Need advice on abdominal pain

[Roxanne728]

My niece has been experiencing several unusual symptoms over the last month and is in incredible pain.  She can't seem to get any answers.  Last month her period was 2 weeks late, after that she started experiencing intense pain in her abdomen, left side and back.  She says it feels like she is having contractions.  She has also gained 15 pounds in a month and has blood in her stool.  She's 23 years old, is not pregnant, has had pelvic ultrasound, stomach/abdominal x-rays, bloodwork and everything is coming back negative.  Last year she was told that she had an abnormal pap and tested positive for HPV.  She is terrified and not sure what to do.  Doctor told her to go for a colonoscopy, but she can't get an appt. for a month.  Any advice?

[kcd86]

Gail is absolutely correct, your neice needs to go back and calmly pitch a fit. You have to be your own advocate be agressive if she can't do it then you can be with her and be her advocate. The squeaky wheel gets the oil in the medicine world. The GYN has to without a doubt rule out any GYN issues causing these symptoms. Also, she does need to see a GI Dr to rule out any colon issues exspecially with blood in the stool. A cat scan could answer a buch of questions for both. She should have her blood drawn for CA125, CEA plus a complete blood panel to rule out any infections. She is entitled to all copies of tests and blood work. Please post with any other questions as this site has some very knowledgeable people on it.
Good Luck
Kevin

[gah_70]

Which doctor told her to get a colonoscopy?  Was it her PCP or her gynecologist?  It sounds like it could possibly be a cyst, but further evaluation is needed. If it were me, I would go back to the original doctor and tell him/her I am not satified with that answer, and would like further testing while I wait for the colonoscopy.  A CT could go a long way in telling the doctor what could be causing her problems.  

Gail