Digestive and possible gynecological problem

[gracieski]

I am 23 years old and have had problems with my digestive system for years. I was diagnosed with IBS in 2007, given Bentyl and Levsin and told to just deal with it. My symptoms were manageable, but I definitely had some hard times, diarrhea out of no where, constipation, nausea, etc. It was all very sporadic and hard to predict and find a pattern. One thing I was able to connect was that while on my period my abdomen was very painful, crampy, diarrhea, general malaise. So I started extended cycling (taking birth control constantly, not taking the inactive pills, not really having a period) to see if this would help and it really did. I had painful periods before and this was good relief. However, in the last six months I had my gallbladder out and it was necrotic. After this I felt worse, constant terrible diarrhea and crampy pain. That has kind of subsided and now I am noticing that I have diarrhea often in the mornings and have a great deal of pain afterwords. Even when my stool is not diarrhea-like, I still suffer after a bowel movement, which is a new symptom in the last 4-5 months. The pain is odd. Sometimes it is lower, like in the rectum area, and sometimes deeper inside on the lower left side of my abdomen (colon area). It is stabbing and sharp pain, but can also be dull pain. It mostly lasts for a few hours. I also sometimes feel faint and flushed during this painful time. My doctor has diagnosed me with Crohns, then decided it wasn't that after a second scope of my colon. So now he doesn't know what is wrong and I think he is ignoring that my menstruation is very much a predictor of the severity of my symptoms. Endometriosis has occurred in my family before, I wonder if this might be endometriosis, or something else? I should also mention that I am a vegetarian and I eat a very healthy high fiber lots of fruits and veggies diet. I really need help, my doctor just doesn't listen to my whole story, he just wants to correct the immediate problem. I need a big picture answer, any help or guidance would be great. Thanks!

[protea]

Have you looked into intestinal endometriosis.I think you need to find an endo speicalist.you should post your story on the endo forum.My whole story is there.I am having the same issues as you.I have had all the Gi work ups there are.Even really expensive blood tests and CT sans.I have found a specialist in WI who is willing to help me.My drs here think that the endo is on my gal bladder and colon as well as the bowel and bladder.The pain you are describing sounds like you may have ovarian cysts.That pain can be dull or very sharp when you have a bowel movement or cough or sneeze.I really feel for you.I have been dealing with this since I was 12 when I first started my cycle.I have since had 2 boys and a hysterectomy and still have endo.It did really help when my cycles were on hold with the nuvaring but only temp.I really hope this helps you .

[gracieski]

Desperate! Any ideas?