Cyst Removal During Pregnancy: Pain Management & Aftercare

Question
I would like to know if anyone can help me..i have a cyst that has to be removed and its a very deep one.  My third cyst by the way.  Anyway, the doctor that will be removing it said she could numb it and thats it because she cant give me pain medicine bc i am pregnant.  I cant move or get up without my husband helping me.  This is making me shake and puke just from the pain.  I'm 19 wks preg and would like to know if there is anything i can take after she cuts it out that will help. I hate to be cut on period but then tell me i cant have ne thing for the pain is a lil scary... Thanks

Answer
Dear Lace,

Most surgeries like this are put off until after a pregnancy, but it sounds like this has been deemed a necessary surgery for you due to the extreme pain you are in.

The surgery itself should be done under a pain-controlled situation with anesthetic medications (the numbing you referred to). After surgery, you will be able to take acetaminophen for pain. And although it probably has not come close to being effective for the pain you've been in with the cyst, it may very well be much more effective after the surgery. It will be a different type of pain that you will be experiencing - the first couple of days will be some aching inside from the manipulation required in removing the cyst, but that eases significantly each day. The only other pain will be incisional pain, which should be NOTHING compared to what you have been experiencing.

It sounds like you've been through the ringer! Hopefully, you'll be so thankful for the pain relief once the cyst is out that you'll hardly notice the surgical discomfort. Unfortunately, there are just not many pregnancy-approved drugs out there. And doctors want to err on the side of caution when it comes to the health of the fetus unless a mother's life is in danger.

I'll have a good thought for you and I wish you a speedy recovery and a merry Christmas!

Brenda