not sure what to do ...someone please respond

hi again...went to new dr on 1/31...agreed these 2 cysts 10cm & 12 cm need to come out but is doing a followup u/s this week to check the size...I am hoping they got smaller and I could postpone any kind of surgery...I have really no pain except slightly during my period or ovulation. I take tylenol and it helps..I am against the surgery as he tells me he cant promise  to jsu remove the cysts with possible ovary..I could handle that I do not want a hysterectomy even though I am done with children..I am still only 40. i do not want to take any hormones! my ca-125 was 44...which is ok because i am a previos endometriosis sufferor. The doctor wants to do a vertical incision and i was wondering if anyone can fill me in on the after effects of the surgery and how i will feel. i am so miserable roght now with all the anxiety.  i havent slept and today i got vertigo....I am just upset about the whole thing. thanks for listening

[SimplyStar]

Hi dear, I can tell you are very anxious about this. My daughter was 49 when she had to have all her reproductive organs removed, no choice, but she did not opt for HRT, she has toughed it out and it is getting along pretty well. If you do have them out I will give you her secrets that has kept the hormone problems under control. It takes about 4-6 months for the other hormone producing organs to supply enough to disapate the hot flahes etc. Stress causes many problems so try your best to calm down and think positive.  Not easy to do I know, but it does help. I am an "old lady"  and went through the change without a whimper, but each of us is different. Good Luck whatever your deceasion is.

[gma718]

thanks for all the positive feedback...hopefully I am going for an ultrasound on wed and by the grace of god I am hoping things look better...please pray for me

[BruinChic]

I can understand your concerns, but the best thing to do is to take it one day at a time.  I am 28-years-old, and was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst before the holidays.  They performed 4 ultrasounds, found that my cyst was growing, and informed me that I needed a laparotomy since my mother had a history of ovarian cancer.  My doctor mentioned the possibilities for either a horizontal or vertical incision depending on how the cyst felt when I was relaxed  during surgery, and I was told that they would possibly remove the right ovary if my cyst was extremely impacting it.  I had my surgery last week, and they ended up making a horizontal incision similar to a c-section along the bikini line and only removing the cyst.  I was in the hospital for 5 days, had the staples removed after 7 days, and am now recuperating.  I was told that I could go back to driving and exercise in 6-8 weeks, but overall my energy level has increased.

To help with the anxiety, I would like to recommend Peggy Huddleston's book and CD called "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster."  Her imagery CD helped me a lot to ease my anxiety.  In addition, I followed her recommendations to ask the anesthesiologist to recite positive affirmations before and after surgery, and I believe that helped.  I also requested that they play this CD during the surgery, and I found it calming since I used the CD daily from 2 weeks before the surgery.

Before the surgery I went through a series of ultrasounds with blood tests and obtained a second opinion.  This helped me validate the need for surgery.


Hope this information helps.

[orangefuzzball]

I had a 24cm cyst removed in August. Like you I didn't think I had symptoms beforehand. In many ways it out was the best thing I have had done. I feel a 100 time better than I did before surgery - which is a shock when you don't think you feel unwell! My cyst had grown slowly so symptoms came on so gradually they felt normal. I have loads more energy, I'm  not in the bathroom all the time, I can eat normal sized meals, I don't have a grumbly stomach or odd vague aches and pains in my stomach, my leg and back pain have gone to name a few. I didn't realise any of these things were due to the cyst putting pressure on other organs, none of them were bad enough to go to the doctor with alone. The other reason was I was also diagnosed with appendix cancer and pseudomyxoma, if I'd have left it they wouldn't have been found and I couldn't beat it.

I went through a bad time with surgical menopause, almost continuous hot flushes and not sleeping because of night sweats, although very few other noticable symptoms. My cancer isn't hormone sensitive, so I'm on bio-identical patches and they are wonderful! See Mary53's posts about bio-identicals. I'm 43 by the way.

The surgery side of things, although not pleasant isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Lisa

[s13]

You sound like a well informed woman about the controversy of HRT & ovary removal...GOOD FOR YOU!  Although everyone is different, I can understand why you wouldn't want your ovary removed.  I've gone through surgical menopause (onset at 26 yrs.) & strongly disagree w/ removal for any reason other than malignancy. I'm 30 yrs. now & have mostly abstained from HRT.  I was on bio-identical hormones for less than 2 months following removal of a pelvic mass (in '05) & my symptoms (along w/ another mass) returned quickly.  The HRT helped to relieve my menopausal symptoms, but the estrogenic activity brought back the mass.  In my opinion, it wasn't worth the temporary relief. I've had severe Endo since my mid teens, so I can relate.  Your chances should be better w/ a vertical incision, since your dr. will be able to have a better look & more space to work w/; good call to try & preserve the ovary.  Best of luck to you, peace.

