Do's & Don't & surgery.

[Rose337]

Hi.
I just found out last week I have some small cysts on the right ovary. The family doctor is not concerned about those because they come and go all the time. She is concerned about the left side. It is 3.9 inches. Size of a tennis ball. What are the do's and don't for self care at home? I'll find out at my next appointment what she wants to do. My guess is surgery. Will she remove just the cyst? Or the cyst and ovary? What do I need to avoid doing so it doesn't burst? Anything I should or shouldn't eat? Any chance it grew more? I'm wondering how fast it grows,... as to how long I've had it. Will the cysts on the right side grow? This is my first time. It is not cancerous. Thanks.

[Rose337]

Hi.

Thanks.  I'll eat a little more fiber foods at a time and fruit too. I noticed at first, it was pain off and on. Now it is constant but not a bad pain.

[MarieMichele]

I'm not a big fan of fiber foods and you have to eat a lot to get benefit from them.  I chewed Fiber Choice tablets (they taste like candy, so this is easy).  One in the morning and one at bedtime.  Start with one a day rather than the two I just mentioned to see what effect you get.  You don't want too much of an effect or you'll be visiting the bathroom too often!  Among the fiber foods I do like are shredded wheat breakfast cereals, lettuce salads, fruits/vegetables, but again it's hard to get the right quantity to get the benefits.  With the Fiber Choice tablets, you are assured to get the results you need.

The leg pain could be referred pain from the ovary.  They press on things and send pain signals to the strangest places.  Sometimes it could be a swollen lymph node that is the culprit.  It is just guesswork.

[Rose337]

Sorry. I have another question. I noticed today when I walk,... the very top part of my leg is tender when I walk. The very top close to where the ovary is. I don't know if it is just a pulled leg muscle, or the ovary, or the cyst is pushing on something. Is this common? Thanks.

[Rose337]

Thanks for the reply. I'm so glad to know those symptoms are common.  That makes sense about the bladder.  It is annoying though. This cyst will explain many things, because I wasn't feeling quite right last month. Now I know why. I can't think of any foods that will do that. I'll start eating more fiber though. Any fiber foods you recommend?  I'm looking forward to my next appointment to hear what the doctor says, and what the cyst is doing... the size and what it is affecting. Yet, I'm nervous because I'm scared if I need surgery. Thanks again for being here to help. I appreciate it. Would you might if I add you as a friend?

[MarieMichele]

Those symptoms are fairly common for cysts.  As for sleeping, no special instructions.  Whatever is most comfortable.  Not sure of the bladder location but the urinary tract is close to the affected areas and could even cause a urinary "accident".  No constipation?  That was my worst problem and I had to ramp up the fiber in my food to get through the day.  I would say avoid foods that constipate you if  you know of any.

[Rose337]

Hi.
Wow! That must have felt strange being able to feel the food go through. Yes, it is sore at washroom visits. I also find I urine more frequently... which is annoying especially on walks. I get headaches and I feel tired at times too. I feel full fast. My dr said feeling full is normal because the cyst is pushing on things. What all is it pushing on? Bladder? Which side is the bladder? I think I'll be safe with bowling. The league starts on Sept. 3rd. My next ultrasound is Sept. 10th. My next Family Dr. app is Sept. 23rd. I'm nervous but what to know what is going on since my last ultrasound on Aug 10th. I feel thirsty too. Is there any foods I should avoid? When my side is sore, is it safe to put my hand on my side... at home of course? Is it ok to sleep on my sides? Thanks and thanks for the reply.

[MarieMichele]

Well a friend of mine who had a cyst that was just a "watch and wait" refused to bowl when invited to a company event.  Not sure if she was being over cautious or what.  I would think jiggly exercise like horseback riding would be far worse on a cyst.

They can probably save the ovary if you request it and if the cyst has not completely surrounded it.  Are you having any bowel or bladder issues?  Cysts can press on both making it more difficult (bowel) or too easy (bladder) to have a normal bathroom visit.  Sometimes that is what the soreness is.  I actually felt food moving through my digestive system when it passed through the areas getting pressure by the cyst.  Not fun.

[Rose337]

Hi.
Thanks for the reply. It helped me understand more.  I'm feeling better about it too.  I'm 29 and this is the first time I've had one. I'm 5 ft, 107 lb.  There isn't much space in me for it to grow. The doctor mentioned birth control pills can help shrink it. If possible though, I would rather have the surgery. That way I know for sure it is gone. Being 29, will they remove the ovary too?  I signed back up to my bowling league. It is 5 pin. Am I able to bowl?  The exercise I do is walking and stairs. I'm making sure I don't lift anything heavy. It started to hurt more the past two days. Now, it is sore every time I lean forward. Could that mean it grew?  I have some of the other symptoms I read online. I'm also glad it is not cancerous and the doctor can help me. Thanks.

[MarieMichele]

It is possible to remove cysts and preserve the ovary, if you want to have it saved, assuming no serious damage has been done to it.  Older women often opt to remove the ovary to prevent cysts from returning, or the doctor may strongly recommend it (this is more for those that finished menopause).  No one can say for certain whether the cysts you have now will grow further and there's no set rule for growth rate vs. time.  The larger one, more likely.  The smaller ones, less likely. They have a better chance of going away on their own.

The greater concern is that the larger one causes the ovary/tube to twist (that would be an emergency) and the pain would be unbearable so you'd know something was wrong.  It's probably wise not to do anything too strenuous or athletic (no olympic training!)  That doesn't mean sit around like a statue, just don't overdo physical activity, especially if you feel pain.  As to whether they might rupture, that seems to be something that happens on its own, and hopefully not with that larger one.  Removal is probably the best treatment option, most likely by laparoscopic surgery.  

That larger cyst is close to the size of the one I had, and I could have been living with it (unknown) for as long as 3 years without incident other than symptoms I attributed to my age, so don't stress about it too much.