OT: ladies, help a girl out.

lotusfromthemud
lotusfromthemud Posts: 5,335 Member
edited September 19 in Health and Weight Loss
OK, so here's the deal. I just was told by my GP that I have a "cyst the size of a tennis ball" on my right ovary. When it was checked about two years ago, it was less than a centimetre, so it's much bigger now. Also, apparently there was something "weird" on my bloodwork, which my GP wants a specialist to review.

I'm having all kinds of symptoms from it, most notably terribly painful periods, bleeding during my cycle, frequent trips to the bathroom (peeing), stomach cramps, and lower back pain almost all the time.

I'm going to see a specialist soon, but I have no idea what to expect, and how they go about figuring out if it's malignant, needs to be taken out, how they take it out if they decide it needs to go, blah, blah blah.

Can anyone with a similar experience let me know? Google is frickin' terrifying in this department. (my cancer risk factors are fairly high: I'm "of a certain age", have never had children and have a family history)

Any info is welcome, thanks in advance.:flowerforyou:

Replies

  • lotusfromthemud
    lotusfromthemud Posts: 5,335 Member
    OK, so here's the deal. I just was told by my GP that I have a "cyst the size of a tennis ball" on my right ovary. When it was checked about two years ago, it was less than a centimetre, so it's much bigger now. Also, apparently there was something "weird" on my bloodwork, which my GP wants a specialist to review.

    I'm having all kinds of symptoms from it, most notably terribly painful periods, bleeding during my cycle, frequent trips to the bathroom (peeing), stomach cramps, and lower back pain almost all the time.

    I'm going to see a specialist soon, but I have no idea what to expect, and how they go about figuring out if it's malignant, needs to be taken out, how they take it out if they decide it needs to go, blah, blah blah.

    Can anyone with a similar experience let me know? Google is frickin' terrifying in this department. (my cancer risk factors are fairly high: I'm "of a certain age", have never had children and have a family history)

    Any info is welcome, thanks in advance.:flowerforyou:
  • MontanaGirl
    MontanaGirl Posts: 1,251 Member
    Oh honey - not much help here but sending prayers for you! I have an acquaintance who had a cyst like that - I don't know how big though. They removed her ovary, because of the physical symptoms not because of cancer. I hope everything turns out well for you!! Please keep up posted :flowerforyou:
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,788 Member
    No help here, just :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :flowerforyou: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:

    I had a ruptured cyst on my thyroid many years ago. They can sometimes stick a needle in to find out if it's malignant or benign. Mine required the removal of the cyst and 40% of my thyroid.

    I'm so sorry. Hopefully someone here will help. Oh, and stop reading google.
  • ali106
    ali106 Posts: 3,754 Member
    big hugs and prayers.....sorry no suggestions but yes...stay off the web md etc....been there done that gone insane w/ fear...talk to your doctor about what it could be....I'll be thinking of you pretty lady!

    hugs!
    ali
  • Mireille
    Mireille Posts: 5,134 Member
    Sending good wishes & thoughts your way!

    :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • sculley
    sculley Posts: 2,012 Member
    Hunny just try to keep calm and realize things happen for a reason I know that is hard to take and your probably thinking to yourself wow who is this person to say that...I am waiting to hear within the next week if I have cervical cancer. My :heart: and prayers go out to you... Just don't overeact until you find out for sure.



    web md had me freaking out like you wouldn't believe so i agree with ali
  • CrystalBella
    CrystalBella Posts: 848 Member
    We are def praying for you! :flowerforyou: :heart:
  • ladyhawk
    ladyhawk Posts: 101
    The best thing is for you to try and not panic. I had a cyst on my ovary the also grew and gave me terrible pains with my period, not to mention the excessive bleeding. I also had a history of abnormal pap smear. The cyst ended up being benign but the discomfort and worry about the whole thing led me to having a total hysterectomy which put my mind at ease. Of course I have 3 kids. The point is this - worrying will not solve the situation. Try to hold on until a doctor has examined you and give you a definitive diagnosis. Hang in there:wink:
  • jree435
    jree435 Posts: 33 Member
    1st: definitely praying for you

    2nd. Don't panic yeah yeah I know that's hard to hear but seriously don't flip out. Yeah be nervous, ask questions, get the support of your most loving friends (that's us) but keep both feet on the floor.

    It could be fibroids - benign uterine tissue growth that cause heavy cycles horrible cramping and fibroids feed on estrogen so the only requirement for growth (fast or slow) is that you're female. I had a myomectomy (removal of fibroids) 3 years ago, was able to keep my uterus and and my periods were lighter and easier immediately after my surgery.

