Ovarian Cysts??? - UPDATE

[MareQ]

Brief history - 37 years old, 3 kids, regular cycles...

I have ALWAYS had horrible ovulation pain - every single month. Sharp pains on the side which was ovulating, rectal pressure - you name it.

Over the past few months the pain has become more widespread - my whole abdomen feels pressure - but the sharper pain always is on my right side now. Didn't think anything of it - that was the ovary that always hurt more anyway. Over time I began to notice that not only was I getting pain and pressure when I ovulated, but I was also getting more mild pain, pressure at other times- before, during and after my period. NOW this month - I ovulated last Wednesday and Monday of this week it started again - bad enough that I needed to take Motrin yesterday. A nagging pain, feeling of fullness, pressure, slight back ache, today it feels like my whole right side is a bit bloated - all the way up to my rib cage. I am uncomfortable but not in PAIN - KWIM? I called this morning to make an appointment with my Gyno - and the soonest I could get was April 9th for a doctor in my practice that I've never seen. UG! It's just so frustrating - I asked if they could call me if a cancellation came up for any of the Doctors - I even called a completely different practice in town and they can't get me in any sooner.

I OF COURSE have been trolling the internet and now have self diagnosed myself with Ovarian Cancer - I'm neurotic like that - plus my mom died 5 years ago of Breast Cancer so I just have the whole "I am going to die of cancer" idea in my head.

Has anybody ever had Ovarian Cysts - do they feel like what I am feeling??

 

[Goofyluver]

I have polycystic ovarian syndrome in addition to endometriosis. It's hard for me to discriminate the pain anymore, because I've lived with it for so long. But, my symptoms are very similar to what you're describing. Don't self diagnose! I do that too...and it's vewy vewy dangewous! It's nothing too pressing if it's just a nagging pain, but if it severe, go to the ER. Make sure to explain all your symptoms to your doc. And, I hope you feel better!

 

[kctwinmommy]

Yep! Been there, done that! I don't have a ton of time right now, but I'll write more later... I've had them for almost 10 years now, had laproscopic surgery last year as well. Also, I'm now on continuous b.c. to help them.

Anyway, it sounds pretty consistent with what you're describing. I hope that they can get you in sooner and give you an u/s to help with more answers.

Feel free to PM me if you want, but I'll try to come back to this tonight, after my kids go to bed...

 

[shovan]

Yep, sounds like ovarian cysts & endometriosis. I had one ovary removed at 40, it was the size of a large orange! Only to have to go back one year late to have a total hysterectomy. Had cysts on the other ovary endometriosis everywhere & fibroids on the uterus. If I would have known how good I'd feel after having it all removed & I would have done it 20 years earlier!

While you probably have these problems & they are pretty miserable, it's not likely to be cancer!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I had one the size of a small melon removed from my left ovary when I was 26. When I was younger, I had the symptoms you describe, but as I got into my 20s, the pain actually went away. I did end up with back and leg aches; the doctor who finally performed my surgery (the 8th one I went to) said it was nerve damage from the size of the cyst. This thing was so big, it was pushing all of my internal organs out of the way and as a result, the ultrasound technicians actually couldn't find it! My doctor also thought I had cancer and I was prepped for a total hysterectomy, but luckily, she was able to remove just that cyst and 2 others that she found. I haven't really had any horrible pain since, but apparently have a cyst on each ovary yet again. Small ones, though, and my doctor is not yet concerned.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You are smart to have it checked out. There's a saying, something to the effect of "ovarian cancer doesn't speak; it whispers". Chances are very good that's not what you have, but it's good to be in tune to your body's "whispers". Best of luck, I'd try to get in sooner with my regular GYN so that follow up can be accurate and long term.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I had one the size of a small melon removed from my left ovary when I was 26. When I was younger, I had the symptoms you describe, but as I got into my 20s, the pain actually went away. I did end up with back and leg aches; the doctor who finally performed my surgery (the 8th one I went to) said it was nerve damage from the size of the cyst. This thing was so big, it was pushing all of my internal organs out of the way and as a result, the ultrasound technicians actually couldn't find it! My doctor also thought I had cancer and I was prepped for a total hysterectomy, but luckily, she was able to remove just that cyst and 2 others that she found. I haven't really had any horrible pain since, but apparently have a cyst on each ovary yet again. Small ones, though, and my doctor is not yet concerned.

