Any amateur doctors want to try diagnosing me? The real ones have given up.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I've been suffering with abdo pain for the last two years. Constant low grade ache, not affected by cycle. I did have heavy periods though so presumed it was related and went to the gp two years ago. They did a urine dipstick while I was there and it was positive for leucocytes so they said I had a uti and give me antibiotics. Also referred me to gynae.

Lab wee test came back negative for a urine test. Gynaes ended up a few months later doing an endometrial ablation. That didn't make any difference but at least I don't have heavy periods.

Pain still the same, I go several times to gp. Each time get antibiotics which do seem to help, I always have leucocytes in my wee. I wonder about interstitial cystitis and get sent to see the urologists. They do some sort of internal bladder scan tell me it's all normal.

By now I'm on antibiotics every day. In fact I've now been on antibiotics constantly for two years. I have trimethropin on rpt prescription and take it nightly.

I went back to the gp a cople of months ago who shrugged, sent off another urine test to the lab. This one didn't actually have leucocytes in it and the lab test came back clear. I seemed to correlate this flare up and previous ones with forgetting my antibiotics for a cople of days.

I'm in a lot of pain the last few days. Even though I've been taking my antibiotics. Symptoms are terrible abdo pain with the focus been central , massive bloating, bad wind, stabbing pain up the arse. I had a sandwich at lunch and the stronger abdo pain seemed to come on after I'd eaten.

My thoughts on possibilities are now,

Celiac disease
Ibs
Ovarian cancer

It's ot endometriosis, the gynae dr was very clear i didn't have any. I keep telling myself if it was cancer they'd have noticed when they did the ablation.

Is it worth going back to the gp and asking for a test for celiac disease or are the tests you can buy online any good? I think gp thinks I'm imagining it all so am loathe to bother him again.

It would have been nice to sort it for you as I'm currently failing my nine year old in a similar manner and have been since July.

I hope you get an answer soon. Unexplained pain is vile.

You might have food intolerances or candida (or both). You can buy a kit for food intolerances - it's pricey I'm afraid.
You could try cutting out wheat and dairy anyway for a few days and definitely take good quality probiotics.
If something you're eating is causing your symptoms it might take several days or longer to feel better after stopping eating it so don't give up too soon.
An independent nutritionist would probably be able to help you.
You don't have to suffer with IBS - you might very well have it, but it's usually triggered by something - stress, upset intestinal flora after all those antibiotics, certain foods.
Good luck :)

My doctor prescribed some blue capsules (can't remember name sorry) but they were pure peppermint oil capsules (get prescription ones as over counter version not as strong)

If symptoms really severe, it would take a couple of days to get into my system but were very effective.

Be prepared to pass A LOT of wind although you can amaze your friends by how minty it is

I do hope you manage to get a proper diagnosis x

at minty farts.

Does it get bad and sort of crampy like you are going to get the runs, but don't?
Do you sometimes feel sick? Does it get worse after certain foods, eg pasta, onions, peppers?

I have IBS and it does sound like my symptoms. I get the stomach ache, don't go to the loo that often, probably am constipated, sometimes have diarrhoea, and get bloated as the day goes on. I start the day with a flat stomach, but the evening I look pregnant.

I have had an endometrial ablation too, and my periods stopped 6 months ago. Prior to that the pain was worse when I had my period, I also got diarrhoea. I do get the shooting pain up my arse too, feels like I am being stabbed.

I take mebeverine, prescribed by the doctor. I take a probiotic when I remember and take peppermint oil capsules when the pain is bad.

Certain foods set me off, I can't have cheese, white bread, sometimes pasta, raw onions, green peppers.

If I were you, I'd make an appointment t to go back to the doctors, but in the meantime write down everything you eat, and any symptoms you have on that day, to see of there is a link.

Right am going to get some probiotics, drink more water and try some peppermint capsules. Am going to get a celiac test and then try cutting out wheat and see if that helps. If not look at dairy next.

