Aa
Large ovarian cyst
I was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst in late august. By now I am really uncomfortable and frustrated about lack of information and havinng to wait so long for answers of any kind. Any word of comfort or advice while this is going on would be highly appreciated as my doctors arent too helpful when it comes to that and browsing the internet is just plain scary...
Im 23 by the time Ill have surgery (whenever that might be), the cyst started about a year ago, but I didnt seek medical help until late august, silly me hoped it would just go away. By now I look 4-5 months pregnant, but dont know the exact measurements of the cyst(s).
My roller coaster ride so far:
GP told me I was pregnant and almost had me convinced until the continued lack of fetal heartbeat and pregnancy symptoms made her change her mind. Im on the pill and never missed a period by the way!!
GP sent me straight to the hospital where the doctor (surgeon) confirmed I had a very large ovarian cyst. Too large for a ultrasound (on belly) to tell if it was from the left or right ovary. It appeared to be filled with fluid and behaving as a benign cyst. I was told I would need surgery to remove it. Blood was taken (severe needle phobia).
Early next week he had me booked in for another ultra sound examination, also on the belly. Still inconclusive.
Next day I was back at the hospital chatting the surgeon. Blood came back normal, although he didnt tell me the value - and silly me didnt ask. He wanted more blood for a second blood test. Seen enough of my phobia to note it down this time. He sceduled me for a CT scan the following week and promised me I would be up for a chat 2 weeks later.
CT scan was a nightmare, I found out I am as afraid of IVs as I am of needles.
I heard nothing from the hospital the following week and called the hospital. Apparently they had a meeting about me that day, but I heard nothing back. I believe the surgeon was no longer in charge of my case at this point.
Another week passed and I called again. Got brushed off, was told my blood came back normal and that I would know more by the end of the week.
Monday (this week) I recieved a letter, I am sceduled for an appointment in mid october. Turns out they transfered me to a specialist in another city. I guess that is good enough to shut me up for the next 3 weeks.
I am worried sick, develloping more uncomfortable symptoms, frustrated and angry at the lack of information. I hope the specialist isnt too busy in october, she will be answering to 1.5 months of questions and worries.. not sure if it is fair on her as I dont know how long she actually had my case for...
I have 3 main conserns:
Type of surgery/scar. Noone has mentioned Laparoscopic surgery as an option, only open Laparotomy - and only midline incision has been mentioned which I plan to refuse. Does anyone know how common midline incisions is vs the bikini cut, as far as I can understand the midline incision is more commonly used to explore the abdomen when the surgeon doesnt know what he is dealing with/strong suspicion of cancer?
The state of my ovaries: I have no idea if one or both ovaries are affected, how much they plan to remove etc. I dont want to loose both ovaries. Womb looked healthy on the ultra sound scans though, so it better be ok.
Needle phobia. I hope they have some REALLY strong drugs for that.
Sorry about the rant.
I would really appreciate hearing from you ladies who have been through this, What to ask, what to expect, anything...
Im 23 by the time Ill have surgery (whenever that might be), the cyst started about a year ago, but I didnt seek medical help until late august, silly me hoped it would just go away. By now I look 4-5 months pregnant, but dont know the exact measurements of the cyst(s).
My roller coaster ride so far:
GP told me I was pregnant and almost had me convinced until the continued lack of fetal heartbeat and pregnancy symptoms made her change her mind. Im on the pill and never missed a period by the way!!
GP sent me straight to the hospital where the doctor (surgeon) confirmed I had a very large ovarian cyst. Too large for a ultrasound (on belly) to tell if it was from the left or right ovary. It appeared to be filled with fluid and behaving as a benign cyst. I was told I would need surgery to remove it. Blood was taken (severe needle phobia).
Early next week he had me booked in for another ultra sound examination, also on the belly. Still inconclusive.
Next day I was back at the hospital chatting the surgeon. Blood came back normal, although he didnt tell me the value - and silly me didnt ask. He wanted more blood for a second blood test. Seen enough of my phobia to note it down this time. He sceduled me for a CT scan the following week and promised me I would be up for a chat 2 weeks later.
CT scan was a nightmare, I found out I am as afraid of IVs as I am of needles.
