definitey an ovarian cyst, but endometriosis? hmmf

[thesweetestthing]

I have always had moderate to more severe pms, both emotionally and physically.  But the last few years i have had excruciating pain four times, twice buckling over with knife like pains on right side, and twice having to take percocet which did help.  Each time, with an ultrasound, i was found to have a small cyst.  The most painful one that was there for months was ruptured.  I have been having the same pain the last two months with sex pain (new experience), got an ultrasound, and once again small cyst (follicle, a little blood).  Head radiologist said i was perfectly healthy looking totally fertile blah blah.  Had a talk with an assistant female gyn who suggested endometriosis.  I am very skeptical but also scared about infertility. Wouldnt something have showed up on the ultrasound or in a gyn exam? The nerves come from the fact that this month the follicle is on my left but the pain on my right.  The bad pain is ALWAYS on my right, and besides now, the cysts have always been there (they are small and usually pass within a month or two, except for the ruptured, functional cysts).  I dont want to get a laporoscopy without a second opinion.  But i dont want to ignore the whole thing and then not be able to have kids or have trouble.  I am thirty, good health, fit 28 day cycle, five day light to moderate period, no kids, no previous pregnancies, no stds, monogamous relationship.  Thank you SOO much in advance (unless you call me an idiot;) )

[cirella]

Hi there.  You're not an idiot!  LOL
I had similar symptoms you describe and a few more.  I just attributed the pain to ovulation until a MRI found a cyst on my right ovary.  Like you, all my pain was on the opposite side and I all but accused my Dr. of making it up!  I had to have the ovary and cyst removed in 11/06 and the diagnosis was endometriosis.  I was surprised but gratefull it was not cancerous.

At the time of my surgery there were 2 small cysts on my left ovary but the Dr. said they were normal cysts we get each month.  Of course I didn't believe him but since my surgery I have not had that horrible pain on my left like I did before.  Just lovely hormonal problems.

My endometriosis didn't show up on a vaginal ultra sound.  The Dr. took pictures when he was in there during surgery and he showed me where the endo was.  It looked like spider webs in certain places.  Depending where it is and what it's attached to, it can cause a lot of problems.

Your pain sounds pretty bad.  I'd get another opinion for your own peace of mind.  Good luck!  Remember, don't just settle for their answers.  If you have a nagging feeling follow through until you know something.

[thesweetestthing]

Did your ultrasound show anything??  Mine always shows a cyst, but not an endometriosis cyst?  Just small follicles that cause pain and pass.  However, the fact that your pain was on the opposite side of your cyst relieves me because then my pain really can be from the cyst and not something more.  How do you know the diff between an endometriosis cyst and just a follicle.  Cant the radiologist tell the difference?  

[cirella]

Hi,
The cyst I had removed was viewed on the VUS.  The Dr. called it a chocolate cyst b/c it was filled with blood.  I had 2 VUSs and it grew between one and the other.  When it was removed it was about the size of an orange.  I believe the left-sided pain (opposite from where the cyst was) was possibly caused by the cyst pushing my uterus over.  I don't know why or how the cyst was formed from the endometriosis.  I've heard that the web-like characteristics of it can attach anywhere.  Maybe it somehow cut off the blood supply to my ovary b/c the Dr. said the right ovary was pretty much history.  He took a picture of it and it looked pretty nasty.  I think your doctor will be able to tell the difference, should you have a laparoscopy.  But, anything that looks suspicious will probably come out and the only way to really tell is to biopsy it.

He also took a picture of the 2 smaller cysts on my left ovary.  They look strange but not ugly like the bad one.

If I were you, I'd start keeping track on paper what they symptoms are and when they occur.  If your pain is mostly around ovulation time that's one hting, but all the time is not right.

Not sure if it'll help you, but I found this site after my surgery: theendoclub.com

[ALLC]

Ok so I went in to the clinic a few weeks back to get a check up (STD) and a regular exam and the doctor told me I have 2 small cysts ( I cant remember if she said my cervix or uterus)... and told me that it was ok sometimes woman get them without knowing and they go away... "more common" cyts --- or could she have gotten that mixed up with what could be first sign of herpes? similar enough or she should be able to tell?