[gma718]

Thanks for all the advise...I also take celexa for panic attacks and anxiety..anyway, the dr can't do the surgery laproscopic because the cysts are to large 10 cm and 12 cm. I have been for 3 opinions. I was scheduled for surgery on 1/26 and got sick and had to cancel the day before...now I had to go to another surgeon because the previous one stopped accepting insurance after 1/29. I am now scheduled on 2/16 not happy though...I am going for another sono on wed 2/7 to see if there has been any significant change.  I hope it got smaller.  I also need an gyn/onc because my ca125 was 44 which is an indication of endo. I would  prefer to leave it alone but everyone says how they need to come out. People don't understand unless it happens to them. Being scared like I am..I dont even take cold medicine tylenol is as far as I go.  If necessary I will take an antibiotic. It really is crazy..I was never like this till I stopped smoking and had kids...since the kids it has gotten worse. I am glad you are here to talk to. I live in New Jersey...where are u from? I just turned 40...and since then all this craziness has happened..thanks again and keep in touch.

[BruinChic]

Just a little note for anyone with anxiety and evaluating whether surgery is necessary or not...

My recommendation for Peggy Huddleston's book is not only for those who will be having surgery.  Her book combines positive imagery and checklists to ask doctors to ensure surgery is best solution for those looking at alternative treatments.  She talks about how some women with ovarian cysts used her program found that cysts decreased in size.  It's definitely worth a try.

Good luck.

[s13]

Your approach to things sound very similar to mine.  I don't like taking pain meds either.  I've taken antidepressants for post menopausal anxiety & depression before.  I did the trial & error w/ Effexor XR, Zoloft, Lexapro, & finally Cymbalta.  I'm very particular about medication, if it's absolutely necessary; the Cymbalta worked wonders for me.  If I need to go back to it later, I will w/out question.  If you elect for the wait & see approach, track any abnormal symptoms w/ a journal.  That has really helped me in the past.  If you end up having to go more invasive, commit only to an exploratory laparoscopy.  I bet your dr. will listen, as long as you voice your opinion strongly.  I totally understand what you mean about waiting though.  From what I've learned about Endometriomas, they are fairly common & more often benign.  As long as you make a conscious effort to pay close attention to your body & don't put off any new abnormal symptoms...try waiting for a couple months.  Remember those 2 precious miracles are worth being healthy for, right?  Best of luck & please keep me posted.  You have a friend here if you need 1, peace.  

[gma718]

Thanks...I also was diagnosed with endometriosis at 25...had laproscopic surgery and thankfully got pregnant and was very fortunate to have 2 children.  I did however suffer very bad periods before the pregnancys...luckily however I have not suffered cramps for years...I also cut out caffeine which can contribute to bad cramps. At this time I would prefer to leave everything alone and just monitor the cysts for all I know I can have them for years.  I am not to keen on surgery and I am not a medicine taker...I barely take antiobotics unless completely necessary..I do however take anxiety medicine which I have been taking for over 2 years.  I need some good advise...I believe these cysts are endometriomas and I wonder if I can take the wait and see approach.  Sometimes the risks outweigh the problem. I dont want to have the surgery if there is even a small chance they are going to come back and especially I do not want a hysterectomy!! I am not going to like the effects of surgical menopause...unless it is absolutley necessary I would prefer to leave well enough alone.  I appreciate any feedback you can give me. Thanks

[s13]

