwell prior to my surgery; lots of IBS type symptoms, bladder problems and chronic fatigue. It is a bit early to tell but I am hopeful that when I am recovered from the operation I will feel much better. I was also told my symptoms weren't caused by the dermoid cyst but I am convinced they were, particularly as the cyst had grown to the size of a large lemon in the space of two months. I was also confused about the need to remove both ovaries but my consultant said that I no longer needed my them and by removing both ovaries and fallopian tubes she was eliminating the risk of a recurrence of further cysts and possibly cancer. My only advice to you would be not to underestimate the fact that you will have some pain and discomfort after the operation, mostly as a result of the gas they pump into you and to accept the pain relief you are offered. I was convinced I could manage without and then found out I couldn't!! I prepared lots of easily re-heated meals and froze them before going into hospital and this has been a God-send. I had a nasty reaction to the adhesive dressing that were used so keep an eye open for that, nap often, eat whatever you fancy and get in a good supply of books. Good luck, take care of yourself!

Thank you Shaunagh, sounds like our problems are very similar, my uterus is fused to organs but not sure of extent. Its good to know that you had that and still managed to have it done by laparoscopy! It will be interesting to see if cyst has grown. It is only about 2 months since cyst was found, I am sure our symptoms must be related to cyst. I imagine our immune systems have been working extra hard to fight what ever is going on in the area. Your symptoms are exactly the same as mine, I was beginning to feel like a hypochondriac! I am prepared for the pain etc, but have had such horrible pain with ibs in the past cannt imagine it could be worse, probably different. I have prepared some meals also, good idea.

How long is it since you had it done and how are you feeling?

Ah sorry just read back and can see you only had your op11 days ago Shaunagh. How is it going? Did you have problems lying down in the beginning, some people say you need to sleep sitting up? Thinking about buying a big bolster pillow, cannt imagine sleeping sitting up! Its weird when I read my post and see the age 56, I don't feel that old at all

Morning Bernie, no I didn't have problems lying down as such. I was sore and found it difficult to get comfortable for a few days but lying down was fine and actually more comfortable for me than sitting up. I will be 54 next month and like you I can't believe my age when I see it on paper! I think that comes of working with children though, I am an assistant Senco at our local primary school. With regard to the op I am doing very well thanks. I had four incisions (so at least I am symmetrical!) the belly button one is inside so can't be seen but it is still tender and I can still feel the dissolvable stitches in there. The two side incisions are virtually invisible now, only a stitch or two in each; very impressive! The larger incision at the bottom had about five stitches in so is obviously causing a little more discomfort. All the stitches are dissolvable but I understand they can take a while to dissolve and in some cases have to be removed if they don't come out of their own accord. My consultant explained that dermoid cysts cannot be allowed to burst during surgery so have to placed in a small bag (not a Tesco carrier bag!) before removing from the abdomen to rule out the risk of the contents escaping. Presumably this is why I have one larger incision. My CA125 was completely normal but I am seeig the consultant on Thursday so I will feel happier when I get the pathology results. I was originally told 3-4 weeks off work but that was before I had to have the additional work done to free up the areas affected by adhesions. I am still sore inside so I think 3 weeks is a bit optimistic and my energy levels are very low. Having said that I had lost over a stone in weight before my op; a combination of stress and the IBS symptoms I think, so I am certain I will feel stronger when I have built myself up a bit, I am only tiny anyway! A well meaning work friend has bought me some Metatone tonic, it doesn't taste great but if it helps I am willing to give it a go. I haven't tried driving yet as I don't feel confident enough yet. When you come home from hospital put a pillow on your lap to protect your abdomen from the seat-belt. You will find it can be uncomfortable to pass water for a while because of the internal bruising and swelling and you may need laxatives to help get things moving again in that department. I found that those Wind-eeze capsules helped with the gas pain which can be severe, particularly in your shoulders, chest and upper back. One final thing, the consultant was able to show me photographs taken during my surgery which clearly definied the healthy ovary and the ovary affected by the dermoid cyst. This was pretty amazing apart from the fact that I was still really groggy and not very with it at that point so she could have been showing me her holiday snaps! I will ask to see them again when I next see her. Take care, the waiting is the worst part but please ask if there is anything else you need to know xx

Thanks Shaunagh it is so reassuring to speak to someone who is/has going/gone through the same thing. I wonder if mine has grown in the 2 months as it is a constant ache on the right side now whereas it wasn't before just had a bout of ibs couple of hours ago too, will be glad when it is all over. I think you are right the waiting is the worst!

That was a lot of weight to lose if you are small, I am also small not in height but cannt afford to lose too much weight, but I do like my food playing tennis etc so will find it hard to be still on the sofa! I also work with students altho older and its true they keep you young feeling, where have the years gone!! I look forward to future years without feeling tired!! if I think about it I have prob had these symptoms for a long time but you just put up with it because you think it is menopause and everyone feels the same. How long have you been feeling rotten for?

thanks for tips re pillow and windeze, I so appreciate all the tips it has to make life a bit easier. Would you say it would be helpful to take the windeze immediately even before the shoulder pain etc. You must be so glad to be on the recovery end

Hi Bernie, my dermoid cyst was actually discovered by chance; I went to see the GP with a few waterworks problems, had to keep getting up in the night to go and I have had four infections this year which is completely out of the norm for me. I was sent for an ultrasound and the sonographer found the cyst. A CA125 rating test was recommended and a follow up ultrasound after six weeks. The blood test was fine but the ultrasound showed that the cyst had grown marginally. I saw the consultant and she recommended the surgery, the rest is history. We have private insurance but my operation was still cancelled twice at very short notice which was an absolute bind and so stressful! I guess I have had symptoms for the best part of a year but as you say it is easy to blame it on other things. Will you be staying in hospital if your surgery is done via laparoscopy? I was told two nights but only stayed in for one but don't make the same mistake that I did; I felt absolutely fine after the surgery forgetting that they pump you full of pain killers and as a consequence declined further meds. At 1.30am I was seriously regretting this decision and had to ask for pain relief. I would suggest you take the medication you are offered before you need it rather than waiting until you are desperate! That will teach me to feel so smug! There is no way to prevent the gas pain as it is a result of the gas they pump into you to inflate your abdomen during surgery but it ony lasts a few days; you will be offered pain relief for this and in addition the physiotherapist showed me exercises before my operation to help relieve the discomfort. I started on the Wind-eze as soon as I got home. Fingers crossed you won't need a total hysterectomy, my consultant actually performs those laparoscopically and the recovery is pretty similar to the salpingo-oophorectomy. Take care xx