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Ovarian cysts and chronic pain

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User Profile
December 29th, 2008
I started seeking out an answer to my severe lower back pain (and other symptoms) 14 months ago. After going through 5 doctors that just shoved Vicodin at me, I found out from a Rheumatologist (via MRI) that I have severe arthritis and 4 degenerative discs in my lower back. He continued to be baffled that the arthritis medication didn't work as I ended up in the hospital with severe abdominal pain. An ultrasound and a CAT scan revealed that an ovarian cyst had just ruptured and many more (too many to count) were found. At the request of the OB, I started making a concise diary of my symptoms and over the span of 3 months realized that my symptoms coincide with my cycle. During menstruation I have the following symptoms: severe headaches, severe backaches, pinching in my hips, aching pain down my thighs, breast tenderness, exhaustion and diarrhea. Those symptoms subside about day 9 of my cycle and from day 11 to 19 (ovulation) I have the following symptoms: severe headaches, severe backaches, severe stomach cramps (right ovary mainly), painful urination, painful bowel movements, diarrhea, breast tenderness and exhaustion. After day 19, I have 5 days of feeling great with no symptoms, then everything starts all over again. My OB doctor now has me on progesterone pills which have taken away ALL SYMPTOMS!

Is there anyone else out there that has these symptoms?
If the progesterone pills make all my symptoms go away, what could be a long term treatment / solution for me?
My OB doctor is talking of a possible Ovariectomy or Hysterectomy. Is there anyone that has had this and does it work?

FYI - I am a healthy 34 yr old mother (done having kids). 3 kids, 2 c-sections (healed very well with no problems).

Any information or similar stories appreciated.
Thanks,
Brandy
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First Helper SITOLI12345
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nicolawilson
replied January 24th, 2009
vaginal and ovarian pain
my pain starts in my vagina it then travels up into my ovaries,it last for a few hours.I have to stay in the same position for a while,once the pain goes away i get an after affect pain for a day or so,it feels like something sharp is twisting inside me.What could this be.
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brandyoldfashion
replied January 24th, 2009
pain
I don't have any vaginal pain - sounds like a different situation than mine.
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long_legs2008
replied January 28th, 2009
i have had two surgeries for ovarian cysts and the pain was on my right the first time back in 2005 than on my left the second time here back in october of last year. i am on birth control and to be honest i reallt don't know how long i am going to be on it but i had an ultra sound and i still have both my ovaries and they look normal for now
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quinova
replied February 15th, 2009
painful thighs
i had a six inch ovarian benign cyst which twisted my ovary back and forth cutting off and restoring the blood flow. i would have spasms in my low back on the right side and right thigh so bad that I could not stand. these would occur in the first 20 minutes upon rising from bed in the morning. The spasm would last for 30 minutes and not come again until the next morning. i had to insist on an ultrasound because my DR said there was nothing wrong. After surgery i have no lasting effects
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ruffnreddy
replied August 17th, 2009
Cysts and rheumatoid pains
I've been searching around the interwebs looking for this exact symptom pattern.
A few days of feeling great then another cycle of tender breasts and radiating pinching pain in my right pelvic cavity. It runs down my inner thigh and lower back. Lasts for many days at a time, sometimes weeks. Accompanied by quickly spawned headaches and occasionally sharp abdominal pain, that ends up being terrible gas and strange bowels. I went to the GYN and she said it was a cyst. That the ovary was swollen and the pain could last up to months. My mom has a history of cysts and rheumatoid so, I guess i've been cursed with a painful existence.

I plan on going back since it's been 6 months with no real changes, as recommended.
But, it's supportive to hear someone else with similar symptoms, i don't feel so alone.
I'm also 34 and a mom.
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ireti
replied August 17th, 2009
orarian cyst
I am new at this and hope I am not breaking any rules; posting in the right place. I was diagnosed with a 5cm ovarian cyst last year february, 18mths on, it is now 6cm. My doctor has advised that have it removed. I have serious pelvic pain that constraints my walking distance and speed. I have got to stage that I just take pain-killers routinely to mask the pain. I have gone private for the scans but cannot afford the surgery cost. I am 40 years old and trying for a baby. The cyst was found when I had a miscarriage last year. Is there any way to get this done on the NHS without having to wait for 6 months? Any information that can assist me in advocating my rights under the patients charter will be appreciated.
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She_Grins
replied October 19th, 2009
To Brandy Re: Chronic Pelvic Pain
Hi Brandy,

I have had pelvic pain since I was 19 - I am now 34. I was hospitalized at 19 and 21 with no diagnosis, no follow up and, like you, a perscription for Vicodin. In Jan of 2008, I woke up in the middle of the night (after intercourse) with the most awful pain of my life. Faint, bloated, couldn't breathe, pain from my lungs down to my rectum. went to the hospital and after two different types of scans, was told i had a ruptured ovarian cyst. At the time, I was in college and my college did not care to follow up with a formal diagnosis of the type of cyst etc. Since Jan of 08, I have had boughts of pelvic pain, usually during ovualtion and always following intercourse. This last time felt as though I had another ruptured cyst and lasted 3 weeks. Just was accepted for insurance, and had an ultrasound. And as per usual, the experts see "nothing wrong". *sigh*

I just made an appointment with a GYN specialist and i hope we make some progress.

The "its all in your head" factor of what we are all experiencing is not good enough. And makes me wonder why this issue, with soaring numbers of women having it, is unstudied.

