Ovarian Cyst and I C. Any connection?

[classics]

I would like to talk to anyone who has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and also has I.C. I wondered if the cyst could cause I. C. Also, if anyone has had the CF125 cancer test and had elevated levels. Mine is 38 (normal is 0-35).

My primary doctor thinks it possible that my level was slightly elevated on this test because I was using Estrace cream during test time. I wondered if IC could alter the results of this test as well.

[Kathi]

I had ovarian cysts & thought the pain on my right side was the cyst. Instead of the C125? test, my doc went in and did a sonogram. The cyst was gone & that's when I went to the uro & was dx with IC. That was 1999 & I had another sono last check up, just to make sure there was nothing going on. He prefers them to the blood test. Hugs, Kathi

[Katrina]

Well I have been diagnosed with overian cyst and than undiagnosed (long story) but since they are caused by hormones and there seems to be a hormonal connection to IC there could be a frequency for that reason. Just a thought?

Now I get to party that this is 1000 posts!!!!
:party:

Take Care

[ICNJess]

I had two ovarian cysts when I was 17, that grew to be very large and rupture, causing them to somehow leak into my blood stream and make me very ill. I ended up in the hospital for those stinking things, and missed a month of school. The joys of being a woman. A month before they ruptured, I had my first "UTI".

[Dragenj]

I wanted to put in my two cents on this one...i had my tubes tied in Mar 2000...woke up in severe pain that wouldn't ever go away. treated with antibios for a UTI? then within 3 weeks after procedure I had grapefruit sized cysts. They were repaired...Still no relief from the pain. In fact, female gyno told me that she herself had had that procedure done and that I should not be in so much pain. Three weeks later the cysts are back. Hmmmm?
One ovary removed at that time. Eight months later no relief from pain...Volunteered to do conscious "pain mapping" so i could show them where it hurt. Cysts had returne don remaining ovary....but when they touched my ureter...I went through the roof. this alerted them to do a cysto/hydro...and Voila! I had IC.
Imagine that. I had a complete hyster so i don't have to worry about cysts...but I have severe chronic pelvic pain and IC with fibro ever since. Very painful stuff, this IC.
Anyway. There is a connection somewhere..but I will admit I am baffled like the rest of us. PS. I never had any problems female wise, except cramps...until i got my tubes tied.
Thanks for listening. Any similar stories out there?:D

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

I have had cysts on my right ovary too...and elevated levels of progesterone.

[KimMulry]

I am trying to make a connection here too.
I have multiple small cysts on both my ovaries. Apparently they grow every month and into the second and third month. I only get my period every two to two and a half months. I hate it.
MRI showed the cysts when I had scan for extreme back pain. I also have a tear in disc between L4 & L5, arthritis in lumbar spine and arthritis in my SI Joints. I am only 33. I think this is unusual but I have had four kids and I have had two epidurals and 2 spinal blocks( for when I had 2 miscarriages.)
I keep thinking that the needle that was inserted into my spinal cord and delivered medicine(toxins) into that area could have caused all my problems. All my problems are from the bellybutton down(except of course for my mind being lost... which is debatable);)

[classics]

I made an appointment with a oncologist/gynecologist to look at my ultrasound reports and films of my ovary. The reason I did this is beause my gyn wanted to remove the ovary based solely on CA-125 test. This way I'm getting a 2nd opinion from a cancer specialist.

I have other news too. I have decided to get the cysto/hydro from the urologist. He was going to order the I.C Prelude test, but now that it's been put on hold, I don't want to wait any longer. I just want to get this resolved after eight months.

He said they will do general anesthesia, with a biopsy. It was kind of funny, because I asked him if I would have any marcaine put in r and he said he usually doesn't do it, but if I ask him just before sugery, he will. I should be receiving a call next week from his office to set up the cysto/hydro, but I think it will be a while because he will be out of town the week after next.

[icnmgrjill]

This is an excellent question. I've had, at a minimum, seven ovarian cysts.... all while I was in college. Some of mine burst and the others were just reabsorbed. I, too, missed two weeks of school... and had to fly home to wait for surgery. But, by the then, the darn things just burst... and whammo... I was mega pain that resolved after a week or so.

We don't know how the connection works but I absolutely believe that there is a connection.

Jill :)

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

My birth mother died of uterine cancer, but I was told for a few years that it was ovarian cancer. (I'm adopted) So for a while I thought I was high risk for Ovarian cancer...especially with all the cysts I've had. I've had a normal C125, but I've been told by a geneticist that its not completely reliable. I just had my right ovary removed because it hurt so bad. I did a laparascopy with pain mapping. They wake you up long enough to tell them where you hurt. My pain was only coming from my right ovary, so they removed it. I would be concerned about removing an ovary just because of a test. I would at least want to retest using a different lab...and get a second opinion.

