OBGYN said free fluid is normal

[christijo]

I have copied background from my previous post with an update on my discussion with my OBGYN - Any thoughts would be much appreciated - I understand I am out of the OVCA arena - but you are all so knowledgable!
I have been experiencing pain on right side since Nov just prior to resuming menstruation in Dec 2005 after birth of 3rd child in May 2005 and nursing.Pain has moved to front right side, seems to be worst with periods.I also have pain in right hip area. I have very little appetite and bowel problems as well (vomiting day 2 of last two periods).Had CT in Dec- showed bilateral adnexal fullness and followed up with ultrasound with no findings. Just had another ultrasound and it showed endometrial stripe 3mm. No adnexal mass bilaterally.There is sub cm physiologic appearing follicles in ovaries bilaterally and scant amount of free fluid in the cul-de-sac. OBGYN said the US above was normal. I had to ask specifically about the free fluid - she said cysts and fluid are normal and fluid could be from ovulation. I had my period during the ultrasound. Irregardless, still pain on right side, fullness/achiness in front right side and achiness into right leg; extreme nausea (i've lost 20 lbs since this all started - 129 lbs now) and I just don't feel right. My periods have been increasingly more painful and my side, bowels, etc are really messed up for a while after.  I think I had 4 good days last month before I got my period again. If this was endo I would feel more relief now that my period is over and for longer, right?I am also taking Levsin to calm my bowels. Thoughts?

[kateno4]

Hi,

How are you feeling? I think that endo and ovarian cysts have the same symptoms to some extent, but my right hand side problems are getting constantly worse. With Endo I usually have excruiating pain at the start of my period and it usually lasts for about 5 days. The pain is sometimes worse on the last day of my period. I also have pain at ovulation time. I have had ongoing problems that have worsened over the past 1 1/2 years but its only since december that I have started to have problems with my right hand side. I also get a tightening feeling my stomach blows up badly and it feels as though I'm suffocating again on the right hand side. The right side of my abdomen at times actually looks bigger than the left.

I have been told its Endo and irritable bowel causing the problems, but the doctor said yesterday she thinks its my ovaries. I put on 25 kgs with these problems and had a C.T scan last year and was told that I also had a Hiatus hernia and I take Nexium for it. On my C.T last year I had a 3 cm cyst and they said it was probaly functional, and my last ultrasound sound showed a collapsing cyst probaly functional.

You are more than welcome to email me at ***@****

I hope that you are feeling better.

Take care

Kate xxx

[kateno4]

Hi,

I have also been having alot of problems with the right hand side of my abdomen and hip since December and its becoming increasinly worse. I have endo, but this pain is now happening constantly every day. My right hand side hip has been very sore, and now the pain is starting to radiate down into my top right hand side bottom cheek, are you experiencing this also? I have some weird lump thing on my lower right hand side not far from my ovary and this hasn't seemed to show up on my ultra sound or ct scan. All that showed up was a collapsed cyst and fluid in the Pouch of Douglas and Cervical Canal.

I have also started having constant pulling feelings in my abdomen, and now I'm getting tingly/spasms in my right shoulder.

I went to the doctor today and she felt my lower tummy and when she touched me it was hurting, she told me that where she was pressing was my ovary. She then said that she thinks my problems are caused my my ovary and not my gut. I have to go back to the Gyno.

Have you had any weird tingling/spasm feelings on your right side?

Its starting to worry me. Ovarian cancer runs in my family, my Grandmother died from it at 49.

I hope that you are feeling better and get some answers soon.

Take care

Kate xxx

[christijo]

Hi Kate - Sounds like our situations are similar.  I have exact same right side pains.  I also feel sore/tight/spastic in muscle vertically up my right side from my hip bone.  I don't have rt shoulder pain but had a lot of pain one day of last period just beside my right ribcage at about midpoint.  At times when the pain in my right lower side is particularly bad I can push on that area and elicit a squishing/bubbling sound - my husband can even hear it when I do it.  It also seems like two muscles in a V from my pelvic area get spastic to the touch at times when it is really bad.  I can touch them and feel spasms - worse on right side.  These come and go.  My general also indicated this area is where my right ovary is but nothing of consequence shows on studies except the subcm follicles and scant free fluid in cul-de-sac.  She also said that endo could cause these problems and may only leave a minimal time during the month when you feel pretty good (after period and before ovulation).  What do you think given your history with endo?  Just to throw it out there I had a hiatal hernia as an infant on right side - about the same area I have some of the pain.  I have a word doc summary of all of my symptoms/timeline/tests and results.  If you want to give me an e-mail address I would be happy to pass it along to you to compare notes.  I see a new OB/GYN on Tuesday and follow up with my GI on 5/1.  We'll get there eventually I suppose :).  Hang in there - it's comforting to me that we can compare notes and progress/ideas.  Please keep in touch.  
Christi

[christijo]

Hi Mary - Thanks.  You are right.  It has been very disabling to not feel well for so long and to not be getting any great answers from any of the doctors I have seen thus far.  It is frustrating because I work full -time and really like to optimize my time with my children and it is very hard to do that when I am not feeling well.  I have been taking Tylenol with Codeine sometimes during my periods and some Ibuprofin at other times but I really dislike being so dependent on medicine.  I am seeing a different OB/GYN next week and my saw my general today and she is sending me for an upper right quadrant US on Saturday.  I think she is not pleased with the approach of my current OB/GYN practice.  Do you still think all of this could be from cysts rupturing, digestive, endo, combination of these?  Have a great night!  Christi

[MickeyVicki]

Yes, a small amount of free fluid is normal.  I think I recall the amount as being 9 ml or less, but I am far from certain on this amount.

Yes, the symptoms of endometriosis come and go as part of the normal menstrual cycle.  Some women in my own family with severe endometriosis tell me, however, that the "good time" with few symptons and little discomfort might last only a week per cycle.