Has anyone developed ovarian cysts after contracting Lyme? If so, what types? Do they go away/shrink when on antibiotics? I recently posted a question on dermoid and endomatioma cysts in another post, but there was only one response, so I wondered if maybe a more generic term would bring in some responses. Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
hey there chopper,
well, I *think* that my ovarian cysts were caused by TBI's (lyme and Co.). I had my ovaries and tubes removed in January. The U/S study said that the cysts were 'abnormal'. It was thought that one cyst could have potentially been cancer.
What they found: A lot of non-cancerous cysts more than 7 on my ovaries and tubes.....
several women here have suffered from endometriosis, ovarian cysts etc. as a result of Lyme.
I cannot remember where i read it, but a gyn. in Ca. was finding that lyme was causing ovarian cysts in her patients....maybe a search here will dig up the info on this.
Meanwhile, I would suggest that you follow through with whatever your doctor suggests. The true nature of a 'suspicious ' cyst cannot be determined w/o a biopsy.
good luck, feelfit
Posted by jenny76 (Member # 18205) on :
Yes, Yes, Yes! Me, Me, Me! (not a happy me though)
However I had no idea that I had Lyme and Co's when I started with cysts and endometriosis at age 19. I am now 33 and just diagnosed a little over a year ago.
I had a few surgeries for the cysts and endo as they thought that one of my cysts looked "suspicious." Turns out it was an endometrioma and it was ok.
I am treating Lyme and Co's and still have issues but my LLMD seems to think that treatment will eventually help me.
I do castor oil packs on my abdomen and they do help. I could not tolerate bc pills or any synthetic hormones so as for stopping ovulation, I cannot do it.
I have very painful ovulation and see my obgyn regularly for transvaginal ultrasounds.
Feel free to PM me if you would like to talk Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
I had ovarian cysts long before a lyme diagnosis, one even burst. But Md's made no big deal of it and I was fine. Since having LD I have been diagnosed with endometriosis.
I think LD can effect/infect every bodily system. I doubt we will ever know if it is the cause though.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
the California Gyn was biopsying the cysts of her patients and was finding spirochetes...
Lymebytes, maybe the cysts develop and the 'ketes take up residence on the cysts? wish that I could dig up the info on this doctor.
Posted by TnFlowerChild (Member # 24717) on :
I "think" I have had Lyme for over 10 years, but my ovarian cysts were discovered in 2007 when the "first" one ruptured - whew... not pleasant!
jenny76, i know what you mean about "yes,yes, me,me" - & feelfit, I "think" like you too!
Since discovering Lyme, I believe my cysts are a part of this. The ovarian cyst that was removed was large and "abnormal", but not cancer.
The ultrasounds and CTs have shown cysts on my kidneys and now my liver also. I wish they had known to check the cyst for "ketes"!
chopper, as far as going away with abx... don't know - not doing abx (yet? waiting on Dr & test results, but starting to treat naturally on my own). One ovary removed & the other shows signs of still creating cysts... so????
Sorry I can't tell you more... other than excessive sugar consumption also is very bad for ovarian cysts... something I read... Posted by chopper (Member # 24841) on :
Thanks everyone for the comments. Feelfit do you know if the California OB/GYN ever found Lyme spirochetes in the ovarian cysts? I asked my ob/gyn if she would send the cyst and any tissue removed to be tested for Lyme sprirochetes should I do the surgery, and she said she would talk to the pathologist about it. Anybody know of information I could give to her to pass on to the pathologist to have the right tests done? As of now my ob/gyn does not see anything suspicious of cancer on the ultrasound, is following the cyst by ultrasound and recommends removing it if it does not go away. I just prefer to wait until after the summer for the surgery if possible. I don't have alot of pain and the lone cyst is only about 4cm and has stayed the same over several months. Also, I am in my mid forties, so I am thinking maybe some of this is showing up due to approaching menopause, and maybe it will disappear after menopause. But the Lyme still sticks in my head since I also suffer from bad headaches, fatigue and neck muscle cramps that seem to diminish when on an antibiotic. I basically rarely have cramps or any other fertility or feminine problems, but I do notice having some uncomfortable pelvic pain, fullness, gas and lower back pain around ovulation. Not totally against the surgery, but would like to postpone it at least until after summer, or even see if things improve if a doctor puts me back on an antibiotic (tough finding one to do this though). Maybe one of the cyst busting abx would help. Are they bactrim, flagyl ( I have only ever been put on doxy, Z-max and IV rocephin for Lyme)? Can you use any of them when in the sun and/or having a few alchoholic drinks? (Yes I know alchohol isn't good with Lyme, but during vacations I enjoy some wine or frozen drinks with my friends.) Anymore thoughts on this?