So sorry to hear about your insurance problems.  Maybe the slight delay is a blessing in disguise; the only way I find myself getting through is to draw out a + from the -.  I agree that they should come out, given the size of them both & your history w/ Endo.  I have sooooo many books on Endo, including a recently published $300 surgical text.  I am aware of the current findings from recent clinical studies.  They now classify severe Endo as a strong possible precursor to Cancer; the general public attitude on Endo in relation to Cancer is soooo obsolete!  It's a good thing they have established your CA-125 results, prior to the operation; they can go back & track any future changes.  My CA-125 has always been elevated & my GYN checks it only when new symptoms arise.  Let me know how your ultrasound goes tomorrow.  10 more days & counting, right?  Hang in there & if you need to vent, come find me...I'm not going anywhere.  I quit smoking almost 5 yrs. ago (smoked almost a pk. a day for 10 yrs.).  I've been blessed w/ 1 son, almost 10 yrs.  I planned him (beleive it or not) at only 19 yrs., because I had a very strong feeling it was my only chance...my feeling was right on.  I tried to conceive again for over a yr., prior to my hysterectomy (at 24 yrs.).  I totally understand about changing after the kids & no smoking.  I became so much more health conscious; once you become responsible for another human being, you tend to pay more attention to your overall health, don't you?  I have to push myself at times to go to the dr., telling myself that I can't take care of my son unless I take care of myself.  I've been to Jersey, it's beautiful!  I live near the Kansas City metro area, in KS.  We hope to end up in Minnesota or Michigan someday, for a much needed change.  I'm the same way about cold medicine, pain relievers, & any off the shelf meds; I elect to use strictly from Whole Foods' natural line of stuff.  I even have an essential oils diffuser in my son's room for his allergies.  We both have strong history of pneumonia & other chronic resp. problems.  Soon after we switched to the natural stuff, are problems subsided greatly.  Just think of 40 as the new 30, kay?  The best thing that comes w/ age is experience & knowledge.  Hold firm on your decision about keeping your uterus & ovaries!  There have been so many women (on this forum especially) that give the overall impression that once your past childbearing, the repro. organs are insignificant for anything else.  What is wrong w/ women today?  I feel so sorry for them, to be so misinformed!  I have to count my blessings twice for knowing the truth & finding someone like you!  You've given me hope, that there are other women out there who know the truth, thank you.  I'll definitely keep in touch & you do the same.  Post on a new thread w/ my name (s13), once you find out more tomorrow.  I'll be waiting for ya.  Peace.

[SimplyStar]

ditto to the above  I am sure glad there someone besides myself that might just be a bit irratated by all your "opinions"

[AnotherKatie]

Settle down.  
You're starting to get on my nerves.

[lilly64]

What is the matter with all of you?  Forgot to take your "happy" pill today??!!

People ask for opinions - isn't that what this forum is about??!!

You are the type of women who give women a bad name - yackity, yack, yack! That's why I prefer hanging out with men-friends; women are way too catty for me.

I thought this was a forum of caring, open women who could share their issues/opinions without the wall going up. There's really no such thing, is there?

[Tybear]

Ha Ha

[ticked]

Well said.  i totally agree.  She needs to zip it and stop talking down people like ravenlady.  

[Anna-maria74]

you mean you could actually be bothered to read it ladies. Id have to take a pack of pro plus to wade through that lot, lifes to short ya know what I is saying guy HAHAHAHAHAHA

Anna x

[Ms_Makita]

Amen lilly! I think some women have forgot to eat their prunes..sheesh,some ppl a lil cranky eh? SHEEEEEESH! PLS stop posting negative opinons on other ppl threads unless you have an opinion for them,bite your tongue and keep your thoughts to yourself..IT IS REALLY EASY TO DO!,take a few deep breath and just relax!

[fungirl]

Look who is being negative now!!

[Ms_Makita]

Hi,I'm really sorry about the negative feedback on your thread,I cant believe how immature some women can be.Start a new thread..hopefully it will end here.Good luck to you,keep us posted on how your doing,
                      Stephanie

[SimplyStar]

the s13, makita, Lilly fan club  hope you enjoy yourselves

[Ms_Makita]

What part of stop putting negative comments on other ppl threads dont you ppl understand? I dont give a hoot who agree's with someone else advice/opinions,gma is asking for advice/opinions,I dont think she deserves or wants this garbage on her thread anymore,so pls STOP.Grow up ppl!
    as for enjoying this,no,it stinks,and it is getting silly,as for a "fan club" ,that is a hoot! if someone dont agree,what gives you the right to put them down? come on now,cant we all just get along?!?!?
              Stephanie
              

[lilly64]

I don't quite understand what these attacks are all about. Did we women who have joined this forum recently upset some sort of clique/gang? I am extremely offended by recent posts and I don't get it, but the negative opinions will not stop us from seeking help and offering help. SimplyStar, you seem to be the top "dog" here so please stop posting your negativity on threads for/from women who are seriously seeking support. I have copied all of these threads for my personal reference and I will report to the forum moderator if we are interrupted again. This is very childish - grow up.