Abdominal Pain - Can you help?

[mrsprice84]

Just looking for a little advice - I have seen my GP and am seeing him again shortly, but just wondered if anyone has had similar symptoms?

I've been seeing a gynaecologist for 2 years with suspected endometriosis, no diagnosis yet, but I don't know if my pain is possibly connected???

Anyway, about 4 months ago I was suffering some lower right abdominal pain, rang 111, went to out of hours, suspected appendicitis and sent to hospital. They did ultrasound and blood test and ruled out appendicitis. Said womb, ovaries, kidneys, bladder were fine and gall bladder was fine. Anyway a few days later, the pain moved to my left side. The hospital gave me antibiotics as they said I had signs of infection in my blood test (blood in water too), so I thought that I would see how I went on and if it cleared up. Anyway, it didn't and every so often I will have pain in my left side...just left of my belly button. I went back to my GP and said the pain was still there...he went through all of my hospital scans and basically said 'I don't know what it is, try going lactose free for a month to see if that sorts it out'.

In the meantime my gynaecologist had also referred me to gastro for a colonoscopy as I have some rectal bleeding (which they suspect is the Endometriosis - although still have no diagnosis) and that came back clear so the pain is not my bowel.

So the pain comes and goes, and seems to be spreading! It can be right side, left side, left front lower abdominal pain...it is very odd!!! I'm seeing another GP at my practice on Monday as it just doesn't seem right. I suffered with IBS in my teens and this doesn't seem like IBS.

I am not losing any weight, do seem a bit tired...does anyone else experience anything similar?

[jellyfox91]

Hi, I don't have any advice but just wanted to say I completely empathise as I'm currently going through very similar symptoms, with added back pain. It's only been going on for two weeks, so not as long as you, but I'm feeling very fed up already!

First GP I saw said UTI as there were signs of infection in my sample. Took a course of antibiotics, no change in symptoms. Saw another GP who said probably kidney stones, and gave me stronger painkillers. I just felt like something wasn't right though, so went back on Tuesday. They did my third urine test and sent it to the lab, but it came back with no signs of infection, just microscopic blood. Pushed for a blood test which I had today. Now it's just a case of waiting. I can't help but worry which makes it worse

I hope you manage to get to the bottom of things soon.

[mrsprice84]

@jellyfox91 I hope you get some answers!! It is so frustrating isn't it? I went to the gp this morning as an emergency appointment as I felt awful - turns out UTI, so now on antibiotics...however doesn't explain the pain I have been getting for months. Sigh!

[jellyfox91]

@mrsprice84
Some of my bloods came back today, red blood cells are a little out of the average range. The reception from the surgery called to ask me to book an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound as the GP has requested this, they won't tell me specifically what for. She said it's been marked as routine not urgent which I guess is good, and I'm glad they're taking me seriously now, but I am still very worried and just can't stop thinking about it.

That's rubbish How come it's taking so long to get a diagnosis for the suspected endometriosis?

[mrsprice84]

@jellyfox91
Don't worry, they will just want to check everything and rule things out, i.e. kidney stones, check your bladder is ok etc. As my husband always tells me, they are not looking for anything, they are ruling things out.

I've had a number of ultrasounds and they've always come back clear. My gynaecologist (or previous one I was seeing for 2 years) always seemed reluctant to do any invasive tests (laparoscopy) which is great to one extent, but as I am now 2 years in with more pain, the (non) diagnosis of endometriosis is a pain. I have since seen another gynaecologist privately and he is doing an MRI to investigate. I do have other symptoms other than just the abdominal pain (rectal bleeding), and other sinister things have been ruled out so I am hoping for some answers soon!!

I am a massive worrier, to the extent that over the last couple of months it has literally taken over my life (I think I suffer now from health anxiety just because of no diagnosis). It is easier to give advice, but try not to worry too much, the chances are that everything is absolutely fine. Let me know how you get on? x

[Footle]

Did giving up lactose help?

[mrsprice84]

@Footle no it didn't unfortunately