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Original poster

If you had lower left abdominal pain....

36 replies

Leftylucy85 · 09/10/2018 11:05

What was the cause? I feel I’m losing my mind.

Started about 3 weeks ago, sore enough to interrupt my sleep and make me want to lie in bed all day (have young children so can’t!). Abdomen was really tender to touch too.

Was given busupan & co-codamol, then moved to tramadol. Nothing helped. Sent for internal gynae scan which showed nothing, bloods fine although bilirubin slightly elevated they weren’t concerned with that. Also have pain left should blade area (and gallstones if relevant).

Eventually another GP took pity on me and went down the strong antibiotic route just incase was diviticulitus, even though nothing in bloods. Started them Wednesday evening & pain started easing on Friday, but it’s came back the last 24 hours. Slowly getting back to the pain level it was previously, antibiotics will finish Thursday.

I’m torn between going back to GP and asking for an abdo scan as I’m desperate, or giving it a few more days or misery first.

All the dr’s I’ve seen have said no idea what’s causing it Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
Leftylucy85 · 09/10/2018 12:23

Desperate bump

OP posts:
WendyCope · 09/10/2018 12:25

Sounds like when I had pancreatitis, does it get worse when you eat?

theconstantinoplegardener · 09/10/2018 12:30

How are your bowel movements? Do you suffer from constipation?

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Original poster
Leftylucy85 · 09/10/2018 12:31

They did bloods for pancreas and said it was normal and pain wouldn’t be in lower abdo? It’s right down into my pelvis.

Not sure about the eating I don’t think so, it was worse from 2-4am last night and hadn’t eaten since dinner. Have been getting more heartburn lately though.

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Original poster
Leftylucy85 · 09/10/2018 12:32

Do suffer from constipation occasionally yeah but there’s been no change and I’ve been to toilet a few times in the 3 or so weeks and it’s made no difference.

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Kraggle · 09/10/2018 12:33

Did they look at your ovaries for a cyst when they did the internal scan?

stellabird · 09/10/2018 12:33

I get lower left sided abdo pain periodically - bad enough to take regular Tramadol. It is caused by diverticulitis. I deal with it by going on a totally no-fibre diet for a few days - that does help. I basically eat nothing but fish, chicken, eggs and dairy products. Once the pain has gone, I gradually add fibre , a little more each day.

I'm not saying that you definitely have diverticulitis, but it does sound like it. Get a scan to find out exactly what it is. Good luck.

LarkDescending · 09/10/2018 12:37

It was diverticulitis for me too (many times over) and never responded to oral antibiotics. I always needed IV antibiotics in hospital.

oopslateagain · 09/10/2018 12:37

Have they mentioned endometriosis? My friend has it, and had very similar pain to what you've described.

TheGoodEnoughWife · 09/10/2018 12:42

This! I have this, have had a scan and a MRI (gets results of that today) was supposed to have an colonoscopy but chicken out (total stupid mistake as have had them before - was just being silly).
Low down left side - I would say it was were my left ovary was if I was guessing but external and internal scan shows no cyst or issue.

Original poster
Leftylucy85 · 09/10/2018 12:43

Yes ovaries and tubes looked normal. I do have endometriosis but it’s not been mentioned since it was found ‘accidentally’ 13 years ago as they said I was mild. I asked the gynaecologist who did the scan if endo could be causing it and he said doubtful as not many other big symptoms to suggest that was the cause.

My first thought (google) was diviticulitus but Doctor’s we’re sure it would show on blood test. Really can’t be in hospital for IV etc just now so hopefully won’t come to that but I’m sitting crying with frustration. I’m not even sure how I’ll manage a scan tbh!

I fasted for 3 days on out of hours GP advice, to no avail (well I lost 2lb Grin).

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LarkDescending · 09/10/2018 12:44

Don’t hesitate to go back if the antibiotics aren’t working. Abdo pain should not be suffered in silence whatever the cause. I was much too stoic about my diverticulitis in the early days/months, and 18 months down the line I ended up with severe damage from inflammatory scarring (aka a “bombsite” as my surgeon described my insides). Even after resection I am still suffering the consequences.

(NB I was unlucky to get it so badly - not trying to alarm you. But stoicism is overrated).

Original poster
Leftylucy85 · 09/10/2018 12:45

Good luck with results TheGood !

Funny you should say about left ovary, I forgot when they did the internal he couldn’t move the probe over to my left ovary without me holding back a scream, zero pain on the right side. But he said looked normal & he thought it was only painful as it was low down...

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Original poster
Leftylucy85 · 09/10/2018 12:46

I guess I worry as a couple of the GP’s I’ve seen have seemed impatient that I’m calling AGAIN, and was told just constipation when I know it’s not.

Going to have to call back and just work it out with dc. I’ll call now for phone appointment thank you!

