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[SandJ]

I went into A&E about 6 weeks ago thinking I was passing a kidney stone ( I may still have been ). To cut a long story short they found a suspicious 5 cm cyst on my right ovary. They also found a number of polyps on my gallbladder which is worrying, and these will be checked again in 6 months, but the cyst was the main concern and after being fast tracked for ultrasound etc, I am going in for a "Bilateral and salpingo-oophorectomy" on Monday. i.e removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes.

I have never had an operation in my life and it's all a bit stressful. If anyone has been through something similar, any tips much appreciated. I hear air trapped inside afterwards can be very uncomfortable. I do have all the information / pamphlets, but just wondering if anyone here has gone through this personally.

While my risk for cancer is calculated as low, they won't know of course until they go in and then send off the cyst for testing.

I do have a couple of questions: I've been on BHRT now for about 2 years. Is there any possibility the cyst could have been caused by HRT?

And, as a post-menopausal woman will I experience any hormonal consequences of having this procedure? (I forgot to ask the gynaecologist....).

Thanks so much,

Sandra

[CLKD]

I would ask for a biopsy first rather than a 'whip it' out approach!  Because the surgery you are undertaking needs to have HRT cover afterwards, at least it should be discussed by your Surgeon prior to the operation, so that you can make an informed decision.  If you risk is 'low' .......... 

How worried are you about the overall biopsy results?  What did the Surgeon suggest as the reason to remove everything?

I was worried prior to my first surgery, of course - do ask for a pre-med as this will be relaxing.  Make sure that you have someone at home for at least 4 weeks for lifting etc.. 

Maybe look at the 'overcome' website too and ask there?  and let us know!

[Artyone]

Hi Sandra,
I've just posted here for first time today but I had this op in July this year. At first I had a cyst on one ovary but on a second scan they found I had one on each so the surgeon/gynaecologist thought the best option was to remove both. Sometimes I do wish I'd questioned this more at the time but my thinking then was in removing them it would remove further risk. Really I had no idea what the potential menopause symptoms could be (I'm 46 and hadn't really even thought much about menopause prior to this).
The op itself went okay for me. It was day surgery as it was keyhole and I'd also read about the potential for the gas to cause pain in shoulder but I didn't have any problems. I was uncomfortable for about 3-4 days after and found getting up from lying down really tricky so was best to rest/sleep propped on pillows. I didn't need very strong painkillers just ibuprofen. I was off work for about 5 weeks as I have a physical job but felt quite well fairly quickly after. You need someone to help you for a week afterwards so you can rest and try not to do anything too much even if you feel well as a nurse said to me it takes longer to heal inside than you think but it depends on the incision size i think. Hope it all goes really well for you, try not to worry 😀

[CLKD]

 

Make sure that you don't lift anything heavier than a kettle  and ask when you can start driving.  I had to wait 6 weeks after my appendix was removed 

[SandJ]

Thanks everyone - CLKD - I'm not sure what the 'overcome' website is? And what is a pre-med?

it *is* possible that the terrible pain I had that took me into A&E was the cyst/liquid in the tube, and I do have a frequent ache in that area - personally I feel better having it out. But it's true, perhaps the other ovary/fallopian tube does not need to be removed. But hard for me to make this decision. I will speak to my GP today. This is what the ultrasound report said about the right ovary:
 
"Within the right adnexa, there is a complex cystic structure, which is
difficult to measure on TVUSS but is at least 5cm. The cyst contains
echogenic material, anechoic fluid and a thick septation. There is
also vascularity demonstrated within. Adjacent, there is a tubular
cystic structure, which could represent hydrosalpinx."

Artyone, have you noticed any hormonal/menopause consequences of the operation?


Thanks both!
Sandra

[Conolly]

Hello Sandra,


I'm sorry I can't help you, but I wish you good luck, my fingers are crossed for you.
The website CLKD is referring to is called Ovacome, it's for ovarian cancer survivors at HealthUnlocked website.


