What are some symptoms of an ovarian cyst? I have pain in my lower left side. Actually, sometimes it’s a pain but most of the time it’s just a pressure type feeling like something is there. When I push in on my stomach, it does feel like something is there. I was tested for a cyst last year for this same reason, but it showed that I didn’t have a cyst.

Can a cyst cause you to have irregular cycles? In my teenage years, I had pretty regular cycles, but over the past few years, my cycles have became irregular. Sometimes it’ll come every month and sometimes I’ll go two or three months without having a period.

I’m not pregnant, but I’m having this strange symptoms. One is I’ve been very emotional over the past couple of weeks. But I think that is because of a lot of difficult personal things I’ve had to deal with this past year. Another thing is I’ve been exhausted over the past few weeks, there are some days that I feel like I could sleep all day long. But I think that’s because of the emotion stuff though. Another one is my breast have been very sore. But I think that’s because I’m fixing to start. (I’ve been cramping on and off for over a week now.) I haven’t had a period in over two months. But I think that is because I have many different things that I’ve been worrying about lately.

I just don’t know what’s going on with my body right now. I just wish I wasn’t so emotional. I do have a follow up doctor’s appointment early next month. Getting in earlier would be nearly impossible unless it’s an emergency

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, November 12, 2006 - 08:52 pm:

Did you do a pregnancy test? I ask, because I would wonder if there is any possibility of an ectopic pregnancy, which would indeed be an emergency. If you haven't done a test, please do one.

Did you tell the appointment person all of your symptoms? And, can you ask them to let you know if there is a cancellation? Sometimes, when I know I can get to a doctor's office in less than a hour if they call me, they will put me on their "fit in if there is a cancellation" list.

By Anonymous on Sunday, November 12, 2006 - 09:19 pm:

Yes, I've taken a couple of pregnancy tests this past week. They were negative.

I did mention my symptoms when I called to try to get an earlier appointment. She is supposed to let me know if there is any cancellations. But I have to have a bit of a notice because my OB/GYN is over an hour away. I go to this doctor because of some problems I have had over the last year.

By Karen~admin on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 07:05 am:

Could be a fibroid tumor, could be endometriosis.....you really need to be seen as soon as you can arrange it.

By Anonymous on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 03:19 pm:

Well, I've started today, but I haven't had any cramping today, so that's unusual. I looked up both fibroid tumors and endometriosis and I do have syptoms that could be from either of those. I'll have my family doctor to refer me to an OB/GYN that specializes in these things.

By Karen~admin on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 03:34 pm:

Sounds like a good place to start. I experienced the symptoms you described and I had both endometriosis and several large fibroids. I had a football size fibroid tumor on my left ovary that ended up causing me to have emergency surgery in 1993, due to uncontrolled bleeding. It, and the endometriosis had destroyed my left ovary and tube, which were also removed at that time, plus it had grown to my colon and other places. I'd definitely get this stuff checked out if I were you. I put it off for about a year, after my doctor told me that he could *feel something* in there and wanted me to have further testing. I put it off due to financial reasons and the fact that I was newly separated and felt I could not deal with anything more at that point. It was a big mistake on my part. Don't make the same mistake. NOTHING is worth jeopardizing your health.

By Anonymous on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 04:23 pm:

Just wondering... I had bladder surgery a while back. Wouldn't the doctor have saw if I had fibroids or something during the surgery? Isn't the bladder and female organs all close together?
I do have a follow up appointment with my Urologist next month. I mentioned this pain or feeling to him before and that's when he suggestioned it may be an ovarian cyst. I never thought about it possible being fibroids or endometriosis. So I'll definitely get this checked out soon.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 04:35 pm:

Actually, Anon, fibroids would be in the uterus or around an ovary, but generally not in or, generally, immediately around the outside of the bladder. Your surgeon would only go as far into your body as he needed to go if it was an open incision surgery, and if it was laproscopic or working inside the bladder, he wouldn't see much else.

