Back/pelvic/abdominal pain +cyst

[tkjkmom]

I am a 35 yo mom of 4. I have had 3+ months of lower back, pelvic, and abdominal pain with intermittant cramping and swing from constipation to diarrhea. I had normal blood test about 2 1/2 months ago except for low iron. History: 7/26/06 I had my 4th c section followed an hour later my a total abdominal hysterectomy due to "postpartum uterine rupture/hemorrhage--needed many many units of blood and clotting factors--and left me in the ICU) which left me w/ only my left ovary/tube. On 1-25-07 a pelvic/abdominal CT w/ contrast showed a "3.5 cm thick-walled left adnexal cyst/cystic lesion with a small amount of peritoneal fluid adjacent to left adnexa". A transvaginal US on 1-29-07 showed "the left ovary was enlarged measuring 5.6x4.3x5.4 cm and contains a hypoechoic mass w/ uniform low level echoes and sm amount of fluid measuring 4.6x 3.9 x 4.3 cm, the appearance is most consisteant with a hemorrhagic cyst."
4-6wk follow up US set. The pain can be unbearable. I am trying to cope with motrin. What are the chances of the mass being cancerous? No recent bloodwork has been done and they never did a CA 125. Are all my symptoms attributable to this cyst? I also worry about this thing rupturing and getting an infection or twisting and going into surgical menopause. Can is be drained and checked w/o injuring the ovary? Could that be done sooner? Please advise.

[ShawnP]

Well I can see why you are in pain.  Yes, ovarian cysts, even really small ones, can cause the exact symptoms you describe.  A lot of physicians believe in the ol' watch and wait, which is common, however, if you are in that much pain then something needs to be done.  Now remember that 99% of ovarian cysts are benign so the odds are in your favor.  That being said, you should inform you doctor of how miserable you are.  Did he/she mention ever going in to take it out?  Plus if he/she is going to make you wait the least they could do is give you something a little more effective for that pain.  When I had my cyst, nothing over the counter worked for me at all.

In regards to the CA 125, you should ask for one, you have the right to one, but remember that it's not an exact science for women that are premenopausal.  You have to discuss this with your physician and let them know just how much pain you are in.

Best of luck