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Totally NOT MMR: Ovarian Cyst. Is my GYN crazy???
I know you aren't MDs, so all I'm asking for is anybody with any experience with this to help ease my mind and confirm what I think I need to do, which is to get a second medical opinion.
History: Around Christmas 2014, I had a lot of bad lower back pain on my left side and went to a chiropractor for the first time. I went for about 3 weeks and got relief. She asked me to watch and see if my back pain was more intense around my period and explained that the ovaries are attached to ligaments, which are supported inside the pelvis and the pelvis obviously affects the back as it is part of the back. So, I paid more attention to my body and realized that my back pain was indeed more intense during my period.
Then, I began getting consistent pain in my lower left side of my pelvis. It would come and go, but always in the same spot. If you're familiar with the pain scale, it was about a 2-3, so only mildly uncomfortable. This was in January and February.
But, the pain was becoming more prevalent in the pelvic area, so in March I opted to see one of the GYNs in my practice. He wasn't my first choice doc to see, but I was kind of desperate to get an answer to my pain, which was now coming nearly daily and at times was probably a 5-6 on the pain scale. So, I said I'd see him.
He examined me and found nothing. So, he ordered an ultrasound. I had that and the tech did it on my tummy as well as internally and looked at both ovaries and my uterus. She said that I have a cyst on my left ovary that is 9.2cm, but because it's less than 10cm, they consider that to be normal. I'm pretty sure they said it was clear also.
In follow-up with the GYN, he said I had two choices. #1 Go to see a gastroenterologist because maybe I have a bowel issue. #2. Have him do a laparoscopic surgery to go inside and see if I have endometriosis.
Going under general anesthesia for the laparoscopic procedure isn't my cup of tea and while I DID schedule the operation, DH and I decided in the mean time for me to go to a gastroenterologist to cross my "t's" and dot my "i's" before being cut open (even minimally). In short, I saw the gastro doc and had a colonoscopy two days ago (SO not fun), which came back absolutely normal. The doc even took random biopsies of colon tissues to test for microscopic signs of colitis and cancer. All normal.
So, basically, I'm back to choice #1, which is the laparoscopic procedure with the GYN, scheduled for May 8th. But, today I've had left lower pelvic pain all day and as high as a 7. Tonight even laying in bed it hurt and then I felt a burning/hot sensation in the ovary area. Now, I'm thinking I have met with a quack GYN and that I do indeed have an ovary issue, which is what I've said to him all along.
I'm going to call the GYN office tomorrow morning and confirm that ultrasound result of 9.2cm and then move out the lap procedure even further into June and then call a totally different GYN office for a second opinion. I'm feeling a bit emotional...
Has something like this ever happened to you? Thanks.
Re: Totally NOT MMR: Ovarian Cyst. Is my GYN crazy???
I haven't had the exact same experience but something similar. I get a very sharp pain in my left side quite frequently, at times when it's really bad it's noticably harder and almost swollen like. It especially hurts when I sneeze or cough, which is odd. I got this pain really bad in high school to the point where I couldn't walk or move and we thought it was my appendix so I went to the ER where they *guess* it's something to do with when ovulate, so I got put on birth control to help. It hasn't done a whole lot and I've switched it around to try new ones a lot. I mentioned this to my GYN and he said it was nothing to worry about it. Luckily he's retired and I see a new doctor next week so I'm going to bring it up then. For now I'm just dealing with the pain, but I'm really hoping the next doc takes me seriously.
I would absolutely seek a second opinion before moving forward with the exploratory surgery. Even if it's just to ease your mind that you've done everything you can. I would call around today to see if you can get in with any other office/doctor.
If you aren't comfortable with any doctor, find another one. You may need a follow up ultrasound.. I've lost both of the ovaries to cysts. One in my early 20's and the other just this past summer. The first one I had was a kind that grew very quickly and the pain level increased quickly. It went from, a you should have this checked out by my regular phyisican during my regular exam, to a week later at the ultrasound, you need to have laposcopic surgery to two weeks later when I finally got into a gyno office that you need to have major surgery. Then withing two weeks from that point when I had surgery it was already the size of a four month old fetus. My doctor said had I not had it removed, it would have continued to grow to the point where I would look like I was 9 months pregro. So within a 6 week period approximately I went from intense monthly pain when my period came to I'm doubled over in pain on the floor.
Thanks to all. I am calling the GYN office this morning to confirm those ultrasound results from back in March that the cyst was/is indeed quite large. And then, I'm going to call another GYN office and try to get in.
My pain didn't go away at all last night even with shifting positions and it's with me this morning - all of this is a marked increase in the persistence and level of pain since December.
If you feel uncomfortable, I would definitely get a second opinion. You are talking about your reproductive system and I would take that very serious. I don't recall if you have children or want them, etc.
I'm glad you are getting a second opinion and so sorry to hear about the medical problems you are having. I hope everything goes well and am sending out my prayers and good wishes.
Wow! I wanted to give you all an update on this female health issue. After my testing on April 21st with the gastroenterologist, which was normal, I was supposed to have that laparoscopy on May 8th with the regular OB/GYN doctor - he was the one who I wasn't a huge fan of.
Anyway, I ended up cancelling my surgery and I found a doctor who specializes in GYN problems. I had that appointment the 11th.
He redid the ultrasound and his tech who has 30 years of experience discovered two things the previous doctor's office had missed. And, what's even better, I have a diagnosis and a path moving forward!
The tech discovered that I have adneomyosis, which is when the interior lining of the uterus grows through the uterine wall and appears on the outside of the organ as little blisters. As it is uterine tissue, it behaves as such. As my body cycles each month, the tissue fills with blood and then erupts into my body rather than draining out as it should via my girl parts during my period.
This disease has also caused my uterus to be enlarged - 2/3 larger than it should be. If my fist is the normal size of my uterus, my uterus is my fist plus 2/3 of my fist and it's continuing to enlarge! The other news is that the uterus is expanding posteriorly- toward my back, which is why I have the bad lower back pain and extreme sciatica!!!
My doctor said that 95% of women with adneomyosis also have endometriosis. Now, I have a laparoscopy scheduled for the end of May to treat the adeno/endo and to stage both (determine how extensive they are).
Thanks for all your input and encouragement to see a new doctor! It was well worth it. And please, take it from me, always get a second opinion if you're unsure or uncomfortable with your doctor.
Best of luck moving forward!
Love: March 2010 Marriage: July 2013 Debt Free: October 2014 TTC: May 2015