Ovarian Cyst? Or bowel problems?
Posted , 42 users are following.
Hi,
I'm wondering whether anyone has any advice for me. I am currently experiencing right sided abdominal pain, located around the belly button and below. I can take the edge of it with OTC pain relief but it does not take it away completely. I have had a cyst on my right ovary twice in the past, both times it has resolved itself and not needed treatment.
A few weeks ago I was woken up in the middle of the night by a sharp pain in my abdomen (right side) and felt hot, sweaty and as though I was going to pass out. I walked around for a bit feeling very disorientated and eventually (after 20 mins or so) was able to get back to sleep. The next day I was exhausted and could barely function. I then missed a period - when it was due my stomach became very swollen, felt really heavy and I looked six months pregnant. I went to the doctors because OTC painkillers weren't helping. I mentioned I was slightly constipated to him and he prescribed me laxido without feeling my stomach. I took it as instructed and started going to the toilet about four times a day so figured I didn't need to take it any more and stopped. I then started passing rabbit pellets again and the abdominal pain continued - some days I felt OK, some days I just wanted to curl in a ball and cry. Sometimes I would pass a normal stool and others nothing. I began to feel a pressure feeling in my rectum too like there was something in there. I went back to the docs and he said it sounded like IBS and told me to take IBucspan which I did, made no difference whatsoever. I then got my period and for those few days I felt relatively normal. A few days after my period ended the abdominal pain came back on the right side, it was so bad I got an appointment at the out of hours clinic. The doctor said it sounded like a problem with my bowel and she felt my stomach, was very sore when she pressed on the right side and she said that it could be because of constipation or maybe a cyst. She gave me Colofac. I have been taking those for the last few days and they don't seem to be helping at all. I went back to my doctor and he said he would arrange for me to have a test on my bowel (where they out the camera up there, not a colonoscopy, the other one flexible something?) which I will be having next Tuesday. I have started going to the toilet (normal stools) this week without the aid of laxido - I have been drinking cups of cooled boiled water and it has got everything moving along) but the abdominal pain on the right side remains.
I am petrified about having bowel cancer as my Mum's brother died of it. He was 44 and I am 40. I haven't had any rectal bleeding and my poo does not seem to have blood in it. The feeling of fullness in my rectum seems to have subsided since I have got my bowels moving again. I have quite a lot of gas though.
Obviously I want the test I am having on Tuesday to show nothing serious but if it does I don't know where to go from here? The only thing that makes the pain any better is holding a hot water bottle to my right side. Lying down flat is OK but if I sit up or lie on my side it is really uncomfortable.
Does anybody have any ideas as to what is happening to me? I have three children, my husband works abroad and it is hard to make it through each day (and night) in pain and with so many worries running through my head!
Thank you in advance
2 likes, 103 replies
megan40940 kerry05445
Posted
Before I returned to work I seen a gastro team who seen me once and said its IBS. Anyone have any other suggestions other than IBS?
amelia07075 megan40940
Posted
hi megan, I'm wondering if you have had previously had any abdominal surgery for the pros? I'm 40 and have had cysts removed on three occasions as well as a partial hysterectomy. I have recently been experiencing very similar symptoms to you although on the LHS. I have two small cysts of around 2cm but my pain is apparently due to adhesions. My bowel and bladder are now attached to the left ovary so when it Causes issues for me it affects everything in the area. I had no idea when I started having this trouble at 15 that I would be causing issues later on. I have found I need to take maximum safe doses of pain relief as soon as the pain starts rather than waiting. I take two ibuprofen and two panadol then space the rest out during the day as directed. If this doesn't works high it doesn't always, I end up in bed taking codeine based pain killers and being a zombie. This in itself then causes constipation. My work colleagues are now used to me lugging around a heat pack as it brings some relief in a different way to the meds.
megan40940 amelia07075
Posted
Hi Amelia
No I haven't had any other surgery other than the laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis. They haven't mentioned much else to be honest, other than trying other medication. But the pain I had when I wrote the post only lasted 2 days, I'm guessing it will make an appearance again soon. But touch wood I've been okay.
