Don't know what's going on with my innards today

[mintymellons]

... woke up with a lower abdominal (womb area) ache and lower back ache. Just like period pains, but not due for another 10 days or so. Had to take paracetamol, it is quite sore.

Wonder if it's ovulation related - I sometimes get the one sided ovulation pain which lasts a few hours, but doesn't feel like this.

I think I maybe have some extra hormones this month as I've got a large spot on my forehead (normally only get the odd spot before AF due) and I've also had a few migraines in the last few days (again, usually ovulation or AF related).

Very odd.

Just bumping in case anyone has any advice. Same pain today. Ok when woke up and for first hour or two, but I walked to town and had a busy morning out and about and it's been sore since then. Very much like period pain, but not due for over a week. Getting thoughts of ovarian cancer going through my mind now.

Hi Minty

I've had pain like that for over 12 months. Normally left side only, can go on for hours or days, doesn't matter what time of the month it is.

I previously had a coil, thought it was that or something worse, got referred for ultrasound but came back clear. GP suggested it was 'just' hormone related and to try and put up with the pain!!!!

Had the coil removed, switched to mini pill, periods all gone but the pain remains.

Past week the pain is back with a vengeance, I'm sick of it. I've fainted once as the pain was so bad, get nauseous and feel totally peed off.

So you have my sympathies! I would def ask for an ultrasound to check for cysts/fibroids and wish you well.

I'm seriously considering demanding a hysterectomy but can't imagine they'd agree to it!

Thank you for your reply Loz and sorry to hear you're suffering like this.

Actuallly, I had an ongoing left sided abdomen pain a few years ago, again just like a period pain but was there more or less constantly. I saw the GP several times and even had a scan but nothing was found and eventually it went by itself and I've had nothing like it since until now.

My current pain is more general rather then one sided and very much in my back too.

I think sometimes there's just no explanation for these things and that they sort themsleves out, so hope that happens for both of us. It's debilitating isn't it?

I think I'll wait to see if it goes when I get my period in a week or so, if not, I'll go t GP.

Good luck!

There is always an explanation for these sorts of problems.

I would suggest to both of you that you keep a daily pain and symptom diary.

Ultrasound scans would not pick up endometriosis if it is indeed present.

Cyclical pains need to be properly investigated by a gynae (not the GP as many of them do not have sufficient expertise in this area) to establish the underlying cause.

I would ask for a referral to a gynae and do not take no for an answer.

Loz - your GP certainly gave you rubbish advice. Would certainly seek consultant gynae advice in your circumstances.

Thanks both

Attila - If I asked the GP for a referral are they obliged to book me an appt? I've got to the point of not bothering to see my GP for the pain as I just get fobbed off each time. He tried to blame it on my ibs, but I know it's a completely different type of pain to that.

Regards the endometriosis, would that still apply even if I don't get periods anymore (since being on the pill)?

GP should refer you anyway rather than just mess around in ignorance.

Endometriosis can be misdiagnosed as IBS.

Pill can and does mask symptoms of underlying problems. Somehing is causing such pain to arise; it is definitely in your interests to find out what is causing this.

I hope you get answers soon.

Sorry for hijacking your thread Minty

Atilla thank you do much. Have researched the various symptoms of endo and my god they tie in exactly to most of my symptoms.

Off to the GP tomorrow to kick ass

so* much!!!!!

Glad that you've been able to getsome advice Loz! Not hijacking at all.

Thanks for your help Attila - I'll def be keping a note of symptoms/times etc..

My pain was much better yesterday in that the dull, period like ache was virtually gone, but instead I noticed that those areas felt almost like they'd been bruised.

Today, I have a little back ache again and a few abdomen twinges, but otherwise bearable.

When I had my pain a few years ago, I did loads of research into the possible causes, and didn't really come up with anything.

There's one possibility though in my case which I've recently discovered and that's, adhesions. Both of my DDs were born by c-section, so I wonder if there's any chance of scar tissue/adhesions causing pain. I have a friend who's also had two c sections, and she gets very bad pain mid cycle every month.

Get yourself to the GP Minty!

Have you looked up the symptoms of endometriosis? I was amazed looking y'day that it's so varied. I've never considered it might be that as since being on the pill I've not had a period. Then things started to fall into place. I've had a few bad bouts of Sciatica and never dreamed that adhesions can attach themselves to sciatic nerve endings. It's been a real eye opener.

Just got back from docs and she's agreed to refer me, so whilst in pain, I am managing to smile today

Great that you've been referred Loz, nice when you feel as though you're getting somewhere, eh?

Mine is ok right now. I'll have a look at endo symptoms - think I did research this years ago, but didn't seem to tie on with my symptoms back then. Worth a look though.

I was going to say IBS or a stomach bug!

I've had some very scary pains in my abdomen in the past six months and on the left side. Really sharp pain when I have eaten something "bad" but I have also had a stomach bug that caused real period-type pains.

Never had anything like that before, was convinced it was related to post-childbirth injuries until I went to the GP.

Thanks for all your replies. The pain seems to have pretty much gone over the last couple of days so my fingers are crossed that it was a one off.

Loz good luck with your referral!

Thank you for posting this as I have been having these symptoms for a while but have been too scared lazy to do anything about it. Having looked it up all of the symptoms apply to me so I now feel a bit more confident about going to the doctor.

Thanks again