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What should I ask the dr about my ovarian cyst and my options?
After 20yrs of fairly period pain I thought I might do something about it rather than popping a copious amount of pain killers for 3 days each month. A try of the minipill a few years ago had not been successful due to a reoccurrence of migraines after 15yrs of none. I read up on Endometriosis and went back to my GP and she sent me for a scan. I have been have pain specifically on the left side for a while now. 8 month definitely but perhaps as long as 2 yrs and have always felt like my insides were pulling at each other during my period.
I had the ultrasound on Thursday and had a bit of a panic when the guy doing the ultrasound went suddenly from relax and chatty to serious with an occasional humm, sigh, with a straight back and questions about if I had seen a specialist. They found a mildly complex cyst 57 x 45 x 47mm on my left ovary. When I went back to the GP for the results we had a very quick conversations which basically went something like 'Glad you came back so soon, you have a really big cyst, I'll send you for a follow up US in 4-6 weeks to see if it's shrunk or grown, if you feel a lot of pain go to the emergency department it may have burst or twisted...see you in a few weeks'...ok there was a bit more to it than that but I was only able to get across that it had been painful on the left side for 8 or more months so not going away anytime soon and ask what would happen if it had not changed or grown bigger...'we will book you in for an gynaecologist appointment asap, can't do anything until we know what it's doing, just go to the ED with your scans if you feel a lot of pain.'
Don't get me wrong my Dr is great but at 5:30pm on a Friday before a long weekend I think I didn't get the usual I depth consultation that I usually get. She didn't suggest a blood test. I've done my online research and feel a bit more informed but my questions are:
"What do I ask my doc after I've had the second scan?"
"Should I go back and ask for a blood test or wait until after the second scan?"
"What are my options?"
"Should I push for a gyno appointment even if the doc doesn't think it's nessasary? "
For those of you in Australia " I don't have private health insurance, how long was you waiting period on Medicare before you had an opp?"
Thanks
Ree
I had the ultrasound on Thursday and had a bit of a panic when the guy doing the ultrasound went suddenly from relax and chatty to serious with an occasional humm, sigh, with a straight back and questions about if I had seen a specialist. They found a mildly complex cyst 57 x 45 x 47mm on my left ovary. When I went back to the GP for the results we had a very quick conversations which basically went something like 'Glad you came back so soon, you have a really big cyst, I'll send you for a follow up US in 4-6 weeks to see if it's shrunk or grown, if you feel a lot of pain go to the emergency department it may have burst or twisted...see you in a few weeks'...ok there was a bit more to it than that but I was only able to get across that it had been painful on the left side for 8 or more months so not going away anytime soon and ask what would happen if it had not changed or grown bigger...'we will book you in for an gynaecologist appointment asap, can't do anything until we know what it's doing, just go to the ED with your scans if you feel a lot of pain.'
Don't get me wrong my Dr is great but at 5:30pm on a Friday before a long weekend I think I didn't get the usual I depth consultation that I usually get. She didn't suggest a blood test. I've done my online research and feel a bit more informed but my questions are:
"What do I ask my doc after I've had the second scan?"
"Should I go back and ask for a blood test or wait until after the second scan?"
"What are my options?"
"Should I push for a gyno appointment even if the doc doesn't think it's nessasary? "
For those of you in Australia " I don't have private health insurance, how long was you waiting period on Medicare before you had an opp?"
Thanks
Ree
Hi WeeRee. First, I'd like to thank you on sharing your story. I want you to know that you are not alone and many women suffer from this. I myself suffer from Chronic Ovarian Cysts since my young adult years. I don't get pain often, but I do get discomfort on my left side, especially during intercourse. The only time I feel sharp shooting pains would be when the cyst ruptures, and the pain would be severe to the point I can't stand or move at all. I start vomiting and having painful bowl movements. I ended up in the ER once because of this and they discharged me and prescribed me Tylenol Codeine, which I have never taken due to the drowsiness affect. I take Regular Tylenol Extra Strength 500MG. For pain, they would recommend a strong dose of pain medication, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin). Many times I have gone to my GYN and they would do a pelvic ultrasound and usually find a mild complex cyst. They say it usually goes away on it's own and they would follow up after 3 months. They also strongly recommend Birth Control to prevent and cure the cysts as well as regulate your period if it's irregular like mine.
"What do I ask my doc after I've had the second scan?"
AFTER YOUR 2ND SCAN, FIND OUT FROM THE DOCTOR IF THE CYST IS STILL THERE. IF IT IS, THEY WOULD MOST LIKELY REFER YOU TO YOUR GYN AND TELL YOU WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE. YOU CAN ASK THEM WHAT YOU CAN DO TO ALLEVIATE THE PAIN BETTER AND IF SURGERY WILL BE NECESSARY. ASK THEM IF THERE ARE ANY TREATMENTS. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, MOST OF THE TIME, THEY WOULD RECOMMEND BIRTH CONTROL PILLS SO I WOULD SUGGEST YOU GO ON THAT AND TAKE YOUR DOCTOR'S ADVICE. YOU CAN ALSO ASK WHAT YOUR DIET SHOULD ENTAIL. I FEEL LIKE OUR DIET AND OVERALL HEALTH CAN AFFECT THE OCCURRENCE OF CYSTS. TRY EATING MORE GREENS AND DRINKING MORE WATER.
"Should I go back and ask for a blood test or wait until after the second scan?"
