Feeling emotional and at a loss. Gynecologic cysts and no answers

Posted by bettyboopgirl @bettyboopgirl, Apr 13, 2023

I am 45 years old. About 7 years ago they found a 5 1/2 cm cyst on my right ovary. Since then I have been diagnosed with endometriosis, a fibroid cyst on my uterus and numerous cysts on my right ovary. I have not had a menstrual cycle in over 3 years. Each year I have more pain and issues with the cysts but the doctors just keep telling me I am fine. Now I have a feeling of fullness all the time, bloating, constipation, tired all the time, pain out the right side of my back, hip pain, and swelling in my abdomen. I seen my gynaecologist today and he told me this has nothing to do with my cysts. Told me to see my doctor and get a referral to see a bowel specialist but when I read the symptoms of ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer these are all symptoms. I feel like no one is listening me 🙁

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That sounds awful. Can you see a different gynecologist? (I know, easier said than done, since most are booked many months out.) Have you had a recent ultrasound? Certain problems on the ultrasound could be your ticket to see a gyn oncologist, who see patients faster and are more comfortable with surgery, if that's what you're hoping for. Or you could just go to the bowel specialist. Maybe s/he will say that it's the ovarian cyst (and recommend a different gynecologist).

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Have an Ultrasound of your ovaries and pelvic area and CT Scan to confirm if anything found. If so, make an appointment with a Gynecological Oncologist.
Best of luck. Do not wait around for excuses. Sounds very similar to my wife's beginning symptoms.

Mark

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Hi "Bettyboopgirl,"

I'm glad that the other posters had some really good advice on your physical symptoms. I'm going to acknowledge your emotional situation-- cause, honey, I know what you are feeling! And it stinks.

It took a very long time for me to get a diagnosis of autoimmune disease. My mom took me to the doctor when I was 17. I got diagnosed at age 52. I have a lot of experience with not being listened to. (In fairness to doctors, there wasn't a lot known about autoimmune disease when I was 17.)

"Nobody is listening." Boy, do I know that feeling! Or, should I say, feelingS plural. Frustration, aggravation, amazement at the doctor's seeming indifference/stupidity, fear, self-doubt, desperation...etc!

This is going to sound bossy, sorry. Do NOT let anyone convince you that your symptoms are all in your head, or that you are being "hyper-vigilant," or any other thing to diminish your symptoms. I think that they (doctors) start to imply that because they don't know what is going on in your body, and their egos don't like the state of not knowing. If they don't know what it is, then it can't possibly be real and just must be all in your mind or you are blowing some minor symptom all out of proportion.

I really hope that you have not reached this point in your health journey. Be alert for it. Listen to your body. You know your body better than the doctor. You live in it 24/7, and he has seen it for 10 minutes.

My therapist told me to identify, name and acknowledge negative emotions. Then think of a way to counter/argue against the negative. Maybe try this: The doctor doesn't listen. Well, make yourself be heard (as best as you can so that you feel that you have done your duty by yourself). Follow the advice and go to a bowel doctor. AND follow the advice of the other posters and see a new GYN or GYN oncologist, for a second or even a third opinion, which insurance companies usually pay for. Make appointments, you can always cancel them later, if you need to.

I really hope that all of these posts help you on your health journey.
Good luck! Keep your chin up! Keep us informed of your progress : )

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@val64

That sounds awful. Can you see a different gynecologist? (I know, easier said than done, since most are booked many months out.) Have you had a recent ultrasound? Certain problems on the ultrasound could be your ticket to see a gyn oncologist, who see patients faster and are more comfortable with surgery, if that's what you're hoping for. Or you could just go to the bowel specialist. Maybe s/he will say that it's the ovarian cyst (and recommend a different gynecologist).

Jump to this post

I agree about getting an appointment with a GYN Oncologist. I was able to get an appointment within a week with a referral from my primary physician. She made a diagnosis after receiving a lot of gyn info from me, reviewing my other health history, reviewing my path report and doing a thorough gyn exam.

She explained everything to my husband and myself, drew pictures and showed on a detailed colored picture of the vagina showing what surgery she would do and why.

This completely relieved my anxiety about my diagnosis and treatment.

Please see a GYN oncologist at a cancer center...you will be much more informed.

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