Aa
Okay to wait and see if cyst disappears?
I am a 52 yr. old mother of three recently diagnosed with a 3cm cyst on my left ovary. My primary doc, who ordered the CT scan, faxed the report to my ob-gyn who then called to say I should get an ultrasound in 6-8 weeks. I will find out tomorrow exactly what kind of cyst the radiologist found, but my initial reaction is that given my age, I don't want to wait weeks and weeks to see if it just goes away. Any advice on whether or not to trust the doc's advice to watch and wait?
A little background... Saw ob-gyn in May 09 for annual, and everything was normal. Still had regular periods until April 09, followed by 3 months without a period. Three weeks ago, began experiencing abdominal pain and fever which I (and my doc) suspected was diverticulitis, hence the CT scan. About two weeks into the pain/fever, I get my period. (I figure the cyst must have had a role in the stopping/starting of my period.) In addition, my blood work revealed significant iron deficiency anemia. Had already started Cipro + Metro antibiotics for suspected diverticulitis, and doc says I should complete the course of those just in case. Bottom line is the pain and fever are only getting worse, which wouldn't bother me so much if I knew it was definitely due to a benign cyst and only temporary. It's the not knowing that is unnerving, and for the first time I am having difficulty entrusting important health decisions to someone else - my doc. After having read through this forum, I know others have had similar experiences, and I appreciate any insight you might share.
A little background... Saw ob-gyn in May 09 for annual, and everything was normal. Still had regular periods until April 09, followed by 3 months without a period. Three weeks ago, began experiencing abdominal pain and fever which I (and my doc) suspected was diverticulitis, hence the CT scan. About two weeks into the pain/fever, I get my period. (I figure the cyst must have had a role in the stopping/starting of my period.) In addition, my blood work revealed significant iron deficiency anemia. Had already started Cipro + Metro antibiotics for suspected diverticulitis, and doc says I should complete the course of those just in case. Bottom line is the pain and fever are only getting worse, which wouldn't bother me so much if I knew it was definitely due to a benign cyst and only temporary. It's the not knowing that is unnerving, and for the first time I am having difficulty entrusting important health decisions to someone else - my doc. After having read through this forum, I know others have had similar experiences, and I appreciate any insight you might share.
Thanks to all of you for responding so quickly! The information you provided really helps and I greatly appreciate your support. Spoke today with the nurses of the two doctors who have seen the radiology report, and the only information I was able to obtain was that it was an adnexal ovarian cyst. (From what I understand, adnexal simply means "next to" and does not indicate what type of cyst is present.) Apparently, my gyno did not actually see a copy of the scan, only the written report. After reading your responses, in addition to the follow-up with my internist in two days, I have also made an appt. with the family practice doc who sees my three teenagers. Have known her for many, many years on both a personal and professional level, and I trust her judgement completely. She's incredibly knowledgeable and thorough, and best of all, she takes time to explain complex medical information in language a lay person' can understand. Even draws pictures for the patient when necessary! Before you leave the exam room, she makes sure you are comfortable with the course of treatment. From what everyone reports on this forum, being your own health advocate is never more important than when dealing with the uncertainty of ovarian cysts and related issues. There's no rewind button, is there? As a newcomer to this forum, I look forward to being able to share my experience with others once all is said and done. Thanks, again!
Mavis
Mavis
I was also told it would be fine to "watch and wait".. I don't do that very well and the Dr. was very agreeable to removing the cyst, along with ovary and tube. One big difference. I didn't have a fever and my pain was minor. The fever needs to be investigated for sure. I too am wondering why you have to wait 6-8 weeks for an Ultrasound. I would call the Dr. back and ask that the US (and I hope it's a transvaginal US) be done earlier. That would no doubt determine if the cyst has ruptured or twisted.
Regarding the Diverticulitis, the antibiotics should have halted this in its tracks by now. I have had experience with that as well.and the CT should have shown this.. so I think something is going on and you need to find out what it is. I would also try to see the Gyn earlier than 6-8 weeks.. See if you can't get in earlier, if for no other reason than to ease your mind.
Let us know,
Sandy
Regarding the Diverticulitis, the antibiotics should have halted this in its tracks by now. I have had experience with that as well.and the CT should have shown this.. so I think something is going on and you need to find out what it is. I would also try to see the Gyn earlier than 6-8 weeks.. See if you can't get in earlier, if for no other reason than to ease your mind.
Let us know,
Sandy
If you are still having pain and fever, you definitely need to go back to the dr. I agree a second opinion from a gyn only dr. would be the best bet. If you can get the ultrasound sooner (both trans ab and trans vag) you should try for it. Be your own advocate and don't just wait. Call and let them know you are in pain and have fever. Good luck and God bless you.
Can the ob-gyn see you any sooner than 6-8 weeks? The fever and pain are a concern and since you are on antibiotics, it should be resolving the fever. Fever that does not go away needs investigation.