I heard nothing from the hospital the following week and called the hospital. Apparently they had a meeting about me that day, but I heard nothing back. I believe the surgeon was no longer in charge of my case at this point.
Another week passed and I called again. Got brushed off, was told my blood came back normal and that I would know more by the end of the week.
Monday (this week) I recieved a letter, I am sceduled for an appointment in mid october. Turns out they transfered me to a specialist in another city. I guess that is good enough to shut me up for the next 3 weeks.
I am worried sick, develloping more uncomfortable symptoms, frustrated and angry at the lack of information. I hope the specialist isnt too busy in october, she will be answering to 1.5 months of questions and worries.. not sure if it is fair on her as I dont know how long she actually had my case for...
I have 3 main conserns:
Type of surgery/scar. Noone has mentioned Laparoscopic surgery as an option, only open Laparotomy - and only midline incision has been mentioned which I plan to refuse. Does anyone know how common midline incisions is vs the bikini cut, as far as I can understand the midline incision is more commonly used to explore the abdomen when the surgeon doesnt know what he is dealing with/strong suspicion of cancer?
The state of my ovaries: I have no idea if one or both ovaries are affected, how much they plan to remove etc. I dont want to loose both ovaries. Womb looked healthy on the ultra sound scans though, so it better be ok.
Needle phobia. I hope they have some REALLY strong drugs for that.
Sorry about the rant.
I would really appreciate hearing from you ladies who have been through this, What to ask, what to expect, anything...
Ive had some sharp and quite persistent pains today, about an inch in from the left hip bone. It is just at the edge of my cyst and probably close to where the ovary should be?
I believe the large cyst is on the left ovary, it pushes everything further out on the left side when Im lying down (almost gives away on right side).
Should I be worried about that pain? I was told my cyst is too big to twist.. My appointment with the gyno is in 6 days.
I believe the large cyst is on the left ovary, it pushes everything further out on the left side when Im lying down (almost gives away on right side).
Should I be worried about that pain? I was told my cyst is too big to twist.. My appointment with the gyno is in 6 days.
Ok, so I finally got through to the GP today. They needed a couple of hours to get the result of the CT scan sent down and called me back.
"I have a cyst"
GP hadnt recieved any information about the type of cyst, size, location, if it is more than one cyst or not.. They hadnt recieved information about the blood tests either. Im disappointed.
"I have a cyst"
GP hadnt recieved any information about the type of cyst, size, location, if it is more than one cyst or not.. They hadnt recieved information about the blood tests either. Im disappointed.
Still no letter out from the hospital. *insert curse word of choice* GP will get another call tomorrow. Hospital is taking the ****.
I'm in Devon, where everyone's a bit backward lol!! I felt sorry for the hospital people that are gonna be looking after me, but I think I feel more sorry for yours haha! I only know about epidurals for having babies, no ones mentioned it to me for this surgery!
Goodmorning
Im in Northern Ireland.. supposedly the waiting time shouldnt be as bad here!! My bf hopes the surgery will be done before christmas, but Im starting to have doubts about that. Where are you?
I wouldnt fancy their chances at doing any needle procedures I dont approve of. 10 years of self defense combined with a body prepareing itself for fight/flight could turn nasty.. I havent gotten any meds for this by the way. Left to deal with my phobias on my own.
Have you heard anything about epidurals? I dont hope it is standard procedure..? I slept so bad.... Id rather be in agony than letting them do that..
Good luck with your op.
Im in Northern Ireland.. supposedly the waiting time shouldnt be as bad here!! My bf hopes the surgery will be done before christmas, but Im starting to have doubts about that. Where are you?
I wouldnt fancy their chances at doing any needle procedures I dont approve of. 10 years of self defense combined with a body prepareing itself for fight/flight could turn nasty.. I havent gotten any meds for this by the way. Left to deal with my phobias on my own.
Have you heard anything about epidurals? I dont hope it is standard procedure..? I slept so bad.... Id rather be in agony than letting them do that..
Good luck with your op.
