Can functional cysts cause all these symptoms? help!!!

[blissful]

i am 29 years old. for past 3 months - all through cycle, i've been having pelvic cramping, backaches, pain in my left side by ovary which radiates through my hip and down my left leg. extreme exhaustion, frequent urination, and severe bloating. i look 6-8 months pregnant. in the last 6 months my periods have gone from 5 days of constant heavy flow to 3 days with on and off spotting for a day or two. i've had thyroid test- normal. i had a transvaginal ultrasound 2 weeks ago that showed i have several functional cysts on both ovaries and a thickened endometrium. doctor said that the thickened endometrium was due to the fact i was on day 18 of my cycle when i had the tvu.(i have an average of 30 day cycle) and said i didn't have pcos and that the cysts could not possibly cause any of these other problems. she basically told me to live with it and no further tests are needed. i need some advice and help. can functional cysts cause these symptoms? or is there more to it that isn't being tested for? anyone with ideas or similiar experiences please reply. i'm interested and grateful for any advice.

[Donnalee33]

I began to question my own symptoms, after being treated like I was "faking it". I have had 2 functional cyst over the past 5 mths. Each time my symptoms have caused me to be unable to function as usual. I have back, hip, leg, and abdominal pain. I am looked at like I am crazy because I also feel bloated and fatigued. I have searched other sites to see if I am just an unusual case. Thanks for making me feel normal. My OBGYN doesn't quite get it so I was asked to go to an orthopedist. At times I was having difficulty walking. These little invaders can really be monsterous. I felt like I was dying of something......

[SimplyStar]

What did they tell her???  IBS  take gasX.  Don't worry you don't have cancer.  No family history.  Leslee  takes her responsibility at work very serious,  she trusted this doctor,  after all she had delivered her 3 babies,  so continued dragging herself to work every day. Wore her hubbys pants to work when hers wouldn't fit any more.  Took the second opinion to nail it down.  If only I had known then,  what I know now about OVCA,  she would have had that second opinion much sooner.  Instead of all the money spent on ads for ED drugs for men, we need to SHOUT the message to all women, 99% or 1%,  women deserve to be listened too.  How guilty do you think I feel?  Being a Nurse and not knowing the symptoms.  

[blissful]

i want to thank you both for your comments, experiences, and advice! it's sad and frustrating to see so many woman suffer with these "cysts" that the doctors don't seem to think "cause any symptoms". i AM going to get a second opinion. there is definitely something causing all this pain and problems. All the woman on my mothers side have had a hysterectomy by there mid 40's, due to endometriosis, fibroids, polyps, cysts, or cancerous cells. my mother was only 32.(which i told my dr.) I even had to ask for the ultrasound. it's ridiculous. i'm scared it will turn into something way worse if i just listen to the dr. and do nothing.

once again thank you. you both are in my prayers, and i wish you the best. if you have any updates or find out anything new about YOUR situation, comment again. i would like to know how you're doing. God Bless!!!

[GinaGrape]

"My daughter went 5X's for all those tests in 4 months"

OMG!  Why didn't they find her OvCa!?!?!?!  This is so sickening :-(  What did they tell her?  That the cysts were benign?  Oh.  I can see why you are angry.

I will say, many times women do not go to an Onc. Gyn.  because of insurance issues.   The regular OB/GYN won't refer them.  Terrible how they play God.

[SimplyStar]

I sometimes wonder when you say you have had 2 or 3  TVS and so many tests run , why don't women with these symptoms just ask for an opinion from a  GYN/Onocologist,  so that those worries can be set aside.  It is said everywhere that if those symptoms exsist for over 2 weeks without relief,  to always seek a second opinion. Going to an GYN/Onocologist does not mean you have cancer, it means you can rule that out and  get an expert opinion, and then take care of what is causing those darn symptoms.  OVCA is rare,  but I would want it ruled out ASAP, As  stress is never good for a person.  My daughter went 5X's for all those tests in 4 months,  Should they have caught her cancer are stage1 in the first visit, we will never know, but I get so angry when I hear about you all having  to play the waiting game.  I still say if this was happening to men,  doctors would be paying close attention to their complaints.  Sorry gals for venting like this, but reading about Marks mother made me angry  at  everything connected to womens issues,  We need to be listened too when we describe what our bodies tell us. The 99%  of you with benign cysts/tumors are going through  a multitude of tests  along with the 1%  that end up with cancer.  This must change.  I can just imagine myself now, going to a doctor telling him my problems, if he wouldn't listen,  I would grab him by his necktie and  get in his face and say LISTEN TO ME.

[Paula J9]

I felt sick when I read what you wrote.  At the very least she should be asking you to come back after a few cycles to make sure these functional cysts go away. I think they call this "watchful waiting".  I would definetly seek a second opinion.  In the meantime you could post this question for the drs on this site and get their opinion.  I had all the same symptoms as you and at first the TVultrasound said I had 2 cysts on the right ovary.  1 apparently looked "suspicious".  Then I went for a CATSCAN, and all of a sudden I have multiple cysts on both ovaries that appear to be functional.  The Dr told me on the catscan report they suggested I go for another TV ultrasound which was done yesterday.  I will be getting the results May 16 from an OBGYN.  I also had a CA125 as OVCA runs in my family.  I must say my Dr took all the right steps but I was very clear and outspoken about my symptoms and family history.  You do not have to live like this.  Good luck and keep searching!

Paula

[GinaGrape]

Yes.  I believe so.  I really, really know what you are going through.  I am a very angry person right now!  I am so sick of being brushed off. I am now up to 3 transvaginal ultrasounds, and each time,  cysts are found.  Sometimes, complex.   Then they disappear, but not before putting me through many nagging symptoms.

But, according to the doctor, they can't be causing my back/leg pain.  Nor could they be the reason for my HUGE and HARD stomach or constipation.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

I do aplogize for those with OvCa that are reading this, I know I am lucky.  I think of you all constantly.  Hugs.  It is just that I am sick of the doctors looking at me like "It's all in your head".