Aa
Frustrated by doctors...
Hi.
I am a 38 year old single mom of 2 little ones and 1 in college. I hadn't had a pap since before my youngest was born nearly 3 years ago but have been STD tested within the past 6 months (which was basically when the 1st weird symptoms started and I was treated for BV). Since having my last baby I have been experiencing more and more painful ovulation as well.
My immune system seems to be way down and about 3 months ago I started experiencing extreme fatigue, a feeling of pressure on my bladder, increased urination, a general bloated feeling and lack of appetite (yet my pants feel tight around the waist), and some pain the last time I had sex (which was well over a month ago at this point) as well as a dull ache constantly in my abdomen (with it being more painful on the left side) and an aching lower back. My cycle is like clockwork and I haven't had any spotting, but my periods seem to be much heavier the last few cycles. I have lost a few pounds which isn't good as I'm already very skinny with super high metabolism, and I also have no health history information about my father's side of my family as I never knew him.
I went to have a well-woman last week and discussed my symptoms and concerns in great detail to the young female resident doctor. After doing my pelvic exam and pap, she said she saw a growth on my cervix. She then went out to speak to the doctor who I could hear through the door. He told her I should not be concerned about any of the gynecological cancers because of my age, they should check my thyroid because of my weight loss, and he thought I may have irritable bowel syndrome.
When she came back in to tell me this I informed her that I was not having any problem with my poop, my thyroid is fine though they were welcome to take my blood to check it, and that my concerns were valid, real, and I know my body much better than this doctor especially given the fact that I had my last 2 children completely naturally and the last one at home. I requested a CA-125 test and a transvaginal ultrasound.
She came back in with a referral for the ultrasound but said they didn't feel the need for the CA-125. I went that day for both a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound which was done at a school (as I am self-employed and uninsured so have been going to a low-cost clinic with a sliding fee scale.)
The doctor apparently received the report last Thursday which I didn't know until I called to inquire this morning. I was told everything was "fine" then went to pick up a copy of the report.
The impression lists:
1. Free fluid noted posterior to fundus
2. Nabothian cysts as described above (at least 2 largest measuring .46 cm wide)
3. Dominant follicle right ovary
4. Left paraovarian structure (measuring 0.66 cm wide)
My thyroid level was fine – as I knew it would be. I'm still waiting for the result of my pap smear, but guess I'm wondering if anyone here can give me any input. When I called the ultrasound place to try to get some answers I was told that cysts are very very common and my doctor knows best. Basically I was treated like a crazy woman.
I have always had a ton of energy (even as a single mom with my own business) but know and feel that something is not right with my body. Because my finances are so limited and I just spent $150 to be treated like I'm a hypochondriac with an irritable bowel, I'm not sure where to go from here...
Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read my novella!
-S
I am a 38 year old single mom of 2 little ones and 1 in college. I hadn't had a pap since before my youngest was born nearly 3 years ago but have been STD tested within the past 6 months (which was basically when the 1st weird symptoms started and I was treated for BV). Since having my last baby I have been experiencing more and more painful ovulation as well.
My immune system seems to be way down and about 3 months ago I started experiencing extreme fatigue, a feeling of pressure on my bladder, increased urination, a general bloated feeling and lack of appetite (yet my pants feel tight around the waist), and some pain the last time I had sex (which was well over a month ago at this point) as well as a dull ache constantly in my abdomen (with it being more painful on the left side) and an aching lower back. My cycle is like clockwork and I haven't had any spotting, but my periods seem to be much heavier the last few cycles. I have lost a few pounds which isn't good as I'm already very skinny with super high metabolism, and I also have no health history information about my father's side of my family as I never knew him.
I went to have a well-woman last week and discussed my symptoms and concerns in great detail to the young female resident doctor. After doing my pelvic exam and pap, she said she saw a growth on my cervix. She then went out to speak to the doctor who I could hear through the door. He told her I should not be concerned about any of the gynecological cancers because of my age, they should check my thyroid because of my weight loss, and he thought I may have irritable bowel syndrome.
When she came back in to tell me this I informed her that I was not having any problem with my poop, my thyroid is fine though they were welcome to take my blood to check it, and that my concerns were valid, real, and I know my body much better than this doctor especially given the fact that I had my last 2 children completely naturally and the last one at home. I requested a CA-125 test and a transvaginal ultrasound.
