medical issue, anyone have any advice for this?

[Lani]

I don’t know if this is TMI or weird but I really need to get this off my chest. I’ve been having some medical issues going on lately and today I went to take a CT scan and found out I have a very large ovarian cyst that is leaking fluid. I’ve just been emotionally overwhelmed and just needed to get it out, and I know I can trust you guys not to judge or be rude about it. While my mom and my bf have been very understanding, my brother’s been a huge jerk, saying it’s “not that bad”, which doesn’t help me feel any better about it. I’m pretty much in constant pain right now, there is no position that feels comfortable. I’m not allowed to do anything except lie around in order to prevent the chance of the cyst bursting. I’ve been dealing with the pain for over a week and other sypmtoms even longer so I’m very glad to finally know what’s going on but now I have to sit through the weekend without being able to talk to my doctor about what the next step is. The radiologist is the one who told me it’s a cyst but he couldn’t recommend the next step and so of course my mind is already reeling while I wait for my follow up on Monday. I’m scared I might have to have surgery to remove it. And I’m so sad because it’s very difficult/painful for me to sit or lay on the floor which means it’s really painful to spend time with Oreo. I could really use some QT with her but I just can’t do it for more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time.

Anyway, I’m kind of a mess right now so sorry if that didn’t make much sense. I guess I don’t really have a question or anything but if anyone has any suggestion or advice, I’m open to anything at this point. Plus I just needed to get away from my family and bf and tell someone else. I love that they are caring and compassionate but sometimes I just need to get away from it

[FluffyBunny]

I understand what you’re going through. In April of 2009, I was diagnosed as having a 6-inch bursting ovarian cyst. I was 80 pounds and 5’1″, so obviously, it took up a large amount of my belly. I was scared out of my mind, and even though I specifically requested the opposite, my father went on to tell everyone he knew…which just increased the stress. They seemed to be certain that it was advanced, spreading cancer from the very beginning, so I was immediately admitted to the hospital.

I had surgery a few days later and had to stay in the hospital for six days. All that time, the doctors were telling me that even if I didn’t have cancer, I probably had some other horrible untreatable medical problem. Needless to say, even though it turned out to be isolated and benign, I ultimately ended up having lasting mental problems because of all of it. Fortunately, I don’t have any physical problems anymore, so I’m thankful for that.

I’ve got a few tips for you:
-Make sure you ask your doctors (and get the truth!) about exactly what’s going on in your body. Also, make sure you’re always aware of all the treatment options for what you have. Don’t stay in the dark!
-Make sure you get plenty of support from the people you care about, but don’t stay around anyone who’s so concerned that it’s overwhelming.
-Don’t be afraid to get help with your bunnies and with your other responsibilities. There’s no shame in asking for help.

[LBJ10]

It will probably depend on how bad your doctor thinks it is. I have heard of doctors prescribing birth control pills for helping with cysts.

[Tate]

I get ’em too. Mine are completely “normal” meaning that they aren’t cancerous or anything. In fact, cysts are part of your body’s reproductive system… the egg is released via cyst! Sometimes, they just get too big. They are totally common and unfortunately, because of this, there isn’t too much to do about them. I had a few that burst and I had been prescribed Vicodin for whenever that happened. If these are the cysts you get, which is very likely that it is, I would suggest going on birth control or, if you’re on some right now, switch. I used Seasonique and it was the best ever. The only downside is that it’s expensive- $250 but you get 3 months at a time. Some Planned Parenthoods have them for free (they get them as samples so they can’t sell them) so you could always try there!

[Michelle&Lolli]

((((Hugs and vibes))))

I certainly don’t know what it’s like to have that kind of problem, but I’ve been dealing with my chronic pain for 3 years now. And I am beginning to notice since my surgery in December, that my pms-related “normal” back pain turns into severe pain with the sensations down my legs now. Regardless of the type of pain and medical issue, it’s never easy to deal with.

It’s normal to feel scared and overwhelmed. Don’t worry about Oreo. She knows you aren’t feeling good. Is there any way she could be brought to you on the couch or something for snuggles? Take some deeps breaths or just sit quietly and try to calm yourself when you get overwhelmed. Or…..just let it all out and bawl like a baby. I’ve done both over the past year. Each has helped me in its way. I am not one for meditating, but I have found that if I turn off all stimuli – computer, tv, etc. – and just sit quietly, it really does help to de-stress me when I’m feeling upset and overwhelmed.

