kidney cysts

Joined this site a few days ago. I have only posted on the introduction thread. Well, I just found out I have a "few small cysts" on my kidney. I am getting a ultra sound next week and will then see a urologist. I am scared out of my mind,
Has anyone heard of this or have had any? I am scaring myself reading about it on the internet. Thank you for any insight. zoe

Re: kidney cysts

I believe they are pretty common. The fact that they have called them "cysts" is a good thing. A cyst by definition is a fluid filled sac. They are not solid masses... which pretty much rules out tumors.. The Ultra sound should tell them more.

Re: kidney cysts

Decades ago a family friend had cysts on her kidneys ... no great problem.

Don't remember what the treatment was then but there have been amazing advances in medicine

Re: kidney cysts

Don't be too scared - and stop reading the internet - it will send you mad! I have had cysts on both kidneys for years. Didn't even know they were there until they showed up when I was being Xrayed for something entirely different. My GP sends me for checks now then - just to see if they are still there and have not changed significantly. They don't seem to do anything sinister - they are just there, so he is quite happy to leave them alone. Lots of people have them without ever knowing - I think they can be an hereditary thing.

Re: kidney cysts

I know I have a cyst on something... can't remember if it's a kidney or my spleen. They found it while doing a CT scan for my IBS. It was just a brief mention in the report, along with my one gallstone that has so far not caused a problem.

Re: kidney cysts

Some people are prone to cysts, they will probably keep an eye on them with checks now and then, so keep calm, wont do you any good at all to be stressed .......

Re: kidney cysts

Cysts are usually asymptomatic. If they get big, they will cause discomfort and will have to be treated.. Usually surgically. For the most part.. if they don't hurt you.. they will just monitor them.

Re: kidney cysts

Thank you for all the replies. I know that the internet has my head spinning, I did stop reading as it was making me sick with fear.
They were found when I had a cat scan for something else. I do have some dull ache on my waist and back though the report said they were small.
I guess I will have to wait until next week for the US and then for however long it takes them to give me the results.
My problem is I worry too much, this is going to be a long few weeks for me.
Again, thanks for helping to put my mind at rest. zoe

Re: kidney cysts

Another dreadful worrier here too.
A few years ago I had a problem which needed investigation.
The initial panic (medical phobia) was relived by some medication my GP prescribed and I sailed through the tests and eventual day surgery ~ no problems.
So it's worth asking your GP to prescribe something

Re: kidney cysts

That's true... Not to mention that there is the Da Vinci surgical system available now.. It's robotic surgery.. and it's very minimally invasive. I had both ovaries removed 3 years ago using Da Vinci.. It was nearly pain free and I was only off work 2 weeks.