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7.4 cm and 2.5 cm cysts and continuous spotting
I recently had an ultrasound which showed I have a 7.4 cm cyst on my right ovary and a 2.5 cm cyst on my left ovary. I had been having painful periods for about 8 months. It was sort of a dull, burning pain mostly in my right hip, but spread through my whole abdomen during periods. 3 months ago during my period, I was massaging the muscles in my lower right abdomen to try and relieve some of the pain, when I felt something slide (that's the best I can describe it), and the pain was sudden far less than it had been.
After the 'slide' thing happened, the periods were getting longer, and I was spotting lightly but frequently throughout my cycle, and heavier in the week before my period started. The spotting always looked brown, and was thicker and darker than period blood. Last month I spotted that brown stuff all month long. That's when I went and saw my Dr's PA and had the ultrasound. Since then I have had two short conversations with the PA. She's NOT very helpful, and that's why I am here. I need info. She can't tell me what kind of cysts I have, only the size. She can't or won't explain the spotting. She said we could remove the right ovary, or we could try to shrink it using birth control pills. I opted for trying to shrink it. She called in a prescription for Ocella, which made me nauseous, flu-like aches with headache, exhausted, plus the added benefit of feeling DEPRESSED. LOL. Once I recognized it was the Ocella causing side effects, I called and had the second conversation with the PA, during which she couldn't answer any questions but changed the prescription to Jolessa, which I am tolerating without side effects.
Now for my questions:
1. I am still spotting that brown stuff. It's light, but it happens every day at least once, more if I exercise strenuously and definitely more if I have sex. Is that normal? I thought it would go away once I started the pills. What is causing it to continue?
2. Now that I know what it is, I realize I can actually feel the larger cyst. I have been suffering from lower back pain for the past few years. Would the cysts cause this?
3. No follow up ultrasound has been scheduled. Same goes for followup appointment with my real doctor. I have so many questions! Should I try to get an appointment and ask my GP my questions or should I wait until the 3 months are up?
4. Is it likely that the pill will shrink the big cyst enough to have laproscopic surgery instead of a laparotomy? I really don't want the laparotomy (I guess no one does). I can't afford that much time off work.
Thanks for reading all this, and I hope you have some advice!
After the 'slide' thing happened, the periods were getting longer, and I was spotting lightly but frequently throughout my cycle, and heavier in the week before my period started. The spotting always looked brown, and was thicker and darker than period blood. Last month I spotted that brown stuff all month long. That's when I went and saw my Dr's PA and had the ultrasound. Since then I have had two short conversations with the PA. She's NOT very helpful, and that's why I am here. I need info. She can't tell me what kind of cysts I have, only the size. She can't or won't explain the spotting. She said we could remove the right ovary, or we could try to shrink it using birth control pills. I opted for trying to shrink it. She called in a prescription for Ocella, which made me nauseous, flu-like aches with headache, exhausted, plus the added benefit of feeling DEPRESSED. LOL. Once I recognized it was the Ocella causing side effects, I called and had the second conversation with the PA, during which she couldn't answer any questions but changed the prescription to Jolessa, which I am tolerating without side effects.
Now for my questions:
1. I am still spotting that brown stuff. It's light, but it happens every day at least once, more if I exercise strenuously and definitely more if I have sex. Is that normal? I thought it would go away once I started the pills. What is causing it to continue?
2. Now that I know what it is, I realize I can actually feel the larger cyst. I have been suffering from lower back pain for the past few years. Would the cysts cause this?
3. No follow up ultrasound has been scheduled. Same goes for followup appointment with my real doctor. I have so many questions! Should I try to get an appointment and ask my GP my questions or should I wait until the 3 months are up?
4. Is it likely that the pill will shrink the big cyst enough to have laproscopic surgery instead of a laparotomy? I really don't want the laparotomy (I guess no one does). I can't afford that much time off work.
Thanks for reading all this, and I hope you have some advice!
I just went to the obgyn today, because of tenderness and pain in the lower right portion of my abdomen and they found a 7.4cm cyst also on my right ovary and the immediate reaction was to have it surgically removed. ASAP! I am scheduling my appt for surgery tomorrow for next week. Hope you feel better and get yours taken care of.
By the way my name is also Jessica, must be the name...
By the way my name is also Jessica, must be the name...
Hi Shelly,
Than you so much for your reply. I am going to call my doctor's office, explain that I have questions, and ask for my doctor (not the PA) to answer them, even if I have to make an appointment. I think it's time I ask to be referred to a specialist.
