12 years of chronic LRQ pain, still undiagnosed

[OptimisticPessimist]

I have had chronic pain, moderate to severe for 12 years now in my lower right abdomen. I have history of ovarian cysts, and also have moderate degeneration in my L2-S1 region. I have had every test known to man done on me in the last two weeks but everything says that I am healthy and normal. Still having severe pain and have been off work for almost two weeks now and I just started this job. They are being understanding so long as I bring in all the doctors notes, but I need help. Has anyone had chronic pain like this? Mine starts right above the groin on the right side of my abdomen, wraps around my lower back and down my tailbone. I have had the spinal injections and had every organ tested. The injections only work for short periods of time. Any help on other ideas of what this could be would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!

[Tuckamore]

Hello and Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Mangement Forum. I am glad that you found us and took the time to post. However I am very sorry to hear that you have had undiagnosed chronic pain for twelve years. By my calculation that's 12 years too long.

Where are the placing the injections? What location or condition are they treating?

I doubt that we will be able to provide you with an concrete answers if you have had all the usual and customary testing. It seems that you need a physician that is able to think outside of the box. A fresh set of eyes in a national clinic or a large teaching hospital/clinic.

Yes adhesions or endometriosis are good suggestions and possibilities. However I would imagine that your team of specialists have considered both conditions. Have they considered that you may be experiencing referred pain, meaning it originates in one location but is felt in another?

Have you seen a rheumatologist, an Internal Medicine D.O. and a gastroenterologist? How about a urologist?  Those are all physicians that I would place on my list to consult.

I know how very frustrated and discouraged you must be. I went over ten years without a diagnosis. I was ready to tear my hair out. I quit looking, tired of all the untrue labels, poking and prodding, multiple testing with no diagnosis and then being treated like a drug seeker. And than one day quite by accident a new physician, a D.O. recognized my chronic pain and diagnosed me within a week. I didn't even have to say, "Lord I hurt."

So I know that there are great, kind and concerned physicians out there. There are answers when no one can find one, Just please keep looking and don't give up. Be assertive. You are your own best health care advocate.

Are you at least being treated for chronic pain? There is no reason that you have to suffer with chronic pain. Insist on something for pain control. Life is too short to suffer needlessly while they search for a diagnosis.

I will hope to hear from you again soon. And I will look forward to your updates with great interest. Hang in there my dear. We are here for you.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[namnam46]

First let me welcome you to the Pain Management Forum. I'm glad that you found us!

I'm also very sorry for all of the pain that you are experiencing. We all know that terrible feeling of having the severed and NO answers as to what has caused it.

Like Jamie and Karen I, too, had ovarian cysts. I had a huge one that was over 5 lbs. and of course had the ovary removed and then several years later had the Hysterectomy because of endometriosis and that finally took care of my problems. What did your OB/GYN say? I'm sure that at your young age that your Dr.s wouldn't want to go that route yet.

By the way, I was born and raised in Tulsa and lived there for 52 years before moving away to TN and I now live in AZ. However, Oklahoma is where my heart will always be!!

I also have DDD in my back and no the pain that that will give you also. You may be experiencing pain from 2 different problems and the combination is making it harder for them to come up with a correct diagnosis for you. Sometimes it can take years to figure out exactly what the problem is and you just have to keep going from Dr.to Dr. The important thing is NOT to give up. You know that you are experiencing this pain and that it is REAL!!  Keep being persistent and eventually you will find a Dr.that discovers what it is that is causing your problems.

Please keep in touch and keep us updated as to what you found. There will be more people on later that will have some ideas as to what may be causing your pain.

Take Care....Sherry

[designgyrl]

I'm wondering if you have endometriosis or adhesions?  Have they ever done a laproscopic surgery on you?  Before I had my hysterectomy I used to get horrible pains by my ovary and across my back, it felt like someone was twisting and pulling.  I had a lot of ovarian cysts and believe me, whoever says they don't hurt, they are definitely wrong. The pain that you are experiencing around your back and tailbone is exactly what I was feeling.  What happened with me was that my ovary adhered to my colon and was causing horrible pressure on my back.  I would definitely recommend going to see an obgyn that deals with endometriosis.  You said it's been going on for twelve years, does it hurt more before your period is giong to start? That was always a given for me, too.  Seriously, I would recommend finding an obgyn. Unfortunately the only way they can really tell if it's endometriosis is to do a laproscopic surgery and look at you.  But it sounds as though you may not have had that done.  It also hurt going down my groin and into my leg, it was a very common feeling.  

Please let us know how your doing, and please let me know if you need more information.  I know all about endometriosis.  I had a hysterectomy three years ago and it was the best thing that I ever did.  It cured the endometriosis almost completely. I  still get some pain, but not like I did before.

Keep us informed,

Karen

[jamlws]

Sorry you haver been in so much pain. I don't have pain like that so I can't help you there but I do get ovarian cysts but mine hurt right on the ovary. What kind of dr do you go to? I know alot of drs will send you to a pain dr if they can't find out what is wrong with you so it can be treated.
Best of luck,
Jamie