You sound like you've had as much fun with the NHS as me, it's taken over a year to get to where I am today! At my pre-op a week and a half ago, they told me my operation would be in between 2 and 9 weeks! I haven't got my date yet! Poor you with your needle phobia, I'm not worried about needles, just phobic of hospitals in general...I will make sure they give me the strongest pre-med possible as I don't fancy there chances of getting me in the operating room without haha! What part of the uk are you?
That was the needle phobia speaking.. here I thought I would only be panicking about not knowing if both my ovaries are affected tonight..
I can imagine the stares.. Im very aware of the clothes Im wearing anytime I leave the house and my belly is only sticking out a bit further than my B/C cup.. I thought my cyst was 4-5 months pregnant, but now I think about it my doctor did tell me I was "not far off" when I asked how close to full term I was... Never got a number though. Still dont think Im more than 3-4 liters... but that is just a guess.
Im glad to hear all went well for you, and hope everything is ok at your checkup .
Did they do the epidural while you were conscious?? :-S
I can imagine the stares.. Im very aware of the clothes Im wearing anytime I leave the house and my belly is only sticking out a bit further than my B/C cup.. I thought my cyst was 4-5 months pregnant, but now I think about it my doctor did tell me I was "not far off" when I asked how close to full term I was... Never got a number though. Still dont think Im more than 3-4 liters... but that is just a guess.
Im glad to hear all went well for you, and hope everything is ok at your checkup .
Did they do the epidural while you were conscious?? :-S
Epidural!!! Argh! ARRRGGGHH!!! One thing I will refuse no matter what. Noone is touching my spine. Why oh why did they do that?? Is general anaesthetic not enough??? Now I wont sleep tonight!
How did you cope with the needle phobia after the surgery? May have to add that I was hyperventilating, shaking and crying non stop during the CT scan because of the IV tube in my arm.. The needle going in is not my problem. Did they give you something for the phobia?
Good to hear you had a bikini cut as well, more ammunition for me if they push for a midline incision.
Epidural... argh!!
How did you cope with the needle phobia after the surgery? May have to add that I was hyperventilating, shaking and crying non stop during the CT scan because of the IV tube in my arm.. The needle going in is not my problem. Did they give you something for the phobia?
Good to hear you had a bikini cut as well, more ammunition for me if they push for a midline incision.
Epidural... argh!!
Hi
It's been a year since I went to the doctors with my ovarian cyst and I can honestly say I know how you feel. I'm 17 now but had just gone 16 when I went to the doctors and at first they too thought I was pregnant, and after heart beat monitors and a number of pregnancy tests the doctor decided to send me to an emergency clinic where I was told i had an abnormally sized ovarian cyst.
For the next 3-4 months i had meetings with my consultant and i lost count with the number of blood tests (needle phobia as well) i had but because i'd never heard of cysts till i was diagnosed i was pretty confused for most of the experience. i ended up having an ultra sound as well as a MRI due to the size of it they couldn't see which ovary it was, they also wanted to know the size as i had to have 'bikini line surgery'.
On the day of my surgery my consultant/surgeon came to see me, he was lovely and helped calm me as i had just found out they were giving me an epidural for pain relief. Let me just say combining a 16 year old with a needle phobia with an epidural results in a hysterical mess however i didn't feel a thing and i was asleep before i even had chance to panic about the anesthetic.
After waking up i spent 4 days in hospital, i won't sugar coat any of the recovery it was very uncomfortable and painful which was my biggest fear when i spoke to other people however you just learn to put up with it, if I'm honest for the first few days i was that high on morphine i didn't really know what was going on and provided brilliant entertainment for my visiting friends with my nonsense talking, but the nurses were so nice and caring and made me as comfortable as was possible.
When I was home I was bed bound for about a week then gradually built my fitness back up and was fully recovered after 2 months.
When I received my follow up notes I found my cyst was 30x10 cm containing 5.0 liters of fluid which meant they had to remove the ovary along with the tube, it made me look around 8 months pregnant so you can probably guess the looks I was getting being only 16, hence my need to get it out asap. This experience did effect me psychologically, I think it was more to do with me going from never hearing of these things to being told of surgery and possible cancer scares along with the huge stomach in just 3 months and missing stuff at school (A-Level year) and outside made me more unsociable and not being able to talk to people. However I had amazing friends and family who were there for me every step of the way and they quickly brought me back to normal.
