Done Lurking

[NCKia]

So, I've been on here lurking for awhile. I can't explain how happy I am to have found this site. First after years of issues I went to the ER last august and found cysts they said were normal with my cycle. Well last month end of March I went to the ER because I was having menstrual cramps horrbily and my cycle wasn't due..with a number of other symptoms. I thought I was pregnant (ectopic or normal). Well I wasn't. I have a 1.8 cm hemorraghing cyst on my left ovary. I was relieved to finally find something was wrong. Isn't that crazy! Well my mother and sister are REALLY struggling with rheumatoid arthiritis...mother is having surgery on Wednesday. My boyfriend has not been around...that's over and I am in excruitiating pain. My cycle has come back on for the first time since and I have been taking oxycodone with little help. I'm not only hurting but scared. I'm 26 (27 in July) never been pregnant and I'm a smoker. With the pain still happening I'm worried that maybe it's something worse. Has anyone else experienced this pain during their cycle PLUS during ovulation? Is this normal? I'm adjusting to the pregnancy type symptoms but the pain is ridiculous. My doctor wants me to go back on BC (Avione is all I can handle due to migraines, GERD and side effects of all other BC). I'm worried because I want to have children one day, what if it doesn't work and what happens if it works and I come off of it later? Guess I have questions and needed to vent too. I finally have insurance after a 90 day wait with my new job so I'm going to get an immediate referral to a GYN. I now know I need to have a CA125 done. Can anyone provide any feedback, recommendations for the pain or shared experiences? Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[JandaB]

It's amazing sometimes the pain we have to deal with from time to time, or with your case most of the time :(
Just go with what you know for now - you have what seems to be a small cyst on one ovary. Try not to worry too much. Unfortunately it's causing you so much pain - I feel for you.  Hang in there.  I hope you'll be able to control the pain somewhat while waiting for you appt.

[NCKia]

Janda - Thanks! They've never found or mentioned endometriosis. My sister had it, I think. I just know my mother had ovarian cancer at the age of like 35. I was like 10-11. That's what scares me..the pain, never finding anything and then this. Of course, research I've done shows I'm too young to have ovarian cancer BUT my mother had a regular pap and they were like OMG it's all gotta go! So I am not too sure about 'research'. Even if the CA125 finds endometriosis, at least it'll be a path to somewhere. Because I have GERD and migraines the only thing I've been able to take it Avione. EVERYTHING else made me pregnant (it seemed) or with Depo I have a solid cycle for 7 months straight.

Laney - Thanks! i'm feeling a little better today, but one day at a time, right? I know I have to be careful with any painkiller (my GERD and I just have a fear of becoming addicted...lol).

Thank you both. It's great to finally have someone to understand what I've been going through.

[JandaB]

I'm probably not going to be much help.  But you did mention having a CA125 test.  I know from personal experience that that test can be pretty unreliable.  For someone your age it will be used as a marker to see if things improve or stay the same.  If you do happen to have Endometriosis as Laney mentioned - that test can come back high.  I had a CA125 test done during an urgent care visit for extreme abdominal pain.  It came back 2857.  It turned out to be a rupurted Endometrioma.  If the BC pills work for the pain then I don't see any harm in going on them short term (though I don't know about the type you were prescribed) till you see your GYN. I  took YAZ for awhile years ago for extreme menstraul pain and it helped a great deal.

[Laney8463]

Hi there,
If they say you have a cyst, that is enough to cause pain. There are normal cysts that happen to most women monthly with their cycle, and then there are those little devils that can wreak havoc with our bodies... They can bleed into themselves (hemorrhagic cysts) and they can burst and cause extreme pain. It can take a couple weeks for the pain to settle down. Have you ever had endometriosis? That too can be very painful. I think you are on the right track to seek medical advice and get a good physical exam.
Usually when a cyst is the size of yours the doc will repeat the ultrasound in 4-8 weeks to make sure it has resolved. 99% of cysts are of no concern.
I hope you are feeling better and getting some rest. When I get those types of pain, I take Advil. Its a great anti inflammatory and usually helps me. Careful with the oxycodone, it can cause constipation. If you continue to need it, get an over the counter stool softener like Colace. Also, take it with food so it doesn't upset your stomach...
Let us know how you are doing
Laney