Lower left abominal pain since 2005

I had a cesarean in 2005 that was followed by a severe infection that caused excruciating pain.  It felt like I had a scorching hot fire poker stabbing me on my insides that seemed to be directly underneath the left side of my incision adjacent to my upper groin area.   After 2 months of antibiotics and a few trips to the ER, the infection seemed to go away; however, the pain has remained in waves just not as severe.  I thought maybe I had adhesions, but the doctors said no.  In 2006 I had many tests done to see what could be causing the pain but didn't receive any real answers.  I had blood work done, ultrasounds of the area, etc.  They said that I could possibly be getting a hernia but that I would have to see a GI doctor to make sure.  I have a history of intestinal problems including polyps and hemorrhoids that have been an ongoing problem since 2003.  I had a colonoscopy done in '03 at the age of 19 and was told I should return for one every two years..I have yet to go back for another and I probably should(doh!).  For the past couple of years I have had very frequent bowel movements(at least 5-8 a day) that have been normal.  Sometimes they have been accompanied by blood but I know that it's caused by hemorrhoids.  Over the past month I have had a very sudden change in my bowel movements.  I have been extremely constipated that doesn't seem to improve even with added fiber or change in diet.  I strain to go every day to only have a very small amount that is ribbon-like and accompanied with clear or white jellylike mucus.  The left lower abdominal pain has been more frequent and seems to be getting worse in the same spot that I had my infection.  I have also been experiencing fatigue, dizziness, feeling faint when I'm very hungry, and an early period this month that came two weeks early.  Pregnancy has been ruled out with testing.  I don't know if the intestinal problems and this pain are related or if they're completely separate since the pain only started with the infection.  I have done tons of research online and read many forums trying to find anything or anyone that has the same pain in the area that I'm having with the same symptoms to no avail.  Any advice would be extremely appreciated.  Oh, and I would go to a doctor to have all of this checked out but I currently don't have any insurance so I can't afford to go here and there to try to find out what's wrong with me.  If I had some sort of guidance on my problems I would definitely go then.  THANK YOU TO ANYONE WHO RESPONDS!!

[Sue357]

Hi.  I would recommend that you go back to your GI and ask for another colonoscopy to rule out diverticulitis.  Some of the symptoms, especially your ribbon like stool, suggest that it should be considered.  Diverticulitis is an infection of the diverticula (sp?).  As we get older, it is very common to develop pouches in the large colon which can become infected if things like nuts, seeds or popcorn get stuck.   Hope this helps.