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Has anyone had these symptoms from ovarian cysts ?

I am 43 yrs old
In April 2014..., I started having lower back pain and pelvic pains that would come and go.
usually more intense a week to two weeks before my period.
Periods have been 7- 9 days early since April.
Very heavy with a lot of dime to quarter size clots and terrible cramps along with very thick mucous like substance in  menstrual flow.
Back pain and pelvic pain with pressure became more frequent and severe through the following months as did on going hot flashes and night sweats and fatigue.
By August 27th it was constant back and pelvic pain but also started having extremely sharp stabbing pains in the ovaries along with nausea & diarrhea.
Decided I needed to get things checked on Sept 2nd due to the severity of the pain.
Could no longer stand for more than 20 minutes at a time because of pain and pressure and I had become so bloated that I could no longer wear my pants.
Went to the ER and had a CT scan, ultrasound, and pelvic exam.
It was determined that I have bilateral ovarian cysts and multiple uterine fibroids.
Was told to follow up with gyn within the next few days.
Saw her on Sept. 5th and had another ultrasound.
Results showed a complex cyst on each ovary 4.5 cm & 2.6 cm and several fibroids in the uterus.
She decided that an exploratory lap was needed to determine the cause of the symptoms and severe ongoing pain.
Possible endometriosis and or adhesions???
Was sent to make an app. with a surgical specialist to have a consultation in regards to a second opinion.
Monday Sept. 22, 2014 at 11:00 am.
I have been on pain meds since Sept. 5th and while it does take the edge off the pain in the lower back and pelvis..., the sharp stabbing pains in both ovaries persist.
Hot flashes, night sweats, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, lack of apatite & fatigue are on going as well.
Has anyone else had these symptoms and what was the outcome?
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Avatar universal
Well..., I had the Colonoscopy this morning and all is fine in that department with the exception of 4 polyps that were removed during the procedure.
Nothing was found that would cause any of the symptoms that I've been constantly enduring for the past 6 weeks.
I feel like I'm back to square one!!!
Hopefully my GYN will finally agree to schedule me for surgery and remove the severely angry cysts on my ovaries.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I did try several birth-control methods when I was in my 20s and 30s's such as Norplant, the pill and Depo Provera  but I had many adverse reactions to them.
Mainly and most bothersome..., my periods became reversed and I was on my period for three weeks and then off for one week.
I haven't been given any info on the other options as to date.

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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
Interesting. I don't know much about inflammatory bowel disease but most of your symptoms seem to be gyn related. Have you considered trying birth control pills? Those are usually effective for heavy bleeding and sometimes resolve ovarian cysts. And less bleeding can mean less pain. They also level out the fluctuating hormones associated with perimenopause so may help the fibroids too. If you do not want to take hormones there are non-hormonal options that can help such as tranexamic acid (Lysteda) or an anti-prostaglandin medication (mefenamic acid). Prescription strength NSAID's may even do the trick.  
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Avatar universal
I just returned home from seeing the surgeon my GYN sent me to and he wants me to have a colonoscopy ASAP.
He feels that my symptoms are more likely due to inflammatory bowel disease.
I'm confused by this because everything I've read about it so far says unexplained weight loss is a symptom of this condition.
The problem I have with this is that I am the exact opposite..., I have had an unexplained weight gain of 8 lbs in the last month even though my eating habits have not changed.
Even with the diarrhea I've had since this past Friday I haven't dropped a pound.
Things just don't add up!!!
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Avatar universal
I have had two c-sections.  One in 2004 and again in 2005.  
I have two beautiful children who are my world.
I didn't know endometriosis could be brought on by having c-sections.
I will do some research on this tonight.
Thank You for the advice!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You are speaking of most women's night mare. Cyst and fibroids can and do cause all the symptoms you speak of. Depending on the size of the cyst and fibroids and the amount of pain should be considered in removing it. There are options you can choose from. One is surgery or Novasure which is wonderful for some women. You may also be starting Menopause. Talk to several GYN's and see what may work best for you. Also do your own research. Good Luck.
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ovarian cysts can cause a range of symptoms from none to severe. But the symptoms do not necessarily correlate with the size or type of cysts. It seems uncommon for symptoms of endometriosis (e.g., pelvic pain) to initially present in a woman your age unless she had some sort of uterine surgery such as c-section that caused it (secondary a.k.a iatrogenic endometriosis).

You may very well be in perimenopause when hormones go "haywire" which can cause cysts, heavy bleeding, irregular cycles, hot flashes, night sweats, etc. And fibroids can cause heavy bleeding too. Usually, all that's needed is to treat the bleeding. The fibroids will shrink after menopause.

Most ovarian cysts, even complex ones, are benign (non-cancerous). Although complex ones seem to seldom resolve on their own, there are women who have stated that theirs did go away, no surgery needed.

I had a 9.5 cm complex ovarian cyst. My gynecologist of 20 years rushed me into surgery saying it needed to come out and quickly. Despite the benign results of the frozen section biopsy done while I was under anesthesia, my gyn proceeded to remove the rest of my sex organs (uterus, cervix, both ovaries, tubes). I have been paying the price ever since (8+ years). I wish I had understood the GROSS overuse of female organ removal and all the medically documented after effects, short- and long-term.

Please do some research before your appointment tomorrow and make a list of questions. It is difficult to know what questions to ask without having done your homework. Also, the medical industry is no different from any other. It is profit driven and doctors are pushed to do more testing and procedures to increase revenues. That doesn't necessarily mean your second opinion surgeon will recommend immediate surgery (with or without organ removal). But surgery is, by far, the primary source of income for gynecologists. And female organ removal is GROSSLY overused with only 2% done for a cancer diagnosis. Even ACOG says most hysterectomies are unwarranted with 76% not meeting their criteria. We as the consumers/patients need to get all the facts and do what is in our best interests. My gynecologist said my surgery was "exploratory" too but he did a gut job on me.

Good luck and let us know how your appointment goes.
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