Pain on my left side??

[Linwe]

Since January of this year I have had recurring pain on the left side of my abdomen below my ribs.  At first I thought it was endometriosis because it runs in the family and when I asked my gyno he agreed and said not to worry about it because i'm only 22 and not having kids yet.  In the last 5 months the pain has gotten worse. It has went from being random once in awhile pain to something that is here everyday and hurts a lot more than it did to start with.  It has gotten to the point where I can't even have sex with my fiance, and putting off getting married until we can have a normal sex life.  I'm in a rough financial situation and I'm afraid to go to a doctor and pay a fortune for them to tell me nothing is wrong when I know something is...not to mention I don't even know why kind of doctor to go to.  I need some guidance to figure out what to do-what doctor to go to, what this could be??

[Linwe]

So they took blood and urine and the only thing that came back strange was blood in the urine??....and the doctor said that we could retest in a week or so and that it probably doesn't mean anything.  I get that feeling like they think its all in my head and that there couldn't possibly be anything wrong.  Doctors in this town are known for giving people the run-around and apparently I need to be making an appointment elsewhere!

[mommacow]

So sorry to hear about your pain. I've been through the same thing myself. After I had my third child, I too experienced pain under the ribs and throughout my stomach. Do you have heavy bleeding with your cycle or spotting in between? I had a D&C done but didn't help. I finally had laproscopy surgery to diagnose endometriosis. The reason my pain was so severe was because I had endo tissue on my ovaries, bladder, part of the kidney and literally floating in my abdomin. After two years of trying different meds, I ended up having a hysterectomy. My gyno told me the only other alternative was to get pregnant again. This was not an option for me, as between my husband and I we already had 5 children. My best advice would be to go back to your gyno and ask to have some tests done. An ultrasound may not show endo, but a laproscopy will. It's non invasive and done on an out patient basis.

Best of luck and let us know what happens.

[Sarajmt]

I wish you the best of luck!  Certainly not all doctors but some don't seem to take women's complaints seriously.  Ibuprofen until you decide to get married????  Please!

I hope whoever you see gives you the answers and relief you so deserve.  And please do let us know what happens.
Sara

[Linwe]

Thank you all for the advice and concern!  In the past I have had a breast lump removed, a LEEP because of abnormal paps and I think that the reason my gyno thought of endometriosis is because it runs in the family and everything else that has been wrong with me my mother had at my age.  I had an ultrasound in 2007 because there was some pain in my abdomen following my LEEP but the doctor said everything looked good.  This new gyno didn't run any tests and told me he thought it was endometriosis and to take ibuprofen as needed until I "decide I want to get pregnant"...honestly, babies are the furthest thing from my mind at the moment and the idea of taking ibuprofen until that point sounds silly.  I'm making an appointment monday. I'm not sure where or with whom, but I'll get if figured out and let you know what happens!

[Tuckamore]

Hello Linwe,

welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am so sorry to hear bout your painful symptoms. We all know how chronic pain can disrupt our daily lives.

Endometriosis can be as painful as what you are describing. Has there been any tests performed to confirm this diagnosis? If a physician, the gyno has diagnosed you with this condition than I would return to him. He has some past knowledge and would or should continue to investigate your symptoms. Painful intercourse sounds like a gynecologist issue to me. However pain just below your rib cage does not sound so much like endometriosis. But I am far from an expert and your gyno or PCP will have the correct answers for you.

Unfortunately no matter who you consult it will not be inexpensive. Medical care today is very costly. Please don't ignore your body's message to you. Pain is a signal from our body that something is wrong.  Listen and please make an appointment.

I'll be interested to learn what you find out. We'll look forward to hearing from you again soon. Best of luck.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[RunningMom]

I think it's best you get this checked out with your PCP.  If you need a specialist, they will be able to give you a referral.  Stomach pain isn't something to ignore.  It possibly could just be constipation, or something more serious.  Although, constipation could end up being really serious too, if not taken care of.  Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

[Sarajmt]

Oh this is awful!!  And at your age and having to put your wedding plans on hold.  I'm really sorry.  Is there a teaching hospital anywhere near you?  You need a very good gynecologist on this one.  OR perhaps an internal medicine doctor.  But please don't put this off  for any reason.  This could be something you need to catch before it gets worse.

We are a community of chronic pain patients, not doctors.  However we do have many smart cookies on our forum.  Perhaps one  will be along either later or tomorrow to offer you better advise.  

I'd also recommend that you post this over in Womens Health as well.  http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Womens-Health/show/81
They have a wealth of information over there.

Please do check back for more answers later.  Keep us updated on how you're doing.