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99RedBalloonsFloating · 09/10/2018 12:50

I had this and ended up in emergency surgery following ruptured endometrial cyst on left ovary. Don't be fobbed off as most doctors can't detect endo on a scan anyway.

Do you have any other symptoms?

Presumably they have checked your appendix? I know it's usually felt on the right but it can be on the left.

LarkDescending · 09/10/2018 12:52

Another possibility your doctor may be looking at is adhesions (you say you have a history of endometriosis). They can cause pain, digestive problems and also might account for the pain on your ovarian scan, if your ovary is tethered to other anatomy.

Original poster
Leftylucy85 · 09/10/2018 13:00

Wouldn’t they have seen any cyst/adhesions on internal though? He said ovaries looked good.

The haven’t checked appendix but I guess they would have expected it to show in bloods, and at the 3 week point I would be very ill by now?

GP calling me back around 3.

Symptoms - constant pain lower left abdo, very sore to touch also. Occasional sharp pains on right lower abdo but maybe 2-3 sharp pains per day so not much. Upper left back just under shoulder blade is a sore ache.

I did have vaginal spotting 3x last week which I’ve never ever had before, but they didn’t seem concerned about that in the slightest. I always have lower back pain so hard to say on that front, although it almost feels like I’ve for a stitch pain round left side too which is new.

Maybe burping bit more than usual but I’m quite windy anyway...but nauseous but could just be from pain, still eating and drinking ok.

Feel if I list all my symptoms I’ll be labelled a hypochondriac.

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SodTheBloodyLotOfThem · 09/10/2018 13:06

Adhesions can't be seen on an ultrasound, my c section wound had bad adhesions but was only picked up by surgeons who were taking out my appendix, and I had been scanned all over that day.

99RedBalloonsFloating · 09/10/2018 13:33

Don't feel that you shouldn't be listing all your symptoms for fear of being labelled a hypochondriac.

Not trying to dramatize but that's why I ended up in emergency surgery, and it was only afterwards that I realised on reflection that the signs had been there for a while, in seemingly disparate symptoms.

As well as the shooting pains, nausea and spotting were both symptoms of the endo for me, the nausea is basically to do with blood from the endo cells being in the "wrong" part of the body.

I am not saying that't what it is, but don't dismiss anything your body is saying and don't let others do either.

SeaToSki · 09/10/2018 13:39

They have to do a laproscopy to see endo. If you are having vaginal spotting too, i would ramp up your pushiness and ask for a proper investigation. How are you periods?

Gammeldragz · 09/10/2018 13:45

It's very difficult in women to tell whether it's gynae or gastro pain in that area.

I had what I think was ovarian cysts caused by Mirena that never showed on scans, but the pain vanished when I took the Mirena out and never came back.

Original poster
Leftylucy85 · 09/10/2018 13:47

Thanks everyone.

Yes laparoscopy diagnosed it years ago so the gynae did say to see what it’s like now we’d have to do another, which he didn’t see any need for.

I had the implant with no periods for years, then almost constant bleeding so it was removed, then fell pregnant and with breastfeeding my periods only came back maybe 7 months ago. So far they’ve been regular (26-28 days) although very heavy with large clots (TMI sorry) & the usual cramps.

This was the first month with spotting since my periods started 20 years ago.

I’ll not let DR fob me off when he phones, although he’s the one who sent me straight up to hosp to gynae last time so hopefully he’ll not dismiss it.

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FaithInfinity · 09/10/2018 13:53

Given your history I’d ask for a Gynae referral. I had similar on the right and after numerous tests I had a laparoscopy and they found and treated endometriosis and the pain settled immediately.

SpoonBlender · 09/10/2018 14:01

Definitely try and get in for a scan when you chat at 3, sounds like your doc has a good attitude to this sort of thing.

You've not mentioned any kidney-based suspicions? I had a couple of kidney stone events and they've left some scarring in my right side ureter that acts up now and again (usually after exercise and/or dehydration). The pain is peculiarly deceptive, it can show up as back or stomach or gut or ovarian or kidney so I'm never quite sure - until it starts wandering around my abdomen, at which point it's oh right, get the heavy duty painkillers in and a couple of pints of tea.

Adhesions can present in a very similar way apparently, fortunately none here AFAIK, but as 99RedBalloons says it's not hypochondria to explain all the symptoms, it's a diagnostic clue for the doc!

lpchill · 09/10/2018 14:10

I had lower right pain that eventually went into my groin. Also ibs symptoms. Same thing it would wake me up. Went down the kidney stone route, cysts scans- ct, ultrasound.

Went back to the doctor. I had a c section almost three years ago. He thinks it nurse damage. Put me on amatriptaline which helps with nerve damage and ibs. The pain is gone and the ibs is a lot better now. Need to go back to the doctor next month to see where we go from here