[JAMIEL]

I had an ovarian cyst removed in November...At that time I did not have any symptoms of IC...after the surgery that is when all the trouble started...I was diagnosed in January...I think that the surgery triggered it!

[Lyn40]

I also have a history of ovarian cysts. I had an ovary removed in '79. I had a 2nd laparoscopy done 3 years ago with some additional cysts still remaining. My former and present OBGYN's don't see a connection between IC and the cysts. I believe there is.

Lyn

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

I think maybe the hormone trouble that comes with cysts may be the culprit with IC. I've had high progesterone levels for years.

[kim mondro]

does everyone seem to get cysts on there ovaries? i thought it wasnt that common and now it seems to make me worry because i want to have kids and if ic is related to causing cysts im worried. im only 21 still a baby and i want to have kids. is there any research on any connection between the two? the other question i have is everyone that has been diagnosed with ic in here have you all had hysterectomies?
kim

[ICNDonna]

I hve never seen any scientific report indicating even the possibility of cysts being caused by IC. Overian cysts are common in women who are nearing menopause.

Sending gentle hugs,
Donna

[JAMIEL]

I HAVE read that IC can be caused or at least triggered by pelvic surgery...and since I did NOT have IC before November and I had a cyst removed in November (also a misscarrriage) and right after that I got IC that there could be a connection. What that is I do not know....

[KimMulry]

I have always had cysts and I have had four healthy babies by vaginal birth.

They are now ages 13,11, almost 8 and almost 6. All girls and they are giving me a run for my money. :dogrun:

[JAMIEL]

Four girls!!! I have one (12) and she is doing me in!!! I also have two little boys (5 & 3)...they are a handful! It makes having IC even more difficult! During all of my pregnancies I had ovarian cysts that went away. This last one was too big and it was causing so much pain (and leaking) that it had to be removed. I just can't help but feel that there is a connection with the IC even if it is just with the surgery itself and not with the fact that I had a cyst.

[KimMulry]

I originally connected my IC to beeing In an overly chlorinated pool. Did you have epidurals with your surgery or births?
I am thinking that the toxins injected at that site for epidural and spinals has a connection to IC and maybe even th growth of more cysts.

[JAMIEL]

I did not have any drugs with my kids!!! My last boy was 10 1/2 lbs and I delivered him naturally! My doctor feels that maybe I had a slight case of it before the surgery in November and the stress on my body (all the hormones) from a misscarriage, surgery for the cyst, the catheter during the surgery triggered the IC..I just know before the surgery I never had one UTI!!!!!

[KimMulry]

What kind of anestesia did they use for your surgeries?

[JAMIEL]

I was under general. It was a three hour surgery because I also had a mass on my bowel. They are not sure how that happened. Maybe the leaking cyst caused it. So I had two surgerys in one...both laproscopic..my gyno removed the cyst and a surgeon removed the mass.

[ICNDonna]

I think we may actually have IC long before it shows its symptoms --- and that any kind of abdominal trauma, including surgery or a series of infections, can trigger it.

My IC symptoms hit after an abdominal hysterectomy.

Donna

[classics]

I' had the cyst before IC. It was discovered when I was about 43.

[Iris]

Hi Kim, in answer to your question, I was diagnosed two years ago, and have not had a hysterectomy, or any female problems until just before I was diagnosed. Iris.:hi: :flower:

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

I've had simple ovarian cysts since high school that would burst and get reabsorbed. I also got my progesterone tested because the ob/gyn was wondering why I was having so many cysts. My level was high. I was under a lot of stress in school and never needed to pee. So I really didn't notice when I started peeing more...I thought I was normal. :rolleyes: On my honeymoon, I got a UTI that started everything. Or at least, I had the symptoms of a UTI. I was diagnosed a year later. The cysts were less frequent on birth control, but I still got a few. Small but painful. For an IC patient to whine about a 1cm cyst, you know its bad. I think mine were partly on the inside from the looks of the ovary when it was removed.

I think the cysts are maybe a sign that our hormones are out of wack. I don't think one causes the other...I think maybe they go together.

[classics]

I saw the oncologist/gynecologist about the CA125 test. I'll be repeating the CA125 in three months and transvaginal sonogram December, then I'll see him again in early January for routine pap test and to go over results of other tests. That will give time to see if there is any signicant change in the cyst's size.