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Chopper, yes the CA doc did find spirochetes in the cysts.
if your cyst isn't bothering you and appears non-cancerous, why would you want to consider surgery?
Let me say firsthand that surgery is VERY tough when infected with lyme. I healed very quickly from my surgery but feel that it made my lyme symptoms go wild.....something to consider.
that said, I feel no better or no worse after a glass of wine, which i have on occcasion. Correct, it is not wise to consume alcohol while on abx or when infected with lyme.
Alcohol is bad for the immune system, makes some abx less effective, and stresses the liver which is already being stressed by medications.
For me, my occ. glass of wine is a personal choice and i did abstain for the first 1 1/2 years of treatment.....sometimes you have to live too....
the old disclaimer, this is my experience only and not to be construed as advice.
feelfit
Posted by TnFlowerChild (Member # 24717) on :
chopper, I was 46 when my 1st O cyst ruptured, the ER discovered the "big one" and was concerned about it as it looked like it had blood supply.
My OBGYN watched it for a couple months and it was getting larger - so out it went.
After surgery, I gained 40 lbs (probably Lyme & Thyroid & hormones going nutz)! The symptoms you describe, pain/fullness/gas, all sound like things I've since read about Lyme & GYN issues.
And, thinking about it, if I remember right, I WAS on antibiotics at or about that time for a kidney/bladder infection, and for a couple of weeks after. The 2nd cyst ruptured exactly 1 month later.
The 1st rupture happened 4 hours after 2 airplane rides (change in altitude and "cabin pressure" contribute to rupture?????)- the 2nd , no correlation.
And, yes... now it is full blown menopause... is it Lyme related? Who knows?... Probably!!!
Keep us posted about yourself and if you do have surgery and for sure if they can/do check for ketes - I think that would be very important info to add for research.
FlowerChild
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
I have been wondering this myself.
I haven't been dx'ed with ovarian cysts, but I've been getting sharp pains in my left side lately.
It's the same kind of pain I get with ovulation, but it's not duirng ovulation time.
Posted by Aimee (Member # 20946) on :
Count me in too - I have been treating for a year and have had painful ovarian cysts off and on. Hopeful that these will go away eventually as well as all the other symptoms!
Posted by Aimee (Member # 20946) on :
Count me in too - I have been treating for a year and have had painful ovarian cysts off and on. Hopeful that these will go away eventually as well as all the other symptoms!
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
I was just diagnosed with ovarian cysts last week - again.
I've had Lyme & co's most of my life - and also have a history of ovarian cysts that periodically rupture (ouch!). I have endometriosis as well and have had many surgeries.
My LLMD has quoted studies showing a connection between endo and Lyme, and I'm guessing that the cysts are connected also.
It would be great to find some articles showing the connection, and also to hear anyone's results if they have cysts removed.
MDL in NJ will check tissue samples for Lyme - if you need help getting that info, pm me.
