Hello jembers, I wrote on your first post as I also have an incidental mass very similar. 
when I had my CA125 test I was told it is very likely for a raised amount even if only a cyst as it can signal other things like pelvic inflammatory. The levels can be in their hundreds just on a period so actually the fact that you went to the docs with some post menopause bleeding might actual explain the higher level.

when is your MRI? I am also awaiting mine, I had to have further bloods taken on wed and awaiting my MRI now. 2-4 weeks. 
more waiting…..

keeping everything crossed for us! 

Hi cloudy1986, thanks so much for checking in with me, it means a lot. I've been given an appointment for 23rd December (Merry Christmas!!) I'm clearly on an urgent 2 week wait due to the nature of my cyst, my age and my blood test results. It's very hard not to fear the worst. I'm trying to remind myself that my situation could be completely benign, but due to my terrible habit of googling, I've convinced myself that it's something terrible! I am genuinely sending as many positive thoughts to both of us as I possibly can. X

Hi! 

I've read my way through this thread and one of the few I've found that actually seems active still, I know most of you are at the other end of the diagnosis/treatment scale but would it be to hang out here while I wait for my blood test results and try not to lose my mind to my anxiety please? You all seem to have gone through very similar issues to what im currently going through and its just nice to know how often its not as bad as you imagine x

I really need to read my information. I just haven’t. I am starting to get very sore from lying down so much actually, so today I’m going to get a good shower and wash my hair and try get back on top. The transitioning from lying to sitting or standing is the worst bit for me.are you taking pain relief?x 

Hello and welcome. And don’t worry I won’t be going anywhere, I’ve found so much support in this wee group that I’m keen to stick around. Where are you in the process? Do you already know you have a mass and waiting to see what it is? As you can see we were all in the same boat so ask any questions you like. Still waiting on results that it’s 100% benign etc but very hopeful this bit is over x 

Thank you! It's a bit of a long story so I'll keep it as concise as I can. 

14 years ago when pregnant with my eldest I had an emergency laparoscopy to check if he was ectopic due to severe pain in my left side. That is how I found out my ovaries are polycystic. Since then I've grown multiple large simple cysts sporadically over the years, usually on my left side. Fast forward to Oct 2023 amd my periods started going haywire so I assumed I was headed to menopause. (I'm 38) went to gp, was brushed off a bit. Left side pain got steadily worse, so was referred to gynae. Had a ca125 in Feb of 2024, came back at 5. Was hospitalised March 24 with a 5cm cyst that was causing so much pain I couldn't even breathe. In June 24 I asked my GP to expedite my referral and finally got seen by gynae in Nov 24! Again had a cyst on left side. Had an mri in December 24. Still large simple cysts on left side. They scheduled a laparoscopy and were gonna tie my tubes at the same time (I hate hormonal birthday control and think it contributes to my cyst problem.) 

This is where it gets scary. My surgery was cancelled on the day for an unrelated complication and I had an ultrasound 2 weeks ago where they found a complex cyst. I don't have the scan report annoyingly, but I remember seeing the word septations on it. The dr asked if I'd had a blood test for that cyst, I hadn't so booked that as soon as I left the hospital and that was done Thursday so now just awaiting that result! Which is scary, I've never had a complex cyst before they have always been simple ones. I know logically it's statistically unlikely to be cancer but the pain in my side is horrendous and Google made me spiral lol!! 

Oh, lovely. That's a lot to go through and a lot of worry. I was diagnosed with pcos by ultrasound when I was a young adult but it was dermoids. I suspect as dermoids are congenital that's not the case with you but complex cysts are still not always cancer. There's so many different types of cyst I'd hate to speculate.

I do think hormonal contraception doesn't agree with everyone. 

