complex ovarian cyst questions

[Bananie22]

Hi...I'm new here and have a few questions that possibly someone out there could help me with.
I had an U/S done a couple months ago which showed a complex cyst on my ovary...I had a follow up U/S done 6 weeks later which showed it had grown 1cm (it's 2.5 cm now).  I had a CA-125 test that came back normal.  My doctor is recommending a complete hysterectomy.  I only have one ovary (other one was removed when I had a huge dermoid cyst at age 17...I'm 42 now).  
My questions are...does this seem drastic to anyone?  Has anyone had a complex cyst go away?  I suggested a third U/S to my doc and she said "I was just putting off the inevitable", but agreed and scheduled one for me.  I'm having it done next week.  My gut is telling me that this is an extreme measure to take (total hysterectomy).  Any thoughts...advice?  Anything would help me at this point, I'm pretty freaked out.

[cip]

I know, it is very frustrating, and scary, and no one seems to be able to give you definite answers. It cannot be a fact that a complex cyst doesn't resolve sometimes, as mine did. If you have to have both ovaries gone, it makes sense to have a TAH, as you would go into surgical menopause anyway. What I did was kept researching different docs in my area until I found one that would give me ALL of the details of my charts workups etc and tell me what he thought.My other docs didn't seem to like that I did this, but it is my body, not theirs, so I didn't mind their objection. No one wants to have OC and it is an insidious disease. I would put some pressure on the docs to explain to you in detail why you couln't be a candidate for a less invasive procedure, then research the validity of their responses. Sorry you have to go through all this, it is agonizing, I know...Take Care Claire

[Bananie22]

That's exactly what I'm hoping for!  My gyn said that it was "very unlikely" that a complex cyst would resolve itself.  Upon investigating online I've found out a lot seem to.  My Primary doc said that the cyst didn't look "suspicious" for cancer, but the only way to know would be to go in and check it.  I'm just wondering why my gyn would jump right to total hysterectomy?  I can't wait to have my u/s done next week.  I'm so hoping it didn't grow anymore.  I loved hearing your story and knowing that someone went with their gut and it worked out.  Ive really been a mess trying to decide which course of action to take.

[Bananie22]

I do agree with you Canyon...if they are going to remove my ovary I will go ahead and have it all out.  I will be forced into medical menopause because of only having one ovary at this point anyway...what I'm trying to avoid all together is ANY surgery.  =)   That's why I wondered if anyone had ever had a complex cyst resolve itself.

[Canyon711]

OK, I guess I am dumb but if one does not have one ovary and the other is going to be removed because of a cyst what is the point of keeping everything else. I would think it would be best to get rid of it and not have to worry anymore. I wish to heck I had had a total hysterectomy when I was younger as the older you get the harder it is for surgery and the more risk you take for everything. You are going to go in to menapause if you don't have the ovaries anyway and you can handle surgery better when you are younger.

[cip]

I had a complex cyst also -and fibroids-my Ca125 elevated over 2 months from 37 to 95. However, I had several ultrasounds done, and the cyst was smaller in the latter ultrasound. I had 3 opinions - all total hysterectomy, because of my age 52 and fibroids and possible risk of ovarian cancer. I knew that a shrinking cyst is not generally a sign of cancer. I went through with pre op bloodwork. Before surgery, I asked about my CA 125 level. It went down to 16. I cancelled surgery, over the objection of my gyn. I went to another gyn. He did an ultrasound right there in his office and showed me. the ovaries looked good - the cyst had totally resolved! I did not have ANY surgery recommended by him. He turned out to be friends with my second opinion guy(an oncologist) who said he wasn't very concerned with OC, but went along with the hysterectomy idea because of my age fibroids etc. That part wasn't reflected in his report. So, I too, went with my gut, and am glad. In the end, it is always up to us -we can't leave our healthcare to the doctors alone. Keep asking questions, keep researching options, and always do what you think is safest and best for yourself. I wish you luck.Take Care  Claire

[Bananie22]

Oh that's good news about your CA test!  Great!  
Hmm...to my knowledge there is no cause and no cure for Hashimoto's...just maintenance.  I've read and heard that it can run in the family...both of my parents have thyroid issues but not Hashi's.  I hear that it's more common in women my age, but it can happen in younger people too...I've not read anything about the immunization possibly being the reason (sounds unlikely but heck...I dunno).  I wish your luck a speedy normal reading!  Some people get lucky and regulate really fast.  Hopefully she's one of them.