Is loss of appetite a symptom of ovarian cysts

[spooky67]

I had a complex ovarian cyst on my right ovary that now seems to be gone. Newest vaginal ultrasound (last week) shows nothing there now. I now have a 1.8 cm follicle on my left ovary. I had alot of pain, nausea and generally crappy feeling too. Most of that is gone now since the complex cyst is gone (about 2 weeks ago) I still have loss of appetite. I am wondering if loss of appetite is a symptom of ovarian cysts? I am only hungry for breakfast. Some days Im not hungry all day and only eat because I know I have to. This has been going on for 2 months now. I had a great appetite before all this started. Can hormonal imbalance cause loss of appetite as well? I am getting really worried.

[specialmom]

It really could be related to stress hon. the pain of it all and stress of it can cause anxiety that our body reacts to by loss of appetite.  

Sounds like having seen your doctor is great and your BEST source of information.  Remember, this is a member to member forum and knowing the background of those giving advice is difficult.  Therefore, your doctor is the person you need to listen to.   I personally stick by my own research and experience that a cyst does not cause loss of appetite.  And your doctor agrees with that.

BUT, we all have pain reactions.  I found that when in extreme pain, I react with nausea.  I was working out at my gym and weights fell on my fingers (plate weights on a machine) and before I felt my finger, I had a huge wave or nausea.  When contracting in labor, I experienced nausea with it.  (just trying to think of times of intense pain).  That is my natural pain reaction.   So, yours may be cessation of appetite.  So, to clarify, our body can respond to something and it is not a symptom of the condition but our body reacting to the symptom (pain causes nausea for me).  Doctors tend to separate these things out for diagnosis.

Anyway, trust your doctor that the lack of appetite was NOT caused by the cyst itself (and it's just my opinion regarding it as a pain reaction).  Continue to eat the small, healthy meals as you have been and I'd suspect your appetite will reappear in short order.  good luck

[Ronnie6048]

Around the
midpoint of your menstrual
cycle, an egg bursts out of its
follicle and travels down the
fallopian tube in search of
sperm and fertilization. A
follicular cyst begins when
something goes wrong and
the follicle doesn't rupture or
release its egg. Instead it
grows and turns into a cyst this  is what a follicular cyst . better see physician i'd say

[spooky67]

Well I had a GYN visit this afternoon. She claimed that a cyst (complex or not) shouldnt cause me to lose my appetite. Funny, it started as soon as the cyst formed and all the other symptoms started. Doesnt make sense to me. She said maybe the pain would make me lose my appetite. But Im not in pain anymore so I dont know??? I have read that a cyst, especially a bad one, can cause appetite loss and Ronnie6048 seems to agree.

Any suggestions?

[spooky67]

I have been eating regularly and not missing meals, but Im not hungry when I do eat. Im only eating because I know I need to. Im just not hungry. I normally have a great appetite (before all this started 2 months ago)

I havent had the CA125 test because my ultrasound showed the hemmoraghic complex cyst and the GYN was sure that was the cause of my pain. It is now gone so Im not worried about it being cancer.

Im only worried why Im not hungry! I feel fairly normal otherwise.

Ill let you know what the dr says this afternoon :)

[specialmom]

By the way, I was a caregiver for my mother in law who had ovarian cancer.  For the majority of OV patients, they have very few symptoms for a very long time.  Not until the cancer progresses do they begin to experience things that they KNOW aren't right.  Much feel like 'woman issues' or gastrointestinal issues.  Then when diagnosed, the cancer is in later stages which is most unfortunate.  

The CA125 marker test is a good one that is not routinely given but would think you could make a case.  Your type of cyst is such that I think I'd want to have my doctor on board for helping me catch anything further early.  

But in all sincerity, if your doctor had any concerns of cancer (and OV cancer is a seeding cancer which means it spreads in sand or pebble like increments like being thrown into the wind (which is one of the reasons it is so deadly))  Your doctor would be monitoring you and talking to you about it.  good luck

[specialmom]

I would expect your appetite to come back but you should probably kick start it by eating regularly.  We tend to 'get used' to things like low caloric intake.  So, push yourself to eat.  

sorry you have been through this difficult experience.  Did you have the CA125 marker test performed?  I think I would for precautionary measures.  Your type of cyst is fairly uncommon.  And I would want some follow up care.  

It sounds like you had symptoms that are very similar to those of simple cysts which are in some ways confused with hormonal issues/ cycle issues.  This is one of the reasons why it is so hard to discern what is going on---  as women, we experience so many of these things off and on.   I am sure the intensity level of this is what drew your attention to it.  I learned of my cyst from painful periods/heavier flow.  

Well, I'm very glad you are seeing your doctor today.  That is the best place to get specifics to your situation.  Take care dear.