"Small" Ovarian Cyst Causing EXTREME Pain! (sort of long, sorry)

[Anonymous]

3 months ago, I ended up in the ER (I have an extremely high pain tolerance so me going to the ER was a huge deal) with what I thought was an egtopic pregnancy or my IUD pushing through but it ended up being what the hospital considers a small complex ovarian cyst. I had sharp stabbing pain in my left lower pelvic area and back pain comparable to back labor. They sent me home with vicodin and said it should clear up within a few weeks. Well, I didn't have health care at the time and the pain continued and I couldn't do anything about it but take ibuprofen (800mg) deal with it. I recently got health insurance again and followed up with my OB, did a repeat sono and they said the cyst has grown a little more, but there is no reason I should be feeling it. I have the Mirena IUD and they told me I am probably feeling the strings. I know my body, I know what the strings on my Mirena feel like and this is NOT from the IUD. The IUD is in the middle, this pain is on the left, exactly where the cyst is. They gave me a prescription for birth control pills in hopes it will help dissolve the cyst and said to come back for a follow up sono in two months.

Long story short is, I am in horrible pain every single day, around my periods, it is worse. I have had bad painful periods my whole life and this cyst is worse than any period I have ever had. The doctors told me to stop taking ibuprofen because it is bad for my kidneys and liver and to take an occasional Tylenol. I explained that the ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and works a little better than Tylenol but still hardly touches the pain and he still insisted I stop. I have since spoken to two other doctors in the practice and nobody will do anything about the pain. What do I do? See another OBGYN practice? I don't want to live like this for another two months!

[Anonymous]

Where are you? I don't know any GYNs right in DC, but Mary Hogan up at the Howard County Hospital is fabulous. I'd definitely get a second opinion, one that includes CA-125 tests, and some sort of ultrasound or CT scan. The CA-125 because it tests for inflammation in the area (not just cancer), and can be a marker for endometriosis or fibroids, either of which could cause this type of pain (been there, done that). I've had two endometriomas (ovarian cysts) removed from the ovaries over the years because I have endometriosis. The tissue connects to things like the ovaries and fallopian tubes and can twist them, causing lots of pain. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? I don't know any GYNs right in DC, but Mary Hogan up at the Howard County Hospital is fabulous. I'd definitely get a second opinion, one that includes CA-125 tests, and some sort of ultrasound or CT scan. The CA-125 because it tests for inflammation in the area (not just cancer), and can be a marker for endometriosis or fibroids, either of which could cause this type of pain (been there, done that). I've had two endometriomas (ovarian cysts) removed from the ovaries over the years because I have endometriosis. The tissue connects to things like the ovaries and fallopian tubes and can twist them, causing lots of pain. Good luck.

I was just about to write this. I would definitely get a 2nd opinion OP. The fact that the cyst has grown is a red flag. The pain is icing on the cake.

Also, cysts can burst and rupture. You don't want that to happen especially if the cyst is no longer "small"...you think the pain is bad now.

[Anonymous]

Any time you are in severe daily pain and a doctor tells you that you should not be feeling it or dismisses it, it's time for a second opinion. Plus these are your reproductive organs. Time to get this checked out -- now. Either go to the ER, or see another doctor right away.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs. See someone else.

[Anonymous]

Oh my God.. I LITERALLY could have written this entire post myself. Go to see Dr. Rossi at Arlington Women's Center. I would bet my house that you probably have endometriosis, which I have. THIS IS EXACTLY what happened to me!!!!! I had surgery for endometriosis and it improved the quality of my life immensely. Seriously, call Dr. Rossi and I feel for you - I have been through this exact, exact, exact thing, ER visits and all, no one believing me, telling me to stop taking the ibuprofen, all of it, and it sucks.

[Anonymous]

Sorry - should have mentioned that I was misdiagnosed by three or four different drs before Dr. Rossi figured it out immediately and operated two days later.

[Anonymous]

OP here, so can they not see the endo in the sonos?? My mom has had it really bad before, is it a genetic thing? I will call her first thing in the morning...if I don't rip it all out first Thanks!

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that endo doesn't show up in sonos unless it's a "chocolate cyst" in the ovary itself.

Endo tends to be hereditary so if your mom has had it, that makes it more likely.

Kind of shocking that the original GYN didn't think of that!

Good luck OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that endo doesn't show up in sonos unless it's a "chocolate cyst" in the ovary itself.

Endo tends to be hereditary so if your mom has had it, that makes it more likely.

Kind of shocking that the original GYN didn't think of that!

Good luck OP.

OP, wondering if you ever had your cyst checked out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that endo doesn't show up in sonos unless it's a "chocolate cyst" in the ovary itself.

Endo tends to be hereditary so if your mom has had it, that makes it more likely.

Kind of shocking that the original GYN didn't think of that!

Good luck OP.

OP, wondering if you ever had your cyst checked out?

Me too. Hoping you've gotten some sort of real diagnosis and relief.