Sounds like you need to hound your gp though, especially if your in pain most of the time.
sanya11314 megan40940
Posted
Megan,
with interest I read your story because it sounds familiar.
Adhesions seem not to be the issue in your case since they would have seen it in the laparoscopy. (of course any surgical intervention can cause adhesions afterwards, but you had the symptoms beforehand)
My daughter (only 14yrs old) had few adhesions along colon,
which were cut (and she had no prior surgery)
and no obvious endometriosis (having said that: the gastro surgeon did not check for atypical small endo in cul-de-sac area).
The problem with pelvic pain was not gone after lap and adhesion cutting (nausea and emsis did improve though a lot straight away)
No paracetamol, no ibuprofen helps as painkiller in her case. Only narcotics and they cannot be taken due to side effect on guts.
She is still in a lot of 24/7 cramping pelvic pain, radiating to the right. (appendix is gone, too)
One thing so is better and that's why I post here to you:
she is taking a pill
(that is said to be one of the few pills that have some effect on new functional cyst formation and growth, but no effect of course on existing functional cysts and other complex cysts, that are anyway never influenced by pill anyway)
non-stop. We do not even do the 7 day pause/sugar pills to get 'kind of period' feel.
Hence is freed from her ovulation pain, cyst burst (she always developed 3cm luteal hemorrhagic cysts, said to be normal, but can be painful)
and menstruation cramping,
which made the persisting pelvic pain excrutiating, so bad, that getting to the toilet was a crawl on all 4 limbs.
Did you consider to take a pill non-stop?
Would this help or avoid the 'spikes' in pain?
morgan32937 kerry05445
Posted
Going to get another ultrasound to see if my cysts is still present and if it is gone going to take steps to look into the colon. I just need to know nothing else is causing this pain.
Hope everything goes well for you!
Health and healing
erinola kerry05445
Posted
Found my way here via Google and have the exact same symptoms as every one else. Pinching in the ovaries started around Jan of 2016. A few weeks later, doc send me to have an ultrasound (trans-vaginal). I had a cyst on my right ovary of 5cm (or was it 3?). They didn't seem to be concerned. Told me to take some Aleve and see how it goes. Stopped the Aleve and symtoms came back. Had a 2nd ultrasound - no cyst. Symptoms persisted. I couldn't tell if it was gas, ovarian cysts, poo problems (been constipated for over 10 years) or something else. Then got sent to a gynecologist. She felt my abdomen/did a pelvic and didn't detect anything. Said she thought I was just constipated and should go on Linzess (a drug for constipation). Symptoms persisted. Then got a CT scan - all clear. Then got send to a surgeon to see if maybe it was a hernia. No hernia. Next step is the gastroenterologist. I bet they'll want to do a colonoscopy. Fine, but I bet they don't find anything.
So here I am, six months in... with this weird pinching/pain feeling near my ovaries. I get bloated easily and full easily. Feel uncomfortable most days.
I hate this. I want a resolution.
susan05665 kerry05445
Posted
Hi Kerry my daughter had the same thing happened to her she found out it was endometriosis it's also called a chocolate cyst and it will come back tell them check you for endometriosis because it forms on your ovary from old blood from your period and keep building up.
sanya11314 kerry05445
Posted
Hi Kerry,
We have similar symptoms, nothing found.
Is there anything found by now please? (post is a year old and those investigations can take long, long, far too long...we are in it too and still not through)
I am really curious for anyone's answer since it gives clues and ideas when being in the same boat.
(cyst was said to be hemorrhagic (functional), not chocolate and was not there at the beginning of same symptoms, so is excluded.)
kirsten41314 kerry05445
Posted
Thank goodness I've found this thread. I started four days ago with awful dull pain or pinching pain that comes and goes near my right ovary. I had a full scan 10 months ago which showed both were normal. I've felt bloated the last few weeks and have been panicking about what's going on. Gp says to sit and wait, watch to see if it goes... I feel a bit too scared to so I've booked an ultra sound, sounds quite similar to others cysts pain... So I feel a little bit better - might get some sleep tonight now!
lulu36 kerry05445
Posted
Hi ladies! The things we go through eh!! ;}
Newbie to all this.. Have read everyone's accounts and really sympathise and empathise with you all.