Conolly X

[Shadyglade]

Can't advise on the ovarian cysts, but I do have a polyp in my gallbladder.  It was found during a scan, several years ago, for gallstones.  In fact I actually had a kidney infection. 

If the polyp is 5mm or under there is no action.  If it is over (mine is 6mm) it is monitored at 6 months intervals for 2 years.  This is to make sure it's not growing. 10mm and over the gallbladder is removed.  If it shows signs of growth during monitoring the gallbladder is wiped out, just in case.   

I would not worry to much about it as I think one in 20 scans discover a polyp.

Shadyglade

[Artyone]

Hi Sandra,
Yes, as both my ovaries were removed it put me into menopause straight away. At first I didn't really have symptoms and I started on HRT within a couple of weeks. I have had a few symptoms that I never had before. Mostly anxiety, sleep problems, palpitations. I don't think I've had a full blown hot flush and I've not had night sweats. Lately I've been getting muscle aches, and sometimes I've been a bit down but in relation to the problems I've heard others have mine don't seem so bad so far. I did change to a higher dose of HRT about 6 weeks ago and it's helped with some symptoms but now I have different ones. I will see how I am after 3 months and speak to my GP. My GP is nice enough but like others have found they don't get into the detail, maybe it's because they are lacking in knowledge themselves. I'd say you probably do need to push and don't feel like you are ever asking too many questions.

[CLKD]

   Connolly - predictive text   

A pre-med is a sedative given prior to surgical procedures. It can be calming, taking away some of the anxiety.  Some patients walk to theatre  but I like going in, nicecly dozy .........

What did your GP suggest?

[SandJ]

Thanks again everyone. Really appreciate your input.

The GP said she wasn't a specialist but that removing both ovaries as far as she knew was only something to really be concerned about if pre-menopausal, and that at this stage for me they wouldn't be producing much. A friend of mine with a medical background said the same. The GP suggested I talk to the consultant prior to the operation on Monday....

[CLKD]

That's what I would do.  What time do you have to be 'in'?  Sometimes though the Consultants don't have much time so be prepared not to undergo surgery unless you are aboslultey sure.  This can be postponed if you are in any way uncertain, don't take any notice if he sighs or rolls his eyes  - he's not the one that will be needing HRT 

[CLKD]

You could of course, ring the Ward today and discuss with the Sister or Staff Nurse.  They may even be able to let you speak to a Registrar or SHO.  Have a list of your concerts to hand.

Would your GP friend 'go for it'?

[SandJ]

Extraordinarily, even though I finally decided to say yes to both ovaries taken out the surgeon didn't take either as both were just fine, no cyst at all! But fallopian tube twisted and filled with fluid so that was taken out and biopsy of uterus lining, but the surgeon said it looked fine. Possibly the tube got infected in my 20s when I had Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Apparently sometimes ultrasound can't clearly see things, so possibly the swollen fallopian tube looked like a cyst, or maybe (he didn't say this) all the stuff I've been doing cleared it (nettle tea by the gallons, meditation etc) But unfortunately I was still woozy from the anaesthetic when the surgeon told me and showed me the pictures - so  I didn't think to ask him about the detailed ultrasound report that seemed to definitely state a cyst with septation etc, and if this could have been mistaken for the fallopian tube.

It was very quick, driving home by noon. I felt so incredibly grateful when I woke up from the anaesthetic, even before hearing the news. Lovely nurses, everything just amazing. I feel like a sort of miracle has happened.

Now for lots of rest and have these awful anti-thrombosis tights on I can't take off until tonight.  I have three incisions, quite a bit of pain and a bit of a throat infection. but otherwise really good and happy.

Thanks everyone for your support!

Sandra

[Shadyglade]

Phew, I bet your glad that's over.

Take care now.

Shadyglade

[CLKD]

The 1st thing that I do as I come round is look at the clock in the ante-room and think "well, I survived" 

Get those feet up, cuppa to hand ;-).  Do you have a follow-up appt.?