Ovarian Dermoid Cyst and Endometriosis

Women's health
1

I was wondering if anyone had any supportive advice or is going through the same thing as I am? This is going to be long, but I need to share my little story...

So I'm 17, and was diagnosed with a small dermoid cyst inside my right ovary when i was 16, along with possible endometriosis. I just finished my first year of sixth form, and throughout it I've made several trips to the hospital. I've had a couple blood tests and ultrasounds, discovering all sorts of random things going on inside me. Luckily, the blood tests showed that my cyst is not cancerous! 

My first ultrasound in Novemeber 2013 found my cyst, and then my GP sent me to a gynaecologist consultant in December, where we discussed my options. I was too scared for surgery, so I was scheduled for another scan in January/February. Unfortunately, this second scan showed that my cyst had grown a couple of centimetres. So in April I agreed for a laparoscopy.

It didn't help that the consultant explained every detail of the surgery. He says it's good i haven't had a torsion? When it twists, i think. He forgot to mention the 18 week waiting list though! I've been waiting for soo long, and i have to wait another month! 

I have a feeling that the cyst may have grown again, which could complicate the surgery. I'm really worried and nervous. Considering he has to cut open my ovary to even get the cyst scares me. Also, my periods are becoming more and more irregular. I've realised this since I've known about my cyst, compared to most girls I know, my periods are really far spaced apart, and then are really long, heavy and painful when I'm on. 

Just to top it all off, the symptoms of my cyst are weird. I actually feel pregnant half the time - bloated, nausea, cravings, fatigue etc - which isn't a nice experience, and when i'm on it's just crazy. I know my cyst is only small, but in my opinion, this is a lot for someone my age to go through. Does anyone have some advice? Even if it's just about the surgery, or someone else with a small cyst too? I understand it has to be a certain size for it to be a serious problem, something like 6 or 7cm+.

But the endometriosis just makes it harder, according to my radiology report i have it, and it just hurts so much during my period to a point where painkillers like paracetamol/ibuprofen/neurofen just aren't working anymore or take ages to kick in.

2

Hi Georgia

Try not to get yourself too worked up. Your procedure sounds straight forward and because laparoscopy recovery quick. Think as a rule they tend to take out anything over 5 cm. my cyst albeit a different type was 9x7x7 which I thought large until I looked on here and saw

That some ladies were absolutely huge in

Comparison and there surgery went

Fine. Your symptoms sounds very similar as unfortunately these cysts can have

Nasty effects . Hopefully your date

Will be here before you know it and this

Will all be behind you. You take

Car x

3

Hi Georgia, I'm having my ovary out this week (yikes) caused by small cyst like yours.  Howeever, I am 50 so I obviously don't hav ethe same concerns as you re fertility etc.  However, I would say try not to worry, these things are fairly routine and lots and lots of women have them.  My symptoms have got worse too and sound simiar to yours.  My 'urgent' referrral took over 3 months - that's the NHS for you.  Easier said than done I know, but try not to panic, these things are terrifying to us but routine for the medical profession.  Take care x

4

Thank you June, I have noticed some women on here have massive cysts, I wonder how they cope. I found out my surgery date and pre-op assessment a couple of weeks ago, and it's at the end of August. So I've still got a while to go. My cyst was measured at 46 x 47 x 53 mms in Feb, I'm trying not to worry, but I'm starting to get nervous, which is why I came on here. 

5

I hope your surgery goes well! At my age fertility isn't a problem for me, I'm not really considering children till i'm in my 30s! Also, giving birth sounds too painful anyway... Yes NHS takes a long time, it was 3 months before I even found out when my surgery is, and now I've got another month to wait as it is end of August. Thanks x

6

This is a great site it helps you not alone

And ladies are at all

Stages so

Can offer advice. That date will be here before you know it honestly xx

7

Yeah this site does look good, advice and help-wise. Will I have one of those things in my hand after surgery? What they called.. canuella? 

8

Hi Georgia

I hope your op went well and you have recovered fully! Im in a similar position to you and freaking out about my cyst and debating whether I have the courage to go ahead with the op despite things being really painful on an almost daily basis....it'd be really helpful if you could post an update and whether the procedure is as scary as it sounds and whether you have noticed a difference in the quality of life post op.

Thanks for sharing your story so far