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[EllieJ]

At the end of April my gp changed my hrt from evorel conte to evorel 50 plus 200mg micronised progesterone on a daily basis (so still a conte regime). This was due to light bleeding on the conte after a year or so. (Had Hysteroscopy and pipelle early December which were clear.)

In late June I developed really sore boobs then in early July had what felt like a full on period that lasted 8 days. As I was within the adjustment phase following a hrt change (3-6 months?) I wasn’t massively worried but gp insisted on a scan which I’ve had today.

This shows an endometrial thickness of 6mm plus an ovarian cyst. This has terrified me. I shouldn’t be getting cysts post menopausal should I? The bleeding has stopped now and I had been feeling good. I have been eating better and lost a couple of stones since January but now my health anxiety is screaming that this weight loss is due to something sinister.

We are due to go on our dream three week trip around Scotland on 17th August and I’m thinking this could be spoiled by my anxiety. My poor husband has been planning this all year and I’m going to be worried the whole time. The gp is calling me tomorrow to discuss next steps.

[CLKD]

and breath ......... make a list of your concerns. 

I expect that U can go on your holiday, a few weeks won't make difference what ever theGP tells U . 

[Snowcat]

Hi Ellie.  I had an ovarian cyst 12 years post menopause.  I also have health anxiety so I do understand.  I know you’ll have told yourself this but you have a reason for your weight loss and if it was sinister you’d have other symptoms too.  The scan has clearly revealed a cyst which are quite common.  My friend who’s also post menopausal has just been diagnosed with one via a scan and although they want to remove it they’re in no hurry to do so.

My cyst was removed as it was stuck to other things and causing me pain, but the op was keyhole and wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d imagined.  I’m sure you’ll be able to go on your holiday and I hope you really enjoy it.

I think anxiety is often worse than the problem we get anxious about!
All this might not help but I hope it does - these cysts are often an incidental finding and hopefully your GP will be able to reassure you.  Try not to let your imagination run riot - believe me, I know how hard that is but most of the things we worry about never happen!

I know what you think it is but it’s far, far more likely to be a common cyst.  There’s a saying they use when training doctors ‘if you hear the sound of galloping hooves - don’t go looking for zebra!’ In other words, the most likely cause is usually the right one.  Not always obviously, but you’ve had a scan and a cyst looks obviously just that - that’s what they told me when I freaked out! Be gentle with yourself and speak to yourself like you would a friend who was in your place…

[EllieJ]

Hi Ellie.  I had an ovarian cyst 12 years post menopause.  I also have health anxiety so I do understand.  I know you’ll have told yourself this but you have a reason for your weight loss and if it was sinister you’d have other symptoms too.  The scan has clearly revealed a cyst which are quite common.  My friend who’s also post menopausal has just been diagnosed with one via a scan and although they want to remove it they’re in no hurry to do so.

My cyst was removed as it was stuck to other things and causing me pain, but the op was keyhole and wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d imagined.  I’m sure you’ll be able to go on your holiday and I hope you really enjoy it.

I think anxiety is often worse than the problem we get anxious about!
All this might not help but I hope it does - these cysts are often an incidental finding and hopefully your GP will be able to reassure you.  Try not to let your imagination run riot - believe me, I know how hard that is but most of the things we worry about never happen!

I know what you think it is but it’s far, far more likely to be a common cyst.  There’s a saying they use when training doctors ‘if you hear the sound of galloping hooves - don’t go looking for zebra!’ In other words, the most likely cause is usually the right one.  Not always obviously, but you’ve had a scan and a cyst looks obviously just that - that’s what they told me when I freaked out! Be gentle with yourself and speak to yourself like you would a friend who was in your place…

Thank you so much this is just what I needed to read. My health anxiety is bad right now I’ve just started a course of CBT to try and deal with it. I used to be so calm - but now I’ve got a husband and two children with serious health conditions and have spent so many hours pacing hospital corridors with them the anxiety is becoming a pain in the bum. Thank you so much for commenting x

