Something that starts with a "g" cyst

[hyeyung]

I started to have pains in my right wrist, around the bone below my thumb.  I thought maybe I was putting too much pressure on it (I have a stubborn way of lifting things that are WAY beyond my ability), but I couldn't figure out why it was hurting.  Eventually it got worse and then formed a hard bump.  I asked my psychiatrist what he thought it was and he said it was a cyst.  

I went to see my PA and he said the same thing.  Right now I'm tacking Diclofenac in gel form (Voltaren) (since the pill form wasn't working) for unexplained excruciating chest pains that happen at random.  Anyway, neither pill or gel is working.  He then prescribed me to ANOTHER anti-inflammatory while still on Voltaren.  He said give it about two weeks unless something comes up, otherwise if everything goes okay, then ta-da, don't do anything.  Well, it's been a few days since I last saw him and it hurts even more than when it started.  He told me if it persists, it would be removed.  

He also told me they are pretty much random, they really can't be agitated and they may return if removed.  I don't know what to do ... my foster parents are frivolous with their expenses, but when it comes to my health, they ignore it.  I'm seriously afraid to tell them I think I may have to have surgery.  I did tell them I went to the PA and that he said it was a cyst and surgery may follow.  They ignored me.  Support, suggestions???

[Red931]

It depends on where the ganglion cysts are forming from which method a doctor will use to remove them. Usually when the joint (bone) or a tendon is the cause they will always choose Arthroscopic Surgery done by an Orthopedic Surgeon.

The reason being is that the fluid in the cyst tends to be thicker or even hardened. Because of this they want to get to the root of it to lower the chances of it returning to about 5%.

When they are removed in an office setting by lancing them there is a 50% chance of them returning if they are originating from bone or tendon.

You guys can tell I make sure my Orthopedist's explain everything to me huh! LOL I asked all of these questions when they reformed in my ankle twice. It turned out for me that the joint had to be removed because I had damaged it so badly when I broke it years ago. When bones don't heal properly they leak fluid and the cysts form. I forgot what the name of this small ankle joint is called but there is a pin there now. YAY!

[hyeyung]

I just wiki-ed ganglion cysts.  It's so EWWW ... I don't mean to offend anyone who has them, but I'm dealing with enough problems, one of which is having zero self esteem - I get really depressed when something weird shows up on my body.  Luckily you can't really tell that I have a bump.  I'm not worried about scarring.  It's odd, I know, but when I have something on me that is weird, I get upset, but if it scars, sometimes it doesn't bother me.  Especially since it's on my hand.

[sandee1818]

I had a cyst removed from my face it was on my cheek by my ear almost. It was really not painful at all! The doc said it may come back but it never has and I also had one on leg and they drained it and it has never come back either. I am not sure what kind they were but They did not bother me except for the vanity issue. I was going to have a plastic surgeon remove the one from my face but my doc assured me he could do it with very little scarring and he did.You can't even tell it was there. So don't be worried it is not painful at all.

[hyeyung]

My PA said it's probably friction that's causing the pain.  I've tried a splint when I thought it was just a pain, but it made it worse.  The chest pains ... no, they aren't stress related, but it doesn't help that I'm always stressed out.  I'm this medical enigma, I'm allergic to everything and if something is wrong, it turns out I'm healthy but they can't figure out why everything is rapidly deteriorating.  For example, my eye sight.  I've gone through the optometrist, ophthalmologist, neurologist, and back and forth.  Everything is fine but when I would go back, my eyes were getting worse.  I've just kind of given up.  I cannot afford the constant change of contacts or glasses at minimum, every month.

[hyeyung]

That's what they're called ... thanks.  I'm always having bad things like this happening to me.  I think it may have gotten smaller, if that is even possible, but it hurts so much.  I'm allergic to EVERYTHING (seriously, I cannot emphasize it enough) so it's hard to give me a prescription without the possibility of me dying.  But usually nothing works, so I'm thinking it's going to have to be removed.  

[hyeyung]

Yes I'm taking the medications, but it doesn't work.  That is my point.

[BOK2Bjan]

Hi.  I too have ganglion cysts.  Most recently on my left foot - 3 of them.  They would get big, then smaller, etc.  They're really wierd.  But they aren't serious.  They form along or ajacent to nerve fibers.  I thought about surgery because it was a problem with shoes, but it went away on its own.  The pain you have, sounds like its compressing on the nerve.  But the location you describe is a place I also have a great deal of pain.  It's the joint used when using the thumb.  You could have some joint inflammation as well as the cyst.  Try to splint the thumb to give the joint rest.  Any drug store will have something.  The cysts themselves aren't usually painful, and the surgery is very simple, so I don't want you to worry.  The episodic chest pains - could they be stress?  Or the esophagus?  If you'd provide more information, I'd be happy to see if I could be of help (from a lay perspective).  I wish you well.  sounds like you've got your share of stress.

Blessings, Jan

[sandee1818]

If it is causing you more pain than when you seen the PA then call and ask them what you need to do. I see your 23 years old, you can get help own your own without your foster parents through stste agencies.
Also are you taking the meds they gave you?

[Red931]

What you have is referred to as a "ganglion cyst". The cause is believed to be from heavy use of the hands or arms but that is not the only cause. Previous injury or sprain can also cause them.

The medication that you are taking is not going to do much for the condition. Doctors used to drain them but then they would most likely return. The most popular way to remove them today is with Arthroscopic Surgery. It is done rather quickly and the surgeon is able to get to the root of the cyst to lower that chance of it recurring.

I have had them removed from my ankle joints several times. They do occur more often in the wrist joint however.