Anyone else with PCOS get pain from it?

Question

I've been having right sided lower abdominal pain off and on for the past 18 months. I was admitted to hospital in September with severe pain and ended up having my appendix out (which turned out to be normal, and I was diagnosed as having had a ruptured ovarian cyst). About six weeks later I was readmitted with similar pain, and eventually had an exploratory laparoscopy, which found nothing to explain the pain, but confirmed a diagnosis of PCOS (which had already been diagnosed based on clinical signs and symptoms). Anyway, all the literature says that PCOS doesn't cause pain, but I'm sure the pain I'm experiencing is coming from my right ovary (I'm a junior doctor by the way, so I do know where my ovaries are etc!).

Does anyone else with PCOS suffer from chronic lower abdominal pain? It's like a twisting pain, comes and goes, sometimes lasts a few hours, sometimes a few days, happening at least once a week. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Have you been tested for endometriosis? Endo isn't usually uni-lateral, but it is incredibly variable from woman to woman.

The pain can literally drive women mad, and until laparoscopies and so forth, it used to be dismissed, as 'in your head'.

My hunch would be that if you have a tendency toward cystic ovaries, you probably have a tendency toward scarring, adhesions, and other painful functions of endometriosis. Catch this before it spreads!

I had to have a partial hysterectomy, at 28, because the endometriosis was so bad. 17 years of excruciating lower abdominal pain, and scar tissue, adhesions. My left ovary came out when I was 39, because there was a massive adhesion to my bowel. The ovary was fine, but the adhesion cause pain on the toilet.

I've been in support-groups for pain, and information, on gynaecological problems. I've facilitated same. When you've had as much wrong with your body as I have, you learn about it -- and I had medical training too.

Feel free to contact me for support, or just to talk, because I know how gruelling it is, getting on with life, with so much PAIN there.

If it's endo, it should correlate with your menstrual cycles. Some oral contraceptives help reduce the pain. Since you are a medical professional, get a thorough laparoscopy, and have them laser out all the cysts, scars, and adhesions (and stray endometrial/other cells) while they're at it!

Best of luck, sister!

BTW, ovarian cysts do come back. You may need an oophorectomy.

Answer 2

I know exactly how you feel. My right ovary has been bothering me on and off for months and my gynecologist ordered some ultrasounds, then told me there was nothing wrong. When I went to get a second opinion, I was told that this ovary was swollen, which could very well be the cause of my pain even though I have no cysts. Before the diagnosis was confirmed, I was told that I had possible appendicitis as well, and that surgery for removal may become necessary if the pain worsened. People have very different ideas of the symptoms of PCOS, but I know how I feel and I know when somethings wrong. I switched my birth control (I've found that pills work best, but people differ!) And requested to have my Metformin dosage doubled, as this can sometimes help relieve symptoms. I found that Vicodin, if in small doses when pain is extremely severe, can also ease my pain. Good luck! There are people out there who feel your pain.

Answer 3

oh yes i know what you mean, but mine is on my left side. and no people it's not gas. mine comes and goes, it's not bad, but i feel my pain tolerance is pretty high. i've finally decided to stop complaining to my dr about it and just suck it up. not that that's the correct thing to do, but tired of hearing we can't find any reason for it. sometimes if more than one of these little cysts rupture i would think it would cause pain. i'd tell the hospital a thing or two about taking out an healthy appendix though! my theory is if one big cyst bursting will send you to the hospital in pain, then why wouldn't several small ones doin the same thing cause at least some discomfort. most dr's don't really understand pcos. i reccomend you find an reproductive endocrinologist. they usually are able to better answer your questions and not all endo. dr's only see infertility patients, or at least mine doesn't. good luck to you.

Answer 4

I have PCOS, and yes you can get pain from it, i was told it was from the cysts bursting, I did my own research and found that in USA they use tablet called metformin. i insisted that my doctor let me have it, which helped me lose unwanted weight,it made the pain virtually disappear too.. have you been given any medication??? If not , insist on them giving it to you.. Good luck!!!!

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Yes I have pcos and it causes a lot of pain.I was also told it can be caused by cysts bursting.

Answer 7

yes it hurt so bad 2 days ago that i laid on my couch crying! i have an appointment with a new doctor but i am so afraid of the unknowing! does your lower back ever hurt?

Answer 8

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