Worried about ovarian torsion/rupture

[Emm_93]

Hi, I'm totally new here and was wondering if anyone has advice about ovarian cysts? I've been told that I have large cysts on both ovaries (told to me by my GP who looked at 2nd MRI scan results- but wouldnt give me any more info), so have to wait to see gynaecologist for answers (long waiting list). Have been told that its likely I will need surgery also. However I'm concerned about ovarian torsion/rupture and confused about what symptoms warrant a visit to A&E?. I had the worst pain I've ever experienced last night, and my lower stomach is bloated/cramping. I've been experiencing a lot of pain most days since dec 2020 and since been prescribed co-codamol but it did nothing and it felt like next level pain last night. Apprently it's not torsion unless my pain is accompanied by vomiting? but the pain has been horrific and I'm really worried that one of my cysts have damaged my ovary. Feel like there is noone to turn to for advice. Has anyone else experienced this, or is this just normal endometriosis symptoms?

[ZiggyandBC]

Hey lovely, I have a cyst on one of my ovaries that I’m getting a laparoscopy for in 2 weeks. I was told that if I’m in severe pain then to go to A&E just in case it’s ruptured as it can cause some problems. You can always ring 111 for advice, if the pain is really bad then it’s better to be safe and get it checked out! Xx

[Emm_93 in reply to ZiggyandBC]

Okay thank you, that's really helpful to know - I've had 0 advice about cysts so far its veen incredibly frustrating. Do you know what tests they might carry out to determine a rupture? So I can make sure its being tested properly! xx

[Endohope18 in reply to Emm_93]

Hey hun - I would think it just be an ultrasound /transvaginal or even an urgent MRI to see if the cyst has twisted the ovary as that’s what usually happens when a cyst has ruptured x

[Moonglo]

Hi Emm, I was hospitalised twice because of ruptured endometriomas (chocolate cysts, so called because they’re full of blood, and indicative of endometriosis).

You can also have simple cysts, so it would be useful to find out which ones you have, and their size. Anything smaller than approx 2cm is not considered urgent.

My two burst cysts were 20 years apart, but I instantly knew it was the same problem the second time because the pain was exactly the same - unbearable. It started with a snapping feeling near my ovary, then the feeling of a hot knife scraping down my abdomen, with the pain getting more and more intense, which wouldn’t stop. I wanted to vomit from the pain and fainted, and was rushed to hospital.

You ask about what tests they do to determine a rupture. I can only remember they mentioned a blood test which showed high levels of... something (sorry, I was doolally when they spoke to me!). But put together the other symptoms - sudden, extreme pain in the abdomen, vomiting (or wanting to), feeling faint (either from internal bleeding or the shock), paleness and extreme sweating.

So what if your symptoms don’t build the same picture? You still have pain that needs addressing. You also need to know the size/type of cysts. I suggest either writing to your GP, or the department of the gynae who’s looking after you. Describe your symptoms and how they’re affecting you physically and mentally, and that you need to know what’s happening to your body.

I would also say that if you get your pain again, it warrants at least a phone call to NHS 111 - you will be triaged, and they might invite you to an urgent treatment centre/A&E - they called me an ambulance. The advantage of doing it this way is if you have to wait a few hours for a doctor to ring you back, at least you’ll be waiting in the comfort of your own home.