I also asked if he knew any combination urologist/gynecologist who might be able to help me with my IC. Even though I have a uro now, if I don't get any significant help after the cysto/hydro, I can contact this new doctor and he might be able to help me.

[kelly McC]

I also have had many cyst's the latest being 2cm the other two are smaller. I had mine before IC was diagnosed and the cyst's are always in the right side ovary.

[Beavcan]

I have just been told I have a hemorhagic ovarian cyst measuring 4.8cm. I also have IC, and am on Neurontin and Elmiron, for it. My C-125 count was ok. What do I do? My Gyn wants to wait for a second ultra sound. and then make a decision( end of July) Problem is I have 2 weeks vacation in July, and no sick time. What are the possibilities that this cyst will need to come out? I only have one ovary (left), and right now it is sitting where my uterus was. Could there be a connection between what we are treating as IC pain, and the pain from the Cyst, which is lower abdominal? I will get a copy of the report sent to my Urogyn. :confused:

[arcticfox]

This is a good question regarding cysts and a possible relation to IC.

I have had a cysts removed as well. It was located in my uterus if I remember. It was about 8 or 9 yrs ago that I had it removed.

But I have always had problems with my bladder. Just last year I was diagnosed. I severe endometriosis as well and that could be a cause for the cyst. But I have heard there is a relation between endometriosis and IC. I could be wrong though.

Lynn:hi:

[Beavcan]

I too have heard that endometriosis and IC can be related. We are trying to put a few puzzle pieces into place concerning ongoing pelvic pain. I have heard that usually ovarian cysts do not cause much trouble, but in the presence of IC, and continued pelvic pain is it possible that they are related? I will see what my UROGYN has to say, when he is back in the office this week. I will post the response. :help:

[Beavcan]

I too have heard that endometriosis and IC can be related. We are trying to put a few puzzle pieces into place concerning ongoing pelvic pain. I have heard that usually ovarian cysts do not cause much trouble, but in the presence of IC, and continued pelvic pain is it possible that they are related? I will see what my UROGYN has to say, when he is back in the office this week. I will post the response. :help:

[patticake]

I had cysts on both ovaries last year. I had my cysto-hydro in July and had more pain afterward than I did before so my uro ordered a pelvic ultrasound and found out that my ovaries were covered with them. I had a partial hyst in 1997. I went to my gyn and she examined me and set me up for surgery the very next day. Talk about scaring the daylights out of me[rushing me in so fast] I am feeling some better now but I still have the swollen belly and freguency.:dogrun: , occasional pain but not all of the time.

[Beavcan]

I the ultra sound results are now on my UROGYN's desk.(I just called to confirm) He will likely call me tomorrow with his opinion. I will know more tomorrow when I get home from work,( later in the evening).I have a funny feeling I had cysts on my rigrt ovary as well. It was removed with my Hysterectomy in 1995, as it was suspicious looking for endometriosis. (turned out it was not)

I love this message board, and usually go back to my daily life feeling very satisfied.:butterfly

[kygirltaytay]

I had ovarian cysts for years, went through 5 laporoscopes to clean them off both ovaries only to have them return with a vengence. I finally had a total hysto, and now have been diagnosed with IC. connection, maybe. sending best wishes to all. :)

[kygirltaytay]

Donna, hello there, just wanted to respond to the cyst question. I've had to deal with them most of my life. I remember having my first surgery to remove one from my right labia at 15!!. anyway, cysts were the main reason for my total hysterectomy at 27. Now the bladder problems. I'm not sure of the connection, I've also seen on another site that cysts and bladder problems are indeed prevelant. I really enjoy this site and look forward to getting and giving support and comfort. thank you.

[A.J.]

I was just going to post a thread about this, so I'm glad I found this one. I just wanted to say that I'm dealing with a cyst on my right ovary right now. I've never had one before the I.C., but I've always had horrible periods, and that's what I'm experiencing at the moment. I don't know if the cyst has popped because of the period pain I'm in, but I was wondering how long they generally last before breaking? Since I'm 19 I've never had children or a hysterectomy or anything, but the bad periods were the only thing that preceded the I.C. diagnosis. I feel like everything else negative started happening after the I.C. I can't think of anything in my particular case that caused it, especially being so young. But I spent 6 hours in the ER for this stupid thing that they thought might be appendicitis or a cyst. Thank goodness it was the latter. But I had no idea what was happening! I'm telling you--why is it women that have to deal with all this? I know men have their things, but physically, I don't know anyone (besides you guys) that can relate to what my body goes through. Anyway, I hope it's over soon.They just told me to get a lot of rest and take pain medicine, which I've been doing quite a bit of!

