Ovarian Cysts

[HBADPi]

I had a 6 cm one on my left ovary 4 years ago, I would have the worst pain ever to the point that I couldnt stand and no pain medicine I took helped and after 2 months of complaining to drs they finally decided to give me an ultrasound. At first they kept telling me to take advil and it would pass, that it was stress related, or I need to switch BCPs and then when they ran out of other stories they gave me an ultrasound which is when they found it. They were afraid it would rupture so I ended up getting it surgically removed which was not fun...mine was also a complex cyst...

Funny you should have posted this because I have a feeling I may have another cyst (due to a lot of recent pain) and I'm going in for an ultrasound tomorrow...

[paulam]

Originally Posted by HBADPi

I had a 6 cm one on my left ovary 4 years ago, I would have the worst pain ever to the point that I couldnt stand and no pain medicine I took helped and after 2 months of complaining to drs they finally decided to give me an ultrasound. At first they kept telling me to take advil and it would pass, that it was stress related, or I need to switch BCPs and then when they ran out of other stories they gave me an ultrasound which is when they found it. They were afraid it would rupture so I ended up getting it surgically removed which was not fun...mine was also a complex cyst...

Funny you should have posted this because I have a feeling I may have another cyst (due to a lot of recent pain) and I'm going in for an ultrasound tomorrow...

To all Sisters, Greek or not:

Please go for a second opinion if a doctor tells you not to worry, that it's nothing and will go away with Advil or some other OTC drug.

I had a gynecologist tell me I had a yeast infection when I knew the kind of pain I was experiencing could not possibly be something so simple. I found another gynecologist recommended by my Internist and he immediately hospitalized me, did a D & C, an endometrial biopsy and hysteroscopy and found cancer. When the oncologist operated, he found both Stage 3 ovarian and uterine cancer. I am now doing 6 rounds of chemo (4 to go) and should recover completely. Your body will tell you when something does not add up, so pay attention. You may have to see several doctors until you find the right one, but if it saves your life, it is worth it.

I wish there were an easier way to detect ovarian cancer. Usually by the time it is found, it is too late. I am one of the lucky ones in that I had a good doctor who was concerned for my health and did the right thing.

Please don't ignore the symptoms because a doctor gave you information that made your problem seem minor. When pain brings you to your knees, find the right doctor who will take your problems seriously. No one knows your body better than you.

Wishing all of you the best of health.

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
ΣΔTPatriae Multi Spes Una One Hope of Many People

[VandalSquirrel]

I second what paulam says, don't let any doctor dismiss your concerns about your body for any reason. I found a lump at the end of last February and because of my age and family history (breast cancer in great aunts, other cancers for parents and grandparents) they blew me off and it took my ear nose and throat surgeon to take my medical concerns seriously.

He refused to do the surgery until we knew and sent me to the cancer center in Spokane he trusted. I don't know what the hell happened but my medical records weren't sent, no mammogram was scheduled, and it took almost FOUR MONTHS from the time I found the lump until I got mammograms. I'm thrilled to not have any malignant growths but if I had I'd have lost precious treatment time.

The most annoying this was that the doctors who blew me off were women and then I found other women my age who had the same treatments, and two of them weren't as lucky as me with their diagnoses.

[paulam]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I second what paulam says, don't let any doctor dismiss your concerns about your body for any reason. I found a lump at the end of last February and because of my age and family history (breast cancer in great aunts, other cancers for parents and grandparents) they blew me off and it took my ear nose and throat surgeon to take my medical concerns seriously.

The most annoying this was that the doctors who blew me off were women and then I found other women my age who had the same treatments, and two of them weren't as lucky as me with their diagnoses.

Dear Vanda Squirrel,

I am so glad to hear that you finally received an accurate diagnosis. Doctors and nurses need more training in this area and women need to learn to stand up for themselves.

Please keep me posted on how your treatment progresses. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Fraternally,

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
ΣΔTPatriae Multi Spes Una One Hope of Many People

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by paulam

Dear Vanda Squirrel,

I am so glad to hear that you finally received an accurate diagnosis. Doctors and nurses need more training in this area and women need to learn to stand up for themselves.

Please keep me posted on how your treatment progresses. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Fraternally,

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
ΣΔTPatriae Multi Spes Una One Hope of Many People

I'm going back in for a follow up and I'm glad you're doing well! My grandmother was diagnoses with ovarian cancer and died within a few days so I know how rapidly it can spread and how critical (and for all cancers essentially) quick and proper treatment is.

Back to cysts, have any of you ladies who have had that painful experience also had endometriosis issues? If you don't want to share publicly I've got my PMs turned on. Just curious.