Pain from a cyst could be caused by a few things: pressure on other areas, twisting of the ovary/tube (this is an emergency situation), and rupture. Since this thing appears to have developed recently (all normal in May, assuming the doctor is correct about that), I would assume rupture. If that's true, the antibiotics would treat any infection/fever, although I'm not sure which antibiotic would be recommended to treat a cyst rupture. Pain would linger for awhile until the cyst material is reabsorbed. Many ladies here got relief using whatever pain meds they can tolerate and heating pads IF it is a rupture. Otherwise, ruptures will heal on their own.
If it were the emergency situation (twisting), however, the pain would be unendurable along with nausea and vomiting. That requires surgical removal since blood supply to ovary/tubes are being cut off and organs could be dying. I think you would know the difference if it were that urgent and that painful.
Or it could be that the cyst is still there and is growing, causing pressure. Or maybe something other than a cyst is causing pain. Even your last doc doesn't know for sure if you have diverticulitis or not. But this is a cyst forum and I can say that cysts cause all kinds of misery that make us think we have other problems when we don't.
It's all guesswork until an expert makes a better diagnosis for you.
As for the irregular periods, I would be more inclined to blame menopause as the culprit there, but it takes 12 months of no period to be considered done with menopause and periods might still occur (or not) before the cycle ends completely. You may still be ovulating, perhaps not every month anymore, and perhaps that's what's causing a cyst to develop and possibly go away on its own. And a cyst could happen again after menopause, too, so keep regular with those gyn checkups. Regular doctors really don't catch "womens problems" as well as the gyn specialists do.
Is your iron deficiency being treated? Do doctors know the cause for that? That, too, is a concern and needs to be monitored regularly, You don't want to take too much iron to correct the problem, either. Menopausal/post-menopausal women eventually require much less iron than women that get monthly cycles. But those last few cycles can be really weird, anything from unusually heavy to unusually light.
Your ob-gyn may get a cancellation at some point making it possible to see you earlier. You probably need both types of ultrasound (traditional and transvaginal), even though you already had a CT, to see what the cyst is doing. Another possibility is to get a new doctor that does not do obstetrics at all, just gynecology. The OB part of their practice tends to take up much of their time, and the GYN often gets neglected. You don't need an OB anymore but you will need someone that understands the menopausal/post-menopausal woman's body who can make time for you when you are this uncertain about your health.
Best wishes to you and I hope a good doctor eases your mind soon.
Pain from a cyst could be caused by a few things: pressure on other areas, twisting of the ovary/tube (this is an emergency situation), and rupture. Since this thing appears to have developed recently (all normal in May, assuming the doctor is correct about that), I would assume rupture. If that's true, the antibiotics would treat any infection/fever, although I'm not sure which antibiotic would be recommended to treat a cyst rupture. Pain would linger for awhile until the cyst material is reabsorbed. Many ladies here got relief using whatever pain meds they can tolerate and heating pads IF it is a rupture. Otherwise, ruptures will heal on their own.
If it were the emergency situation (twisting), however, the pain would be unendurable along with nausea and vomiting. That requires surgical removal since blood supply to ovary/tubes are being cut off and organs could be dying. I think you would know the difference if it were that urgent and that painful.
Or it could be that the cyst is still there and is growing, causing pressure. Or maybe something other than a cyst is causing pain. Even your last doc doesn't know for sure if you have diverticulitis or not. But this is a cyst forum and I can say that cysts cause all kinds of misery that make us think we have other problems when we don't.
It's all guesswork until an expert makes a better diagnosis for you.
As for the irregular periods, I would be more inclined to blame menopause as the culprit there, but it takes 12 months of no period to be considered done with menopause and periods might still occur (or not) before the cycle ends completely. You may still be ovulating, perhaps not every month anymore, and perhaps that's what's causing a cyst to develop and possibly go away on its own. And a cyst could happen again after menopause, too, so keep regular with those gyn checkups. Regular doctors really don't catch "womens problems" as well as the gyn specialists do.
Is your iron deficiency being treated? Do doctors know the cause for that? That, too, is a concern and needs to be monitored regularly, You don't want to take too much iron to correct the problem, either. Menopausal/post-menopausal women eventually require much less iron than women that get monthly cycles. But those last few cycles can be really weird, anything from unusually heavy to unusually light.
Your ob-gyn may get a cancellation at some point making it possible to see you earlier. You probably need both types of ultrasound (traditional and transvaginal), even though you already had a CT, to see what the cyst is doing. Another possibility is to get a new doctor that does not do obstetrics at all, just gynecology. The OB part of their practice tends to take up much of their time, and the GYN often gets neglected. You don't need an OB anymore but you will need someone that understands the menopausal/post-menopausal woman's body who can make time for you when you are this uncertain about your health.
Best wishes to you and I hope a good doctor eases your mind soon.
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