Ovarian cyst and pain. Do I just have to wait?

[GeorgianMumto5]

After a couple of years of heavy periods, a year of random bleeding and being prescribed different contraceptives (which don't seem to help much and which come with their own set of problems), I recently found a gp willing to send me for a pelvic us. Unfortunately she forgot to refer me. I called back and enquired and finally got the referral.

Found out I have an 8cm cyst on my left ovary. Couldn't get a gp follow-up app't for another 3 weeks but ended up in pain, so got an emergency app't. That gp said it was a 'chocolate cyst', which will need removing. She will refer me to a gynaecologist, who will refer me for an operation. The gynae referral will take 4-5 weeks.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't mind the wait (I've been waiting this long - why hurry now?), but since I have quite a lot of pain in my hip, I'm a bit fed up. The pain affects how I walk, how far I walk, how far I can drive, how long I can stand or sit for.

So my question is, is that how long I have to wait and should I just put up with it? It may be worse at the moment because of my period, but given they last 2-3 weeks (sometimes more), that's a long time to wait until it eases.

[GeorgianMumto5]

Anyone?

[Pandsbear]

Sorry to hear all this, sounds grim. If it is a chocolate cyst (rather than any other sort of cylical cyst) it is also called an endometrioma - and is caused by endometriosis. If this is the case then you really will need to see a gynae and hopefully one with some specialism of endometriosis as it is likely that you might not 'just' have a chocolate cyst but some endometriosis deposits. The pain in your hip, heavy periods, random bleeding are all associated symptoms. Has the GP said anything about endometriosis to you?

The only way to formally diagnose is with a laparoscopy but having a chocolate cyst is fairly clear. (I only know all this as this is almost exactly what happened to me and how I was diagnosed.)

Might be worth having a look at endo site.

[digerd]

My DD had an ordinary cyst, with erratic periods, but did not have pain or endo.

She was told to wait 6 weeks and have another scan when it had shrunk to a dot.

[orangeflutie]

Hi I've had three cysts removed, the first was found through an exploratory laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) which was done at thesame time as an endometrial ablation procedure for very heavy periods. All my cysts have been as a result of endometriosis.

Unfortunately there is often around an 18 week wait for surgery to remove cysts, although it does depend on how busy the hospital is near where you live. It is horrible because the pain really gets you down. In the meantime see if you can see your doctor about pain relief. I was also advised that if the pain suddenly worsened to get myself to A and E in case the cyst had ruptured.

If your periods are dragging on for 2 -3 weeks be careful you don't become anaemic. You can get tranexamic acid from the doctor to slow down the bleeding and norethisterone to stop your period if it shows no sign of stopping.

Hope this helps x

[GeorgianMumto5]

Ah, I spent 6 months of last year being anaemic. I can't take the tranexamic acid because of a blood-clotting disorder that I have. Keep taking paracetamol and occasionally paracetamol and codeine, but it doesn't seem to really touch it.

Apparently the lining of my uterus is normal. GP was expecting it not to be, so I suppose that's something.

Thanks for the replies.

[orangeflutie]

Totally agree with you in that the pain is awful and 'normal' otc painkillers don't touch it. Although I believe I currently have no cysts ( my left ovary was removed at my request due to all the cysts being on that side), I have pain again which is due to endometriosis and probably adhesions from the surgeries

The best pain relief I've had is the oramorph you get in hospital but unfortunately you can't function on it on a daily basis lol.

[GeorgianMumto5]

Maybe not then, orangeflutie

What's puzzling me now is, how come I've suddenly added endo to my list of ailments? Obviously that's a rhetorical question - don't we all wonder that, eh?

[Mamf74]

I was diagnosed with 2 endometriomas (or one massive one, the scanning lady was unsure). As I was too heavy for surgery my gynae took a Wait and Monitor approach, and I was also put onto Depo Provera jabs for the endo and cyst.

Was prescribed Co-Dydramol and Buscopan for the pain, tbh the painkillers were too strong so used them at night and otc co-codamol during the day. The biggest breakthrough though was the Buscopan, bloody marvellous and really helped. It's cheap as chips too, and as they contain no painkillers they work with anything.

It appears now that the endometrioma(s) has gone from being 12 and 8cm to "not visible" on my scan last week. Only half believe it, as scanner told me she had no endo experience but the jabs are seemingly helping.

So, I would try and Chase up your gp and gynae (could you get a private referral? My gynae does private practice and nhs work) but I think a laparoscopy is the way forward, simply because it will diagnose any endo at the same time as sorting the cyst.

It is a massive pita though, and you truly have my sympathies. Hope you get some relief soon.

[GeorgianMumto5]

That sounds like good news, Mamf74!

I was wondering about a private referral, but I have no health policy or anything and don't know where to start.