Question about a persistent ovarian cyst

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Question about a persistent ovarian cyst
2
Fri, 01-16-2004 - 4:07pm
Hello everyone,

I'm hoping someone here has some experience with ovarian cysts. A little history: last August, I had a baby--a beautiful son, my second. Shortly after he was born, I developed a low-grade fever that would last for a couple days, go away, then come back. I also had cramping and abdominal discomfort. I'd had a c-section and expected a certain amount of discomfort, but this was more intense and persistent than it should have been at that point in my postpartum recovery (this was my 2nd c-section).

After visits to my primary care physician and OB, and an abdominal ultrasound, I learned I had an ovarian cyst. Two, actually. Nothing terribly serious but my OB wanted me to have another ultrasound the following month. A round of antibiotics later, my fever was gone for good too.

The following month (October), my u/s showed only one cyst where there had been two but apparently it was still enough to warrant further observation, so I had another u/s in November. At that point the cyst remained and was approx. 3cm in diameter. The doctor wanted to have another look in December since it wasn't bothering me and hadn't grown dramatically.

My December u/s showed it had grown to 3.6cm. I knew it was still there because I'd been getting little twinges on that side along with cramping and feelings of being full and bloated. The doctor gave me a few options:

1. Do a laparoscopy to see what's going on.

2. Put me on birth control pills to try to suppress the cyst.

3. Wait and do another u/s in another 4 weeks.

I don't want more surgery unless it's absolutely necessary, and I can't take birth control pills because I have chronic hypertension. It's controlled with meds but it still means hormonal methods of birth control are contra-indicated for me. So that leaves me with wait and see.

I asked the doctor what he'd do if he were me and he said he'd wait and see too. If it was larger or causing me more discomfort, he'd want to take a closer look sooner. So we left it at that for now. My u/s is scheduled for February 2.

Since our phone conversation, however, I've had quite a bit of discomfort on the opposite side, more on than off. And I've also continued to have discomfort on the side where I know there's a cyst. Over the last few months, it's bothered me more on a cyclical basis--sort of like when I'd be ovulating or menstruating or something--and then eases up for a couple weeks. He did say to call back if it was bothering me, but I'm not sure how much "bother" he meant. I'd really rather avoid surgery at this point. Ugh.

I'd pretty much made up my mind to wait and see but since I'm now having to take tylenol or ibuprofin to keep the discomfort in check, I'm wondering if a phone call is in order now. Ugh. What would you ladies do? FYI, I'm exclusively breastfeeding and have not had a period yet.

Thanks,

Meri (& Sammy, born 8/21/03, edd 9/25/03)


~ my heart belongs to Nicholas and Samuel ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-14-2004
Fri, 01-16-2004 - 10:34pm
Not to make light of your situation but I think now is the time to call. You are definitely worried and if it would ease your mind just a little bit it would be worth it. I have never had the sort of cyst you have but I am a breastfeeding mom of an eight month old. I still do not have my period either but I think that our hormones may fluctuate cyclically anyway b/c my migraines seem to cluster together at the end of the month. Let us know how your u/s goes.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Mon, 01-19-2004 - 10:45am

Hi there!


I agree with the other poster.

 


 


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