ovarian cysts

[sogn.livejournal.com]

I had a Mirena IUD inserted about six weeks ago, and about a week after that I started having severe pain at my right ovary. My doctor sent me for a sonogram, and found out it was an ovarian cyst. He told me that cysts are common and harmless, and that this one was probably caused by a combination of the IUD insertion, and from stopping the hormonal birth control that I had been taking before I got the IUD.

According to my doctor, ovarian cysts are usually not painful, and they nearly always go away on their own after a month or two. However, mine is incredibly painful. The pain has lasted for over a month now, and has not gotten any better.

I did some web searches on the subject, and everything I read indicates that ovarian cysts are usually not this painful. Am I just unlucky, or is there a possibility that it's worse than just a normal cyst? My doctor told me to go for another sonogram after two cycles have passed, to see if the cyst has gone away on its own. I'm about to have my second period since the pain started, and I know that it hasn't gone away.

Has anyone else had severe pain from an ovarian cyst? Did it go away on its own, and how long did that take? What happens if it doesn't go away? I know that surgery is an option.

Also, does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with the pain? I have tried ibuprofen and heating pads, and nothing helps. I think the cyst is pinching a nerve or something, because it often feels like my whole leg is numb or on fire. I sometimes have trouble walking. I started crying at work today because it hurt so much.

I have been getting very depressed the last couple weeks because of the pain. This is the worst pain I've ever had in my life. I rarely go out anymore because it hurts so much - I just come home from work and go to bed. I don't think I can deal with this for another month or more, it just feels like it's never going to end.

I would appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Clarissa

Comments

[rano-kwiatek.livejournal.com]

Wow... it sounds like you have almost the exact same problem that I have. I was in so much pain on sunday that I was almost forced to go to the emergency room; the pain was so intense I couldn't even walk. The doctors found a cyst but insisted that it shouldn't be causing any other health problems. But they've tested me for almost everything, and the results keep coming back negative... and now my cervix is bleeding and sore... and still no one can find anything.

*shudder* I hope your symptoms don't escalate to the point that mine did.
Feel better hon. One of us should.

[sogn.livejournal.com]

My cervix is fine. I don't have any problems except for the pain in my ovary.

[rano-kwiatek.livejournal.com]

Good; I hope it stays that way. But yeah... don't listen to doctors... cysts are DEFINITELY painful (I have a few friends who've had them.)

[sadiedecayed.livejournal.com]

actually, cysts are incredibly painful. i've had to be doped up on vicodin in order to get the pain to calm down, and i've been going through it for a few months now. they usually clear up [on their own] within 1-3 menstrual cycles. birth control helps to prevent the creation of more cysts. even my doctor told me they're very painful (she's had them, too), so the pain is to be expected. ice packs seem to help a little, temporarily.

[sogn.livejournal.com]

birth control helps to prevent the creation of more cysts

but I got an IUD so I wouldn't have to take birth control any more! Grrrr.

[sadiedecayed.livejournal.com]

well shitballs.
birth control is one of the things they give to help treat it. it's really the only thing that stops them from being created, because it stops ovulation. do IUDs do that?

[xlibbyx.livejournal.com]

I had an ovarian cyst which was totally murder. Took the doctors a weekend to figure out it was that and not my appendix or something by putting a camera into my abdomen. They then had to remove an ovary as well as the cyst, as it had twisted and the blood supply had been cut off.

Now, I'm not trying to scare you or suggest that you might be in the same position, but ovarian cysts can most definiately cause pain! I'd try and find another doctor if this one won't except that you're hurting. :)

This was when I was 13. I'm 18 now and aside from a little scar from the surgery, totally fine. No more cyst problems, or any problems down there at all.

[agentrayevyn.livejournal.com]

The only advice I know to give you is that you aren't alone... for several years my mom and all the doctors she saw thought it was a torn muscle or a nerve or something related to the shoes she wore, but just about a year ago she found out it was a cyst. I think I have one too because it hurts there for no reason a lot. Have you tried taking a bath? I know my mom still has her cyst, but I think they eventually decided that there was no reason to treat it because it had stopped hurting and it wasn't going to burst or anything. Hope this helps in some way.

[fuglyl0ser.livejournal.com]

ouch.. i had a cyst once.. a painful one.. i posted about it earlier.. but mine didnt hurt when it was there.. it hurt when it 'burst' now that is a bitch.. i hope you feel better:)

[ldygabilan.livejournal.com]

I have been suffering with ovarian cysts for the past two years. They can be HORRIBLY painful, anyone who tells you differently just have no idea what they're talking about. The first one I had grew to be 3 times the size of my ovary and burst, which caused me to be in the E.R for 10 hours.

If you've been in pain for a month, go to the doctor again. Don't take no for an answer. I've been struggling with ignorant ass hole doctors since I've got them and since my first cyst, I've had multiple cysts (although not AS bad as before since I was put on birth control) yet I still go to the gyno and am told it's "gas" or even worse, "all in my head." Still, two years later, I'm constantly in and out of doctors who second guess my pain and give me a million tests for everything else when I know it's an ovarian cyst.

It CAN be dangerous, if they get to big and wrap around your ovary while cutting oxygen it could be fatal. I would never wish any of the bullshit I've gone through these past 2 years on anyone.

PLEASE go to the doctor again.. or find a second opinion.

As to how to deal with the pain before anything is done for it. I used to take Vioxx, but that has to be prescribed to you, it worked really well though. Otherwise, I just popped Tylenonl whenever I could.

[dorenavant.livejournal.com]

if you're in so much pain that you're depressed and unable to function, i'd definitely find a more sympathetic doctor who will TREAT you instead of just waiting it out.
i think it is standard procedure to wait out cysts for a few months. your ovaries actually produce tiny cysts every time you ovulate- it's the egg being released. but sometimes things go wonky and the cyst doesn't open and let the egg out, instead it gets swollen and filled with fluid- which is where the ouch comes in. i had one earlier this year, and it did go away on its own- like two days before i was supposed to have surgery! thank god they did one last ultrasound.
- but my doctor was very clear about calling her or going to the emergency room if it became extremely painful.
i had just gone off birth control pills when i got my cyst as well.
good luck, and i hope everything works out for you.