Any suggestions please?

[MrsHar]

Please read and see if you can shed some light for me!

I am a 23yr old female.  I have been experiencing a number of symptoms for a long time (8 months).  I have constant lower back pain, it feels like it's deep in my flanks (particularly the left side) rather than my spine.  I get nausea, gas and occasional diarherroa (sorry can't spell).  I am constantly tired and in pain.  I also get pain in my stomach, again paricularly in my left side.  I have had an ultrasound (left kidney slightly dilated, no apparent reason), a abdominal CT (clear) and a colonoscopy and endoscopy (both ok).  Bloods and urine are fine.  I find the pain very difficult to manage.  My appetite is little and I have lost a lot of weight during this time.  I have noticed that the weeks of worst pain tend to occur around my period, with my ok week in the middle of my cycle.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?  I would really like some advice.
Thanks

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Please go through the post by Surgimenopause and discuss the possibilities with your doctor. Endometriosis of the bowel, kidney should be ruled out by your gynecologist. The other thing is severe acidity and IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed by elimination of other causes. Lactose and gluten sensitivity too is a possibility. It could also be sensitivity to other food items. Since you also had weight loss, ruling out tuberculosis of gut and malabsorption syndromes is also a must.
I would strongly recommend you discuss these possibilities with a gastroenterologist (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system). 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!

[LivingInHope]

What about a HIDA scan with ejection fraction to take a dedicated look at how the liver and gall bladder are functioning?
You might also consider endometriosis, since you notice a correlation to your mense.  It can deposit itself in a lot of different places and cause a lot of pain.  Has your gyn doctor ever suggested an exploratory laporoscopy to see if this might be a problem for you?

You said your urine is okay- did they do a 24 hour protein test?  What about an I.V.P.?  What is your GFR (glomerular filtration rate)?

You mentioned being constantly tired- did anyone check not just a CBC, but a blood iron and your ferritin (stored iron) and TIBC (total iron binding capacity) to see if you were iron deficient?  Has anyone did any blood tests for cancer markers?  Has anyone tested your TSH and thyroid function levels (free T 3 and T 4)?