I'm 36 years old. I've had debilitating symptoms for over four months. Bizarrely, mine started out like a UTI; painful and frequent urination (only small and occasional signs of blood) and cloudy. Urine culture tests came back negative but white blood cells detected. Since then symptoms have developed into the same as what you're all describing:
Lower right pain and tightness (around belly button and low and over to where I would expect the ovary to be situated). It hurts when I press directly above my pelvis (bladder?) I have really severe distention (which on a slim frame and after more than four months is becoming soul destroying! and has totally ruined any chance of a social or romantic life) and some gas. I have severe fatigue and headaches. I did have some other indications of an infection/virus at various points including night sweats, a chesty cough and sore eyes.
I arrived in Spain just as these symptoms started to develop! and so am having to go private (Credit Card: "ouch"
. I have not been given any reason to have confidence in any of the expatriated British GPs I have seen and have had to fight really hard to have the following tests carried out (in chronological order):
1. First GP appt after more than two months of worsening symptoms: Urine culture - white blood cells but no infection.
2. Week or two later: Hospital emergency - blood tests all negative, urine - white blood cells. Although in Spanish, I think was referred to a digestive specialist.
3. Had ultrasound of abdomen - it detected an enlarged liver, nothing else detected. Hard to tell from Drs if a problem.
4. Repeated blood test for liver function only - no problems detected. Urine was sent away - white blood cells but no infection.
5. Had the three stool test for signs of blood, parasites - results negative.
6. CT scan - detected a distinct hydrosalpinx on left side (even though pain more on right) and two 5x3mm cysts on liver. GPs seem particularly obtuse and complacent, and reactive rather than proactive! Referred to gynaecologist for hydrosalpinx (at this stage accepted that it would be unlikely I would ever have kids).
7. Gynaecological ultrasound (and also asked to be tested for all infections/diseases simply through desperation of wanting an answer) - Absolutely negative on all diseases (hiv, hep, herpes, chlamydia, gon etc). Bizarrely no sign of hydrosalpinx! but something "suspicious" in uterus. Had to wait until after next period and go back again.
8. Another gyn ultrasound - no more sign of "suspicious" object in uterus and no problems have been detected with ovaries at any point in these three scans. GP offering no help and did mention IBS at one point.
9. 1.5 weeks ago: Went to a new GP - strongly suspects IBS. Recommended low fodmap diet and gave me some anti-spas pills. Despite following both religiously neither have helped so far. Symptoms in tummy not triggered by anything I eat; it's constantly there and sometimes suddenly gets worse despite no indicative triggers.
10. All doctors have been aware that my maternal auntie died in her 40s of small bowel cancer, my mum has had colon cancer at about 50 yrs old (treated before it was a real problem) and my maternal gran died before I was born of metastatic cancer. I learned from my mum that my auntie did not have any blood in her stools despite being at stage IV when she was eventually diagnosed (GPs ignored her visits previously and did not refer her to a specialist early enough).
Despite all of this, neither of the two GPs think I need a colonoscopy (which is not cheap for the delightful pleasure either by the way!!) Simply because of my family history and the fact that my symptoms have not eased one bit in over 4 months.. I have decided to just go through with the colonoscopy (gulp). Having it done in two days. Despite my auntie's situation and the fact that I have a lot of my pain around the belly button, I'm not getting anywhere in trying to get my small bowel tested currently.
I promise I'm no hyprochondriac (which is absolutely how I've been made to feel). These symptoms have brought my life to a complete standstill. It's affected everything! Work, social life, new relationship and studying has all been destroyed. And I saw one reply on here from someone with similar symptoms but with three children and a husband overseas. I cannot honestly imagine how you cope.
I know that I'm tougher than I sound. I'm ready to deal with whatever it is but like many on here, after all this time of severe suffering I just want answers..
If the colonoscopy comes back all clear like with many of you I really don't know where to go from here..
I am posting this to try and help others by sharing all the information I have following some very expensive tests. I know that we're all different and our symptoms seem pretty vague as far as finding a specific diagnosis is concerned. I will follow up in due course..