I had one the size of a volleyball removed last year. I never had the typical symptoms-my cycle stayed normal and I felt fine 90% of the time. I was gaining weight, but I was over 40 and that happens anyway. 3 times I was admitted to the hospital with what was diagnosed as kidney stones. The MD who finally discovered what the real problem was said that the cyst "torques" and it would position itself so that it would crush the ureter, causing the kidney stone like symptoms. Because of my age, they took the uterus and the one ovary while they were in there. No cancer, thank God.

 

[Jpgirl]

I agree with the poster who said go to the ER if it get severe. DD had an ovarian cyst-but we didn't know. She would get horrible pain. Took her to GYN-they didn't do a pelvic (she was a virgin-only 13) so they scheduled a laproscopy as the Ultrasound didn't show anything. Well 3 days before the procedure sh has this horrible episode of pain. We call the doc on call who wasn't dd's dr. and she told us that it probably just endometrious and to continue with the pain meds and take her to the ER ONLY if she starts running fever. Well 3 days later we go for the lap. The doctor comes running into the waiting room not 30 minutes after the start and said they found an ovarian the size of a softball and it had wrapped around the ovary and torqued, cutting off the blood supply and killing the ovary. He needed permission to do emergency abdominal surgery to take it and the ovary out. He was surprised that dd had been able to stand the pain for 3 days. Well she's her mother's daughter and has a high threshold of pain. The cysts aren't cancerous for the most part. They're just eggs that don't come out of the ovaries and travel down the Fallopian Tubes. Good luck with yours and don't wait if the pain gets bad-it can be life threatening.

 

[kat3668]

Yes it sounds much like the symptoms I expereienced this April... If the paim does get worse or you become nauseous go right to the ER I had one burst and they thought I was having a heart attack as the pain was shooting up my arm! Not a pleasent experience but was good in the fact that they discovered a dermoid cyst on my right ovary after a cat scan.. I had my ovary removed last December and have had no problem since (keeping fingers crossed) Good luck and sending tons of pixie dust your way!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Brief history - 37 years old, 3 kids, regular cycles...

I have ALWAYS had horrible ovulation pain - every single month. Sharp pains on the side which was ovulating, rectal pressure - you name it.

Over the past few months the pain has become more widespread - my whole abdomen feels pressure - but the sharper pain always is on my right side now. Didn't think anything of it - that was the ovary that always hurt more anyway. Over time I began to notice that not only was I getting pain and pressure when I ovulated, but I was also getting more mild pain, pressure at other times- before, during and after my period. NOW this month - I ovulated last Wednesday and Monday of this week it started again - bad enough that I needed to take Motrin yesterday. A nagging pain, feeling of fullness, pressure, slight back ache, today it feels like my whole right side is a bit bloated - all the way up to my rib cage. I am uncomfortable but not in PAIN - KWIM? I called this morning to make an appointment with my Gyno - and the soonest I could get was April 9th for a doctor in my practice that I've never seen. UG! It's just so frustrating - I asked if they could call me if a cancellation came up for any of the Doctors - I even called a completely different practice in town and they can't get me in any sooner.

I OF COURSE have been trolling the internet and now have self diagnosed myself with Ovarian Cancer - I'm neurotic like that - plus my mom died 5 years ago of Breast Cancer so I just have the whole "I am going to die of cancer" idea in my head.

Has anybody ever had Ovarian Cysts - do they feel like what I am feeling??

I just had an ovarian cyst removed and these are the same symptoms that I had. I also ran a fever the last month before surgery. Good luck. You can PM me if you have any additional questions.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

About 3 months ago I was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst via ultrasound. The dr wasn't too concerned about it, but I was supposed to go in for a followup ultrasound after 2 months, but haven't yet done so. The symptoms sound similar to what you are describing.

 

[MareQ]

UG! Me again!

The wait for this appointment is driving me insane. I called just now to check and see if there were any cancellations for ANY of the Doctors OR Midwives to try and get in before 4/9 - NOPE!

Today - I have no pain - but it feels like there's a "balloon" blown up in my right side - I feel "pressure" under my right rib - does that make sense?

No other pain - just this feeling of pressure. Anybody else ever had this?? I OF COURSE keep trolling the net and can't get the whole CANCER thing out of my head. Yes I know - bad bad bad and I know I'm a bit of a hypocondriac because of my mom/cancer - just can't help it whiel I wait.

