young and confused!

[kcmchicago]

Hi Doctor,

I am 20 years old and have had persistent (and many times severe) low abdominal pain on my left side for over a year. Last February/March, I was feeling extremely exhausted and having all-over abdominal pain, so I saw a doctor in my college town. He tested my blood for anemia and mono (both negative) and sent me for an abdominal ultrasound. The results came back that I had a large growth- 7cm- on my left ovary. By the results of the u/s, the radiologist figured it was "a cystic mass looking mostly benign." I was told to have another ultrasound "in a few months" which I guess I just forgot to do. He sent me to a gastroenterologist to check for other reasons for my symptoms of pain, lack of appetite, minimal weight loss and fatigue. I had a gastric emptying study, an upper endoscopy, etc., with no definitive results. After many doctor visits/indigestion meds/tests, I got frustrated and temporarily gave up. I guess I just learned to live with the pain.

As of the last several months the pain and fatigue have been getting steadily worse. I have missed classes a few times due to pain or exhaustion. I have recently started urinating much more frequently and not drinking any more than usual. One day I logged my fluid intake... it was the milk in my cereal, a class of juice and a glass of water (sidenote: I do realize I should probably drinking more, haha) and I had to urinate every hour to hour and a half. Some days I don't visit the bathroom quite as much, but it varies. Almost every single day I get sharp pains and bloating in my abdomen (not really a specific place). This pain has awakened me from sleep before... twice with a hollow and hard abdomen.

I just recently decided living like this in college was ridiculous and called my gyn from home. I asked her to order a transvaginal u/s to be done here at my university hospital. I had it done and the radiologist wrore that my ovaries are severely enlarged and each have several growths. He (apparently) wrote that it looked like PCOS. The thing about that is, I have never missed a period or had an irregular period. I have perfect skin, no excess hair growth or loss, no problems with insulin, etc). I'm sure it's possible to have polycystic ovaries without the syndrome, but it's super confusing!

I am seeing a new doctor when I get home from school for the summer as I really don't like the one I have now (who ordered the test), and if this is going to be a long road, I want to stick with someone I trust. I guess in the interim I'm trying to do as much research as possible. I am getting really sick of feeling sick all the time.. this is supposed to be the best time of my life, right?

Any feedback you can give me would be great. I know you can't diagnose me, but any thoughts you have on reading my case would be very much appreciated.

Thanks and take care!

[kimmywah]

Hi there,

Welcome.  i agree with the ladies above, you definitely need to see a Gyn ASAP and if you are not happy with what the doctors are telling you then find another one until you are satisfied.  
Your cysts can definitely cause these symptoms (as I have found out).  You sound like an intelligent and informed young woman so you know what you need to do.  Don't wait anymore.
We are here to support and inform.  I am new to this forum too, but feel so lucky to have found it.  These women are incredibly well informed and supportive.  
All the best and let us know how you get on.

Peace and love
Kim

[PaulMD]

Hi there!  

I'm sorry to hear that you don't feel very well.  There are many causes of abdominal pain, but since you have a history of a big ovarian cyst, I think that there is a big chance that that is the one causing you all these problems.

I suggest you make an appointment with your doctor.  Have yourself checked.  Have blood exams done as well as imaging studies (ultrasound or CT Scan).  Whatever the problem, I'm sure a solution can be found.  Be strong and keep us posted.

Regards...

[ireneo]

So a year ago you were told you had a 7 cm cyst on the left ovary. Now you're told you have several growths on both ovaries. That seems pretty clear to me. You need to see a gynecologist now. Most likely you will need surgery. Most gyno's remove cysts when they get over 5 cm and yours was 7. Plus in the past year you've grown more of them. Yeah, it's not going to fade away. Don't over analyze the PCOS thing. That's up to the doctor to look in there and fix things. Please, your health is most important and you've waited long enough. I'm worried about you.

[Morrowville]

Hi.  My niece had abdominal pain last year (she was at a college near Quincy, IL).
Her parents took her to Northwestern Hospital where it was determined she had an abdominal sarcoma, which almost took her life before she was 21.  She and her parents persisted, and like you, went from the "college area hospital" to downtown Chicago for satisfaction and relief from the pain.  The good news is her tumour (once the size of a grapefruit and attaching itself to her vascular system) seems to be shrinking consistently.
You write from an intelligent perspective, and your description is comprehensive.  I would take that tenacity straight to the best doctor you can find (I can give you my niece's references if you can get to Northwestern).  I too, had a tumor (on my ovary) and had it removed just last Tuesday.  Happy to help if you have some specifics queries, but as I said, I would take that great information you have straight to the doctor who gives me a feeling of caring, intelligent thought, and satisfaction!  You have a bright mind, and you don't want to waste your college years not getting the best education (and the best time of your life) because of this pain.
Morrowville

[Shari4444]

Hi. First of all, I'm sorry you have not been feeling well. Second, I don't think  you realize that this is NOT thr Doctor Forum. That Forum is on the right side of the page as the one you found this forum. I just wanted to tell you, too, that a cyst can make you have a huge variety of symptoms. GI symptoms and cyst symptom can seem an awful lot alike. Good Luck!!!!

Hugs,
Shari

[Neta100]

Hi there.  I definitely would get checked.  Your symptoms are not normal and as you say, you are young and it's a time to enjoy.  Post your question in the expert forum to get more help.  Hope for the best.

Neta