YOU CAN GET A BLOOD TEST NOW IF YOU PREFER, BUT I DON'T SEE HOW THE BLOOD TEST WILL REALLY TELL YOU ANYTHING ABOUT THE CYST. WHAT EXACTLY DID YOU WANT TO CHECK FOR? IF THE DR DIDN'T RECOMMEND IT THE FIRST TIME, I THINK THE BLOOD TEST CAN WAIT. THERE'S ALSO NO HARM IN GETTING ONE EARLY IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO CHECK FOR.
"What are my options?"
IF YOUR DR DIDN'T SUGGEST A BLOOD TEST, I THINK YOU SHOULD SEE A GYN BECAUSE THEY COULD GIVE YOU MORE INSIGHT ON WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH YOU DURING YOUR PERIOD, GIVE YOU MORE INFO AND BETTER ADVICE. ONCE YOU SEE UR GYN, TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON AND LET THEM KNOW YOUR DR FOUND A MILD COMPLEX CYST.
EAT A HEALTH DIET:
It has been suggested that some foods may contribute to the development of ovarian cysts, such as foods high in estrogen or carbohydrates. Eliminating caffeine and alcohol, reducing sugars, and increasing foods rich in vitamin A and carotenoids (such as carrots and salad greens) and B vitamins (such as from whole grains) may help reduce pain associated with ovarian cysts.
Essential fatty acids found in fatty fish, such as salmon and trout, may help promote hormonal balance. Omega-3 essential fatty acids, such as flaxseed oil or evening primrose oil, may be of benefit. Including a dietary source of iodine, such as seaweed, for thyroid support may be beneficial in some patients. A high-quality multivitamin and mineral supplement is also recommended for overall health.
SOURCE: http://www.clarksnutrition.com/ns/DisplayMonograph.asp?StoreID=2691b1fe187d41acb869a85ca5957a0a&DocID=condition-ovariancysts
"Should I push for a gyno appointment even if the doc doesn't think it's nessasary? "
YES. AS I STATED ABOVE WITH THE REASON.
For those of you in Australia " I don't have private health insurance, how long was you waiting period on Medicare before you had an opp?"
SORRY, I CAN'T ANSWER THIS ONE. I AM FROM NY SO THE HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES FOR MEDICARE MAY BE DIFFERENT.
I hope this information helps! Good luck with everything and take care.
"What do I ask my doc after I've had the second scan?"
AFTER YOUR 2ND SCAN, FIND OUT FROM THE DOCTOR IF THE CYST IS STILL THERE. IF IT IS, THEY WOULD MOST LIKELY REFER YOU TO YOUR GYN AND TELL YOU WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE. YOU CAN ASK THEM WHAT YOU CAN DO TO ALLEVIATE THE PAIN BETTER AND IF SURGERY WILL BE NECESSARY. ASK THEM IF THERE ARE ANY TREATMENTS. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, MOST OF THE TIME, THEY WOULD RECOMMEND BIRTH CONTROL PILLS SO I WOULD SUGGEST YOU GO ON THAT AND TAKE YOUR DOCTOR'S ADVICE. YOU CAN ALSO ASK WHAT YOUR DIET SHOULD ENTAIL. I FEEL LIKE OUR DIET AND OVERALL HEALTH CAN AFFECT THE OCCURRENCE OF CYSTS. TRY EATING MORE GREENS AND DRINKING MORE WATER.
"Should I go back and ask for a blood test or wait until after the second scan?"
YOU CAN GET A BLOOD TEST NOW IF YOU PREFER, BUT I DON'T SEE HOW THE BLOOD TEST WILL REALLY TELL YOU ANYTHING ABOUT THE CYST. WHAT EXACTLY DID YOU WANT TO CHECK FOR? IF THE DR DIDN'T RECOMMEND IT THE FIRST TIME, I THINK THE BLOOD TEST CAN WAIT. THERE'S ALSO NO HARM IN GETTING ONE EARLY IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO CHECK FOR.
"What are my options?"
IF YOUR DR DIDN'T SUGGEST A BLOOD TEST, I THINK YOU SHOULD SEE A GYN BECAUSE THEY COULD GIVE YOU MORE INSIGHT ON WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH YOU DURING YOUR PERIOD, GIVE YOU MORE INFO AND BETTER ADVICE. ONCE YOU SEE UR GYN, TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON AND LET THEM KNOW YOUR DR FOUND A MILD COMPLEX CYST.
EAT A HEALTH DIET:
It has been suggested that some foods may contribute to the development of ovarian cysts, such as foods high in estrogen or carbohydrates. Eliminating caffeine and alcohol, reducing sugars, and increasing foods rich in vitamin A and carotenoids (such as carrots and salad greens) and B vitamins (such as from whole grains) may help reduce pain associated with ovarian cysts.
Essential fatty acids found in fatty fish, such as salmon and trout, may help promote hormonal balance. Omega-3 essential fatty acids, such as flaxseed oil or evening primrose oil, may be of benefit. Including a dietary source of iodine, such as seaweed, for thyroid support may be beneficial in some patients. A high-quality multivitamin and mineral supplement is also recommended for overall health.
SOURCE: http://www.clarksnutrition.com/ns/DisplayMonograph.asp?StoreID=2691b1fe187d41acb869a85ca5957a0a&DocID=condition-ovariancysts
"Should I push for a gyno appointment even if the doc doesn't think it's nessasary? "
YES. AS I STATED ABOVE WITH THE REASON.
For those of you in Australia " I don't have private health insurance, how long was you waiting period on Medicare before you had an opp?"
SORRY, I CAN'T ANSWER THIS ONE. I AM FROM NY SO THE HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES FOR MEDICARE MAY BE DIFFERENT.
I hope this information helps! Good luck with everything and take care.
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