Differentiating Ovarian Cysts from Cancer

[ShelmcK]

I have been having ovarian cyst symptoms for close to a year now. I had an ultrasound several months ago and at that time I had a fluid filled cyst on the right side. My sysmtoms seem to alternate sides (left side more often)and are cyclical. I am 44 years old and still have very regular menstrual cycles (before I went back on the pill). I am s/p one miscarriage at 32 years and one ectopic pregnancy at 40 (at that time my ovaries were "beautiful" according to the doc. I went back on the pill 4 months ago in order to treat the cysts. My doctor was not too concerned at the time. The problem is, that my symtoms have persisted and I have moderate pain accompanied by "old blood" bleeding 3 or 4 days before the last pill I take each month. Somtimes there is nausea associated with the pain. I haven't vomited. I am bloated. My biggest problem is that I do not currently have health insurance and am therefore not able to follow up with as many tests as I would like. My question is, do avarian cancer symptoms ususally occur cyclicly? Should I have a CA 125 test? If that comes back positive, will that count as a pre-existing condition? What do you advise? Thanks

[ShelmcK]

Obviously I am not voluntarily without health insurance. There is a health isnsurance crisis in this country. My emplyer, a grass roots nonprofit organization has experienced such a drop in funding that we lost our insurance. My real question was, are ovarian cancer symptoms ususally cyclical? Or are they more constant? And, since I am currently uninsured, is there one test/procedure that may not be in the thousands of dallors that I may be able to secure without financial ruin.

[Patann]

Shelmck, I have no health insurance, but have been treated by a wonderful doctor, and even had surgery for ovarian cancer. If you are worried about your health, don't let it go. Contact women's groups in your area. I think someone will help you. I know from experience. BTW, I had 8 rounds of chemo and surgery, and have been in remission for a few weeks now.

[Patann]

I don't want to mislead you ... I should have added, I also have lots of medical bills. I just can't pay them now.

[maurared]

Hi, I'm uninsured as well and earn to much for medicaid in my state but there is other free insurance available in my state (ny) that had I known about I would have jumped on it and will apply for now.
As it stands now, my current docs do not accept this insurance but it may help in the future.

Check your states department of health site.
maura

[superwoman]

The CA 125 test can be purchased on the web for $75. As mentioned above it is not a diagnosic tool by itself, because of the false positve and negative results it generated. You also need to know if a complex ovarian cyst is present. This is usually determined by a vaginal ultrasound. I would find out if your local imaging clinic can arrange for a payment plan and you can get it done. Your life is worth it!

[superwoman]

Just looked on the web and found out that some places have clinical trial. Maybe you can get into one of those. Here is a link to an article:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2400/2484.asp?index=9772