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Should I take matters into my own hands? 5CM CYST AT 18
Hey guys! I am very new to this community but I am posting this here because I'm in dire need of answers as well as comfort. I am 18 years old and 5'10'', weighing roughly 115 lbs.
To start off, I am very good at reading my body and what it tells me -- but I often neglect what it is saying. A prime example happened earlier this year in February. I was hospitalized due to a Kidney Infection that showed NO SIGNS and left with medicine. Two days later I felt the EXACT SAME PAIN, but told myself that it was almost impossible to be an infection, I mean I had just left the hospital. Well, a 107 degree fever and another hospital stay proved both myself and the doctors wrong as my infection had turned septic.
So there are two morals of the story:
1. I need to react to my body a little better
2. And sometimes, the doctors can overlook the minor things
I say this lighthearted, but I am almost certain that this cyst I have is more of an issue than everyone is putting it out to be!
I have a 4.9cm x 3.7cm simple cyst on my left ovary. It was found while I was hospitalized and was only 3cm x 1cm, thus proving that it is active AND growing. This cyst has also been causing me EXTREME pain. I am one to handle pain pretty well. Not only did I go a couple days with a kidney infection but ever since I was 14 I have had painful, painful periods -- diagnosed with dysmenorrhea. This pain is persistent throughout the day. Earlier this March it would be once a week, maybe even once every two weeks -- but it is progressing.
After a second ultrasound confirmed that it is growing and not going away on it's own, I was prescribed with low-dosage birth control pills to see if that would help, even though my gyno is not too optimistic.
Next stage if the cyst does not recede would be a laparoscopy. I am comfortable with the fact that this may be necessary, and my gyno is certain that the surgery would be successful. My gyno though, understandably, wants to only do surgery as a last resort due to my age and size.
The thing is, though, that this pain is impeding on my daily life now. I am unable to sleep due to discomfort, I can't keep food down, I can't focus in class -- it's absolutely awful.
I guess what I want to know is if I should push for surgery. Not necessarily pushing the surgery but the symptoms that I have. I am extremely cautious of this cyst do to the fact that the BRCA genes do run in my family, my mom being a DCIS survivor. The growth seems to bother no one BUT me. The pain seems to bother no one BUT me.
I feel alone, scared, and helpless. What were your experiences with your large cysts? Did you feel similar pain? Please, any advice or words of support you can provide would help VERY much!
Thank you!
To start off, I am very good at reading my body and what it tells me -- but I often neglect what it is saying. A prime example happened earlier this year in February. I was hospitalized due to a Kidney Infection that showed NO SIGNS and left with medicine. Two days later I felt the EXACT SAME PAIN, but told myself that it was almost impossible to be an infection, I mean I had just left the hospital. Well, a 107 degree fever and another hospital stay proved both myself and the doctors wrong as my infection had turned septic.
So there are two morals of the story:
1. I need to react to my body a little better
2. And sometimes, the doctors can overlook the minor things
I say this lighthearted, but I am almost certain that this cyst I have is more of an issue than everyone is putting it out to be!
I have a 4.9cm x 3.7cm simple cyst on my left ovary. It was found while I was hospitalized and was only 3cm x 1cm, thus proving that it is active AND growing. This cyst has also been causing me EXTREME pain. I am one to handle pain pretty well. Not only did I go a couple days with a kidney infection but ever since I was 14 I have had painful, painful periods -- diagnosed with dysmenorrhea. This pain is persistent throughout the day. Earlier this March it would be once a week, maybe even once every two weeks -- but it is progressing.
After a second ultrasound confirmed that it is growing and not going away on it's own, I was prescribed with low-dosage birth control pills to see if that would help, even though my gyno is not too optimistic.
Next stage if the cyst does not recede would be a laparoscopy. I am comfortable with the fact that this may be necessary, and my gyno is certain that the surgery would be successful. My gyno though, understandably, wants to only do surgery as a last resort due to my age and size.
The thing is, though, that this pain is impeding on my daily life now. I am unable to sleep due to discomfort, I can't keep food down, I can't focus in class -- it's absolutely awful.
I guess what I want to know is if I should push for surgery. Not necessarily pushing the surgery but the symptoms that I have. I am extremely cautious of this cyst do to the fact that the BRCA genes do run in my family, my mom being a DCIS survivor. The growth seems to bother no one BUT me. The pain seems to bother no one BUT me.
I feel alone, scared, and helpless. What were your experiences with your large cysts? Did you feel similar pain? Please, any advice or words of support you can provide would help VERY much!
Thank you!
I have chronic pain for other reasons - I use a TENS unit and a cannabis-based topical salve (available for purchase online) to manage pelvic pain. They both help me a lot. You may be able to ask your doctor for stronger pain medications., or (if you're in a state or country where it's legal) a recommendation for medical marijuana.
As for surgery, definitely get it laproscopically once you get it. My mom had a full incision made for her cyst removal at 19 and it hurt to so much as laugh for weeks afterwards.
As for surgery, definitely get it laproscopically once you get it. My mom had a full incision made for her cyst removal at 19 and it hurt to so much as laugh for weeks afterwards.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm sorry you're dealing with this. We all seem to be different as to the size of cysts and the pain we experience. I had a 9.5cm cyst and had only one day of pain and then it subsided.
It's true that you do not want to have surgery unless it is necessary. And your cyst is simple and on the small size so it will likely resolve on its own. But of course one can only sustain the pain for so long. So you're in a crappy situation. If you do end up having surgery, you will definitely want to be sure the surgeon has done many cystectomies (cyst removals) so that your ovary is preserved. Not only can removal of one ovary impair fertility, it has also been proven by studies to increase risk for some health problems such as cognitive impairment, dementia, parkinsonism and colon cancer.
Best of luck to you. Please keep us posted.
It's true that you do not want to have surgery unless it is necessary. And your cyst is simple and on the small size so it will likely resolve on its own. But of course one can only sustain the pain for so long. So you're in a crappy situation. If you do end up having surgery, you will definitely want to be sure the surgeon has done many cystectomies (cyst removals) so that your ovary is preserved. Not only can removal of one ovary impair fertility, it has also been proven by studies to increase risk for some health problems such as cognitive impairment, dementia, parkinsonism and colon cancer.
Best of luck to you. Please keep us posted.
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