I wish you luck. I will talk with my GYN about progesterone.

take care.
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Ashes0414
replied June 20th, 2012
Hi,
Ugh, that makes me so mad and sad when I read the "all in your head" comment bc like you, I feel like I am being treated the same way! I went to the dr for persistent cramps and back pain that had been going on for months as well as cycles that lasted anywhere from 27-37 days. When my dr recommended a transvaginal ultrasound, I felt like u was finally getting somewhere. The results were that I had "free fluid in my pelvis, many follicles on both ovaries", but the dr ignored that I was still in severe pain. She told me that the pain would resolve on its own. I felt like acid had been poured all over my insides! My husband and I finally had sex (I was so leary bc of the pain) and it was HORRIBLE! I was in such terrible pain after which wasn't there before. I was awake all night and was nauseous, had radiating pain down to my toes, my back was cramping. Anyway, I called the Dr the next day and they told me to go to a gastroenterologist, that my PCOS testing came back "okay" and that they don't give out pain meds for pelvic pain!!! I am going to seek a second opinion bc at this point, I have had pelvic pain for over four months! It is NOT in your head, don't over let them make you feel that way!
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Ashes0414
replied June 20th, 2012
Hi,
Ugh, that makes me so mad and sad when I read the "all in your head" comment bc like you, I feel like I am being treated the same way! I went to the dr for persistent cramps and back pain that had been going on for months as well as cycles that lasted anywhere from 27-37 days. When my dr recommended a transvaginal ultrasound, I felt like u was finally getting somewhere. The results were that I had "free fluid in my pelvis, many follicles on both ovaries", but the dr ignored that I wuas still in severe pain. She told me that the pain would resolve on its own. I felt like acid had been poured all over my insides! My husband and I finally had sex (I was so leary bc of the pain) and it was HORRIBLE! I was in such terrible pain after which wasn't there before. I was awake all night and was nauseous, had radiating pain down to my toes, my back was cramping. Anyway, I called the Dr the next day and they told me to go to a gastroenterologist, that my PCOS testing came back "okay" and that they don't give out pain meds for pelvic pain!!! I am going to seek a second opinion bc at this point, I have had pelvic pain for over four months! It is NOT in your head, don't over let them make you feel that way!
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KPAW
replied December 28th, 2009
Hello

August 08 I had an emergency laparoscopy following sudden acute pain in my abdomen for appendicitis. My appendix was fine however, turned out I had an ovarian cyst that had twisted and had bled into the pelvic cavity.

More than a year onwards, I am in pain pretty regularly. Dependant on the time of my cycle. And my pain is pretty similar to yours, Brandy. I am fairly bloated as well. I think I could deal with the rest but the way my back is deteriorating is really difficult.

Been to the doctors, three GYNs, had my share of of ultrasounds during this time and apparently they cannot find anything. They have pretty much said they cannot do anything for me because they cannot find anything wrong. I even tried Ayurvedic stuff, went on progesterone, hasn't worked for me.

I have had pretty much every health care professional try and tell me it is in my head, that I am emotionally repressive and blah blah.

I am fine and do normal things and don't dwell on things when I am feeling alright, but it is pretty darn hard not to feel the pain when it there.

Good luck for your treatment.
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SwanCA
replied November 9th, 2010
OVARIAN CYST, LOWER BACK PAIN
I am 51 yrs old with 3 healthy adult kids, youngest is 18, I've had pain in my left ovary for years, but it wasn't until I was in an auto accident in 2006 that the cyst on my ovary was visible on an MRI and although I have had chronic back pain ever since, not one doctor has suggested that my back pain can in part be my ovarian cyst. I was told back in 2006 that usually these benign cysts dissolve, well I just had another MRI a couple months ago and guess what??? the cyst is still there and my back pain is as bad if not worse. In a few days I go to see my gynecologist... I hope that they remove the ovary. Peace & Love to All! Dawn in California. 11.9.10
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SITOLI12345
replied November 17th, 2010
Is it normal for the ovarian cysts to last more than 2-3 months. I was told the same thing, that these cysts was to dissolve after couple of months.
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Dev122
replied February 28th, 2012
I have been to the doctor countless times in the last year for my cysts I am 17 years old and can't do anything. I am constantly in pain. When I go to the doctor they make me feel crazy and pretty much tell me it's all in my head. My ovarian cyst is 6cm and makes my muscles spasm. The last doctor I went to accused me of just trying to get prescription drugs. I'm so upset. No one should have to go through this especially a 17 year old girl Sad
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Fabulous29
replied June 9th, 2012
help. severe pain continuing a month after ruptured cyst.
Iam 29 years old and have had pelvic pain(mainly on the right side) for eight months now. I went to a gyn a month and a half ago, and they told me i had an ovarian cyst the size of a baseball. It burst before my cat scan and ultrasound, so the only thing that showed up, was the fluid left in my abdomen. I am now having pain every day, instead of just when I ovulate and the doctor doesnt know whats wrong with me. They said it may have been an endometreosis cyst but theres no way of knowing. They also said that I should not still have pain but dont seem to have an idea of how to figure out why I still do have pain.They prescribed me hydrocodone but I can't take it cuz it makes me sick. I'm trying to control the pain with extra strength tylenol.The pain is severe and is worrying me. Im wondering if anyone else has had anything similar. Any answers to stop my worrying. Thanks
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