Seeking Info on Ovarian Cysts and Advice on Situation.

Updated on July 17, 2008
E.D. asks from Benicia, CA
4 answers

This is long but needed to get the background.
My Sons girlfriend was told three weeks ago that she had a golfball sized cyst filled with fluid, not blood, on her ovary, after seeing an ER doctor for abdominal pain. She is 19 years old, so they said to wait and see what happens, and if it doesn't rupture on its own it should be removed. The doctor put her on birth control to regulate the ovary system. She was advised to return to the doctors in three weeks. This past weekend she had bloody discharge and a bit of pain on the side of the cyst, but since she had a return appointment already scheduled for today, she decided to wait and not see any doctors over the weekend. Today she went to her appointment and they did another ultrasound to see if the cyst had indeed ruptured. Well it hadn't, but they found another one near where the first one is but this one is the size of a tennis ball and filled with blood. It was not visible three weeks ago in the ultrasound they did then.
Here is the situation....My Son and girlfriend have been planning a cross country road trip from California to Oklahoma on the 20th of July. They will be gone for three and a half weeks. The adventure was to start off with Disneyland, then off to the Grand Canyon and so on. Many sights in the boonies of America and campgrounds. She mentioned this to her doctor and was told, Oh you are young and it is no big deal, we can take care of it when you return. But if it ruptures you should go to the nearest ER. My problem lies here,I as well as my Son feel she should have this taken care of or at least be better informed of the consequences, but the Doctor has put her mind to rest.
So has anyone dealt with this Cyst type of thing before and what can she expect when it does rupture. Is is safe for her to travel all over like the bottom of the Grand Canyon? Hours from any Er room. Should I be more pushy with this?..She has no parental help, so I am her adult to talk to. I feel she is reluctant to stop the trip because of the planning, reserving of rooms and camp grounds and all else involved. The doctor didn't seem to concerned but I am.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

First of all I want to thank everyone for the great information. I feel I was better informed to give advice to my Son's girlfriend about her cysts. They did leave for the trip across country, and are traveling with pain killers in case of a rupture along the way. Now that I know that this is not a life threatening situation, I feel better about the whole thing. They promised to go to an ER if a rupture occurs amd keep me informed along the way. They also promised to take it easy. Thank you once again, and I pray that the whole adventure will be an uplifting experience all around.
8/7/08
They returned home from the trip with no problems. A bit of traveling sickness due to altitude change, but the cyst did not give her a problem at all. I am glad they went. :) Thanks again.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Ovarian cysts are funny...and I've been rushed to the emergency for similar situations. I have one very close to my right ovary...and mind you; it was discovered years ago. As for the large one, I would seriously consider having it removed or getting a second opinion to have it removed. They are painful yes- but not necessarily life threatening. I've lived with mine for a few years, and it doesn't bother me often...but it hasn't stopped me from plans...good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.V.

answers from San Francisco on

While I haven't experienced this, it does nto sound good....especially if they plan on being gone for an extended period of time. I say she should consult another dr & possbily have them removed before the trip. She should also do some googling herself & get better informed on this....find out why she gets them &/or how to avoid getting them. She needs to take responsibility for her health & speak up if she doesn't agree w/something & ask questions. Just a question....you didn't mention her mother....is she invovled w/this? If not, maybe you can be some help & support for her.

D.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I have had ovarian cysts for the past 10 years off and on. They are the type that are filled with fluid, not blood or a mass. They would get to be the size of oranges or grape fruit then rupture. The pain was awful. What happens when they rupture is the fluid is released into your body and puts pressure on all of the other organs. Until your body absorbes the fluid you are in agonizing pain. Worse then the after pain of delivering a baby. HOWEVER, the pill works wonders!! As long as I am on the pill, the cysts remain very small and do not rupture. I have never had one removed and they have shrinked and disappeared when I began taking the pill. When they rupture she is not going to bleed out, but it will be very very painful. Being on the pill should make them go away or atl least shrink. If this trip has been planned I would go, as long as I was on the pill. I wouldn't let it stop me. Yes it is a risk but, so is most everything else we do. Have her take some motrin with her incase the rupture for the ride to the ER. But whether she is in the ER or in the car, the pain isn't going to go away for a while. When I was in the ER for the ruptures they put me on a Morphine drip, yes, it hurts that bad. But again, whether she is in the car or the ER, if they rupture it's going to hurt the same.

Hope this helps!

D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.K.

answers from San Francisco on

The blood filled one is a concern since when it ruptures there could be additional bleeding. Either way when either one ruptures she will be in agonizing pain that will keep her from walking (not great if your at the bottom of the grand canyon.) I had one several years ago and the day it ruptured I thoght I was going to die and I had lingering pain for about a week afterward.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions