About a year ago, I fairly suddenly started experiencing intense fatigue (tired/sleepy all the time, needing to take a nap right after breakfast, needing to take naps pretty much all the time, finding it extremely hard to get out of bed) and depression (crying VERY easily - several times a day, feeling hopeless, etc. And this is while I've been on antidepressants. Before, I couldn't cry on antidepressants. After this sudden change, I have been crying all of the time on antidepressants) and a loss of functioning at work (having everything take me three times as long to do, missing deadlines, etc.). I also found out, about 6 months ago, that I had four ovarian cysts - one of them somewhat big (it's now 7 cm). At least the big one is an endometrioma (chocolate cyst). It seems that the timing of the depression/fatigue coincided with when the cyst had likely gotten large. Has anyone had similar symptoms that they felt (or knew) were caused by their ovarian cyst(s)? None of my doctors would entertain the notion that this was even possible. In fact, my gyn insisted that a cyst would NOT cause those symptoms. However, a number of accounts I've read on forums have suggested otherwise.
If you have had these symptoms associated with a cyst, and have had the cyst removed, did removing the cyst alleviate the symptoms? Has anyone had a cyst removed who felt WORSE (depression/fatigue-wise) AFTER (not immediately after surgery, but once one's recovered)?
In general, does anyone have any experience with depression/fatigue being associated with either the presence or the absence of an ovarian cyst??
The primary reason I'm interested is because my doctors think that surgery is optional in my case. If I think the cyst is likely responsible for depression/fatigue, I'll have it removed. Otherwise, it seems there's no need to have surgery (which I'm terrified of; and thankfully, I am really not in that much physical pain, although my periods have definitely gotten worse and worse). Thank you so much!
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DrNarwhal
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Hi, just wanted to say I have also been struggle for a few years now with fatigue/low mood/tearful emotions and also had cysts on both ovaries, a chocolate cyst on the right ovary (categorised as stage 3 endometriosis), fibroids, endometriosis adhesions to rectum, etc. However whilst my bleeds/pain have got progressively worse over the years (I put this down to getting over 38) I also have a lot of difficult life circumstance to deal with which I felt contributed to my tiredness/low mood (I.e. father died, mum was hospitalised, diff relationship, challenging work situation, TTC, etc). I’ve since had surgery and removed all these structures but still feel pretty exhausted - it’s only 6 weeks on - so perhaps still post recovery - and I will start feeling more energetic soon! Life is still challenging especially my job - but I guess I’m a bit calmer/more zoned out from that if you know what I mean! I just don’t have the energy to be highly stressed or in conflict with people every day!!!
I also was terrified of the prospect of surgery but I had to have it done or they would not proceed with IVF. They needed to clear the structures away to give IVF the best chance of working. I paid privately as the NHS advice was also that it wasn’t essential.
I’d be really interested to hear what others think. I think there’s probably is a correlation but can’t categorically say that things have vastly improved. It maybe too early to say and I could update in another month or so!!
Is there anything else going on in your life that could cause the depression - as your case does sound very severe.
I hope you get the answers you need to make a decision!! Thinking of you.... life can be very tough sometimes!
Thanks so much for your response and for validating how hard all of this is! I am crossing my fingers that you will update in another few weeks saying that you feel infinitely better, with tons of energy! It does certainly seem in your case that your fatigue/mood could have been entirely caused by life circumstances - you certainly had more than enough of them to explain that! I'm so sorry that you've been going through so much - that seems like FAR too much for anyone to have to deal with.
To respond to your question, I really don't have a good "external" explanation for the sudden shift. I had just lost a dear pet in May 2017, but my depression/fatigue started a good few weeks after, and I've never responded to the loss of a pet in this way before (maybe I've always just repressed it before?). I've depressed on and off most of my life, but this is certainly much more extended, and I've never had this type of fatigue. I'm wondering if I have chronic fatigue (or adrenal fatigue, although many refuse to believe it exists..). Anyway, wishing you all the best with IVF and surgery recovery!
Hi, I too with be really interested in the answer and it there is a connection. I have suffered with chronic fatigue for many years now and also have a 7cm Endometrioma. Luckily my cyst doesn’t give me any symptoms and like you I am petrified of the surgery. I hope you get the answer you deserve. Good luck x
Thank you so much, Rodder! So, it sounds like you had chronic fatigue before the cyst, and that the cyst didn't cause any new symptoms when it appeared? Is it possible that you had had the cyst for all the years you've had chronic fatigue (and that thus, it was causing/contributing to the CFS? Just a shot in the dark there). I know that I've only had mine for at most about 3 years because I had had an ultrasound back then and it didn't show anything...
Anyway, best of luck with the chronic fatigue - it sounds awful. (I really don't know much about it, and am having a very hard time trying to figure out when to push myself and when to rest.) And I hope that your cyst either shrinks or stays as is, and that you can avoid surgery!
I will follow your post as I would like to see what other people say about this. I suffer with chronic fatigue and can get emotional easily too but that’s due to other circumstances going on in my life at the moment, which I can’t see an end to anytime soon. Some days I have lots of energy and feel fabulous, the next day I feel rubbish & sleepy & I seem to pick up anything going too.
Surely any kind of illness can make you feel depressed, anxious, emotional, we are all human and I feel often expected just to get on with it and function 100% when that’s certainly not the case x
Thank you so much AllthatGlitters! You're certainly right that the general experience of having a chronic illness (in a society that doesn't really allow one to take a break - at least not a sufficient one) could be the answer. But it's strange because I don't think the cyst really is detectable EXCEPT for this fatigue/depression, and worsening periods (which of course count as legitimately fatigue-inducing, but I've had them for years), and sciatica. I sincerely hope your chronic fatigue and life circumstances improve dramatically. Wishing you the best!
It may well be your hormones. I am the same and have been very unwell for 2 years now. Used to be super active in every part of life and was never emotional now it couldn't be more opposite. I can only get out of bed about 5 days a month but I was diagnosed with severe Stage IV Endo. Despite surgery I still am having a lot of problems but I have noticed they are following a pattern each month so am looking into my hormones. I've been in crippling pain though as well and am in floods of tears over the smallest things for no reason! My mood swings are extreme and I'm not an emotional person! Estrogen feeds Endo and endonetrioma so an imbalance may well be causing and if not causing your symptoms definitely affecting you. Chronic fatigue is totally a symptom of Endo - according to research and my gyny. Good luck getting answers x
Thank you so much vixstar84 - your experience really resonates with mine! I also feel like something HAS to be happening with my hormones - if the endometrioma grows with more estrogen, then at least it seems to be "eating up" or otherwise sequestering some estrogen? My gyn dismissed that theory, though (although she didn't give a reason for her dismissal). So, you had surgery to ablate the endometriosis? Did you have a cyst too? It sounds like the surgery really didn't help much, although maybe it gave you a clue into how to fix things? I hope that's the case - it sounds like you are suffering a LOT. Have you tried bioidentical hormones? I'm doing that now, in hopes of correcting any imbalances the cyst may be causing, but so far I feel no difference (it's been almost 2 months). I wish you all the best and hope you get much more energy and happier moods back soon! xxxooo
I'm not sure about depression as that can be related to so many things but as for fatigue - YES YES YES! I currently have an ovarian cyst which i need removing (I had one last year too which was removed) and basically when I have my period now I can barely function due to diminished energy levels. For 1-2 days on my last 2 periods I was sat at my desk at work feeling like I'd been mildly tranquillised. Thank goodness I'm not a teacher or something of that description or otherwise I wouldn't have got through my working day at all. In my experience fatigue is one of the most eminent features of endometriosis. The pain can be bad and certainly a worry - but the fatigue is extraordinary. I hope you get sorted out and feel a lot better soon.
Thank you so much! I certainly know what you mean about feeling so tired as to feel tranquilized. May I ask: when you had your last cyst removed, did that seem to help? And if so, how long did it last? Or maybe you didn't have the same type of fatigue before that cyst? Relatedly, do you feel like your current cyst is likely responsible for your current fatigue? I'm glad (not really, because I don't want you to suffer, but just in the sense of not feeling alone) - that you understand that the fatigue is so extreme it needs THREE capital 'YESES"! Wishing you all the very best, and that your surgery is soon, and removes the fatigue completely. (If you think of it, if you are willing to post back here and let us know, I'd be grateful.) xxxooo..
Hi, I did feel better following my last surgery for some time. I do believe that my current recurrence of endo and ovarian cyst is responsible for my current fatigue because I felt fine before I came down with this again and now I'm suffering quite a bit, particularly around the time of my period. Currently awaiting a date for surgery and trying to find out if there are any other ways of reducing endo/my cyst from growing but haven't had much luck so far!
As a person who has had a chocolate cyst (is this called an endometrioma?) removel in 2012 (pre wedding and pre TTC) I can say that I did feel an uplift in energy levels and an improvement in my wellbeing, period pain etc..I had mild endometriosis excised also.
I have always suffered from Chronic Fatigue and remember in early adolescence and teenage years having countless thyroid tests done as I could sleep at tye drop of a hat and couldn't wake up or get up out of bed!
Little did I know I also had Adenomyosis which also causes chronic fatigue, as a bulky womb uses more blood supply and cell growth etc is probably a drain on the body.
Little did I know ***Now post hysterectomy*** post endometriosis removal in 2018
That I had a condition called
Wolfian Duct Remnant which is another cell overgrowth condition something left over from my embryos whuch kept proliferating (multiplying...)
So....to summarise....
These conditions seem to be regarding growth, cell proliferation and invasion, growth of itens that should not be there and definately a clean path is needed to implant a baby when you so desire.
Chocolate cyst was described to me as build up of old blood and cells accumulating over the ovary
(Nasty bugger...uninvited guest!)
This nasty is UNDOUBTEDLY causing you fatigue issues....
Have a private 2nd opinion on getting it removed.
These cells/growths have to have a supply to stay alive, blood, protein, enzymes etc so they are obviously causing a negative drain on energy.
Thank you so, so much Helly! Everything you say makes a ton of sense - certainly new growths need their own supply of blood, proteins, etc., and that alone will cause at least some drain in energy. It's incredibly encouraging to have a least one positive account of a cystectomy resulting in less fatigue and greater well being (I do have another example from my friend's mom). And, more importantly, I'm glad that it helped YOU. (And yes, as far as I can tell from what I've read, a chocolate cyst is the same as an endometrioma. Or at least, all endometriomas are chocolate cysts - there may be other types too? Anyone: please correct me if I'm wrong! ). I hope that you are faring well post-hysterectomy too! Thank you so much for responding!
I did promise I would update! 11 weeks post surgery now and finally getting some energy back.... walking faster again and it finally feels like I’ve turned a corner!!! 🤗Definitely feel healed and more positive this week too!
Menstrual pain is minuscule to what it used to be like. It did used to be off the scale tho.... and now I only need mild pain relief (paracetamol), if any. Second day bleeding is still very heavy, almost the same as before (...disappointed a bit with that as hoped surgery would rectify everything) but period all over in 4 days now instead of 8!! (So poss less anaemic.
Still suffer PMT ...very exhausted, moody and tearful the two days before a period .... so that bit has to be hormone related!!
But definitely some improvement for having things cleared out!! Less dragging sensation during sex too - no pain from ovary (fluid filled ovary hurt during sex on that side).
For me it’s been worth it but if you go for it give yourself plenty of time to recover and heal!! Xxx
I'm so happy that many things have improved for you (excepting PMT and heavy bleeding - I understand your frustration!). Thank you so, so much for keeping us updated :). I hope you continue to gain energy and experience elevated moods! All my best to you...
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It does certainly seem in your case that your fatigue/mood could have been entirely caused by life circumstances - you certainly had more than enough of them to explain that! I'm so sorry that you've been going through so much - that seems like FAR too much for anyone to have to deal with.
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