Any Ideas????

[beterraba]

Since my gyno continues to tell me my gas, bloating, constant BMs and lower left-sided pelvic pain is NOT related to my ovarian cysts, she sent me to a gastroenterologist.  I had a CT scan yesterday that only showed my IUD and "bilateral prominent ovaries".  I briefly spoke with the GI doctor who said this could be due to my menstrual cycle.  Since having the IUD, I have not had a period now in over a year.  And he did say "prominent" meant "enlarged".  So.....

Is there no solution?  Any ideas?  I hope I can talk to him in the next few days for directions.  I'm just upset there wasn't something obvious, so I could finally have relief.

Thanks

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
If you have not had a period since the insertion of IUD and you have enlarged ovaries, you must get a second opinion from another gynecologist regarding the cause. Also you could be allergic to the copper or any other metal in the IUD.

The other possibility is that you have Celiac Disease/Ulcerative Colitis/Irritable Bowel Syndrome. All these result in tender abdomen, loose stool or loose stools alternating with constipation, abdominal distention, cramps etc. A number of times a gastroenterologist is able to diagnose these conditions by clinical examination and detailed medical history. Blood tests to rule out anemia, stool test to look for white blood cells, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy etc are used to diagnose ulcerative colitis. Braium meal and follow through, endoscopy etc are done to rule out GERD, Crohn’s disease etc. Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed by elimination of other causes. Gluten is a complex protein present in four main grains---wheat, rye, barley and oats. If you have gluten intolerance, then you probably have celiac disease or Non Celiac gluten sensitivity. There are blood tests called celiac test to detect gluten intolerance.

Hope this helps. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[beterraba]

thank you for the response.  I have been tested for celiac, and my most recent blood work is all normal.  I have the mirena IUD, which I believe has no metal, and can cause periods to stop.

most of my issues are further down than what would be GERD, mostly lower abdominal cramping, menstrual like cramps, and 2-5 BMs daily.  They aren't diarrhea, but they aren't formed, and are usually fairly volumunous.  There doesnt' appear to be any discoloring or fat or mucus in the stool, but I often see bits of food that I have eaten, like vegetables and beans and grains.

I'm 26, at a healthy weight, and I eat very healthy as well.  

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Hi
I still think this is due to irritable bowel. The other possibility is endometriosis. Endometriosis can cause like cramp like pains close to your supposed menstrual cycle.
There are many things you can do to lessen the discomfort due to irritable bowel.
"Keep a stress diary. Persons with an irritable bowel have an intestinal system that overreacts to food, stress, and hormonal changes. "Think of your irritable bowel as a built-in barometer, and use it to help you determine what things in your life are most stressful," “Log in your food and beverage intake, too. Certain foods and beverages, just like stress, can activate an irritable bowel, so it's also helpful to record in your diary the foods and beverages that give you the most trouble.”
“Add fiber to your diet. Many people with IBS do much better simply by adding fiber to their dietsFiber tends to be most effective with people who tend toward constipation and small, hard stools, but it may also help you if you're suffering from diarrhea. The best fiber to add to your diet is the nonsoluble type—found in bran, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.
Call psyllium seed to the rescue. An easy way to increase your fiber intake is with crushed psyllium seed,
Go easy on the bran. If you are adding fiber such as bran to your diet, add it slowly to give your body time to adjust. Too much fiber, too fast, can produce gas”
Read more on this link: http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/86.cfm

Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[beterraba]

thanks again.  I already eat around 25-40 grams of fiber daily, and have for several years.  these issues have mainly started a little over a year ago.  maybe it is irritable bowel, but would this really cause enlarged ovaries and menstrual like cramps?  my cramping is mostly on the lower left pelvic side, that radiates to my back and upper thighs.  I even have bloating sometimes hours after i've eaten.  

[beterraba]

I just spoke with the GI doctor, he would like to treat me as if I have IBS for a week or so, to see how that helps.  My intestines were full of stool on the scan, which I guess is fairly common, and my ovaries were enlarged with possible cysts.  The IUD looks to be in place.  He thinks the next step would be to go back to the gynecologist if treating the "IBS" doesn't help.  

Why would I have enlarged ovaries?  With the Mirena IUD I have not had a period in over a year.  

[doctornee medical]

Hi
The ovaries can enlarge due to excess stimulation due to any cause, cysts like you may have, polycystic ovary syndrome or due to autoimmune oophritis. You can discuss this with your gynecologist. There can be two other possibilities apart from irritable bowel which in itself can cause cramp like pain—one is endometriosis and the other is stone in the urinary system.  Discuss with your doctor and see if there is a possibility of either.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!