What should I do now? Pain for 15 months, please help!

[ilovebebe]

I have been in pain for 15 months now. The pain started on the left side of my lower abdomen. It is like maybe an inch below my bellybutton and goes a little to the left side. The day this started I had really sharp pain all of a sudden, had a few bowel movements and the pain continued really bad all night long. I went to the Dr the next day and got a CT scan but it was negative. I have had this pain ever since and it goes from mild to severe. I haven't linked it to anything specific. It doesn't get worse with bowel movements. I don't have diarrhea and I see no blood or mucus in my stool. It gets worse whenever it feels like it for no apparent reason. I don't know what to do anymore. I am also having pelvic pain on the left side only and have had that for over a year as well. I have already had CT scan, Pelvic Ultrasound, 2 laparascopies, and a colonoscopy. I've had urine and some blood tests and tomorrow I have to go for a MRI. What should I do? All they have found for the pelvic pain is that I keep getting a cyst on my left ovary although they aren't sure if that is the cause of my pelvic pain as the cyst keeps coming and going but my pain does not. They thought I had endo but surgery proved that not to be the case. They found nothing during my surgery, no endo, hernias, obstructions,etc. They also found nothing during my colonoscopy. I get constipated from time to time, maybe like once a month. I also get stomach aches once and awhile too, well stomach cramps in my lower abdomen all over. This pain however doesn't get worse with bowel movements nor do I have stomach cramps with every bowel movement, just once and awhile which I figure is normal anyway to have from time to time. I have tried probiotics and fiber, they do nothing for me. I don't know what to do anymore. I am in pain 24/7, it never stops. My GI dr said he knows it's not spasms as it wouldn't be 24/7 like it is. He did give me some antispasm meds and he was right they don't work for this at all. I have a constant pain in both areas and get sharp stabs in both areas as well. Also my pain can get really bad out of nowhere to the point I'm in tears. I've thought of asking a new GI dr for the capsule endoscopy. Is it possible this could be my small intestine since my colonoscopy was negative? Is there anything else this could possibly be? Any tests I should ask for? I've had so many already and I'm sick of everyone saying they can't find it. My life is at a standstill because of this and I'm worried I will never have an answer. Thank you for any help and advice you can give. Thanks.

[ilovebebe]

Thank you dana007, I pmed you :)

[dana007]

Hey there,
I'm a nurse on a GI unit, and I understand your frustrations. Many people suffer the same thing-- and are very unsure as to why its happening. I have a few questions for you and a few ideas.

1) What kind of diet do you eat usually? Tell me what you would normally eat in a day, what foods you like the most, and how often you eat.

2)Also tell me what a normal day routine is for you. Are you in bed most of the time? Or are you up in moving (even though you say you aren't exercising)-- would you consider yourself sedentary?

3) How often do you have a bowel movement? Do you have a regular pattern? You mentioned constipation once a month.. do you take meds to help you? What pain medications are you on and how frequently do you take them? You mentioned cramping doesn't occur with BMs, but how about the vice versa? Does it get worse when you're not moving your bowels?

4) do you have any food allergies? have you considered trying a specfic diet to try to eliminate potential aggrivators? like gluten and high lactose diets. I also strongly recommend to see a dietician if you have not already for some guidance to ensure youre eating a balanced diet.

5) Have you used the pain tracker on this site? I would journal daily (or every 4 hours) and rate your pain out of 10, and what activity you are doing when your pain increases. Even if it doesn't seem like anything, a story can be made.

6) Does anyone else in your family have any or the same symptoms of you? (how old are you btw?)

That's all I have on my brain for now, if you could get back to me we can talk about it. Privately or on here. Dana

[ilovebebe]

Forgot to mention that both pains hurt way worse when pushed on. I also can't exercise anymore as it hurts too bad.