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
I can't know for sure if my ovarian cysts were caused by Lyme, I didn't know I even had Lyme at the time. But I had severe endometriosis and large cysts on both ovaries. I had to have a complete hysterectomy when I was 29. Personally, I absolutely believe it was caused by Lyme. No idea if abx would have helped though. There are a lot of connections between endometriosis and Lyme... do you have endo? There is a doctor in California who is friends with a great LLND there. She is doing her own studies on endo and Lyme. The last time I spoke to the LLND, her friend had found Lyme in 100% of the endometrial tissue samples she studied.
Posted by tiffagoo (Member # 23750) on :
Icky Ticky, could you PM me the LLND in California that your referring too please. I am in desperate need of a great LLND in CA!!!!
Thanks, tiffagoo
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
I think I have had lyme for 20 years. For all 20, I have also had ovarian cysts off and on. I have had 3 surgeries for the cysts and other female issues, and I do think they are related.
I know Dr. Teitlebaum, who is researching Fibromyalgia (which I thought I had, so I was researching) linked PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome with Fibromyalgia.
I think FMS and CFS are related to some type of infection (Lyme) and so to me there seems a strong link.
Posted by TnFlowerChild (Member # 24717) on :
IckyTicky, could you PM me also? I have another friend who is going through this as well and seems to think her doctor would be interested in this info.
Thanks so much, TnFlowerChild
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
I've had Ovarian Cysts but they either go away on their own (burst with no pain) or burst with MEGA pain.
The first time I was in the ER (prior to Lyme Diag) for 10 hours and they had me scheduled for an appendectomy before they discovered the cyst that had ruptured.
This was VERY painful - I found out what folks mean when they say "writhing in pain"
I'll bet the CA is Dr. DM - if anyone wants her info PM me - she is an OBGYN that also treats lyme and she has a website.
I haven't seen her but have emailed her regarding lyme and vulvadynia. She specializes in that too and feels its Lyme/Bart related.
Posted by chopper (Member # 24841) on :
Feelfit: Why would I consider surgery if it is not bothering me that much? Well at times I do have nagging pelvic pain, not excrutiating, but just kind of there, and my other concern is what if it bursts and causes problems, or God forbid it is cancerous but just doesn't look like it on the ultrasound. In the cancer scenario it would be better to have it removed as early as possible as from what I am aware ovarian cancer is extremely difficult to treat successfully.
Posted by chopper (Member # 24841) on :
Icky Ticky: No I have never been diagnosed with endo. As a matter a fact I very extremely rarely ever even experienced cramps or heavy bleeding. I basically hardly even know I have my period if I use tampons. This is really my first experience with any kind of ob/gyn bothersome issues. Since I am almost 46 I wonder if it is just menopause creeping up on me or related to Lyme. The thing that makes me wonder if it is related to LYme is that at the same time the pelvic pains started I also started having left eyeball pain(see my comments if a post related to this), a return of severe headaches, neck muscle cramps, and fatigue after being off abx for several years. I don't know maybe I am nuts thinking these things are related to a reoccurrence of Lyme. I do have an appointment with what I believe is a LLMD tomorrow. So I will see what he thinks. He was recommended by someone on this sight.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
Yes I have cysts on the ovaries and I have large fibroids in the uterus.
It seems to me based on all the replies that there may be a Lyme connection.
Maybe I should be worried. I've gotten to the point, I can only worry about one illness at a time.
I'm seeing a breast surgeon next week and it's not for plastic surgery
Mojo I'm PMing you on the doc in CA.
Posted by chopper (Member # 24841) on :
Icky Ticky would also private message me the name of the LLND studying this? My ob/gyn would probably contact this individual for more information. She seemed really interested when I brought up having the cyst tested for LYme spirochetes should I have it removed. However, I get the feeling she might not know exactly what to ask the pathologist to do to look for this and/or where to send the sample in what form.
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
Sorry guys... I meant to type LLNP (because she use to be a nurse practioner in Austin, Tx. Not LLND.