UGGGGGG!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I agree, it sounds like an ovarian cyst and possibly endometriosis. I have a long history of both, and have had all the symptoms you mention. I'm currently on Lupron to control my endo, and I will probably have to have a hysterectomy by the time I'm 40. It's not fun, and it hurts, but it's not life threatening. Ask your doctor for an ultrasound - if you have a cyst it will often show up that way (though not always). Also, birth control pills do a fabulous job of keeping ovarian cysts at bay. Good luck!

 

[Tazicket]

I had an ovarian cyst on my right ovary when I was 16. Mine hit kind of suddenly and my Dad wound up driving me to the ER at 3 in the morning. They did a bunch of scans and found a cyst about an inch in diameter. They didn't do anything to it- just sent me home and told me to rest. Mine eventually went away on its own. It felt like horrible horrible sharp cramps (they actually thought it was my appendix going bad when I first got there). After feeling that with a comparatively small cyst, it blows my mind to read about the other women here who had such large ones and had no idea. I must really be a wimp when it comes to pain!

I got married and went on birth control 2 or 3 years after that and I haven't had another one since. Hopefully, it'll stay that way.

I also agree with the posters who say to go to the ER if the pain becomes sharp or increases from what it is now. I'm also a bit of a hypochondriac at times (so I know it's hard), but try to relax and stop reading stuff online. It may serve to just freak you out for no good reason. Like my Grandpa says, 99% of the things you worry about never happen (and you're not allowed to use my response, usually given in a wail: "But what if this is the 1%?!?!?!")

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Sounds just like my symptoms. I had lap. exploratory surgery in late Jan. and my Gyn. found Endometriosis which he treated, a corpus luteum cyst which he removed, and I had a Novasure ablation. I think I get these types of cysts frequently. This last one was NOT showing up on the ultrasound and was a good size.

I am not sure which of my symptoms were cysts and which were the endo. I had pressure, backache, and thigh pain. Felt like something was in there most of the time. Dr. thinks most of my symptoms were endo related, but I think the pressure was from the cyst.

So far I am doing great and just hope it lasts awhile. Try not to worry and good luck! I also had to wait awhile for an appt and U/S.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I went back for a follow-up ultrasound a few days ago and my cyst that I had on the right ovary has disappeared (without the bad pain I was thinking I would have), but I have a small one on the left now. I'm still having some lower right sided pain, however, and the dr referred me to a GI and wants me to have a liver function test since she thinks that I might have a retained stone (I had gallbladder surgery in Jan). I've never had pain in the upper right side under the ribs from the cyst. Perhaps it's a gallbladder problem...sounds more like the pain I was having with the that.

 

[MareQ]

I've never had pain in the upper right side under the ribs from the cyst. Perhaps it's a gallbladder problem...sounds more like the pain I was having with the that.

Not unless it grew back I had mine taken out in 1998

 

[MareQ]

STILL WAITING! I called againg today - still nothing - still waiting for Tuesday 2:30.

I have no back pain - no leg pain lately. Just this pressure like a balloon is in there.

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Not unless it grew back I had mine taken out in 1998

I had my liver function test, which came out normal, so my pain is probably not a retained BG stone (which doesn't surprise me). Now I just need to schedule an appt with the GI dr.

I hope you get some answers soon!

 

[MareQ]

UPDATE - Finally had enough of the pressure/pain and worry so I went to the ER last night. My whole right side felt like a balloon was in there - the pressure was giving me rib pain as well, couldn't lean to the right side as it hurt worse - I pretty much had myself convincved I was dying of some sort of cancer (Read previous posts where I state I am neurotic - lol)

In any case - they did blood tests, urine tests - ordered a full pelvic and abdominal CAT scan with contrast - 5 hours later I am told - I'm fine - they found NOTHING abnormal - even blood tests came back fine.

OK GREAT!! I am not dying of cancer - but WTH is going on then???? As I sit here right now I cannot lean to my right side because it still feels like something is jammed under my ribs...

So - I am GREATLY relieved- I can now wait patiently for my Gyn appt on Monday without fear of me dropping dead before then - but I guess I really have FINALLY fallen off the deep end if I am experiencing pain literally caused by nothing