If your family doc will give you a referral to a OB/GYN - and there is no reason why sh/e shouldn't and every reason to do so, also ask your family doc if it would be a good idea to have an abdominal ultrasound ahead of time, specifically to see if there are any signs of fibroids inside the uterus or abdominal cavity, or endometriosis. Otherwise you may find the OB/GYN doc wanting to have an ultrasound before making a diagnostic decision. If your family doc won't order an ultrasound, when you make the OB/GYN appointment, tell the appointment person what your symptoms are and ask if an ultrasound before the appointment would be a good idea.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 04:37 pm:

Let me add, I hear that you have had some difficult times in the past year, but you also say that your tiredness, emotional swings, and breast tenderness are only in the past few weeks. That could be because of the hormone changes preparing for your period, or it could be hormone changes for other reasons. Another good reason to see an OB/GYN.

By Anonymous on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 05:13 pm:

Thanks for explaining that. My bladder surgery began as laser surgery but ended up being an open incision surger due to bleeding from previous bladder surgery. During the surgery the doctor also repaired a hernia that I wasn't even aware that I had. I sometimes wonder if that could be causing the pain/pressure that I feel in my lower left side. So the more I think about it, the more possibilities could be causing my pain/pressure feeling. But that wouldn't explain all the hormonal things going on.
I haven't had an luck reaching my doctor's office today, but I will keep trying.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 05:21 pm:

Anon, I went through visits to my primary care doc, a GYN/OB and a gastroenterologist, plus an ultrasound, x-rays, and finally an MRI, over a 12 month period, in efforts to diagnose intermittent pain in my lower right abdomen, only to learn, in the end, that the pain was caused by adhesions from surgery when I was about 20, for the removal of a large cyst on my right ovary, the ovary, and an "incidental" appendix (incidental being, while they were there in a open incision surgery, why not take the appendix so it can't cause problems later - which was fine with me).

So now you have another possibility. Sure hope you reach your doctor tomorrow.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 12:56 am:

I was thinking adhesions also. Contact your primary care. This may not be an OBGYN issue, so you need to start there...

By Anonymous on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 01:50 am:

I'm glad you brought that to my attention about the adhesions. I've had three surgeries on my bladder and some other abdominal surgeries. So this is definitely another thing to ask about.

Does adhesions cause a great deal of pain? That is my understanding from reading up on them just now. I really wouldn't say that I have actual pain very often. It's just a constance pressure type feeling in my lower left side. But I'll definitely talk to the doctor about adhesions.

I had to change family doctors because I had to change my insurance recently. So this will be the first time seeing him.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 07:20 am:

Adhesions can be VERY painful!!! I know a woman who has had so many surgeries for her adhesions from her other surgeries. It could be a number of things going on, so try to see a doctor soon!!!

By Marcia on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 09:10 am:

I'm going to go in a whole different direction. (at least I don't think this was mentioned) Lower left pain could easily be a bowel thing. I had the same kind of thing last month, and went to the doc. She felt around, and said it was either a diverticulitis pain, or possibly endometriosis wrapped around my bowel. I was already on antibiotics for my bladder, which would have helped if it was diverticulitis. The pain did end up going away within a few days.

I know you had other symptoms, but now that you have your period, it sounds like they could just be typical hormonal stuff.

I think you're wise to check with the doctor, because you don't want any of the above mentioned possibilities to go on for long. It's not nice to feel so rotten all the time.

By Anonymous on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 11:22 am:

I had in mind that my problems may possibly be bowel related. I sometimes have sever constipation and that's usually when I feel actual pain in my left side, along with a pain in my upper left side right below my ribs. I've been tested for bowel problems in the past and I've been diagnosised with a spasmatic bowel. There are definitely many possibilities to what could be going on.
My doctor's appointment isn't until Monday the 27th. That's the earliest I can be seen since Thanksgiving is next week. I wish my appointment was a lot sooner. I have two other doctor's appointments the following week. So I wanted to see what my primary doctor could find out before those appointments.