Posted by TnFlowerChild (Member # 24717) on :
IckyTicky, I tried to pm you but your box is full - see note above. Posted by hopeforhealth (Member # 23673) on :
I have been diagnosed with endo since being diagnosed with lyme
Posted by littlebit27 (Member # 24477) on :
I don't have ovarian cysts that I know of right now. I'm 6 months past a missed yearly appointment, but have had normal paps and everything everytime I've got one, I've had about 9 or 10 paps, knock on wood. I do though have cysts in my breasts that they say are fibrocystic breasts. They started in Oct, the beginning of the downfall apparently.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
KEARNEYSVILLE, W.Va. -- A woman who had a 180-pound ovarian cyst removed is now enjoying the simple pleasures of life, like sitting in a chair and riding in a car.
The 40-year-old Jefferson County resident, who has not been identified, weighed 708 pounds before surgery May 2 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to remove the cyst and about 100 pounds of tissue that supported it.
She was able to go home last Friday, in a subcompact ...
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A West Virginia woman remains in stable condition nearly two weeks after surgeons at Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions removed a 180-pound, benign ovarian cyst from her abdomen.
Surgeons used a hoist and sling draped with sterile sheets to lift the intact, 3-foot-in-diameter cyst from the woman's abdomen during a 10-hour operation. In addition, they removed nearly 100 pounds of abdominal wall tissue that had helped to support the cyst in the 40-year-old patient's body.
The woman was referred to Johns Hopkins for treatment a few days before her surgery because of ...
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Chopper,
The choice is individual. Your docotr is watching the cyst. Another option would be to consult with a gyn oncologist. They see these cysts all the time and are very good at recognizing what is cancerous and what is not.
Mine first appeared as what was thought as a dermoid on repeat u/s it appeared irregular, had grown and was looking like it had it's own blood supply.
I was still given the option to watch and wait....I thought that i had enough stress and opted for surgery.
Just saying, IF you are in very bad condition w/lyme, ANY surgery is tough....I ended up having complications and my Lyme went WILD...
I'm pretty much homebound anyway but things became much worse.....just something to keep in mind.
if you're fairly functional you may do well.. for me, next time i would seriously think about any elective surgery.
good luck!
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
I am wondering if this is not directly responsible for alzheimers, etc....
What if the case is some people do have an innate immune response that surrounds the infections
causing cysts that in possibly years later ruptures, or in old age the immune system is at a loss,
and then spreads the bacteria and as such is just seen as Alzheimers, etc.
Such as Tarlov cysts as well as many others they don't have a cause or treatment for.
To myself thinking that now any cyst of unknown origin-borrelia should be suspect and treated in
those that do not offer any other lab explaination.
Yea I know "Dreaming Again".
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Tincup, OMG - I can't even read the other posts past yours because your post has me blown away!!!!
Posted by chopper (Member # 24841) on :
Tin cup I don't understand how someone can let a cyst grow to be 180 pounds before having it removed. What responsible doctor would let something grow to this size. I wonder just how big this woman was!! Heck my whole body does not even weigh anywhere near 180 pounds. Also if this person weighed 708 pounds isn't it possible that just being so overweight could contribute to a host of health problems. I can't even imagine how a normal sized person's skin could stretch this far, or how her other organs could function properly with a cyst of this size. If my cyst starts to show rapid growth I definitely will follow my doctor's recommendation and have it removed.
Posted by tjckelley (Member # 25205) on :
I just did a search on ovarian cysts because I had a very large one removed a year ago along with my ovary. It was not cancerous but my oncology surgeon said it was the weirdest looking cyst she has ever seen and she made the pathologist go through it thoroughly because she said it didn't look "normal"....I am now beginning to wonder about the lyme/cyst connection.
In fact, the docs thought my neurological symptoms on the left side were possibly due to the cyst pressing on some nerves. Of course after I healed from the surgery the problems were still there and now I have the lyme diagnosis....
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
Maybe lyme. The daughter(15)of a friend has a cyst and she has a horse and is very often outside.Could be lyme or co-infection.
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