[Snowcat]

You’re welcome ☺️ you know, you’ve got understandable reasons to be overwhelmed with anxiety! Don’t be hard on yourself - you’ve had to deal with so much and although we cope at the time, it can have long lasting effects.  My health anxiety started when I was pregnant and kept threatening to miscarry at the same time as my dad was diagnosed with cancer.  He’d been misdiagnosed for a while before they realised what he had - it wouldn’t have made any difference to the outcome but I began to worry - then I was misdiagnosed with my ovarian cyst - it was 18 months before I even got a scan! (Before that they said it was psychological!) but with a young child I just tried to carry on.  All this left me with long term anxiety. Like you, I was ok before all this. We have to understand that it’s not our fault - I think it’s more like a form of PTSD to be honest. As I said, Be gentle and kind with yourself - CBT will help I’m sure. There’s a saying that I love (one for the fridge door) that I can’t remember exactly, might be Mark Twain, but it goes something like ‘my life has been full of worrying events - some of which actually happened!’  I try to keep that in mind! Take care x

[EllieJ]

Thank you again and I love that quote! Update today, the cyst is small only 2cm x 2cm. GP checking my CA125 as I’m post menopausal but didn’t seem overly worried and said will just have another scan in 4 months time. Sadly because of the uterine lining being 6.3mm I am being referred back for another Hysteroscopy- I’ve said I need to have sedation as I was so traumatised last time. I’m being referred on the 2ww but we go away for three weeks on 17th August so doubt I’ll be seen before we get back now. I really wish I could just have a clean bill of health - got another scan on my liver tomorrow due to fatty liver! It all comes at once!

[Snowcat]

Well that all sounds positive to me - the cyst is very small - mine was 8cms not that I’m boasting lol! I’ve got fatty liver too - had a scan last December - I told my consultant I would try to go on a diet etc and he said not to worry about it - a lot of people have it! I’ve lost weight since then so who knows? He said it’s more worrying if you’re a heavy drinker, as then you would have to stop. 

I’ve been referred on the 2 week wait many times - I know it would’ve been nicer to have put it all behind you before you go away, but quite honestly something else would have taken its place if you’re like me!

Unfortunately we can never know how we are or what’s going on inside - best to take one day at a time, or what happens is not only do we have to deal with today’s worries but those of the unknown future too! We’re a bit like ships - we have a maximum load - ships are built to float but even so, they have a limit before they sink and so do we.  All we have is this minute - make sure we’re in it! Take care x

[EllieJ]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it! We fatty liver ladies must stick together lol. Have a great day and take care - if ever you need a fellow anxiety sufferer to talk to I’m here, if you’re like me you know how to reassure everyone except yourself xxx

[MrsMitch]

Ellie, thinking about the quote Snowcat posted that you liked, it's very true. Generally most of the things we worry about never happen. Then we've spent all our time & energy thinking about them! Our minds are a pain in the neck! The common denominator on this forum is that we do worry so much about our health & if you have a read around, usually what we worried we had turns out ok in the end.
I hope CBT works for you as I'm sure it'll help you to process concerns differently. Let us know how you get on with the GP. I'm sure by the time you get away, you'll be able to think about the trip & enjoy it. Sounds like it will be a wonderful holiday.

[Snowcat]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it! We fatty liver ladies must stick together lol. Have a great day and take care - if ever you need a fellow anxiety sufferer to talk to I’m here, if you’re like me you know how to reassure everyone except yourself xxx

Hi Ellie, thank you and yep that’s me - a mine of helpful information for everyone else! Mrsmitch is right - we’re all here because we have concerns and most is us are still here years later! (I mean as I’m alive, not still here on the forum and in pain, hopefully!) have a great holiday - step outside your brain if you can, and enjoy each moment- let us know how it goes!