In preparation for my doctors appointment yesterday I spent some time surfing the net and chatting on hystersisters to track my symptoms and see what I could come up with. I found some very interesting information on Ovarian Remnant Syndrome. According to this site, ORS “refers to a condition occurring in women who have had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), with or without a hysterectomy, that leaves behind ovarian tissue. This residual ovarian tissue then results in pelvic pain or a pelvic mass. Risk factors associated with incomplete removal of an ovary and subsequent development of ORS include a history of endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, multiple previous surgeries, and pelvic adhesive disease. Patients most frequently present with chronic pelvic pain, pelvic pain associated with a pelvic mass, or an asymptomatic pelvic mass.” I’m not sure if it was a good thing that I found the information. On one hand, it provided me with information that is good to know being post-hyst but on the other, it just gave my type-A self another thing to worry about.
So knowledge in hand, I met with my wonderful doctor yesterday. She did an exam and didn’t feel any masses or anything like that but was concerned by the amount of tenderness and pain. She took some cultures to send off just to rule out any kind of infection. One thing that can be added to the list of things you don’t want to hear during a vaginal exam is “we have been hearing quite a bit about MRSA and strep vaginal infections recently.” Thank you Dr. H. Not exactly a comforting thought.
I brought up the possibility of ORS and she said that while it was always a rare possibility, when she did my BSO she placed the clamps with the possibility of ORS in mind to keep risks as low as possible. Our biggest concern is scar tissue. At my hyst, I had quite a bit of scarring from my previous surgeries so we knew that it would be an issue in the years following my surgery. So we discussed the possibility of trying PT again and even looking into acupuncture. I’m not a fan of needles but I am trying to do some research if there is even anyone here in the sticks that does it. So for the time being we are going to up my progesterone supplement to see if that helps out at all. I have a follow-up next month so we will see how it goes!