She came back in with a referral for the ultrasound but said they didn't feel the need for the CA-125. I went that day for both a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound which was done at a school (as I am self-employed and uninsured so have been going to a low-cost clinic with a sliding fee scale.)
The doctor apparently received the report last Thursday which I didn't know until I called to inquire this morning. I was told everything was "fine" then went to pick up a copy of the report.
The impression lists:
1. Free fluid noted posterior to fundus
2. Nabothian cysts as described above (at least 2 largest measuring .46 cm wide)
3. Dominant follicle right ovary
4. Left paraovarian structure (measuring 0.66 cm wide)
My thyroid level was fine – as I knew it would be. I'm still waiting for the result of my pap smear, but guess I'm wondering if anyone here can give me any input. When I called the ultrasound place to try to get some answers I was told that cysts are very very common and my doctor knows best. Basically I was treated like a crazy woman.
I have always had a ton of energy (even as a single mom with my own business) but know and feel that something is not right with my body. Because my finances are so limited and I just spent $150 to be treated like I'm a hypochondriac with an irritable bowel, I'm not sure where to go from here...
Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read my novella!
-S
Nobody knows if cancer is present or not based on ultrasound. Pathology of the removed cyst is the only real way to tell if it is benign or not. You might be feeling the after effects of a rupture. But those symptoms are rather strong, normally those of much larger problematic cysts. Paraovarian means it is adjacent to or next to the ovary, but not necessarily on the ovary itself. It might not even be an ovarian cyst. Endometriosis perhaps?
Cancer can appear as white/solid/irregular shapes on an ultrasound, but that could be misleading. They could think cancer and still find a cyst to be benign. Nothing on your u/s report indicates something to be worried about, but how proficient is the person that read that report? It needs to be a very experienced person that reads an u/s to interpret it correctly.
If you really believe something is wrong you might need a second opinion. You could ask for a referral to a gynecologist/oncologist to review the test results for his/her opinion of what they mean.
The cervix cysts described are almost always benign. You still want to get regular pap tests anyway, but they should not be the cause of the symptoms you are having.
Since money is a real issue, you might be able to get the doctor on the ovarian cancer EXPERT forum here at MedHelp to give an opinion.
Cancer can appear as white/solid/irregular shapes on an ultrasound, but that could be misleading. They could think cancer and still find a cyst to be benign. Nothing on your u/s report indicates something to be worried about, but how proficient is the person that read that report? It needs to be a very experienced person that reads an u/s to interpret it correctly.
If you really believe something is wrong you might need a second opinion. You could ask for a referral to a gynecologist/oncologist to review the test results for his/her opinion of what they mean.
The cervix cysts described are almost always benign. You still want to get regular pap tests anyway, but they should not be the cause of the symptoms you are having.
Since money is a real issue, you might be able to get the doctor on the ovarian cancer EXPERT forum here at MedHelp to give an opinion.
I understand the free fluid indicates I may have had another cyst that may have ruptured prior to my exam, but there is still the paraovarian growth and the cysts on my cervix.
I wouldn't be concerned if I weren't having all of the other weird symptoms along with everything else - but I am.
The only thing they checked with my blood was my thyroid which was fine.
If my pap comes back normal I guess I'll just wait and see for awhile. I don't have the money for a bunch of tests right now anyway.
Do you know if there is ever a possibility of these cysts being cancerous and how is the determination made with just the ultrasound?
Thanks so much.
-S
I wouldn't be concerned if I weren't having all of the other weird symptoms along with everything else - but I am.
The only thing they checked with my blood was my thyroid which was fine.
If my pap comes back normal I guess I'll just wait and see for awhile. I don't have the money for a bunch of tests right now anyway.
Do you know if there is ever a possibility of these cysts being cancerous and how is the determination made with just the ultrasound?
Thanks so much.
-S
Based on my limited knowledge it does appear that whatever cysts you had might have resolved themselves as a result of the free fluid. What is currently noted is quite small and could be due to normal ovulation. Nabothian cysts are supposedly harmless. Are you feeling any better? If not it sounds like you need some additional investigation. Have you had a complete blood work done?
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