Pelvic Swelling, Pelvic Pain § Burning Urination

[JiggaWho]

It's going on 1 year of pure frustration.  I have been tested for every sexually transmitted disease known to man and turned up negative for each.  My illness has all the symptomology of PID, but there's never been a positive test either urinary or vaginal swab for chlamydia or gonnorhea.  I have tried these anti-biotics: Cipro, Flagyl, Doxycycline with no luck or relief.
I have been on Cephalexin for months now because it is the only anti-biotic that keeps the pain away.  But if i quit this, all symptoms return with a vengance.  The symptoms are:

*painful, burning with urination
*swollen, bloated abdomen chronically
*sore pelvic region with pains particularly in ovary and tubes
(pain upon pelvic examination in these areas).
*lower back pain
*higher than typical amount of protein in urine
*pain and tenderness in uterus, vagina, etc.
*no discharges or smells
*and just so you know, there is no centralized pain like in a UTI
*extremely tender vaginal canal
*my ex boyfriend's girlfriend had an ectopic pregnancy
*i got this 2 weeks after having sex with him

I hope you can help me doctor.  This is ruining my life. I go to sleep worried and tearful often.  I hope you have some clue as to what is going on.  Why is it that cephalexin is working, but when I quit it doesn't? What kind of infection is this that it won't go away?  Which anti-biotic will be strong enough to kill it? The thing is, my doctor needs help figuring this out because she's obviously not able to help me after one year of terrible pain.  
So what kind of anti-biotics are effective when another (kephlex) is only killing this temporarily? What germs are killed by Kephlex? Are they some kind of invisible germ that doesn't show up with urinalysis/pelvic swabs? What kind of work should I have done to get better?  If it's not PID, why does it hurt so bad and act like PID? Perhaps you can answer these questions generally in order to avoid any liability concerns that you might have, i just need something to go on.  This is just pure misery.  I hope you can offer me some kind of solace & hope.
Thanks very much Dr.,
Swollen & frustrated

[Kevin Pho, MD]

One thing to consider if the symptoms return after stopping the antibiotics is an abscess.  Although the CT scans continue to be non-revealing, if the symptoms continue, you may want to consider a laparotomy or some type of surgical exploration.  Things like endometriosis can also be diagnosed with this procedure.  This option can be discussed with your OB/GYN.

Keflex is an antibiotic that is normally pretty good for various types of skin infections.  It is possible that the bacteria are sensitive to the Keflex, but may be resistant to the other antibiotics mentioned, leading to your specific symptoms.

Taking a culture of any bacteria and determining its sensitivity would help tailor the correct antibiotic choice.

You may want to discuss these options with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[JiggaWho]

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[dimaks]

A related discussion, bacillus vaginalis was started.