can you shed some light

[rooster1969]

I was needing a doctors opinion.  In April 2006 I went to the doctor because of extreme sharp pain in my right pelvic area that I thought was an ovarian cyst.  I have had 3 cysts removed due to size in my teens.  There was a golf ball sized cyst on right ovary that went away on it's own, but at that time was diagnosed with cervical cancer.  The end of May I had a vaginal hysterectomy removing my cervix and uterus, leaving my ovaries.  At my six month check up, I explained to that I was having menstral cramp like pains the day following intercourse lasting for about 2 days.  Not a great deal of pain during intercourse.  Dr. did a urine test and found "a large" amount of microscopic hematuria.  They did a transvaginal ultrasound showing my left ovary slightly enlarged and fluid in my pelvic cavity the tech said could have come from a ruptured cyst.   This summer (June).  I started having what I call "heart attack heartburn" 3-4 times a week, and left side pelvic pain that also hurts in the groin area, and now the pain also radiates down the top of my thigh and into my vagina and sometimes feels like it goes right through to my back.  It started out a couple times a week but is every day for the past two months.  Sometimes it feels like a possible ovarian cyst but other times it is just a constant pain that radiates down my leg.  It hurts worse when my left leg is bent up towards my chest, then the pain starts pulsing.  I am  37.  I was wondering if maybe there is something else that could cause these symptoms.   Also should mention bowel movements can be EXTREMELY painful, like  stabbing in the abdomen, and passing gas hurts me the same way.  If I push in the area of my left lower pelvic region, it hurts but radiates pain into my groin, where my leg attaches to torso.  What do you think?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Rooster,

I do wonder if there are a few different things going on.
First of all, if you are having recurrent cysts and feel that those cysts are related to your pain, you could ask your doctor about trying to suppress the ovaries either with a birth control pill or lupron. If your pain resolves then you know the culprit is your ovaries . You can then decide whether you want to stay on the pill .

If the pain does not resolve, then it is not related to ovulation or endometriosis, It could be from adhesions, bowel conditions, or tumors on your ovary that are not related to ovulation. It may be important to consider a laparoscopy to look at your ovaries.

Finally hematuria seems unrelated. Ether you had a bad bladder infection or you have a tumor in your bladder or kidneys. Please ask your doctor about whether you need further evaluation of your bladder by cytoscopy or a scan of your kidneys.
Finally, if you are having pain that is ovarian, another option is to consider removing the ovaries surgically. It is commn to have an increased problem with benign ovarian cysts after a hysterectomy. This is thought to be because the ovarian blood supply has been reduced.
best wishes

[Joy2727]

I have the exact same situation as you. Clear cell Stage 1a and I started out w/a ca125 of an 8 and after chemo its a 3. My doctor also said I have a very good prognosis. It was also a result of enodmetriosis. However I also had the omentum taken out and checked and 20 lymph nodes removed and the appendix removed -apparently this is the appropriate staging process after hysterectomy. Everything was clean. If you want to email me at ***@**** you may. Joy2727

[rooster1969]

thank you for your response.  What sort of symptoms did you have and for how long.  How were you diagnosed?

[rooster1969]

I had a ct of my kidneys and bladder, and they came back normal last November when they found the hematuria.  I was referred to a Urologist who did a cystoscopy and found what he described looking as " a patch that looks like a really bad rash" inside my bladder, but said it was nothing to worry about.  He retired the month after so I haven't been seen again by a urologist.  He said he could not find the cause of the hematuria and said that if it persisted that I should see a nephrologist.  The pain on the left side is what concerns me the most.  It started in June and now for the last 2 months it is there everyday.  Activity does not make it worse, it's just always there now.  Thank you for your reply, your answers are very detailed that I've read, and I am sure you relieve a lot of anxiety for women who are worried.