Thoughts are with you all.. love and hugs!
erinola lulu36
Posted
Thank you so much for sharing your story! How frustrating! I am due to meet with a gastroenterologist this Friday and I'm guessing they'll want to do a colonoscopy.
Over the past seven months, mine has gone from a slight pinch to a dull pain. Present most days, though not for all days. Always seems to be in the same spot - about where I'd imagine my ovaries are. Nothing seems to make it worse or better - food, sleep, position - though I'm starting to feel like this really is related to my ladyparts and not my colon.
We'll see. It doesn't seem like it should be this hard to get this diagnosed and fixed!
I'm so sorry your symptoms are so debilating - (((hugs)))
sanya11314 lulu36
Posted
Very sorry to hear your painful and frustrating story.
(of course a colonoscopy was indicated....sometimes you wonder, on what they make their decisions. Best of luck!)
Just a little note on 'white blood cells' in urine.
If you peed into a container (as we are very openly speaking in this forum without shame, ok),
it is most likely just a contamination from the outside of our not sterile urogenital/vaginal/labia area.
(if it was taken via catheter, it's a different story. Was it a sterile catheter sample?)
When you produce urine for a quick test (dip stick or culture),
you not only need to wipe the area prior peeing,
you need to pee first a bit, hold it, and quickly get the container under it and pee again and get the container away before peeing stops.
Any other way the white blood cells from around the tissue outside just flush into container from and were actually not found in your bladder, but urogenital outside area = contamination. Wrong result.
I have urine quick dip sticks at home (of course, old med scientist who I am) and could very easily do that easy cross check.
Did a good normal 'middle stream' urine....no white blood cells dedected, just touched the test field around urethra area quickly with the field and booom, it went +++ strong positive for white blood cells.
So white blood cells simply often in females urine samples get flushed into urine sample by simply producing the sample in a wrong way.
Hence culture for bacteria is by far more important.
If they are negative, the white blood cells are most likely just a contamination. If in doubt, a catheter urine will be taken to avoid contamination.
All the best!
lulu36 erinola
Posted
Hi Erinola, I hope the appt goes well today. For me it has been important to stay calm and take one step at a time rather than jumping ahead (which is what our brains naturally do at times like this). I completely empathise with wanting answers; for me that really is top priority. And I'm sorry to hear it's been dragging on for 7 months. It feels like a lifetime huh! {Hug}
I had colonoscopy yesterday.. They were running three hours late can you believe.. Not the best of situations when you've taken a laxative and sat in a public waiting room ;} But the staff were amazing which will go a long way and give you so much comfort (everyone I know who's had it says the same). Even the nurse was telling me about her experience. Everyone seems to have had one
so it's really just a normal thing. My results were all clear but I think you'd have peace of mind having it done. And unlike other methods of testing I think the colonoscopy is probably one of the most accurate so it at least rules a colon problem out in my mind.
My thought pattern has switched from thinking bowel to ovaries so many times now. Doesn't help that all the symptoms point to both does it!
Have decided next steps: Going to assume IBS for timebeing and will get tested for food intolerances (blood not holistic testing). Avoid stress at all costs! (recommended for you too...) and follow the low fodmap diet in the meantime.
I've read people's accounts that ultrasounds of ovaries have sometimes missed things (mostly benign cysts etc) so if symotoms still present in another couple of months I might go back to my gyn. I've not had children so think it's prudent to factor this in.
Very best wishes with your investigations! And praying we get answers and hopefully a resolution asap
lulu36 sanya11314
Posted
Thank you Sanya! That's really interesting to hear how sensitive the tests are and how easy it is to contaminate them!
I took a few at different times in different places that all came back with a high white blood cell count before I got the one showing all normal. To be honest this prob does tie in with other viral indications and situation with liver. Gyn also mentioned they could even have come from strings of IUD (I guess another form of contamination?) She cut them back so hopefully that will help re avoiding any infections.
I guess you just want all these symptoms to help lead to a diagnosis. But they're not necessarily correlated. When the body is fighting something/anything, the immune system is usually low and we are susceptible to picking up other things too. So think we all need to listen to our bodies, rest when needed, eat well and most importantly.. avoid stress and worry.
