Help diagnose me! Gynae or bowel?

[cantgoonholiday]

I've been have pain in my lower left abdomen for 5 months now :( It comes and goes, last about 2-3 days and then disappears for a week or two before coming back. I've been at A&E twice as the pain was so bad. Urine tests show blood in my urine (small amount) and my white blood count is slightly raised, but not enough to worry the doctors

I got a CT scan last week and am waiting for results and managing to diagnose myself with all sorts in the meantime, thanks to Dr Google.

Every doc seems unable to say if its a gynae issue or bowel related, as they think the pain is too high to be gynae but the pain does seem to flare up with my cycle.

Sorry this is so long, I have managed to worry myself sick over this. Has anyone had anything similar?

My IBS flares up with my cycle. Lower left side is consistent with the bowel and where my pain is.
Stabbing pains like someone keeps putting a poker inside you. Totally debilitating?
I stopped taking the pill and it eased off. Peppermint oil capsules really helped me plus changing my diet.

Might not be that at all but thought it might be worth mentioning. Hope you find out what it is.

Thank you so much for replying. It is totally debilitating when it's at it's worse. I have had IBS before but never had this left side pain with it so didn't think it could be that. Plus my bowel habits are pretty normal, sorry for the TMI!

Has anyone had cysts or fibroids? Are they anything like this?

I had lower left abdominal pain for years hich would flare up regularly. I was diagnosed with IBS in the end. After nearly 10 years of pain and discomfort I went into hospital for an unrelated Gynae operation which was to be done laporascopically. When they started the procedure, they found a grapefruit sized cyst wrapped around my left ovary. They removed the cyst and the ovary and my symptoms have all completely disappeared!

Endometriosis? This can be in all sorts of places and flares up with cycle. It's a right PITA (often literally) but not dangerous. Best of luck whatever it turns out to be.

Sounds identical to my friend - she had loads of tests and in the end I was neither Gynae nor bowel but gall bladder!

I have had similar. Totally debilitating pain on one side which flared up at certain times. An ultrasound scan revealed an ovarian cyst in my case, which turned out to have disappeared by itself when I went for a rescan about 3 months later. Hope your results are back soon, and for your own sanity try to avoid google!

I too thought of an ovarian cyst possibility. Have you had a scan on a full bladder?

I had a scan on a full bladder that came back clear. However, it was done on one of my totally pain free days. The nurse who did it said that I may still have a cyst that comes and goes? I had hoped that a cyst would have gone by now, it's been 4 months though and it's just as painful as ever. I have another appointment tomorrow so hopefully will get some answers.

Good luck tomorrow at your appt. Is it for the results of the CT scan?

You need a diagnosis first and foremost.

Endometriosis however, can be misdiagnosed as IBS and this is also cyclical in nature.

If this is a cyst they need to tell you what type it is; endometriosis can also give rise to "chocolate cysts".

Sleepyandknowit - what you have written sounds like endometriosis to me.