And brothers are just bleepin bleeps. Insert whatever words you want. LOL My brother calls me a baby. ALways has and always will. BUT…..if your brother is anything like mine, if he had to suffer through this pain, he’d be curled up in the fetal position, crying. So keep that in mind.

And again……(((((HUGS)))))

[LoveChaCha]

Please let us know what happens

I’ve been having ovarian cysts the past 2 years. They turned out to be not an issue but caused pain. I recently went to the er because I woke up with a pain like someone was squeezing my woman regions >P I couldn’t breathe and practically crawled to my dad’s room.

It was a bladder infection and I have a small cyst.

It was a concern for me, as I don’t get cramps. When I do, its a real issue :-/. I take it seriously as my mom passed of ovarian cancer.

*sending vibes from me and Chacha bun* she can keep Oreo company!!

[LoveChaCha]

And questions and questions! Write down stuff beforehand! I did it with my mom and I do it before I see my doctor.

[Monkeybun]

I, too, get ovarian cysts now and then. Often, they get re-absorbed by the body, so it can be a temporary issue. Unless it is threatening to burst, it really shouldn’t be that big of a deal. Definitely talk to your doc.

[Kate Monster]

I have polycystic ovarian syndrome so I get lots and lots of cysts, birth control keeps them under control though. I haven’t had any get quite that bad, but they really do hurt like the dickens. I can’t really offer any advice that hasn’t been offered, mostly I opt for psychological comforts, muppet movies, tea, chocolate. I think things like that help if they improve your mood, they hurt less when your less stressed or maybe you’re just better able to deal.

[BearMom]

I’ve also had problems with cysts, so obviously you are not alone and you have lots of support! I went through pain for months in high school and they couldn’t find what was causing it – ultrasounds, x-rays, CT scans… you name it, they didn’t see anything! Some started doubting anything was really wrong, but I tell you, it hurt like hell! 

Eventually they did a laparoscopy, which is a very minor surgery that uses a TINY cut and they use a scope/lazer thing. I have one cut just inside my belly button and one on the lower left of my stomach. Turns out I had a cyst that was pretty large (not sure why the scans didn’t see it) and they drained it. A month later and I was in pain again – they did another ultrasound and found fluid indicating that another cyst had burst. Even if they do burst it’s not really dangerous or anything, just hurts like hell. But in a way it might be better because all the fluid comes out at once and can be absorbed, rather than a slow leaking of the fluid.

Anyway, the surgery really isn’t bad even if you have to have one. The laparoscopy is pretty much the standard surgery for this type of stuff. It’s quick and very little recovery time. You go home the same day from the hospital. Also, when I got my cysts my doctor put me on Depo Provera (the birth control shot) and it stopped the cysts 100%. I know that not everyone does well on that drug, but I (and a lot of people I know) love it! It stopped all the pain and you don’t have periods well on it! Wooohooo!

Ignore your brother – he has no idea what you are going through. Once the doctor figured out what was wrong with me she told me that the pain from cysts is a lot like the contractions felt during childbirth – so it is painful! But I’m sure they will get you fixed up soon and find a way to keep them from coming back.

[Lani]

Thanks for all the support and kind words! It really means a lot to me and its comforting to know that others have dealt with similar issues. Right now I’m mostly concerned because I was put on the pill about 3 years ago to help control cysts that were causing me other problems (but not this bad). It was a very successful 3 years, no issues until this. So of course I’m worried that this is one of those types of cysts that isn’t impacted by the pill, can’t remember the names of those. They did tell me that they have to do more tests to make sure its not leaking blood, which I don’t really know what that means in terms of type or seriousness   I guess the thing I should be very grateful for is that I absolutely trust my doctor. I’ve been seeing her for several years, since before I started having cyst issues, and we have a great relationship. I know that she’ll do everything she can and make sure I’m comfortable and understand everything. But I tend to have an overactive imagination that can get away from me about stuff like this and having the weekend to sit around and think is making me anxious. I never thought I’d be so anxious for the weekend to be over with!

Oreo has been remarkably patient today, so I guess she must sense something is up. I let her run between her room and mine while I tried to nap this afternoon, and she seemed satisfied with that, even though I wasn’t directly paying attention to her. As for my brother, well, he’ll probably always be that way even though I know he’s a big baby on the inside

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