So, I ended up in the ER tonight because of severe abdominal pain that kept getting worse even after taking advil. They ran a bunch of tests and did an ultrasound and said that I have an ovarian cyst causing the pain. It's not hurting as much now and they gave me stronger meds in case it does again and a referral to a gynecologist. I am going to call tomorrow and set up an appointment.

What I'm wondering is if there's anything I should know before I go in. They kept asking tonight if I had any questions but I don't really know enough about cysts to even know what to ask.

I googled it and found this: Ovarian cysts - PubMed Health (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002473/)
Is there anything more to it that I should know before seeing the doctor?

Basically, they are scary painful, but not something to be scared of. I've had a couple of ovarian cysts at different times, both of which presented like acute appendicitis. In both cases, they burst on their own on the way to the operating table, so I never had to get them removed.

Interestingly, as soon as I know they were not going to kill me, the pain was much easier to cope with.

Try not to worry.

Thank you. They said it looked like it had already ruptured. They way they were talking last night I thought that was why the pain had gotten so bad, but I guess maybe that's actually why I was starting to feel better by the time they told me what it was.

I feel better about it now, knowing your experience. Thank you for sharing. :)

That sounds right. Mine burst and I had the most horrendous period type pain and bleed, and then it all went away and I went home the next day, complaining bitterly about hospital food.