Hope you are okay...
krrovan erinola
Posted
I too have pain on my right ovary and now have an appt to see a GI doc at the end of the month. Already done the vaginally ultrasoundmany pelvic exams. Everything comes back good. Hoping they figure it out soon!
erinola lulu36
Posted
Thanks for the update! I'm where you are - bowels or ovaries?! I've also not had kids (and won't be), so I, too, expect a trip back to the gyne.
I saw a gastroenterologist last week and he suspects IBS. Something... somewhere... is inflamed. I am scheduled for (my first) colonoscopy Sept 2nd. I am a little nervous about the prep and the procedure, as I have an anxiety condition, but I am pretty well medicated, so I should be OK. I won't be put under, but will have a sedative/IV, I think. The doc said the actual colonsocopy takes less than 10 mins. My prep stuff I have to take doesn't start until the night right before, so I'm worried I won't clear everything out in time. We'll see!
What was the colonoscopy like? Were you awake for it?
erinola krrovan
Posted
lulu36 erinola
Posted
Thinking of you Erinola.. But honestly it's fine! I was petrified and anxiety was through the roof!! So completely understand! The GPs don't seem to understand re the sedatives used. I pleaded with the nurse to ask anaesthetist to give me enough so that I was pretty much asleep and they did. But it was really obvious how anxious I was!! 😜 I got nowhere by pleading to GPs.. In fact I've not got anywhere at all with the GPs (very frustrating indeed). In fact just because I asked for more sedative I got told by the GP that I "need psychological help". No professional explanation or justification. Pretty unprofessional huh. Feeling anxious about it is totally normal so please don't let them make you feel like it's not!! That being said, like most things, it honestly isn't as bad as the brain leads you to believe. It's important to keep as rational as you possibly can manage.
I would make sure that the timing of prep is right.. That doesn't sound like a great deal of time. For me my appt was at 18:15 and I had to take first lax at 20:00 night before. So pretty much 24hrs. Obv stay comfortable at home but just think of it as a cleansing process!! That's what got me through
In fact the GP totally messed up my first appt so I went through first prep for nothing! Ha ha.
It's honestly fine! Try and plead ahead of appt with nurse directly to increase the sedative if you can; explaining your anxiety. You will be so relieved to have had it done I promise 👍
I still have no answers but touch wood the symptoms have calmed down over past couple of days.
It does certainly sound like we could have same thing. Try low fodmap diet and avoiding stress (incl anxiety) maybe that's helped me.. If I get anymore info will share but I'm here if you have any other Qs etc. Baths and classical music (and wine!) calm me
lulu36 erinola
Posted
Oh! And started doing pilates at home last week.. It's a dvd called 10minute solution pilates perfect body. It's great! Only 10min sessions and can tailor your programme. I chose stretching and tummy programmes. Maybe that's what's actually helped??
erinola lulu36
Posted
Thank you for your kind words! I read over the prep again and it's step one @ 5pm the night before, then step two @ 1:45am the next day (so, about nine hours later). Then, the colonoscopy is at 8:45am. It doesn't seem like it's enough time to clean me out, but we'll see. No eating on Thursday.
I did mention my anxiety, but I've since talked to a few friends who have had a colonoscopy done and they said that they we're put under, but they had no issues. I think I should be fine. I think they do what's called "twilight sleep" which means I'm awake, but totally out of it.
I HATE it when GPs aren't understanding of anxiety. I had a HIDA scan done a few years ago, and despite being medicated and not *in* a machine, I had to sit still for about 45 mins. while this machine hovered over me. I about lost my mind! The tech wasn't very comforting at all and didn't seem to understand why I was freaking out.
I have back pain, leg pain, hip pain... I'm scared to death it's something like cancer. It's not horrible pain, but it's gone from a slight pinch to actual pain now.
I hate this.
I just want to know what's wrong with me.
lulu36 erinola
Posted
Hmm I agree that it doesn't sound like much time 🤔 It might be worth double checking that? I think it's better to make sure it's all done correctly the first time so that you don't have to go through it a second time and have hassle of another appt. But you will have a different product to me for your prep so maybe that has something to do with it..?
It seems that you can take total comfort in the sedative side of things then
That's great news.
