Ovarian cysts causing upper backache and weakness?

Hi everyone. Many years ago I was diagnosed with multiple ovarian cysts, and have been monitoring them since. I recently had a scan and they were confirmed as still there (I cannot remember exactly what the report said, but my doctor didn't seem concerned at all).

For almost a year now, and getting progressively worse in recent months, I have been having mid to upper back ache and discomfort, which feels like bone weakness. At first I thought that it could be a problem with my posture, though my posture has always been very good (straight back) and I am not in any new routine of sitting at a computer.

It has also started to ache around my shoulder blades, and I feel the need to get it looked at now, which I will do.

A few days ago, for something unrelated, I had some blood work done and it was found that my ESR is high (thought not extremely so) as well as my Ferritin being very low, with Vitamin D deficiency.

To get to the point (!), I wanted to know whether ovarian cysts can cause - specifically, upper - back ache and discomfort / weakness?

Or should I get my back looked at in case there is another problem?

Thanks in advance for the input.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Though ovarian cysts could be responsible for lower backache, these are unlikely to be responsible for mid-upper backache. Likely possibilities that may need to be considered include vitamin D deficiency, infections/ inflammations, postural issues, spinal/ neuro-muscular causes, degeneration, growths/ masses etc. You may consider getting this evaluated by a primary care physician initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or specialist care may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!

[May311]

Thanks for your reply :) I actually checked my latest results and report and it says I am Vitamin D insufficient, though I was deficient many many months ago and have been taking high dose soft gels of 1,000 IU since.

Also I was told that while I have low ferritin, I am not yet anemic, though borderline.

I will definitely get my back issues checked out though, the pain seems to be getting worse and changing, could it be that there is bone damage from when I was deficient, even though I've been taking supplements for months?

Your response was very helpful, thanks again.