32 pound benign cyst

[Kcline01]

Hello My name is Kara and I had a couple of questions. Almost 2 years ago I had a 32 pound cyst grow from my right ovary and covered my entire abdomen area making me look pregnant. For years no one knew what it was and no one would take me to the doctors than I finally ran into one doctor who knew a little bit of what was in my stomachs. A couple weeks later I got it removed and after surgery I was left weighing only 102 pounds. My question is, Is it possible to have an emotional imbalance after a surgery like that? I haven't felt like my normal self since the surgery and was also wondering if it could grow back through my left ovary since it's my only one left..

[old_before_my_time]

You are welcome! It sure seems like a surgical follow-up appointment should be included with the cost of surgery! Hoping for much better days ahead!

[Kcline01]

No, I haven't had my hormone levels checked out. I really should cause it would probably help me put my curious theories about my own body to rest. My surgeon never prescribed birth control pills to me but than again I haven't seen her since my surgery. I was suppose to have a follow up appointment a couple weeks after recovery (which was incredibly hard, I never felt so weak in my life until then) but it turns out the Medicaid I was on only covered my surgery and nothing more so when I called to make my appointment they wanted $300 at the counter that day so I never went.. I regret it though because so many things happen and I just don't feel normal I guess. Thank you for all the advice it's really helping me piece things together and understand certain things better.

[old_before_my_time]

Oh my gosh I feel so badly for you. I cannot imagine going through all that as a teenager and now you are left with the nasty after effects. Has any doctor checked your ovarian and thyroid hormone levels? Removal of an ovary or ovaries can disrupt thyroid function.

Have you tried birth control pills to see if that helps your emotional symptoms as well as regulate your cycles? I have a relative who went into menopause in her early to mid-20's from radiation to her pelvic area. As a result she suffered with mild depression, night sweats, and other menopausal type symptoms. She went on hormone replacement and has been on it ever since and she is now in her 50's.

I was over-treated for a benign ovarian cyst (ALL my sex organs were removed!) at the age of 49. And I became suicidally depressed and irritable as heck, couldn't sleep, and a whole long list of other symptoms. Hormones have "saved" me. Anti-depressants were suggested by a couple of doctors but since I knew the loss of my ovaries triggered the depression, I figured hormones were what my body needed. And that was no doubt the case!

Have you seen your surgeon and told him/her how you are feeling? I would think he/she would have prescribed birth control pills (versus hormone replacement since you are still having periods). Your primary care doctor or another gynecologist would be another option to prescribe this for you. You are much too young to go on feeling this way. Good luck! Please keep us posted on how all this plays out.

[Kcline01]

Yes i still get periods but not as often as i usually did and my surgeon told me i would hit menapause earlier than usual because of the removal of my entire right ovary but ive felt like im on a roller coaster of emotions and know its just not normal and need to do something before i have a bigger more crazy meltdown of some type. Its just very hard for me to explain without them thinking im just "overreacting" but ever sense i had surgery i havent felt like my normal self. I just turned 20 years old in November.

[old_before_my_time]

Unfortunately, the removal of an ovary, the uterus, and even the tubes can temporarily or permanently disrupt natural hormone function. This can cause emotional, physical, and mental symptoms and can even throw you into menopause which may or may no be more severe than a natural menopause. Are you still having monthly periods? If so, then your one ovary must have taken up for the one that was removed. If your periods are sporadic or non-existent then this would be an indication that your hormone production has been affected. In this case, birth control pills may be helpful to normalize everything. The loss of hormones especially prior to the age of natural menopause (51 or so) is associated with an increased risk for a number of physical, mental, emotional, and sexual health issues. How old are you?