I can't sit still for a minute so you deserve a medal for 45mins! I had an MRI scan many years ago and it felt like being burried alive! But the brain is far more powerful than we realise and I was able to rationalise with myself and keep myself calm (slow deep breathing helped).
My symptoms came back
but literally right before my period and now I have a little bit of pain again by my right hip. Diarrhoea too ugh. This apparently is common for IBS so trying not to panic that it's anything else. I understand where you're coming from; I've gone through the same thought process. Because there were cysts/polyps/fluid found on my liver, uterus and tubes I think I've read up on every cancer out there. I know how unsettling it is but I think we have to remember that the probability of it being IBS or something else is a lot lot higher! You're doing the right thing by having tests done and I really hope we get answers soon.
Will be thinking of you on 2nd. Treat yourself to something nice after so you have something to look forward to
Keep me posted.. Hug
erinola lulu36
Posted
I read over it several times. I'm going to call the office just to be sure though. I can't imagine I'm going to get much sleep after taking part two at 1:45 in the morning!!!
I really thought I was going to lose my mind during that HIDA scan. OMG. It was so hard. And I did take a klonopin, too. The lab tech was so unsympathetic.
I will definitely keep in touch! I'm so sorry you're going through all this! HUGS TO YOU, too! <3
lulu36 erinola
Posted
Hi Erinola,
How are you doing?
Just a quick question and hope you don't mind me asking.. but do you still get periods? If so, have yours been affected at all? For the past few months mine have been slightly heavier than before but the most notice difference is them lasting longer i.e. 8 days plus. I appreciate that IBS shares a lot of the same symptoms with other things but I don't see how IBS can cause prolonged bleeding..
I mentioned this to the gyn before and also increased hormonal signs between periods (blemishes and losing more than normal amounts of hair) but she didn't seem to pay much attention to that. The subsequent transvaginal ultrasound didn't detect anything wrong with ovaries.
I'm just curious if you have anything similar as we seem to share all other symptoms.
Hope you're managing okay and I wish you a great day!
erinola lulu36
Posted
Hello! I don't mind you asking at all! I do still get periods. I'm 40, and so far, they are about the same. There was a part of me that was wondering if I'm peri-menopausal. Seems early, but there are some other generic symptoms that I'm having that make me wonder. I have breast tenderness, cramps during more than one day of my period, bloating, muscle soreness...
Today is LIQUID DIET day!!! Tomorrow is the colonoscopy. Can't wait for it to be over. Today I have the same symptoms I've had for months now - pinching/pain in my ovary area.
Hope you're feeling ok, too!
lulu36 erinola
Posted
How did it go? I was thinking of you.. I do hope it went okay! Did you manage to get any answers?
My period went on for 10 days and now I am suffering with chronic fatigue.
I also considered same as you but I think because our symptoms can seemingly relate to such a wide number of things we have naturally considered all!
It just feels never ending!! It's massively affecting work, mood (social life) and am studying too! (well trying to!) Have spent thousands on all the testing and still have no answers or treatment. Just well and truly fed up.
Hope you're doing better!
lulu36
Posted
erinola lulu36
Posted
Thank you for thinking of me! You are too kind. It went just fine. The prep wasn't that bad, though I did make ***19*** trips to the toilet. LOL. The day of, I took an anti-anxiety pill and they also gave me something... and it was all a blur. I don't remember a thing! Pretty quick and painless process, actually. I was pleasantly surprised.
I assume the sheet I got with pics of my colon is the "diagnosis" and all that found was one polyp that they removed. I think everythign else is clear. I mean, that's good, but it doesn't give me an answer as to what's wrong with me.
I still have the pain/pinching in my ovary/pelvis area. I feel sluggish, I sweat easily and generally feel run down. I'm not as debiliated as you are - I am so sorry you're going through this!!! Can I ask how old you are?
I feel like at this point it *has* to be an ovary thing. Right?!
lulu36 erinola
Posted
Hey, I am really pleased it went so well! Great news. So still no sign of improvement after they removed the polyp? My first wasted prep went okay but the second was awful and I was really sore! So def pleased to get that out of the way ha! That was the worst part of it for me. My poor Mum didn't seem to have hardly anything close to what we had sedation-wise so I am grateful!..
