Ovarian Cyst & Gastrointestinal Issues

Hello! I was recently in the ER on Sunday due to what seemed like "food poisoning" or gastroenteritis. I had very watery diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, etc. The last time I had this was in 2009 and the ER then told me that it was diverticulitis b/c my lower left abdomen was hurting. When I mentioned that to the DR at the recent trip to the ER, he said that they just can't say its diverticulitis without at least a CT Scan. So, after my food poisoning was attended to, they did a CT Scan. They did not find diverticulitis but a cyst on my ovary. He didn't tell me how large - I don't know why I resisted the urge to ask - but I am going to my Primary Dr tomorrow. A day after I came back from the ER, my nausea and diarrhea are gone but my belly is very full/hard like I am pregnant or have gas. It doesn't go down when I pass gas and is still hard on my lower left side where the cyst is located. It hurts to walk - the force of my foot hitting the floor when I walk is shaking something up and causing sharp pains on my left side of my abdomen.

I know that cysts are common and are just watched until they grow and/or show malignancies. My questions are: was my bout in 2009 proof that the presence of cyst(s) cause my gastroenteritis?, could the bout in 2009 be the same cyst? I have also been on the Mirena IUD since October 2008 and without a period since Jan/Feb 2009. Does that mean I am considered "post menopausal"? If so, does that mean my chances of ovarian cancer are higher? I am 33 years old.

**Update - I went to Primary Dr today and he said that the CT Scan showed a 2.8cm cyst. Was referred to GYN for an appointment next Tuesday**

Hi 24kbear,

I'm not a professional, but I've done lots of internet research over the past few months while dealing with my ovarian issues.

Cysts can mimic many of the same symptoms as ovarian cancer, and cysts (both simple and complex) are far more common than cancer. So chances are in your favour that everything is benign - although it's still a good idea for your doctor to monitor things.

Then again, I know how hard it is not to worry or to jump to worst-case-scenario thinking. I myself am in my early thirties, and should be low-risk for cancer, but I'm worried that they're jumping so quickly to suggesting an MRI for me (plus the fact that what they're currently following doesn't resemble either a corpus luteum or a hemmoraghic cyst, and they're just referring to it as a "mass").

But from everything that you've written, it sounds like your symptoms could very well be just from the cyst - especially if it's collapsing/in the process of resolving. Back in September, I had a collapsing cyst that sent me to the ER - I had a lot of the same symptoms as you have, and they lasted for a good 20 days or so afterwards (not the pain - that was only on the first day - but the bloating, sense of pressure/fullness, etc).

But that cyst did resolve on its own, and hopefully the same thing will happen with yours.

I hope your appointment with the GYN goes well!

Twixt

Hello, twixt...

Thank you for your advice! For the most part, everything went well! The u/s confirmed that the cyst has shrunk from 2.8cm to 0.9cm in a little over a week. The GYN was also quick to reply that my GI issues have nothing to do with the cyst or anything ovarian. However, the GYN only did what the referral asked for (follow up on cyst) and did not do an annual exam. I just moved to this area and recently switched insurances, so I haven't had an annual since 2009. Good thing is I am going to use this to schedule an annual with another GYN and ask for her 2nd opinion about the possibility of cysts/OC and my GI issues.

I wish you good health! Hang in there waiting for the MRI appointment. I, too, would like to believe that if it was a big issue, then they'd schedule you sooner.

Hi, 24Kbear -

I mentioned in my other post that you responded to (and thank you again for responding, by the way , that I needed to read YOUR post and see what you are going through. I am glad that your cyst has shrunk, as that is encouraging! I have ZERO experience with cysts, other than I've had two that just disappeared and that the docs never seemed concerned about. What I DO have that you have is the gastro stuff, and I am just as lost as you are about it (. I have a second opinion appointment TOMORROW and will post more when I find out what they say. I hope all of us get some answers. It sounds like with your situation that the docs aren't too worried either, but that doesn't make it easy on us as patients. It's OUR lives at stake and we are the ones that have to deal with the symptoms ((( I do feel like from what you are describing that you don't have anythign to be alarmed about based on what you have been told............I hope you get answers SOON and that your symptoms resolve (and that the cyst just eventually goes away!). More to come from me when I know more

Originally Posted by 24kbear

Hello, twixt...

Thank you for your advice! For the most part, everything went well! The u/s confirmed that the cyst has shrunk from 2.8cm to 0.9cm in a little over a week. The GYN was also quick to reply that my GI issues have nothing to do with the cyst or anything ovarian. However, the GYN only did what the referral asked for (follow up on cyst) and did not do an annual exam. I just moved to this area and recently switched insurances, so I haven't had an annual since 2009. Good thing is I am going to use this to schedule an annual with another GYN and ask for her 2nd opinion about the possibility of cysts/OC and my GI issues.

I wish you good health! Hang in there waiting for the MRI appointment. I, too, would like to believe that if it was a big issue, then they'd schedule you sooner.