QuestionHello Dr. Ramirez...I am waiting to go back for my follow-up visit at my OB/GYN next Wed., 10/26...for repeat transvaginal ultrasound, to check on a couple of right complex ovarian cysts I had and hydrosalpinx of the right fallopian tube. I am 41 years old (and in Tennessee)...and never had a problem with my ovaries or tubes in the past until recently. I was kept in the hopspital for two nights for IV antibiotics and then saw my OB/GYN in mid-Sept. for follow-up and she then put me on more oral antibiotics and started me on Loestrin birth control pills (I had not taken b/c pills since 1993, and only for a year back then). I am anxious to see if the pills have made the ovarian cysts go away or become smaller but I feel a tightness in my lower right quadrant and side...especially near where I have a scar from an open appendectomy from 2001. I am worried that there are adhesions or torsion of my ovary or tube. I have a cool/hot sensation in the area but no fever. I feel fine except for the uncomfortableness of my lower right quadrant. When I lie flat and press in that area, I have no pain or protrusions, that I can tell...but when standing, I feel a pulling tightness and when pressing, I think I feel some swelling of either my ovary or fallopian tube, but not sure. I am just uncomfortable and of course I have been guarding myself so as not to put any pressure in the area...so I've been sleeping mostly on my back and occasionally on my side but that's not comfortable for too long. I notice that there is more pressure when I need to have a BM or have gas pressure and it is rather uncomfortable for a minute or so in my ovary area, so I'm wondering if this sounds like adhesions of my tube/ovary to my intestine ? I hope not...but have all sorts of questions and my appt. with the MD is another week and a half away. Thanks for any comments you may have...
AnswerHello Jamie from the U.S. (Tennessee),
Of course I cannot make a diagnosis via the internet. There are a myriad of possibilities causing your discomfort including an ovarian cyst, ovarian torsion, adhesions, intestinal problems, etc. I'll have to leave this to your doctor to evaluation and treat. That's about the best I can do.
Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf
