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Ovarian Cancer  (Expert Forum)
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Abdominal pain and ovarian cysts
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Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. - Gynecologic Cancers, Complex Gynecologic, Surgeries, Palliative Care, Acupuncture
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Boston - MA
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MedHelp Member's Question

Abdominal pain and ovarian cysts

by ally'smom, Oct 24, 2006 12:00AM
I am 39 yrs old and generally in good health. Have been to the doctor several times the last two months for various issues and am grasping at straws to see if they are all related.  Went to my regular dr. because of abdominal pain - I have a history of ulcers and he first put me on Aciphex and asked me to increase fiber in case we were also dealing with IBS.  Pain (which is in the areas of the stomach, duodenum, and sometimes lower ab) did not cease - he sent me for an EGD which showed no current ulcers.  Simultaneously, started having discharge from my right breast.  (Had a benign papilloma removed from left breast in 2004, so I have a pretty good stock of mammograms at the hospital for history).  Went to my OB regarding the discharge and also mentioned the abdominal pain - she did a vaginal ultrasound and physical exam.  Said my uterus felt fine, and I had a "tiny" cyst (less than 2 cm) on my ovary - she said she'd never do surgery to remove anything that small and it should not be causing my pain.  As to the breast discharge, she sent me for mammogram and tested my thyroid and hormone levels.  Mammo was "unchanged" from previous ones per the radiologist. (Breast tissue is dense so I'm not sure how conclusive that is.)  Blood tests showed normal thyroid but slight increased level of prolactin.  She wants me to repeat test in 6 wks and has referred me to my breast surgeon for 2nd opinion on the discharge.  I'm just very confused whether any of this ties together, and with the abdominal pain not from ulcers I'm concerned we could be missing some ovarian problem.  Thoughts?
Doctor's Answer

by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D., Oct 28, 2006 12:00AM
Hi there,

it sure sounds like you have had a very careful evaluation. I agree with your Ob Gyn. You should ask your docs about CT scanning and laparoscopy and whether your pain merits further evaluation by these methods.
Member Comments (7)

by raji01, Oct 31, 2006 12:00AM
hello I went to my doctor about two months ago.  I had a lot of pain in my lower stomach. I had alot of test done on me.  My doctor told me that I had many cyst around my ovaries.  In my ultrasound or something one had burst and she can see fluid.  She told me that I should go on birth pills (she give me a pill called yaz) I had my tubes tied about 5 years ago because I didn't want to take any pill.  Now I am on my second pack.  I had my period It was longer.  I still feel as I am on my period.  I still have pain in my lower abdominal. I am having little traces of blood after I go to the restroom. I normally work alot of hours and now I can only work 4 hours and have to go and rest for hour. What should I do? Is the pill new? Do you think I might have ovarian cancer and I be worried?Please please give me some advise on what I should ask on my next doctors visit. Thanks Raji

by akg, Nov 07, 2006 12:00AM
Hi There,

It sounds like you should go back and see your doctor for another evaluations soon. I don't think of cancer but it is not normal to have so much pain.

best wishes

by LauraHowarth84, Nov 25, 2006 12:00AM
Hello



Around August time I got really bad abdominal pain which only starts the day i restart my pill so I went to see the nurse first and because the pain was starting on the left hand side they thought I could of been pregnant which I wasn't. She then referred me to see the doctor the next day and she suggested that I had a low fibre intake and told me to take fibre drinks. The next month when I restarted the pill again everything was ok. But again 3 months down the line doing what they told me to do the pain come back but ten times worse. Doctor now referred me to have a scan on my ovaries to see if I have got a cyst. Could this be cancerous and what will they do with this scan?



by akg, Nov 28, 2006 12:00AM
Hi Laura,

that does not sound right. While getting an ultrasound is fine, you should ask your doctor about an evaluation of your intestine as well. You could have a hernia, a twist ion your bowel, diverticulitis - lots of possibilities. A good exam is important

best wishes to you

by julis, Jan 13, 2007 12:00AM
hi im julis im 40 years old , i think ive started my change of life im qite heavy and intermitent but i started with lower pain on my left side the pain is sharp comes and goes started 5 days before i came on anybody had similar experiences thankyou a worried julis x

by redswan, Aug 11, 2007 11:11AM
To: Hi
I'm a 49 year old, never had kids, I had a hugh fibroid back in 01 and had my uterus removed. They left my ovaries, today now a few years later, in fact just the last 2 weeks i had tremendous fatigue feeling very weak, dizzy, blah..about 2 days ago I had this terrible pain real bad on my right side lower. I went yesterday to get ultrasound, I called to find out what the results were, she said the fax mentioned that i had a cyst that was  hemorrhaged and bleeding. They offered acupuncture for the pain, my doctors holistic, until my CA125 results come back, I'd like to know what I could do for this pain cause i can hardly sit. much less be active. Do you think this would be cancerous, or I would need surgery. My doctor uses alternative methods and doesn't believe in surgery much less antibiotics for pain. I believe in surgery if your life is at risk..believe me surgery saved me years ago when i had my hysterectomy because I bleed to death, if it wasn't for that I'd be dead. I'm not worried  I use a lot of prayer but I am curious and was wondering what you thought of this.
Thanks so much..

Linda
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