waiting to exhale...

[AnotherMother]

i'm 54 and will find out CA 125 on Tues.for 5.6x4x3.5 ovarian cyst with 2 projections possible mucinous by TVUS. I'm having pressure and low back pain.  I am not sleeping well.  My family doc gave me some Xanax, but I am afraid to take it while working/driving.  I am a teacher and am having trouble concentrating.  Nearest oncology/gynecologist is 3 hours away.  I have 2 trips planned in November and don't know if I'll be able to or should go.   Having panic attacks and probably will have one on Tuesday...trying not to, but it seems like I can't control it.  Any help/prayers appreciated. Stressed out mess.

[AnotherMother]

Thanks for all of the great advice and support.  My CEA was 9 which is OK. My general blood work was fine.  I am going to see a gyn onc for a second opinion in the city (good excuse to go shopping!).  I really don't want to possibly hear a different opinon, but I know that logically I should do it.  I like the doc I went to and feel good about his abilities.  The plan is to do a lap assisted vag hyster during my Christmas break.  I feel better, but I know that there still is a chance of cancer, but not as great as before.  It seems sad to me to lose my uterus.  I did have my hubby drive me there. I really put him through the wringer this week.  We are both exhausted.

[Sharon2714]

w0w u got some great responses from some of the veteran "cysters"
putting in my two cents .. i have too much experience with anxiety and i pray
u not to worry ... please consider having a friend or family member drive with u to the
gyn onc (i always took a co piloit LOL) ... my doc was 3.5 hrs away and so worth it for
the peace of mind and professionalism
god richly bless u
love
sharon

[Sandymac]

I know how frightening this waiting is ! Trudie has good advice regarding the Xanax... or if you are still reluctant to take in the day time, try just taking at night so you can get a good nights sleep.

Just know that we've been through this and know exactly how you feel.. And remember that the CA-125 is not 100% accurate even in postmenopausal women. There are a lot of things that can elevate the "numbers".. When is your next appt? Please let us know what your Dr. is suggesting .. I , too, am postmenopausal and the Dr. still suggested monitoring the cyst for a few months .. I chose not to go that route especially since the Dr. wanted to take a look at a few fibroids (which I shouldn't have had) and some fluid in the uterus. All this to say, we did the ovary removal, and tube removal. All was fine as I'm sure yours will be also..

Take care and try not to worry,
Sandy

[TrudieC]

I'm so sorry you are going through this.  Heed Valerie's advice.  The waiting and worrying is the worse.  For your nerves try taking half of a Xanax when you are at work and take a whole one in the evening before bed so you can get some sleep.   Concentrate on your breathing - take deep breaths.  When home try bubble baths.  Drink some green tea or Earl Grey tea (I find the oil of bergamot in it very relaxing).  You will get through this and be fine.

[vallieanne]

Your doctor is doing all the routine test associated with ovarian cyst. Women of any age can and do get cysts, and cysts are not uncommon even if your post-menopausal.  Ovarian cysts are 95% benign, so let that be of some relief to you. A Ca-125 can have false positives in pre-menopausal women from conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, ect. For women that are post-menopausal it can be somewhat more accurate, but there are women that have had negative results that have had malignancies. It's real value is in women that have already been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and it's used to get a baseline prior to chemo and after their rounds to see how the particular drugs are working for them.
The only way to be certain if there is any cancer is to have surgery and find out the pathology results.
In the Heath pages link on the top right of the main page of the Ovarian Cyst forum you will find a lot of helpful information about the different types of ovarian cysts.
The symptoms that you have are quite common for ovarian cysts and most of us here have had them along with some other ones.
Try to relax, get all the information you need so you can ask your doctor any questions regarding your tests. Your cysts aren't that big, and if you decide to have surgery you will most likely be able to have a laparoscopy which has a lot shorter recovery time that a laparotomy as they are small enough to remove that way. I  just had one on Oct.6 to remove 2 growths, one on each ovary. I'm only a year older than you and both of them were benign, and were being watched for several years to see if they would shrink when I went into menopause. Because they didn't I had them removed and one turned out to be a rather rare Brenner tumor, which it never showed up as on any of my TV/US tests. The other  was an endometrioma, and my surgeon removed both ovaries and fallopian tubes as they were the cause of a lot of back pain for me. It's just about 3 weeks ago and I'm almost recovered now.
I think it is wise to follow up with a gyn/ono even if it's a bit far to get to. The reason is they have several extra years of training and know exactly what to do for the best outcome for you. I had one on call during my surgery. You don't have to have a cancer diagnosis to have one do a surgery and if anything suspicious is found, they know how to remove it safely.
Read the cyst info, remember most cysts are 95% benign, and try to relax a little.  The women here have all been or are going through what you are so you've come to a good place for support and information.
Good luck and keep us posted on your results.
Valerie