I know it seems personal when doctors do not give you answers.The human body is very complicated plus no two are alike. My GP often says I do not know. To me that is the smartest thing to say. Many doctors feel they have to give patients and answer and say whatever comes into their heads.
I have Multiple Sclerosis and it took 40 years to be diagnosed. When I was 44 My GP found it. Over two years I went to several neurologists and had many MRIs and other tests before I was diagnosed. I found it this is how it normally works. Then I thought as soon as I am diagnosed with MS the MS Specialist will go to helping me. I see his Nurse Practitioner every two years.
What I have learned is you do not have to get a diagnosis for symptom management. We want a diagnosis to feel validated. To say I am not just complaining something real is going on. But if you wait for a diagnosis you suffer needlessly. Most GPs can do symptom management. I also go to a pain clinic for my pain.
I have also learned you have to be your own advocate. You have to take emotion and complaint out of it or doctors become defensive. Women especially get accused of mood disorders by the medical community.
My GP coaches me on how to talk to Specialists. When I was told my numbness on the left side of my body was depression I asked how can depression only affect on side of the body? It was non threatening and made the doctor think.
Write questions down ahead of time. Make a one page or less list of symptoms. Most doctors because of insurance can only address one symptoms per visit so they will ask something like what bothers you the most. I also write down if I have been seen before if something is doing better.
Alex
Thanks for that just panicked when I heard solid mass. It seems lately my body is giving up on me as I am also going through investigations on bladder too and no one seems to want to commit to clear answers when I'm asking are the two things connected. Very tired of worrying and being in discomfort.
I know rationally that if it was bad they would tell me quickly. However that doesn't stop the brain going into Google overdrive.
I don't like not having clear answers and not having a plan to work to. I'm not good at wait and see it drives me nuts.
Sorry to go on and thanks again for your response x
Let us know how it goes. If they thought it was Cancer they go very fast. Waiting two months means they are pretty sure it is benign.
Alex
Hi thanks for reassurance. All my doctor has said is she will wait and see what next scan looks like in 2 months. Take pain relief and watch what I eat to minimise bloating??
None of that sounds particularly scary. Fibroids are benign uterine growths and rarely require any intervention. If bleeding is heavy or prolonged that can be treated with hormonal or non-hormonal medication.
MOST ovarian cysts are benign (non-cancerous). Hemorrhagic and endometriomas are definitely benign. The other cyst sounds complex and even though those are more concerning (but still usually benign), the avascularity and fine septum along with the small size (2.2cm) are good signs. Typically, the cysts you have would be monitored via periodic ultrasounds. Although ovarian cancer is rare (average woman's risk is less than 2%), if you have a predisposition / family history, you will need to be followed more closely than a woman who does not.
What were you told by your doctor?