You need an ultra sound, sounds to me like it is a bladder/kidney reflux have suffered this in the past and GPS where at a loss. But an ultra sound and i think scan with a coloured fluid...no idea now what the actual test was called, showed the reflux, a very quick procedure to widen the bladder/kidney tube was successfully, however I no longer suffer long term but no matter what I go to gp for if a urinevsample is required layosites (sp) are always present.

But worst case scenario I also believe an ultra sound would be required there too. Though sounds more kidney bladder related to me.

Tuttut, no I don't feel sick with it and I wouldn't say it feels like I'm going to get the runs.

Food diary is a good idea and I'll do that.

Pain up the bum does feel like I've been stabbed. I had to stop walking at one point today and hang onto the wall while stood on tip toes trying not to scream.

Also irratable bowel type symptoms are very common in long term internal cystitis as is over active bladder.

I've had an ultrasound, they did that a few months before The camera in the bladder. Both of those didn't find any problems.

I think your symptoms are very common to mine aside the reflux cystitis is a big issue for me and very much is present with the bowel symptoms.

There is a great cystitis thread here that was maybe a a year or so ago, advanced search it or start one asking specifically about people's experiences and I expect you will gets lots who have similar symptoms and some great diet and supplement advice.

Was just lurking when I came across your post. Have they ever mentioned it could be your appendix?

Mine grumbled away for nearly a year before it finally perforated and then they knew exactly what had been causing all my pain

Like you I had numerous investigations which showed nothing at all. I felt so frustrated and thought no-one believed me.

I felt thoroughly vindicated when I subsequently had to have emergency surgery and spent 10 days in hospital on heavy duty antibiotics for the resulting peritonitis.

I hope for your sake it's not this, but it's worth considering all the possibilities.

Hope you get some answers and start to feel better

Are you stressed a lot?

Have you had a colonoscopy? Sorry.

I would also go to gu clinic as they can test specifically for clamydia and pelvic infllamitory disease, my go referred me to gu but both tests at least ruled these out.

If all physical causes have been ruled out, it's possible that it could be health anxiety or depression.

No sickness or food triggers for me but yes to stabbing pain in arse plus deep twisting pain in groin and lower abdomen.

Stress was definitely a trigger for me, symptoms would usually kick in 4 or 5 days after stressful event and I would be climbing the walls in agony - would have to get on all fours and howl for hours on end

EnthusiasticTroll - I rememebr the really good cystitis thread. Think I've got it saved. I'm just now beginning to want to explore other possibilities as I don't think it quite fits. Not with all the farting and bloating!

Noone's mentioned appendix.

I haven't had a colonoscopy.

I wouldn#t say that I'm stressed. Work can sometimes be a bit stressful, heat of the moment stuff but I switch off the minute I'm out the door.

GP did the swabs for all STDs under the sun and they were clear.

I really have no idea why DH thought I was such a catch

Mmmmm, I'm really the most undepressed person ever. Very happy and positive.

I've never had any health issues or concerns before this. In fact I hadn't been to my GP for years and years before all this kicked off. I've never been worried about my health before.

Not even when I've had reason to after a big accident where I broke my back. Decided I felt fine and hospital was quite boring so checked out against advice afetr 3 days and never bothered going back for check ups.

I don't have any sort of ocd type stuff at all.

I'm worried I might have to go on embarrasing bodies to get a diagnosis!

You've mentioned ovarian cancer as a possibility. Have you ever had an internal ultrasound of your ovaries done or your ca-125 levels measured?

The antibiotics will DEFINITELY have upset your 'natural balance'.
Google candida (that's a medical problem, not a person!) and food sensitivities.

Viva - stress is not the same thing as depression (I know your not saying it is)

Stress can be a very subtle thing but have such devastating impact health-wise which then leads to more stress etc etc

It is often people who claim not to feel stressed, that are intact very stressed indeed.

Bowel and bladder both very susceptible to even mild levels if stress.

Why don't you try one possibility at a time? Talk to your GP re treatment for IBS then see how you get on for next few months?

Good luck x

I haven't had an internal ultrasound of my ovaries done. But the consultant looked at my ovaries when I had my keyhole surgery and said they looked fine.

I don't know about the ca-125 levels. Possibly 2 years ago when this all started???? Can't remember.