The PA said both cysts appear to be fluid filled cysts, but she said they wouldn't be able to tell what type of cysts I have until they operate. Is that really true? She did not specifically say the masses were simple cysts. The ultrasound tech did get very quiet and wouldn't turn the screen my way so I could see what he was doing. Of course, I knew something was up at that point, but I had to wait another three days to find out the size of the cysts from the PA.
Are there some sore of guidelines for determining whether to perform laproscopic surgery vs. a laparotomy? If the large cyst does not shrink, which surgery do you think I'll have?
The spotting is slowly lightening. I think this might be due to the Jolessa (birth control), but it never completely goes away. Should I be concerned about this?
I have been taking ibuprophen for the hip/back pain for a long time. It seems to work the best for me. Should I switch to tylenol? I don't tolerate naproxen sodium well at all. It causes urinary tract infections and upsets stomach.
I still have other questions, if you are willing to answer them, but those are my most pressing.
Jessica
Than you so much for your reply. I am going to call my doctor's office, explain that I have questions, and ask for my doctor (not the PA) to answer them, even if I have to make an appointment. I think it's time I ask to be referred to a specialist.
The PA said both cysts appear to be fluid filled cysts, but she said they wouldn't be able to tell what type of cysts I have until they operate. Is that really true? She did not specifically say the masses were simple cysts. The ultrasound tech did get very quiet and wouldn't turn the screen my way so I could see what he was doing. Of course, I knew something was up at that point, but I had to wait another three days to find out the size of the cysts from the PA.
Are there some sore of guidelines for determining whether to perform laproscopic surgery vs. a laparotomy? If the large cyst does not shrink, which surgery do you think I'll have?
The spotting is slowly lightening. I think this might be due to the Jolessa (birth control), but it never completely goes away. Should I be concerned about this?
I have been taking ibuprophen for the hip/back pain for a long time. It seems to work the best for me. Should I switch to tylenol? I don't tolerate naproxen sodium well at all. It causes urinary tract infections and upsets stomach.
I still have other questions, if you are willing to answer them, but those are my most pressing.
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
I am so sorry you have been dealing with this pain and are still searching for answers. It is very important that you know if your cysts are simple (fluid filled) or complex (have solid parts). Even if your cyst is simple, the size of 7.5cm warrants prompt follow-up and likely surgical removal. Even benign cysts can cause complications when they rupture. Cysts over 5cm have a greater likelihood of rupturing. Usually, larger cysts are complex. If this is the case, it is even more important that you get treatment right away. Any complex mass runs a "chance" of being malignant. So, it is the recommendation the American Cancer Society that you see a gynecologic oncologist for a consult if you fall into this category. Studies have proven your overall prognosis is improved if a gyn/onc is involved in your operation and malignancy is found. Here is a link that explains it more completely and also one that can help you locate a gyn/onc in your area if this is needed:
http://www.wcn.org/articles/treatment/gynecologic_oncologists/overview/
http://www.wcn.org/articles/treatment/gynecologic_oncologists/overview/
I think it is very important that you have prompt follow-up and are able to determine your type of cyst and check to see if it has grown. Also, it is very unlikely that your cyst is going to shrink. If it is simple, then your chances are greater and bc pills may be an option. But, if it is complex, you need to have surgery now. I hope you find answers soon. Please keep us posted on how you are doing!
Shelly
I am so sorry you have been dealing with this pain and are still searching for answers. It is very important that you know if your cysts are simple (fluid filled) or complex (have solid parts). Even if your cyst is simple, the size of 7.5cm warrants prompt follow-up and likely surgical removal. Even benign cysts can cause complications when they rupture. Cysts over 5cm have a greater likelihood of rupturing. Usually, larger cysts are complex. If this is the case, it is even more important that you get treatment right away. Any complex mass runs a "chance" of being malignant. So, it is the recommendation the American Cancer Society that you see a gynecologic oncologist for a consult if you fall into this category. Studies have proven your overall prognosis is improved if a gyn/onc is involved in your operation and malignancy is found. Here is a link that explains it more completely and also one that can help you locate a gyn/onc in your area if this is needed:
http://www.wcn.org/articles/treatment/gynecologic_oncologists/overview/
http://www.wcn.org/articles/treatment/gynecologic_oncologists/overview/
I think it is very important that you have prompt follow-up and are able to determine your type of cyst and check to see if it has grown. Also, it is very unlikely that your cyst is going to shrink. If it is simple, then your chances are greater and bc pills may be an option. But, if it is complex, you need to have surgery now. I hope you find answers soon. Please keep us posted on how you are doing!
Shelly
Honestly you should probably go see an Ob Gyn since they are specialist in this area. Have you tried making an appoitment with an Gyno yet to discuss what is going on and have them transfer over the ultrasound results?
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