left ovary pain

[lebonldy]

I have had left ovary area pain for quite some time now.  I do have a cyst on both ovaries and have them checked regularly.  I have also had blood work done for cancer,  I had a colonoscopy not too long ago and it was normal.  Also on a regular basis while asleep the pain will wake me up.  I try to pull my leg up so I can lay in the fetal position, but the pain on my left side radiates down my leg and i literally have to pull my leg up with my arms.  The pain subsides at times then it will act up again for no reason.  It is distressing to me and I don't know what else to do as far as stressing to my doctors that I do have this pain and they don't seem to be concerned.  What type of test can you reccomment I get to rule out cancer.  I do have alot of muscle pain in my back and have MS.  I just started to take Lyrica a few weeks ago and I think it has helped alittle, but the left sided ovary pain and pelvic has not gone away.  any suggestions

[GYNsymptoms]

I am a little surprised they are doing surgery after first discovering a small ovarian cyst.  Did they check your CA-125 levels?  I had a 5.1cm cyst on my left ovary that we are watching.  I went to have a repeat ultrasound 4 weeks after first discovering it and it has shrunk to 2 cm.  Unless you are confident you want it removed, I wouldn't rush into anything.  Get a second opinion if need be.  (I had my uterus removed a year ago, kept both ovaries).

[Kisaacs80]

I am 32 years old, and have had 7 endometriosis surgeries. I had my tubes tied back in 2004 after my 2nd child was born. Two years later, I was rushed into emergency surgery because my left tube had partially ruptured, I was having an ectopic pregnancy. It killed me that I was so dumb and young to get my tubes tied at the age of 24. My husband and I regret every minute of it. Now 2 weeks ago, I woke up with this excruciating pain on my left side again, I was rushed to ER, they checked for another tubal and it was negative. To make a long story short, I had a CT scan with contrast and it came back normal, so they did a vaginal ultrasound and found a small cyst on my left ovary. My DR, is scheduling surgery for the end of October. Has anyone else had to have a hysterectomy with this?

[cirella]

Hi Julie...well, I didn't see this post as you posted another identical one.  Sorry.  

Hope you get more answers today.

[lebonldy]

I HAVE A DR'S APPT TODAY AND I PRINTED OUT THIS MESSAGE BOARD TO HOW HER.  THANKS FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND I AM GOING TO BE FIRM AND DEMAND TO BE TESTED TO RULE OUT CANCER.  I AM SO TIRED OF WORRYING.  I WILL LET YOU KNOW THE RESULTS  

THANKS  JULIE

[Laney8463]

Hi,
I agree with the ladies above me. They watched mine for about a year and finally said...enough. They need to come out. If they aren't going away, then odds are they probably should come out. Keep in mind 95% of cysts are benign, so the odds are definitely in your favor. Dealing with pain day in, day out certainly is not fun. Speak to your doc and tell him your feelings.... Thats what they are there for....
Good Luck and keep us posted
Laney

[Sandymac]

Hi,
    Agree with Marie 100% . When you say they are "checked regularly", I assume that you are getting the TVUS? Are they shrinking at all? Are they enlargine?When ws the last time they were checked?  Sorry to throw all these questions at you....

    Since you are in a lot of pain, have you suggested that the Dr. perform a laparoscopy to better determine what type of cyst you have.? It seems to me , and I'm not a Dr. , that  depending upon how long you've been "watching them" ,I f they haven't resolved, they may not and you may need the laparoscopic procedure to remove them.

    You need to be very frank with your Dr. and let him know that you are in pain and expect something to be done for you.

     Please keep us posted,

Sandy

[vallieanne]

If your having the cysts checked on a regular basis and having blood work done, I will assume your doctor is doing a watchful waiting to see if they shrink. The type of cyst and it's size, whether you pre-menopausal or post-menopausal are all the factors the doctor uses to determine if surgery is necessary. I just had surgery for 2 cysts that were being monitored the same way and they turned out to be completely different that what the TV/Us, Cat-scan and reports were suggesting.
One actually was a tumor that wasn't going to go anywhere, and the other was an endometrioma that was interpreted as a simple cyst. They were there for about 5 years and I was lucky they were benign.
If your having so much pain, you really have to tell the doctor and consider a surgery to have them removed. If they're small enough you could have a laparoscopy which is an easier recovery than a laparotomy.
Most ovarian cysts are benign, it's 95% of the time.
The Ca-125 can have false positives in pre-menopausal women from other things like endometriosis or fibroids. There are women who have negative results that have had cysts that were malignant on pathology too.
You need to ask your doctor what type of cysts you have, and at what point is he going to consider removing them. It's your body and you have to be proactive in this process.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Valerie

[vallieanne]

Marie is right, the only way to know for sure is through a biopsy. Also about getting a TV/US.  Try posting this question over on the ovarian cyst boards to get some tips on what kinds of questions you might want to ask your doctor. There is also information in the Health Pages about all the different kinds of ovarian cysts. You will find it at the top right of the the forum heading page.
Val

[marie3B]

The only thing that can determine if cancer is present for sure is the biopsy.  Have you had a trans-vaginal ultra-sound?  That may help show what is causing the pain. Good luck. Marie