Cyst question, and sad (again)

tryingyetagain · June 2013

I had my CD11 ultrasound today, and for the third time in four months, I have a cyst on my left ovary. It measured 15, so he said it was small and probably not affecting me not getting pregnant. He said it was either a leftover follicle or a cyst of endometriosis. I have never been diagnosed with endo, but it makes me wonder now if endometriosis caused my ectopic last year and is keeping me from conceiving now.

Are there any of you with recurring cysts like this? It seems weird to have leftover follicles on the same side over and over, right? Does it sound like endometriosis? The RE that was on duty said he would pass the info on to my RE (who was not in), but he mentioned laparascopy to check for endo. I would lose 3-4 months getting that scheduled and then recovery, and we were planning to quit trying after August. I hate how hard this has become.

And to make matters worse, I had three follicles on my right side (no tube over there), and zero on my left side where I need them. Just a stupid cyst on the left, so our IUI was cancelled this cycle. I cried and cried when I got to my car, and then crawled under the covers and hid from the world when I got home.

Any info you can offer would be much appreciated!

Kaselleck · June 2013

No experience with recurring cysts but just wanted to say I'm sorry. Being cancelled sucks. Hang in there. I hope you get some answers.

MJC1116 · June 2013

Just wanted to say that I'm sorry about your sadness. I haven't had any experiences with cysts since I haven't started any treatment yet, but I have a friend who did and she was very frustrated with the experience. I always thought endo had to do with uterine lining appearing outside of the uterus. I think it's supposed to be painful? Again, I'm sorry for not having any information on it other than that, but I hope things turn around for you and you feel a little better. Sometimes a little (or big!) cry helps a lot! Good luck!!

huskermama · June 2013

Lurking over here from PAIF, but just wanted to say I can very much relate to your sitation. I struggled with cysts off and on, including one stretch that lasted from last January through April. I tried everything, even BC pills and they just got worse. Finally had an exploratory lap and was diagnosed with stage III endo. I had it on both ovaries very badly as well as bladder and several other places so it was no wonder we weren't having any success on our own. I had lupron treatments for 3 months before having surgery again to remove the scar tissue. I know the frustration of being constantly sidelined and cried in my car after many an ultrasound. While the lap and treatments took longer than we would have liked, at least we finally had an answer. If the RE suggests a lap I would really recommend it...if for no other reason hopefully it will give you an answer and some peace of mind. Either way, I wish you all the best and will be sending lots of postive vibes your way!

mlamping · June 2013

I am so sorry. Hugs!

tryingyetagain · June 2013

Thank you ladies so much. I know we all pretty much feel the same way, but I don't really want to talk to anyone IRL about all of this except DH, and I don't get the impression anyone IRL really wants to hear about it anymore anyways! You guys and your support and info really make a difference.

Huskermama, your info was so helpful. I hope you're still lurking as I have a couple more questions if you don't mind. Did you have the same situation where there would be a cyst at one ultrasound, then it would shrink or go away, then be back on a later ultrasound? It seems like it wouldn't shrink or go away at all, but I don't know very much about endo and maybe that is how it works. The other scenario of having recurring leftover follicles also seems weird, so endo could be just as likely I guess.

Also, did you have a lot of pain with yours? I have recurring pain in my abdomen but only on my right side. I've only noticed it since my right tube was removed, so assumed it was just scar tissue related to that. But I guess it could be endo pain. I'm curious what your pain situation was.

I have decided to have the lap if RE thinks it is worth it. Otherwise, if we don't get pregnant I will always wonder if we should have done it. I don't want any regrets, and just want to do everything we can.

Thanks again.

huskermama · June 2013

tryingyetagain:

Thank you ladies so much. I know we all pretty much feel the same way, but I don't really want to talk to anyone IRL about all of this except DH, and I don't get the impression anyone IRL really wants to hear about it anymore anyways! You guys and your support and info really make a difference.

Huskermama, your info was so helpful. I hope you're still lurking as I have a couple more questions if you don't mind. Did you have the same situation where there would be a cyst at one ultrasound, then it would shrink or go away, then be back on a later ultrasound? It seems like it wouldn't shrink or go away at all, but I don't know very much about endo and maybe that is how it works. The other scenario of having recurring leftover follicles also seems weird, so endo could be just as likely I guess.

Also, did you have a lot of pain with yours? I have recurring pain in my abdomen but only on my right side. I've only noticed it since my right tube was removed, so assumed it was just scar tissue related to that. But I guess it could be endo pain. I'm curious what your pain situation was.

I have decided to have the lap if RE thinks it is worth it. Otherwise, if we don't get pregnant I will always wonder if we should have done it. I don't want any regrets, and just want to do everything we can.

Thanks again.

Yes, I'm still here and always checking in on my SIF sisters. As far as cysts, yes there were times where I would have some, then I wouldn't, and then they'd come back again the next time....especially if we were on a medicated cycle and unsuccessful b/c the extra hormones can further perpetuate the situation (talk about a double edge sword!) I'm not expert but I believe women w/out endo (or IF issues for that matter) can get cysts, they just don't know it. I've heard cysts caused by endo refered to as "chocolate" cysts b/c they hemorrage into themeselves and are filled with dark red or brown blood. The u/s tech or your RE should be able to see those on the ultrasound (I guess they look different than normal follies). A year after my surgery I still get/got them and would often have the u/s tech ask me if I've been talked to about endo before I had to remind her (several times) that yes, I have endo, have had surgery, blah, blah, blah.

Again, with everything I've read or been told about endo there is no true known causes, but the best guess is the retrograde mensturation and symptoms can vary across the board. Some woman have minimal endo and great amounts of pain, while some may have advanced endo and hardly any pain. Probably why it is so hard to diagnose and unfortuantely the only way to know for sure is the lap.

As far as my personal pain goes it varied greatly, but it seems like I had some sort of pain on on or both sides almost every day. Sometimes it was a dull ache, but othertimes if was more sharp and shooting. I can't pinpoint when it started, expect I think things have always felt "different' after our DD was born. Doc said I've likely had it all along, just gets more severe with age and the scar tissue builds with each menstral cycle.

There were also 2 specific epsidoes of severe, debilitating pain. One episode caused my legs to go numb from my thighs down. My DH was out of town this weekend and my mom almost took me to the ER.....very scary! (Later learned this was b/c some of the scar tissue was on the back/outside of the ute and pinching some nerves)

Hope this helps a little. Feel free to PM me or post here if you have more questions...happy to try and help in any way I can.

Best of luck on the lap! Sending lots of prayers your way and I'll be anxious to hear how it goes!

BethRN1987 · June 2013

Lurking

I don't know if my story applies or not but here it is for what it's worth. Of course this is without medications other then metformin.

I get cysts from time to time and they usually have to be removed laparoscopic.

My current cyst is 25 but my RE is removing it Tuesday through an IVF approach so not to damage my ovaries.

As far as pain i only notice slight dull pain and mild nausea. I feel like I'm still pregnant had a loss in April.

Hope that somewhat helps

tryingyetagain · June 2013

Huskermama, thank you so much for all the info you provided! I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I hope my RE is on top of things with this. I'm concerned about it, and he seems pretty complaisant lately. I will keep you guys posted!

Bethclosen, thanks for your info too. I'm curious if you were diagnosed with endometriosis, or if you were diagnosed with recurring functional cysts, or some other scenario.

Thanks again for the info and support, everyone!

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