By Anonymous on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 07:43 am:

I have a doctor's appointment with my family doctor on the 27th, that’s the earliest appointment I could get since they are closed three days next week for Thanksgiving. I'm due for a physical anyway. So I figured I'll start there since my problems may not even be female related. This will be the first time I’m been to this doctor, so there is a lot that I need go over with him. But I don’t really know where to begin.

I’ll explain my symptoms and mention things that I would like to check for… fibroid tumors, endometriosis, adhesions, bowel problems or hernia.
I’ll ask to have an abdominal ultrasound to see if there are any signs of fibroids or endometriosis. So that these tests can be taken care of before my OB/GYN appointment next month. Which, if it turns out to be one of these, I'd need to be referred to an OB/GYN that specialized in these.

Here are the symptoms. I realize now that I didn't explain everything very thoroughly the first time on here.
Pressure feeling in my lower left side. Most of the time it just feels like something is there and I can feel something when I press on my stomach. I sometimes have severe constipation and that's usually when I feel actual pain in my left side, along with a pain in my upper left side right below my ribs. Was diagnosis with spasmodic bowel a few years ago.

Periods are irregular. Sometimes they come every month, but sometimes every two or three months. Have mild cramping occasionally in between periods and I’ll think I’m fixing to start but I don’t. Over the past several months I’ve had pretty bad cramping the day before and the first day of my periods.

I had three surgeries on my bladder and some other abdominal surgeries. I’m going to type up all my surgery history because they always ask about that on the forms and there is never enough lines for me to mention all of them.

I think I have covered everything. I’ll keep a list to add of things I need to mention to the doctor or questions I should ask. I know you all wouldn’t really know since you don’t know my background or how I feel, but does this sound like I’ve covered the basis and explained things thoroughly?
Is asking for an ultrasound to check for endometriosis and fibroids the first step that I need to take to figure out what my problem may be?
What kind of tests would I have to have done to check for adhesions, bowel problems or hernia?
What questions would I need to ask that I may not think of?
Would I need to mention being tired and emotional lately? It is probably related to hormone changes with my period.

By Anonymous on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 05:35 pm:

I’ve been in a great deal of pain the past couple of hours. I’m going to call my family doctor first thing in the morning to see if an appointment is available tomorrow. If not, I’m going to see if they’d just fit me in if I came in. I don’t want to wait for 10 more days to begin getting things checked out. I had a health problem a few years ago and it took five weeks from the night that I was in the ER until the day that I was treated for that problem. I had to go to two different doctors, have tests done and wait for the results. I don’t want to have to go through that long of a wait again. I want to get started on having tests done to see what the problem could be.

My family doctor didn’t want to refer me to an OB/GYN since I have never been seen by him. And I’m past due for a physical, so they told me I should come in. Does that sound normal to not be referred to another doctor? I did forget to mention this earlier, but I called my OB/GYN's office a couple more times to see if I could get in sooner and I was finally told that my OB/GYN won’t be at the office this week (he has two offices) and won’t be back in until after Thanksgiving. It would have been nice if I would have been told that the first time I called! Stuff like that is frustrating and wastes time when you need something done.

Please read my above post and let me know how I should prepare for my appointment, since I'm going to try to get in tomorrow. I think going in without an appointment may be a good idea because they’ll see that it’s urgent and get things started more quickly.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 07:50 pm:

First, make that list - dates, times, symptoms, duration, level of pain (from 1 to 10). Include what you did to help the pain, etc., and if it helped some, a lot, or not at all. Be sure to tell him how long you've been having the symptoms. Tell him how it's affecting your life on a day-to-day basis, what activities it's preventing you from doing, what activities it is limiting you...Include everything you posted about above.

This will help you a lot, especially when it comes down to telling the doctor everything. You tend to get overwhelmed when you are in pain or upset or anxious, and can't remember all the details. So start there, tonight. Write it all down.

Don't be afraid to ask if he thinks it could be any of the above things that were discussed above. Make him understand your level of discomfort and concern, and make sure he understands that you want and need answers. Ask him what tests he suggests, and if he doesn't mention something you think might help to diagnose you, then ask him if that would be another option.

