Would anyone care to help diagnose me please?

[Mattpainteddoll]

I’ve always had painful ovulation on the right hand side. When pregnant that ovary had a large cyst but it was gone by the time my daughter was born (22 years ago).

Fast forward to 15 years ago, I had the usual right sided burning pain but it was really bad and after a visit to the GP where I could hardly stand I spent a night in hospital and after a pelvic ultrasound which just showed free fluid in my pelvis it was decided I’d had a burst cyst.

Perimenopause has greatly exaggerated the issues with this right sided pain, especially around ovulation. I’ve also developed quite bad bowel issues with urgency, diahorrea and lots of loose stools, pain, bloating and wind.

18 months ago, before going on HRT I was sent for a pelvic ultrasound. I was given a transvaginal one, left ovary ok, right could not be seen, seemed to be tucked away behind my uterus. I was asked whether I’d ever been diagnosed with endometriosis. I haven’t as I’ve never pushed for it.

2 days ago, just as my period ends ( a horrible heavy 8 day one) the usual pain low down in the centre of my pelvis starts. It’s burning, like a water infection, makes me feel like I have to empty my bowels urgently and I feel like I’ve held my bladder for far too long, it’s tender, burning and a constant pain. I cannot sleep properly and I can’t concentrate on anything when I’m constantly in pain. This moved slowly down to the right over the past day so this morning I visit the gp thinking I have a water infection. Urine dip clear so they referred me to hospital with suspected appendicitis - I was presenting the exact location and type of pain.

Bloods in the hospital are clear - no sign of infection at all. Not appendicitis and they think gynae and ovarian.

I'm to go back on Tuesday for yet another ultrasound. I’m absolutely fed up of this issue reoccurring, what do you think is going on? Cysts on ovary? Endometriosis? I can go back to the surgical ward for my results - can I ask for surgery to remove the offending ovary? Will that solve things? I’m almost 52 so I suspect they’ll leave me and hope it all settles down after menopause.

Do these symptoms sound familiar to anyone? What should I be asking for going forward?

Another thing to ask for if it persists is a colonoscopy. I have Crohn's disease. It gives you cramps and toilet issues. It could be an ovarian cyst, fibroids or endometriosis also. Hopefully it will settle down after menopause. I would keep an eye on it and go back if it gets worse

It's good your bloods are clear anyway. Crohn's disease usually includes weight loss over time (weeks for me) just so you know

Sympathy here. Going through worse time with my periods and thinking about asking for a scan. Also diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, but never lost weight with it. It's worth checking though.

Some urinary symptoms can also be associated with vaginal atrophy.

The upcoming ultrasound could very well shed some light on it. Could be a cyst or fibroids. It sounds like they're on the right track anyway. Keep following up with your GP. I'm sure they'll get to the bottom of it. They're symptoms I'm sure they've come across many times

Ask for colonoscopy to check for diverticulitis, Crohn's or ulcerative colitis

My first thought (after ruptured cyst) was PID. I'd be surprised if they didn't look for this, it's pretty common. It sounds quite miserable and I hope the new scans show something up.

There's no particular reason not to have the problematic ovary removed, menopause doesn't fix them and the cysts are potentially dangerous. I had one out (keyhole surgery) at 45. If they couldn't see it on the scan, it might be twisting - which hurts like buggery and can be extremely harmful. I imagine they'll be hunting for it at your next appointment!

Thanks all, I’m still in pain this morning. Going to the loo (poo) is painful. I’m genuinely not sure if this is a gynae or bowel issue.

Did they say how unusual it is for your right ovary to not be visible like that in a scan? And whether that ‘tucked behind the uterus’ idea could be part of the problem? It feels pretty key that the thing that’s giving you pain wasn’t even able to be seen in the scan. Presume that’s why you’re going for another but until they get a good look at it, it’s hard to say what’s going on in there. Do keep pushing until you get to the bottom of it because women’s healthcare, especially around menopause, can be so poor and treated like something to be put up with. Can’t diagnose you on here sorry but I really hope you get a diagnosis and more importantly effective treatment soon. I’ve had friends suffer with having gynae issues for years who’ve been relieved to finally have hysterectomies so that may be what’s ahead, but whatever it is, you deserve some pain-free years to come.

No, there was no follow up at all. I spoke to my GP (phone appointment) who just brushed it off and said yep - happy to prescribe you HRT. Not sure if it’s relevant but a 2cm fibroid was also seen.

This was 18 months ago, I’m wondering if the HRT (oestrogen) has become too much and the fibroid has grown?

For the past 3 days now though the pain is constant, the way to describe it is like the burning ache that you get if you’ve held your bladder for far too long. It’s constant and unrelenting. The hospital doctor yesterday said that I have open access to go back over the weekend if I get worse - it’s not worse but not getting better at all.

Gosh that sounds awful. One friend had two huge fibroids, grapefruit sized, that she ended up going private to get removed as the waiting list took so long. Also took an age to diagnose. Really hope the follow up scan is more helpful and that you can start getting some answers.

I could have written this post.... what was it in the end? Do you know? I am also being tested for crohns but the pain is just as you describe and my right ovary also could not be seen yesterday.

Hi, I’ve replied to your PM but also forgot to say that my right ovary could be seen on the ultrasound they did after that weekend and it looked normal. I never got to the bottom of it. There was some free fluid around in my pelvis but nothing of any concern.