Hi CLP86. I'm strangely proud of this thread, because I think it serves the exact purpose that people join this forum for. When I wrote my first post, I was absolutely terrified. To me, all the blood tests, scans and urgent appointments only meant one thing...it must be something bad. It's almost impossible at the time to accept that this is just the process, and actually, it's a good thing! Once I had my MRI results, my anxiety settled right down, although I still found myself asking "what if?" It's only natural to be scared. After that, things slowed right down, and it was months before I had any further appointments. In some ways, this was a relief, but on the other hand, I just wanted it to be over and get my life back. This thread is now on 30 pages and I love the fact that everyone has kept coming back to it, not just to update us on personal progress, but to offer support and advice when we're feeling vulnerable. I don't think it's going to come to an end any time soon and you're absolutely welcome to stop by, offload and ask any questions you need to. Take it easy. X

It was very nice to find one where people had come back with updates, a lot of the time it's all the symptoms and worrying then the thread stops and you never see the outcomes, which is what most of us come looking for I think, that reassurance that 9 times out of 10 it's all OK. 

My surgery is rescheduled for 13th August, which is an exploratory laparoscopy, possible cystectomy and treatment of endo of they find it. Gynae issues run in the family, my mum had a hysterectomy before she turned 30 and my sister and niece both have endo. So at least I know that's booked in while I wait for the blood test results. 

Hi all, what a helpful thread this has been, Jembers. I’m currently going through this exact process. I’m 49 yrs, have not yet been through menopause and went for routine bloods with minimal symptoms (bloating, etc.) & the dr checked my CA125 which came back as 63. She then sent me for an abdominal USS and transvaginal scan, which results have shown a 5cm cyst on my left ovary and fibroids. I’m unsure of the type of cyst, however, they are referring me to gynae and for an MRI. My liver, gallbladder and right ovary were clear.

I’m worried sick but it’s so reassuring to hear of your experiences ladies and so good to see this chat is still active! 

Wow you have been through the mill these past years. I’m so glad you actually have a date for your surgery, I feel like that was half the battle just not knowing. Fingers crossed for you they manage to resolve it at the same time as the exploratory surgery. 
please don’t be alarmed even if your bloods come back higher, my gynae said it was very common with a complex cyst so that’s why they didn’t retest. Keep us posted when you know and my most helpful advice is to allow yourself a worry hour once per day if you need it. One hour to Google and look it all up and then the phone goes away until the next day. It really helped focus me into still living life while I was waiting. Good luck, you aren’t alone x 

I feel like you should be proud of this thread, you and the other ladies on here have got me through one of the worst times in my life. I am so appreciative that you started it and kept in touch. 
how you feeling today?x 

I feel like you should be proud of this thread, you and the other ladies on here have got me through one of the worst times in my life. I am so appreciative that you started it and kept in touch. 
how you feeling today?x 

That's a really lovely thing to say cloudy. I was just looking for a bit of reassurance and to see if anyone else had any experience of the same thing. If it hadn't been for you and Lyns coming forward and telling me your stories, I'd have probably just quietly disappeared and continued googling like a maniac! I will be forever grateful to both of you. I'm not too bad at the moment. I've just removed my dressings and had a shower. So far, so good. I'm amazed at how tiny the incisions are, considering what they had to get out. I'm still shuffling around like an old woman, but it's only been a day so far, so I'll try not to complain too much! How about yourself? X

Sames! So grateful. 
my dressings are staying on until tomorrow, my partner and my son are away for the night so I am alone in the house for the first time and just don’t fancy taking them off alone. 
I am still a bit shuffly too but today so much better than yesterday so I am hoping it keeps moving forward in the right direction day on day. Tbh I’m getting a little bored. I hung up the washing today and did some dishes. I’m not a very good patient. Haha x 

