11 months ago I underwent an emergency removal of an ovarian cyst that had gone undetected for who-knows-how long. It was 20cm long and full of 2 liters of fluid (I'm quite small so it's a wonder there was no real outward sign of it or symptoms until the morning of the surgery, when I woke up in excrutiating pain and had to be admitted immediately).
Anyway, successful removal – the ovary and everything else was left in tact and all was looking okay. I did notice that sporadically I'd still get a twinge of pain when I urinate. Not everytime, just some times. No patter to when (not related to my monthly cycle, nor how full my bladder or bowels were). This was something they said was normal post-op for a while, while stuff got back to normal. But it was still painful, even after 2-3 months. I went back for 2 check ups in that time and mentioned it both times. After ruling out bladder infections,they did ultrasounds both times but came back with nothing and said it was probably just the scar tissue was getting irritated when my bladder got too full or when I squeezed too hard.
Now it's been 11 months and there are still times when the pain gets really, really bad, almost as painful as the first few days post-op. Right now I just had it that bad. But the few days prior it's been medium-level twinges.
Has anyone else had this problem?
I was also wondering if I should be scheduling a 1 year follow-up appointment or something? Is it normal for them to do a check-up now? My doctor hasn't recommended it. But with these pains I'd really like for it to be looked at...
Hi, sorry to hear you are still having problems - not sure if I can help but I can certainly sympathise with you. Like you I had a large 20cm plus cyst removed 13 months ago and lost my final ovary, 3 and half litres fluid removed. Even now I have burning that comes and goes on the right side and also when I pee like you, also in my case nothing feels the same anymore. I was told it was the soft tissue that takes so long to heal as with me they had to tug really hard to remove my ovary, hence the pain even now. If i were you I would definatley go back to your GP and tell him/her whats happening to you, best to get things checked out. In my case I was told it could take up to 2 yrs for everything to feel normal whatever that is now ! Definatley go back - I have to go for another scan soon for follow up, what have they told you in regards follow ups ? keep in touch xx
Hi there ladies.
I had an oopherectomy when I was 19.
Il never forget it.
I'm now 51 after 3 children, and fighting through this menopause, I'm not too bad.
But I remember when I had the op I was in pain in my groin area for a very long time.
Especially in the winter months, I got aches in that area for years!
But I don't get it now thank god.
But I would say that dull ache didnt go until I was about 30 so it was a long time for me.
Just use a hot water bottle to ease the ache in that side of your body.
And take paracetamol really that's all I remembered doing.
I did have a urine infection afterwards I remember that much! Because of the catheter that they put inside me, after the op I was feeling very sore. I had a very sore windy tummy aswell. I had peppermint in warm water which did help.
But it took weeks to recover. But don't carry heavy things for a good long while.
You have to heal inside.
Mind you I had mine done at the beginning of the 80s! So it's a long time ago now. But I haven't forgotten what I had to put up with.
Time is a great healer for most things, this is one of them.
I've just got a bikini scar where I had the operation. It never completely went away.
But I'm just grateful mine didnt turn cancerous. They did say that to me that I was lucky that didnt happen.
My daughter seems to be alright with her health thank god she's 21 has had no problems with cysts.
Hello elizabeth, I have just read your post - very interesting. So sorry you had to go through all that at such a young age and for the post op pain to go on for so long, awful isn,t it. I think it is such a major thing to have ones ovaries removed, the results can be so horrible for some but not for everyone thankfully. I had a hysterectomy over 20 yrs ago ( i,m 52 ) due to fibroids, cysts and very heavy continuous bleeding, it was a shock as I was only 30, plus i only thought I was having an investigation with a camera and woke up being told that, anyway I did recover pretty quickly and was back at work 3 weeks later, but I was young - now this oophorectomy has really knocked me sideways, the dull burning pain on that side, bowel disturbance, tummy always knocking and growling, bloating sometimes, I feel like everythings loose and wobbly inside it,s horrible, I admit to wearing support pants but they don,t help that much. A friend of mine had the same as me a month after me and shes the same, I wish I felt like I used to but there you are and I know I,m not alone. But I am alive and grateful for that just need to get back on track and would if I had the energy ! Who would have thought that one little ovary could completly change ones life ! xx