Ovarian cyst

[Shoegal0305]

I started a separate thread but it appears to have dried up so forgive me I'm starting another.

I have had ongoing heavy periods for a while, diagnosed with a cyst on left ovary 4 years ago, was 3.5-4.5cm and was discharged from gynae after a 'watch and wait' period. It was s fluid filled cyst they weren't concerned.

Bloods last week show I'm slightly anaemic. Scan yesterday showed cyst again on left ovary 5cm, and according to sonographer a 'bulky uterus'. I am awaiting a further apt for a vaginal scan to examine in more detail. Spoke to GP she said to address the anaemia, take over the counter iron tablets (I'm on it!). She said she would ring me when she gets scan results as they obviously hadn't reached her as it was only hours after.

I have crippling health anxiety so all of this is amplified. I'm a single parent so all this is amplified. I am alone during the night when I wake up and my mind runs riot so all this is amplified. My beloved elderly cat died this week so my emotions are everywhere. I'm convinced I'm peri menopausal as having all those symptoms too!!! I am a bit of a mess right now.

I'm petrified at the prospect of having to have a GA! Never had one so not sure where fear comes from. It's a proper, real fear. If this cyst needs removing or worse I need a hysterectomy (jumping the gun????) I'm petrified!!! If anyone can help????? How do I get my head around it all? I'm sorry if I sound needy but like I say I don't have anyone in real life who's there to help! I have friends but they have their own lives and problems. Thanks for reading. X

Hey op, didn't want to read without any advice but I'm no expert. (I have PCOS)
A cyst like that I'd imagine they would treat with the pill or some form of contraception, hopefully someone else will come along to correct me if I'm wrong. I really don't think a hysterectomy is likely.

Cysts are fairly common and usually they watch and wait.

A GA actually feels quite lovely, nothing to be afraid of if you ever have one. Just like gently falling asleep. When you wake up you can feel shivery and cold, but it's not a terrible experience.

What kind of iron are you taking?

Thedog (love the name!) thank you. I'm just taking some iron and multi vitamin tablets I bought in the supermarket, can't remember the brand name. My bloods were only ever so slightly down so GP happy with this?

I think park of health anxiety is obviously imagining the worse and I think it's in my personality to overthink and almost always expect the worst!

I'm just so bloody scared! Cancer? GA? God it's all in there going round my head!!! And it's the loneliest place in the world on your own in the middle of the night. I envy people who have husbands and partners, or even family close by. I don't. My friends are fantastic but they can't be with me all the time. I'm trying to keep busy and I work but it's when I'm on
My own! X

Doc also has put me on the mini pill about 8 weeks ago.

It's OK to feel anxious so don't beat yourself up for it. If you accept it, it will be easier to deal with. No shame of being afraid of a GA. What you need to tell yourself is that most health care workers are lovely and respectful of such anxieties. They would take you through it step by step at your speed. They can give statistics about it that will show you that GA are very safe. I was inquiring about it once through my work and spoke to an anaesthetics who said that even if you needed one once a week, you'd be fine.

Hopefully you'll get the results soon and it will put your mind at rest. Remember that it's common to feel as you do. I was a wreck when I found a lump in my breast until results came back OK. I'd kept it all to myself (and oh) until I mentioned it afterwards and found out many of my friends/colleagues had gone through the same thing and I realised too late it would have helped to talk about it.

Thank you swing xx

Anyone else?

I have health anxiety, too. Not in my head - I can be perfectly rational, but my stomach goes on strike. Can't eat. My lovely GP put me on a low-dose anti-depressant and valium for special occasions. It made a LOT of difference.

I had to have a full abdominal hysterectomy plus ovaries 4 years ago. My only previous surgery was tonsils out aged 6, back in the dark ages. I'm a lot older than you. Before the surgery, I focused on how lovely it would be to get it over. And it was. I can't remember the recovery room. I woke up in a bed by the window, overlooking the Thames, on a beautiful summer evening. One of the best memories of my life. I think the fentanyl epidural they'd put me on for post-op pain might have had something to do with that! Wish I could wake up in such a good mood everyday.

My worry beforehand centred on minor things. Would the cab come to pick me up at the right time? Would the op be cancelled? When I arrived in the 'surgical lounge' it was a relief. Out of my hands. The staff were all so kind and sympathetic.

So get some help now, try to divert your fears to trivia and focus on the long term, when you'll be feeling so much better than you do now.

Good luck!

I've had two large cysts removed surgically - one under GA and one during my c-section under a spinal. Both fine and recovery wasn't too bad at all. No long-term issues and they were 15 years apart which isn't a bad hit rate really.

I had an ovarian cyst. They drained it first, but it refilled. I was ttc without success so they agreed to remove it. It was 28cm when removed. The GA was fine, I've literally had 10+ and they've never been a problem. You will get a pre op appointment where you can discuss your fears over GA, and chat to the anaesthetist on the day. They will put you at ease over any fears.

Thank you all 3 if you who replied. You've all said things that help. It's a proper fear. Of course there's not even any guarantee it will need removing yet? But that's me! Jumping the gun and imagining the worst!! 😊

Cysts are very common.
I was told they aren't concerned / won't do anything with a cyst smaller than 6cm.

I was in a similar position a few months back. I went to the GP's for bloating, they found a large mass above my belly button. Confirmed with USS and CT Scan. It wasn't definite where it was coming from, but ovarian mass was suspected. It was a fluid filled cyst.

I have health anxiety and all sorts was running through my mind. I'd never had a GA and was dreading it. In July, I was offered an operation just to remove the cyst but I asked for a hysterectomy and ovary removal as it was a huge cut from pelvis to 2 inches above navel, so I said I'd rather just have everything out as peri-menopausal anyway and didn't want more children. Consultant was more than happy to do this.

Three weeks later, I was given date for surgery. Op went fine. I only stayed in one night. Cyst was 25cm long, 5 litres fluid was drained and it weighed 17lbs. I was so nervous going in but surgery was over before I knew it. Staff were amazing Care was absolutely fantastic. I've never had a bad experience in the NHS to be honest. Always been impressed. I got my histology results two weeks later . It was a serous cystadenoma and some fibroids. No signs of any malignancy, so all benign.

I recovered from the hysterectomy quite quickly and felt almost back to normal within 2 weeks, apart from not lifting anything heavy for 3 months and some bad bloating by nighttime.

Anyway I hope you get sorted soon x

Wow Meredith 25cm!! Huge! So glad to hear a happy story. Glad you're now well xxx

Had a sleepless night just feeling so anxious!!!

Anyone?

You prob oh need to get some help ASAP for your HA because starting repeat threads and seeking constant opinions won't help ultimately. You'll be reassured momentarily and then you'll hit a bad patch an hour later and will be back asking for more reassurance and the cycle continues

I do understand how you feel but you need to see the doctor about the real issue here which is the HA

Sorry if that sounds a bit abrupt! I know HA is horrible

Minty it doesn't sound abrupt at all you are right! I think it's the fact that I'm alone a lot and that's when everything is amplified. X

I've had a giant ovarian cyst removed (5weeks ago tomorrow). I had both laparoscopy and laparotomy & have dissolvable stitches. The glue has all come off but the stitches remain. I'm 22 weeks pregnant...bump is growing! My question is around putting cream on my tummy and when it will be ok to do so? Anyone have experience of this?