Help with Ovarian Cysts

[magicsbaby]

I have been having a lot of pain for the last few years both on my right side and also my uterus. Finally the hospital has done some test and they found my womb is bulky and i had a 5cm cyst. I had a laparoscopy two months ago to remove the cyst and check for other issues and fit a mirena coil.

The cyst had changed to 2 cm (although now i believe this to be a different cyst) and they removed, found some scar tissue and womb size of 10 weeks. Fitted mirena.

Three and half weeks later i had severe pain, had been bleeding continues and now the right hand side pain really bad followed by three days of pain in area, saw doctor ended up in hospital and they scanned to find another cyst had ruptured leaving fluid floating which they said was now causing pain (shoulder tip as well as in abdomen area) which would go over the next week.

I have been on pain killers since the and then after four weeks it all ahs happened again, i saw gyny this week and told her that i felt another had ruptured the day before but she was not really that interested. She said best option was hysterectomy with removal of ovary on right side, i want just ovary removed as I feel it is the cysts and fluid after rupturing causing the pain, and if that was gone my uterus may settle and think it is worth trying that first.

She feels that is wrong decision but is leaving it up to me to decide which waiting list i go on, i decide in just over a week.


This week the pain is getting worse,shoulder tip, pain in back, pain down leg, pain over abdomen and pinching pains on right side, surely if it ruptured 4 days ago the fluid would be leaving by now, not had it so bad before.

Any ideas, or advice? I am 44 and know that having ovaries removed or failing is not good at my age, so worry that just leaving one ovary and having uterus removed the other ovary might not continue working. Hence why just ovary removal and leaving uterus seems better option in my mind, and gives my left ovary best chance of survival.

FOr information I cant take Birth Control pills, have tried zoladex (no good) and mirena is now removed.

She said she cant give me hormonal treatment due to blood pressure and migraines i have. I am now on top dose of tramadol, paracetamol and also diclofenac sodium but in pain still.

[hopeshell]

I am so sorry to hear you have had such long term pain.  It is so tough when you are faced with "choices" regarding a hysterectomy.   I had a complete hysterectomy at 37 due to to ovarian cancer so I did not face the same dilemma regarding the surgery.  The advantages of removing your uterus are that you will not have to deal with the pain issues, periods, and you will not have to worry about fibroids and uterine cancer.    In my mind, the biggest disadvantage are the possible sexual changes and the possible long term changes (like osteoporosis) if you experience ovarian failure.  Some women report they feel just fine after having the uterus removed.  I do feel it affects the overall sexual sensation and can affect the vaginal lubrication.  But, that is just my personal opinion.  

Your cysts are not of the size or type that require removal at this point.  If I were in your shoes, I would wait it out a bit longer.  You are likely in perimenopause and sometimes adding daily walks and extra rest can help get the pain under control.   Puplelady123's suggestion about antidepressants for pain is also something that helped me.  As long as you don't have a growing or complex cyst (solid parts), then you can sit on this for awhile until your condition becomes more clear.  I realize you had the symptoms before Mirena.  But, I have heard of others having the same experience with Mirena.  So, it may be best to wait a few months for your system to adjust after having that removed.   You may also want to seek a second opinion.  Each doctor has their own opinion on what is the best course.  But, you really have to feel comfortable with the choice.  

My concern is that removal of the one ovary is not going to solve your problem.  I also feel your concerns are justified that removal of the one ovary and uterus may leave you with more hormone issues.  So, my opinion is that it would be best to wait at this point.  Of course, if you have a medical issue I have missed by reading your post (ie.  possible malignancy), then it is advisable to go with your doctor's plan.  Even then, you could still seek a second opinion for peace of mind.

I hope you feel better soon!

Shelly

[puplelady123]

I know you are going through alot. I am going through the same thing. Trying to deciede what is right my pain is on the left side and before everyone said it was in my mind. I too have blood pressue and migraines. I don't want to go into early menopause. They I will have different issues. I think what I want to do is try the D&C again and then see if they can do the endometrial ablation. I have the shoulder pain and back pain. I've had the ovarian cysts for a year and the polyps and fibroids and endometriomas. I have also read that they may be able to alleviate pain by trying low does anti-depressants. I know you don't want to hear this but my daugher recently was put on these and it has made a huge difference in her life. I'm going to talk to my OBGYN and see what she thinks. I can always have the Hysterectomy later if it doesn't work, but I can't go back if I'm unhappy without my organs.

Just a thought.