Of course I don't mind; I'm 36 so very similar age to you and our symptoms do seem very alike for the most part. Current worst symptom for me is this chronic fatigue; it's just brought everything to a standstill. I am taking vit d, iron, pro-biotic and other supplements daily, following low fodmap diet and exercising. Even allowing myself to sleep more but nothing seems to be improving it. Bit of a weird thing last night also.. woke up feeling quite nauseous which is first time I've had that.
Like you, I just want answers. Do you have a good GP? And have you had any gyn scans etc? I had an abdomen CT, abdomen ultrasound and a gyn (transv) ultrasound. Successive scans would contradict the last (one minute there was a detected hydrosalpinx and "suspicious" item in uterus and the next all clear). Ovaries came up as fine on all scans! But I have read many accounts where things were missed several times before finding a diagnosis. Am remaining rational about that but I am keeping it at the back of my mind. Even my GP said these test results aren't accurate/conclusive but based only on probabilties. I completely empathise with you re frustration over not getting any answers. Whatever it is I just want to know so that I can get on with it. As there's no official way of diagnosing IBS I guess all we can do is try and rule out other things in the meantime.. Other than small bowel and appendix I think everything else in that area has been tested for at least once!
If you get the chance to, let me know how far you've got with your gyn and GP..
You don't think IBS then?
{Hug}
erinola lulu36
Posted
Wow, you're in worse shape than me. I definitely feel worn out/tired, but am still very functional. I go to the toilet about once every 2-3 days (#2), but do not struggle with...going.
The polyp was benign. No difference in anything before/after the colonoscopy. I'm currently having my period now, so am taking ibuprofnen for the cramps. I don't notice the "problem" during that time since I'm on ibuprofen for the pain of the cramps. Once my period ends, the pinching/pain will start right back up again.
The colo doc seemed to indicate IBS, but I don't know if I have the official diagnosis or not. I haven't made any changes to... anything. No diet changes, but since I'm so worn down (and gained so much weight), I haven't been walking as much.
I do have a good GP, but she doesn't really have a clue... just keeps sending me from one doc to another. So far, I've had at least two regular GP visits, two vaginal ultrasounds, one CT scan, saw a doc for the possibility of a hernia (it wasn't one), a gynecologist and the colonoscopy. So far, all clear.
At this point, I'm leaning towards thinking it has to be my ovaries or uterus. My guess is that I'll get another vaginal ultrasound. Those are so delightful!!!
What's your next step at this point? Do you have a good GP, too?
Hope you're having a good day - thanks for checking in on me!
kat78214 lulu36
Posted
I just found this site after "googling" my symptoms, and I'm experiencing what most everyone is saying... the right side pain. I've been dealing with this off and on for what seems like a year. I suffer from constipation and have been on and off with Miralax. I just took it again yesterday and this morning. Plus, I'm really pushing the water. I'm drinking a ton right now. I'm hoping it will help. I think I did this the last time this happened, and it helped. My symptoms started again last week. I'm not sure if it was corn that I ate or Kefir that I decided to start trying or both (that was Wednesday). It started right about that time I was eating these foods. Then it seemed to get worse after I ate one of those power bars on Friday (I think it was a Cliff bar). I do believe, for me, that it's food related... I don't think my body likes the heavy fiber or hard to digest stuff. I'm 43 years old and had my ovaries removed for preventive measures when I was 35 (I carry the BRCA1 mutation). So I don't believe, for me, that it's a gyn thing. Not to get too gross (well, we're all in this together), but my bowel movements have been laced (on and off) with a mucus-type coating. It's not always, but sometimes. I can't figure out why this is happening other than it's food related and maybe related to my genetic make up (certain foods don't mix with me, i think). And I'm not overly stressed either... I love my life and enjoy what I do! I'm really empathic to what everyone is suffering with... it can be maddening, indeed. I pray you might find comfort and know you're not alone. <3
gladys68 kat78214
Posted
gladys68 kat78214
Posted
Kay I want to suggest taking Mag O7 for constipation. It works wonders. You can find it on amazon and can read reviews. It's all natural.