How is your recovering going? I’m day 5 recovery now. Completely off painkillers. Managed a 15 min walk/shuffle last night and this morning with the dog. Dressings all off and airing, still have not worn trousers or regular clothes. Had my second shower today which makes me feel better. Still tired but eating and drinking fine and managing the bathroom quite ok. Managing small household chores like the dishes etc. incisions are healing nicely, the one at my belly button is certainly the biggest but even that is about 1cm below it. Still feel like someone has been digging about with a trowel in the pelvis but the gas pain is gone. Getting better each day but I’m getting bored of being at home! Hope you are well on the road to recovery too x  

Glad to hear you're making good progress. I started to feel a lot more comfortable yesterday, as the shoulder tip pain has more or less gone. I haven't needed any painkillers so far today, and although my belly button area is quite tender, it's manageable. I do keep getting colicky, gas pains in that area, but nothing too bad. The bruising is more obvious today and I've got a swollen bulge above my belly button that I'm assuming is normal and will go down in time. I can't say I had a completely flat stomach in the first place, but it's quite noticeable at the moment when I stand side on in the mirror. I'm going for another shower in a minute and will then embark on my first outside walk. I'm getting really restless and, even though I'm a bit slow and tired at the moment, I'm not enjoying sitting around doing nothing. I'm usually out and about all the time, so it's quite annoying not being able to do all my usual stuff. I'm conscious, though, of not doing too much too soon. X

We sound very similar in the not being able to sit around. Even being able to potter about in the garden is difficult as I just want to start weeding or hoovering when I’m indoors. Haha. Are you managing to wear normal clothes and trousers? I am still in my dressing gown at home or my long dress’s when out and about. I am too nervous to put on even underwear incase it rubs on the incisions x 

I've been wearing some baggy jogging bottoms around the house and when I went out for my first walk, I wore a dress. I had been wearing pants that sat below the belly button and then tried some that covered my belly button. I actually think the below belly button ones are more comfortable. Over the top seems to cause too much friction!

Hi, how's it going? Hope you're steadily starting to make progress. I'm feeling much more comfortable now and had an appointment at the GP yesterday to check my wounds are healing ok. I've literally just done my first sneeze since before Friday last week. No idea how I've managed to last until now, because I suffer from hayfever. I thought it would hurt, but it was absolutely fine! I'm off to B&Q to buy a new house plant in a few minutes and then I'll try to get another little walk around this afternoon. I've been thinking about calyxa and hoping she's doing ok. Hope anyone else reading this is doing ok too. X

Yeah, been thinking of you guys recovering and of calyxa. All reading and those with uncertain diagnoses too.

I'm doing okay. Need to sleep more. Shame I can't share a photo because I'd show what a nothing my scar is 4 years down the line even though it's about 6 inches long. I didn't bother with oils and moisturizer and it's still receded fine. Some people swear by biooil.

Hello! Laughing at your sneezing - I have yet to sneeze and also have hay fever. I keep grabbing my nose every time and managing somehow to still not have sneezed! Can’t believe the difference in 1 week although I am still getting frustrated at not being able to walk longer. I’m about 15/20 mins at a very slow pace and then I’m getting sore. Everything I read says after week 1 I should be walking up to 60 mins and I just am not there. I’m back to washing clothes and doing dishes and I drove for 30 mins today for the very first time. I managed but bit uncomfortable. I felt strangely anxious leaving the house after a week! Fine when I’m out. 
my incisions are really healing up well from what I can tell, the glue is drying up and starting to come away. The bruising around my belly button is getting yellow and fading. 
My worst part is injecting myself everyday - I am absolutely looking forward to not doing that anymore. I hate it. The second worst is sleeping on my back, I’m actually getting sore elsewhere on my body because I am not a back sleeper naturally! 
still having internal discomfort, mostly just dull internal feeling like someone was rooting about in there a week ago, sometimes I get the odd sharper pain, getting less and less! 
Are you managing to walk about fine now? What did the GP say about your incisions? X 

I know I wished we could share pics too! I bought silicone scar reduction gel which is the new bio oil! Not allowed to apply it for first 3 weeks though. Today is day 8 of recovery so still a while to go. X