I've dealt with many, many doctors over the years, and I've found that the more thorough and accurate and informative you are when you are in his office, the easier it will be for him to help diagnose you. And this is important - don't be afraid to tell him everything and ask questions. If you feel like he's not taking you seriously, you need to back up - talk to him and make him realize that you are suffering and need help.

Good luck, let us know what happens.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 07:51 pm:

Just want to add this - make a copy of your list, date it, and leave one with him and ask that it remain in your file. I've done that on more than one occasion.

By Kellyj on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 08:31 pm:

Karen is right on. Write down as much as possible that way you don't forget. Write down any questions or concerns. Be prepared to answer all sorts of questions about your surgical, sexual, gyncecological (last period, new sexual parteners, past STDs, regularity of periods, heaviness etc...) bowel, bladder history. I would definitely want my patients to bring up any other symptoms that they were having, like your emotions and fatigue. It's not your job to determine if it's unimportant so don't worry about saying too much. Everything is potentially helpful. As for diagnostic testing...don't be shocked if they skip the ultrasound and opt for an abdominal CT. As Karen said...be sure that your doctor understands that you are worried, this is distressing and you need answers. If you aren't satisfied don't settle. If all else fails go to the ER. Any woman of childbearing age presenting with lower abdominal pain will be taken seriously. I'm sorry that this is happening to you. I'm sure that you'll be able to get to the bottom of it very soon. Take care.

By Anonymous on Friday, December 8, 2006 - 02:24 am:

I had a CT scan on Dec. 1st to check for bowel obstructions, fibroid tumors, ovarian cysts, adhesions and endometriosis. To prepare for the CT scan, I had to drink some contrast stuff before the test, so they could get a better look at things. I also had to have an IV with some dye contrast to get a better look at my female organs. It turns out that I don’t have anything that I was checked for. So that’s all good. For those of you that have dealt with endometriosis or adhesions, what test did you have done to be diagnosed? The doctor told me that a CT scan will show if there is any traces of these things, but isn’t really good to use to diagnosis either of them.

I went in for my follow up visit on Monday. I was told that I would need to have some blood work done at this appointment. But the person didn’t say why I needed it done, so this kind of bothered me. But it turned out just to be routine blood work… sugar, cholesterol, potassium levels, ect. I had a feeling that was what the blood work was for, so it’s a good thing that I skipped breakfast that morning.

My Diagnosis: Spastic colon, cyst on my spleen and a hernia. At my first visit the doctor said it sounded like I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but I didn’t really agree with that because the only symptom of IBS that I have is chronic constipation with abdominal pain. But I can agree about the diagnosis of spastic colon. I have severe spastic pains from right below my left ribs all the way down my side when I’m constipated. Which happens to be quiet often. However, isn’t spastic colon and IBS somewhat the same thing? I didn’t think to ask the doctor this. I was given Zelnorm to help get me more regular. And the medication Dicyclomine for the spasms. The doctor did say that I may have to be sent to a Gastroentrologist to have a colonoscopy as well.

As for the cyst, the doctor said it’s very small and isn’t any reason for concern. I was fine with that answer, but after researching, I read that your spleen is in the upper left side right below the ribs. Which is where I have the worst pain. But again the pain only occurs when I’m constipated so it wouldn’t have anything to do with my spleen.

The hernia is the pressure type feeling that I have in my lower left side of my stomach. I’ll find out on the 20th what will need to be done about this.

It took me three weeks from the day that I went to the doctor until I finally found something out. So it’s good that it wasn’t anything too serious!

By Anonymous on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 11:30 pm:

You can read my above post if you would like to know what I found out from the doctor on Monday.

By Anonymous on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 11:37 pm:

Also the doctor suggested that I begin taking Provera (NOT DEPO-PROVERA) for my irregular cycles. Does anyone have any experience with this? I took these pills a few years ago to help regulate my cycles but I had severe PMS, so I quit taking them. But I thought about trying them again. Birth control pills isn't an option to help regulate my cycles because I've had problems with them in the past

By Tsa on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 11:58 pm:

HUGS and Prayers.