Thread: Undiagnosed Pelvic Pain

Hi There, I just joined this forum because I feel like I am out of all other medical options.

Since the end of July, 2011 I have been experiencing this odd pelvic pain. The pain is only on the right hand side mid way between my belly button and hip bone and about 3 inches down from my waist line. The pain is a constant dull ache or cramping sensation. It is not in anyway similar to menstrual cramps, or muscle cramps/spasms. It radiates to an area about the size of a softball. Occasionally I will have a series of sharper stronger pains. Also, sometimes the pain will radiate down my leg and up to my rib line. Pain is never on the left side only the right side. The intensity is mostly a 2-3 constant, sometimes a 4-5 constant. When I get the sharp pains its 6-8 but just for a minute.

Since July I have seen my regular practitioner several times, gone to a Gastrointestinal specialist (actually one of the top ranked in the US), gone to the ER, and seen a general surgeon.

I have had a pelvic exam, several abdominal exams, two pelvic intra-vaginal ultrasounds, had a CT scan of my abdomen, had a colonoscopy, had an MRI scan of GI tract, had several blood and urine tests, had an abdominal ultrasound, and had surgery to remove several lipomas in the area of the pain.

The docs have ruled out, PID, ovary cysts, endometrosis, GI infection, Crones Disease, Diverticulitis, pain from lipomas, and a hernia.

Immediately following the recovery from the lipoma surgery on October 14, I actually felt pretty good and was relived that the pain was gone. Then one month later it slowly crept back. Now I have been experiencing this same pain since the end of November and its becoming more constant and more intense. Basically creeping back up to the same levels it was before the surgery.

I have hounded and hounded the doctors to find the problem. At this point I feel like the doctors don't even want to help anymore. I also work for a prominent medical school and have tried to find my own answers but can't figure it out. I just want some answers and some sort of a resolution. My hope is by telling my story on a few health forums someone my be able to shed some insight.

Thanks for "listening"!

Thank you to the two posters for your suggestions.

I did try a bland soft food diet for a few weeks as suggested by one of the doctors. It didn't seem to do much of anything. I also was treated for an intestinal infection, I took two weeks of cipro and one week of flagyl. This was actually combined with the soft food diet. I also had a colonoscopy so I know there is no intestinal obstruction.

I have been working hard to improve diet, not that it was ever bad, just not great! I am also taking some vitamins and probiotics. I'm not sure which one is helping but them seem to be at least taking the edge off the pain. The vitamins are B complex, C, D, Prenatal, white willow bark and a tumeric (plus a bunch of other natural pain relievers) supplement. I drink a lot of water per day at least 60oz sometimes about 80oz a day. I have always had good water drinking habits.

In addition to trying to eat healthier and take supplements I have also been getting deep tissue back massages. I have had chronic back and neck pain for about 8 years that I am trying to get resolved. I also get a chiropractic adjustment every three weeks. This has been helping a bit as well.

My feelings at this point, like some of you are suggesting is that one, it could be a digestive issue. Or could also be a referred pain caused by my chronic back pain.

All in all just trying to work on health overall to get the pain to lessen or go away until the doctors can figure me out.

Each asked my weight height and age. I am 30 years old, I am 5'2" and about 150-155. I am about 20-25 lbs overweight. My overall fitness level is poor. This is for several reasons, one my work load is insane, I work about 50 hours per week and the days are intense I also drive 2 hours per day. Second, since I started having the constant pain I have been extremely fatigued and lethargic even if I get enough sleep. And lastly, my fitness is poor because I, like many others don't take the time to get enough regular exercise in. .

I have had kidney stones when I was in college, this pain is very different than the pain I experienced with those, good suggestion though.

The only other real symptoms I have is the fatigue which is pretty bad. The docs don't understand that one either.

It does not hurt to lift anything. But the pain does get worse if I eat a big meal (which I don't do anymore), if I walk around for an extended time (a few hours or if I walk quickly over a long distance). Occasionally it also will hurt more if I sweep. But I don't feel like its muscular, I can stretch the area etc and it does not feel at all similar to muscle pain. I have been checked for a hernia.

Tim, I was actually just considering doing a detox. I used to get detox foot baths a few years ago. I may do those again and also do a detox diet. I have had the light therapy on my back before, great suggestion.

Again, thank you both for your replies, I really appreciate the support.