I hope this helps you, i know everybody's experience is different but like the lady above my scar is just like that of a cesarian and has faded quite a bit. I know nothing anybody says will fully reassure you or calm you because i was like that, but i've managed to pass onto my next year of college after nearly missing the first term of my courses and i have a check up scan next month just to reassure me that everything is ok!
Good luck with your op :)
It's been a year since I went to the doctors with my ovarian cyst and I can honestly say I know how you feel. I'm 17 now but had just gone 16 when I went to the doctors and at first they too thought I was pregnant, and after heart beat monitors and a number of pregnancy tests the doctor decided to send me to an emergency clinic where I was told i had an abnormally sized ovarian cyst.
For the next 3-4 months i had meetings with my consultant and i lost count with the number of blood tests (needle phobia as well) i had but because i'd never heard of cysts till i was diagnosed i was pretty confused for most of the experience. i ended up having an ultra sound as well as a MRI due to the size of it they couldn't see which ovary it was, they also wanted to know the size as i had to have 'bikini line surgery'.
On the day of my surgery my consultant/surgeon came to see me, he was lovely and helped calm me as i had just found out they were giving me an epidural for pain relief. Let me just say combining a 16 year old with a needle phobia with an epidural results in a hysterical mess however i didn't feel a thing and i was asleep before i even had chance to panic about the anesthetic.
After waking up i spent 4 days in hospital, i won't sugar coat any of the recovery it was very uncomfortable and painful which was my biggest fear when i spoke to other people however you just learn to put up with it, if I'm honest for the first few days i was that high on morphine i didn't really know what was going on and provided brilliant entertainment for my visiting friends with my nonsense talking, but the nurses were so nice and caring and made me as comfortable as was possible.
When I was home I was bed bound for about a week then gradually built my fitness back up and was fully recovered after 2 months.
When I received my follow up notes I found my cyst was 30x10 cm containing 5.0 liters of fluid which meant they had to remove the ovary along with the tube, it made me look around 8 months pregnant so you can probably guess the looks I was getting being only 16, hence my need to get it out asap. This experience did effect me psychologically, I think it was more to do with me going from never hearing of these things to being told of surgery and possible cancer scares along with the huge stomach in just 3 months and missing stuff at school (A-Level year) and outside made me more unsociable and not being able to talk to people. However I had amazing friends and family who were there for me every step of the way and they quickly brought me back to normal.
I hope this helps you, i know everybody's experience is different but like the lady above my scar is just like that of a cesarian and has faded quite a bit. I know nothing anybody says will fully reassure you or calm you because i was like that, but i've managed to pass onto my next year of college after nearly missing the first term of my courses and i have a check up scan next month just to reassure me that everything is ok!
Good luck with your op :)
Called the GP today, sounded like they didnt have it and was a bit surprised I hadnt recieved it by post despite calling the hospital about it twice. GP promised to get them to send it.. back to the waiting game for a few days..
Do you know if they sent the ct report to your gp? Or the specialist they referred you to? Do you know What type of specialist it is? If I were you I would make some phone calls to your gp, the specialist and the hospital to track down your reports. Don't let them give you the run around. I would find out what type if cyst it is, how big it is, all the details. Good luck.
Does anyone know how long it ought to take the NHS from you are diagnosed and told you need surgery (not an emergency like torsion etc) to you get it removed? How long is it fair of them to drag it out?
What can I do to get the result of my CT scan? I know the hospital had the report weeks ago but didnt bother informing me and Id like to know now rather than waiting a few weeks and hope the doctor Im sceduled to chat knows noone has informed me about it yet and has set off enough time to deal with it...
What can I do to get the result of my CT scan? I know the hospital had the report weeks ago but didnt bother informing me and Id like to know now rather than waiting a few weeks and hope the doctor Im sceduled to chat knows noone has informed me about it yet and has set off enough time to deal with it...
Thankyou so much for your reply, sounds like your situation was quite similar to mine. I am in the UK now and dealing with the NHS. If I went back to my home country they would have to complete surgery within 4 weeks, but I would have to sacrifice the support from my boyfriend and be treated in a hospital hours away from my family. Ill stay unless I cant agree with the NHS.