    Cysts can mimic those symptoms while still being completely non life threatening.

    Ask tons of questions get more than one opinion and if you feel like your doc is unresponsive, patronizing, or just plan not there for you go get a new one.

    Hugs and much much much support
  • gabrielled
    gabrielled Posts: 247 Member
    Don't panic before you need to. Stress definitely is not a good thing for health and weight loss, so don't worry. Or, worry, but realize it doesn't do any good since you really don't know what to worry about yet. Be your own advocate, and take a friend or family member with you if you need the support. Keep exercising because it will help you stay mellow. We are all rooting for you. Keep us posted!
    G
  • sophialittle
    sophialittle Posts: 344 Member
    hmm, will defintely be thinking of you and wish you all the best .. . .

    my only experience with ovarian cysts is that i had heavy bleeding and terrible cramping with my periods since my first period. at fifteen, my doc put me on birth control and that has really controlled mine. i didn't realize this but your body actually makes cysts to put the eggs in and then when they're not fertilzed, they rupture and leave your body with the whole period thing. so by going on bc, then your body doesn't make the cysts. i know i probably didn't use very technical, medically correct terms there but you get my point. (at least i hope):wink: anways, i guesss my point is that i know it wouldn't help with this situation, but i would encourage you to check into going on the birth control pills to help prevent this problem in the future.

    best of luck to ya! of course, we'll be thinking about you and you'll have to keep us updated!
  • lotusfromthemud
    lotusfromthemud Posts: 5,335 Member
    Thanks, everyone for the support.

    I'm not too freaked out, just a little concerned. I'm actually glad they found something that they could take a picture of and say "here's your problem right here.". . .

    I was just wondering if anyone had any specifics.

    But truly, the love and support is a little overwhelming. . .:blushing: thanks for the prayers, hugs and concern.

    I'll keep you posted. . .:flowerforyou:
  • TamTastic
    TamTastic Posts: 19,224 Member
    Hey! I don't have much advice either but just know you are in my thoughts and prayers!! I truly hope it gets taken care of and you get to feeling better soon!

    Hug!
    Tami
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    I was young -- only 18-- when they found a tumor the size of a football between my ovaries and uterus. It was found on a Wednesday and removed on the following Monday. The surgery was laproscopic -- a vertical cut near-abouts my bikini area. They took polaroids of the thing when they removed it. It looked like a brain with a stem included. It was a benign fibroid tumor.

    Although the fibroid tumor isn't a cyst, I'd had cysts every month that grew and then dissapated every month for years. I believe that you will be fine. The doctors will take care of you and everything will be fine. Please do not stress, dear, until you know what is there to stress about!
  • Eve23
    Eve23 Posts: 2,352 Member
    Hang in there vivia. I can't add anything but you are in our prayers. We are here for you.
  • krystalmoore1986
    krystalmoore1986 Posts: 216 Member
    I am so sorry to hear you are having any health concerns, my love and thoughts are with you!
    :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :flowerforyou: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:
  • laurenk182004
    laurenk182004 Posts: 1,882 Member
    Aww :( I have no help for ya, but I'll pray for it to be problem free! :heart:
    Hugs!!!
    Lauren
  • Ezzie
    Ezzie Posts: 665 Member
    :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
    Lots of flowers for you, prayers and good karma. I BELIEVE that it helps...Sounds like you have a healthy attitude..you've done so incredibly well so far....keep it up, you'll do fine!
    Ezzie:heart:
  • cp005e
    cp005e Posts: 1,495 Member
    Not much to add except more good wishes and support! :heart: :heart: :heart: We are all pulling for you and hope everything will be resolved soon.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,421 Member
    V,

    Hi, sweetie! You were on my mind today. I'm glad I came on MFP and checked your recent posts.

    When do you find out? I have a good feeling that you will be okay. Your body is at its healthiest, and even if you have surgery, you will have a speedy recovery and you have put yourself in the absolute best possible shape for a healthy outcome.

    ((((:heart: -hugs))))

    ~Cheryl
  • jlwhelan1
    jlwhelan1 Posts: 664
    I had a cyst on my ovary when I was 17. (Its been awhile:smile: )

    Umm, caused problems, heavy, long, irregular periods. Lots of blood loss. Severe anemia. Ended up in the hospital after I passed out in front of my mother (who thought I was faking it??)

    They put me on a brief round of steroids then the pill for a year.
    By the time they went to look for the cyst again the next week it was gone. It has not returned.

    I don't know how any of that could help you...but that was my cyst experience
  • heartshapdworld
    heartshapdworld Posts: 323 Member
    :flowerforyou: you are in my prayers:flowerforyou:
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