Spoilers...it’s a cyst!

So, after leaving a nightshift to go to a&e as I thought my appendix was rupturing (very different pain from endo) I’ve been diagnosed with a 4cm ovarian cyst (that’s walnut sized to help you picture it). 

The doctors were nice, the nurses not so much. After almost 5 hours in a&e, in which a cannula was inserted into my arm and bloods were taken. I was told to go home and return in the morning for a CT scan to look for kidney stones. I asked if they’d scan my uterus/ovaries too as I was pretty sure it was gynae related, she said no. Luckily for me organs are pretty squished down there and my ovaries showed up on the scan anyways. 

It took them a long time to offer me pain relief, the first being a diclofenac suppository (apparently that route is more effective for kidney stones). The nurse let me do it myself, which lessened my embarrassment, although F couldn’t contain his laughter when the doc told us that’s what she was prescribing. It did nothing for my pain. I eventually got given co-codamol, which helped as much as a band-aid would help a stab wound.

More waiting ensued, a Doctor Who episode was watched on an iPad, with me curled up on my trolley and F awkwardly slouched in a hard plastic chair leaning against me. 

Blood results showed mild inflammation which they put down to my endometriosis. There was blood in my urine. Because the pain radiated from just left of my right hip bone around towards my spine, down my leg and stretched towards my left side they were sure it was kidney stones. I suggested cysts/new endo, this was only acknowledged with a “we might refer you to gynae”. In a way I’m lucky the medical registrar insisted on kidney stones (I wasn’t seen by them just the junior docs who were lovely) as it meant I got a scan, otherwise I would’ve just been sent home with a shrug and “ it must be your endo”. 

7 hours after returning home, I was back at the hospital for a CT scan. I was scanned fairly quickly, I had to lie on my stomach as stones show up better. It was quite relaxing being moved in and out of a big round donut (on its side - I wasn’t dunked into it from the ceiling). It took less than 5 minutes. I then went back to the surgical assessment unit waiting area. I waited there for 3 hours. I wasn’t offered water (least I took my own) or pain relief. I was told once that the surgeon knew I’d been scanned but they were in surgery, no estimated time was given. So grateful for Buzzfeed. All this time I was on an uncomfortable chair in a lot of pain, and shattered from the late night and broken sleep. 

I was finally called by a doc, who took me to a bed-space to chat and examine me. She told me it was a cyst, with no explanation of what a cyst is (a fluid filled sac). She said she’s speak to gynae to see if they wanted any other tests done and I was left. I’d said my pain was 7/8 out of 10. Nothing was offered. I was so happy to be on a bed but the nurses weren’t happy about it. I eventually asked one for painkillers and was given paracetamol. Sigh. The doc came back, I could go home. She referred me to gynae (hope to get an appointment before 12 weeks, this grew in 8 weeks, could be massive by then) and gave me more co-codamol and ibuprofen (asked for something stronger as it doesn’t usually help endo pain). 

Mum came round for donuts and the Great British Bake Off finale. I then slept 2 hours until F got home.

After some research and chat with fellow endo-sisters. I think my mirena coil is the culprit, as far as I’m aware I’ve not had cysts before (unless the excruciating pain while away with F was one bursting). This means I either face more cysts or I get the coil out and go back to horrendous pain/periods every month. They all suggested it might be an endometrioma (aka a chocolate cyst). These are deep ovarian cysts that look like melted chocolate and are oestrogen dependent, which fits considering the coil.

Endo pain is bad, it can be debilitating, despite my op a few months ago I still get flare ups. However cyst pain is constant, it might not always be as sharp or excruciating but it requires attention. NOW. Been popping pills constantly (co-codamol and ibuprofen - all the docs will give me). Sometimes they reduce the pain to a wee niggle, other times they barely blur the edges. 

I bought a vape pen (it’s multicoloured and very pretty) and 5% CBD oil, so far so good. The oil cost me £25 for a tiny bottle which might only last me 1-2 weeks but hey, all my other prescriptions are free (thank you NHS Scotland) and if it means I’m not constantly ingesting tablets and relieves my pain, it’s a price I’m willing to pay. Time will tell if it’s a placebo effect or the real deal, either way works for me, if it continues to work.

Here’s hoping I’m seen soon, otherwise I might just have to pester my GP. I’m booked in for a smear next week (the joys) but it could help rule out any other issues.