Ill definately protest a vertical incision, if it worked for you it should work for me as well.. At least at our age the risk of it being cancerous is tiny, so it should be ok. My cyst stops about 8 cm above my belly button.
Gosh, you had to learn to breathe again?!? I dont think mine would be more than 3-4 litres, but I really dont know how far in it goes. Im looking forward to being able to finish a full plate of food though, I havent been able to do that for ages!
Good luck with your current symptoms, hopefully it will go away without the need for more surgery.
Ill definately protest a vertical incision, if it worked for you it should work for me as well.. At least at our age the risk of it being cancerous is tiny, so it should be ok. My cyst stops about 8 cm above my belly button.
Gosh, you had to learn to breathe again?!? I dont think mine would be more than 3-4 litres, but I really dont know how far in it goes. Im looking forward to being able to finish a full plate of food though, I havent been able to do that for ages!
Good luck with your current symptoms, hopefully it will go away without the need for more surgery.
Hi
I'm 25 now and a year ago they discovered a huge ovarian cyst in my belly. I went to the docs cos I'd lost a lot of weight but not on my stomach which looked pregnant. So I had ultrasound and a CT and was scheduled for a horizontal laparotomy a couple of days later. Before they decided that, they wanted to cut me open from the bikini like up to my rib cage! I protested heavily and they decided that a horizontal laparotomy would be enough IF it's completely benign. They said that they'll drain the cyst first and analize it during the operation. If the results were suspicious of cancer, they would have had to open up more (vertically) and take out bits and pieces. They also said they'd have to remove the ovary from where the cyst comes but in the end they only had to remove the fallopian tube and I still have both ovaries. All in all it went well (it was 7 litres of fluid in the end..) and I've just got a small caesarian like scar on my bikini line. But now, a year later, I'm having symptoms and I'm worried it's back. Also, now I live in the UK the healthcare will be so much worse so god knows how long I'll have to wait to get treatment.
Otherwise my experience it wasn't that bad. People treated me nicely (mostly) and I was well taken care of. They gave me strong tranquilizers before they put me under so I wasn't scared. And after the op I got morphium and strong painkillers. I stayed in hospital for 4 days and then got to go home but I was really weak for a long time. I had to learn how to breathe again since the tumour took up so much space in my stomach, all my organs had to shuffle back into place. It was quite strange. I had a little compication after the surgery, I developed a huge haematoma underneath the incision so they had to open me up again, take it out and make sure the blood could flow out until they closed me up again so that it wouldn't keep bleeding internally. But that's very very rare..
Hope I could help a bit!
I'm 25 now and a year ago they discovered a huge ovarian cyst in my belly. I went to the docs cos I'd lost a lot of weight but not on my stomach which looked pregnant. So I had ultrasound and a CT and was scheduled for a horizontal laparotomy a couple of days later. Before they decided that, they wanted to cut me open from the bikini like up to my rib cage! I protested heavily and they decided that a horizontal laparotomy would be enough IF it's completely benign. They said that they'll drain the cyst first and analize it during the operation. If the results were suspicious of cancer, they would have had to open up more (vertically) and take out bits and pieces. They also said they'd have to remove the ovary from where the cyst comes but in the end they only had to remove the fallopian tube and I still have both ovaries. All in all it went well (it was 7 litres of fluid in the end..) and I've just got a small caesarian like scar on my bikini line. But now, a year later, I'm having symptoms and I'm worried it's back. Also, now I live in the UK the healthcare will be so much worse so god knows how long I'll have to wait to get treatment.
Otherwise my experience it wasn't that bad. People treated me nicely (mostly) and I was well taken care of. They gave me strong tranquilizers before they put me under so I wasn't scared. And after the op I got morphium and strong painkillers. I stayed in hospital for 4 days and then got to go home but I was really weak for a long time. I had to learn how to breathe again since the tumour took up so much space in my stomach, all my organs had to shuffle back into place. It was quite strange. I had a little compication after the surgery, I developed a huge haematoma underneath the incision so they had to open me up again, take it out and make sure the blood could flow out until they closed me up again so that it wouldn't keep bleeding internally. But that's very very rare..
Hope I could help a bit!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cysts Community
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.