[kygirltaytay]

hello AJ. sorry to hear your having problems with the cysts. I came to find out that every month when I'd ovulate that it formed a cyst. I would either absorb the cysts or they would rupture causing pain for a few days. I went through this for years. I only hope you find a good obgyn and have a ultrasound done to make sure I'ts only one cyst and not many. I also want to apologize for not getting back to your post sooner, My job keeps from the computer. good luck.

[elizabethjoan]

I'm sorry for everyone dealing with these cysts, but I'm also feeling slightly less like a freak. I've dealt with IC for years and ovarian cysts. I'm curious if anyone else has had dermoid cysts (these ones don't reabsorb, they're filled with odd things like hair and other strange things). I've had several surgeries, and unfortunately most were not laprascopic. I had emergency surgery two months ago for another ovarian cyst and this is AFTER I had my hysterectomy a year ago. A few cells left floating around is all it takes apparently. I'm scheduled for ultrasounds and pelvics every four months from now on to make sure we catch the cysts when they're small. I tend to grow them very large so they have to open up everything. Anyone else dealt with this?

[Sherry5]

Ovarian cysts are actually very common. Most people just reabsorb them, and they never even feel them. They are more of a problem when they don't burst. They get big and painful, then they are a problem.

I had surgery to remove a cyst the size of a chicken's egg about the same time I started having IC symptoms (painful sex came first) I never put it together until just now. Since then I have had surgery for adhesions on my ovaries, and endometriosis. The endo was actually treated in response to my IC pain. I couldn't tell the difference between bladder pain and uterine pain. When the pain got WORSE after my endo surgeryand it should have been alleviated, my doc suspected IC (I told him about pain associated with a fuller bladder, and it clicked for him.) I still don't think I know the difference between period cramping, etc. and bladder pain.

Ovarian cysts and many other female problems are caused by a hormone imbalance. Many of us feel like IC is hormone related as well. That idea is reinforced because I have gone into remission with this pregnancy. That can only be attributed to hormones. (in my opinion)

Hormones, I think, are the tie between Cysts, endo, etc. and IC. I just wish there was something I could do about it! :bonk:

[saptree]

Hi,
I had ovarian cysts before the whole IC thing started. I was 20 and in college when the cysts came on. I was given birth control to shrink them. I had an episode with an overchlorinated pool in college too-I ended up with a full body rash- or chemical burn- it was never determined which. IC started coming on when I was 24. My first symptom was painful sex. I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries when I was 26- by a new dr- as I had moved to a different area of the state. This was right after I was disgnosed with IC. So the combination of the two explained a lot. I was having periods 5 to 6 weeks apart, heavy flow, painful cramps, hairer than most women, then there was frequent urination, painful intercourse, constant pelvic pain that worsered with my cycle- I was a mess, but its now understood. I was able to go off the birth control and have a baby- despite having been through lupron and having such irregular periods- without fertility drugs. My IC improved when pregnant, was almost non-existant while breastfeeding- then came back with a vengence- and I have been almost a year getting it back under control with DMSO, heparin, elmiron, atarax, another hydro/cysto. Now my new problem is constant muscle tension. It never ends.

I never had a cyst removed- but it was a precursor to IC. Thanks- I had never thought of it before.
Sherry

[tjackson]

I had an ovarian cyst removed in November...At that time I did not have any symptoms of IC...after the surgery that is when all the trouble started...I was diagnosed in January...I think that the surgery triggered it!

My situation exactly. Had a lap for stage 3 endo in Jan, pear sized cyst on right ovary removed - lost 60% of that ovary. IC diagnosis during that lap, with cysto to confirm. Had been asymptomatic of IC prior to the surgery (except for urgency). Now I have some mild pain symptoms; not too bad yet. But I feel it's been triggered, nonetheless.

[ozziesmommy]

Hi, I am new to this site and was reading a lot of y'alls posts and I also have had ovarian cysts. Actually just had an incident this past weekend. SEVERE pain, meaning it most likely ruptured again. I have had twice in two months ovarian cysts rupturing. Both times having to run to the ER because the pain became inbearable. ER doc. did a interuterine ultrasound and discovered the cyst. First time on the right side, second time left side. Now tonight my right side as well as right side lower back is DULL/MODERATE pain. I am concerned with all the cancer in my family that I could possibly be showing early signs of cancer? Please if anyone knows anything about cysts and cancer or whatnot please email me or reply to this post.
Had a GYNO appointment that came back all tests fine. Making my second appt. tomorrow.