Endometriosis? Help!

[BusyGirl16]

I have been having a pain in my lower abdomen for about 3 months now. I have made trips to my family doctor, my gyn, and yesterday I visited a GI Doctor. They all haven't yet found anything wrong with me. The pain comes and goes all day long, every day! Last night Iwoke up and everytime I would take a breath it would hurt worse! I am only 17 and I am really woried about what this could be! The pain is mostly on my left side, by my hip bone.... They said endometriosis is hard to confirm and they want me to come back in a few months if the pain doesn't go away! MONTHS!! I sort of want them to check for it now! Not in a few months... Help... What should I do?

[sourpuss]

Is it possible you could have an ectopic pregnancy? (that's where the fertilized egg emplants in the fallopian tube) This kind of pregnancy is extremely dangerous and life threatening. But from what I've heard (my mom and a friend of mine had this) the pain is extreme, constant and isolated to one side. (where the egg is). If you think this is a possibility you should go to a doctor (who will take your pain seriously) and have it checked out ASAP!
Endometriosis pain is usually more general and not as constant, although everyone is different. The only way to determine if you have it for sure is to do a laporscopy which is basically a outpatient surgery. It's exploratory so they go in, look to see if in fact you do have it and treat you while you are under and they are in there. So it's a very expensive gamble.

Most importantly you need to find a doctor who takes you seriously. Any doctor who is told by a patient that they are in constant pain and very worried and just sends them home and tells them to come back in a few months is NOT a good doctor. Find someone new.

best of luck to you.

[BusyGirl16]

Thanks very much for your advice. I still havent heard anything from my doctor. At first I thought it was an ectopic pregnancy,but then I had no fever and other sypmtoms related to that and I have had the pains for about 3 months now! My boyfriend is really woried and wants me to go to another doctor, for more options. But I am in school and work and it is very hard for me to keep missing both. I guess I can wait it out. Thanks soo much again for imformation!!

[sourpuss]

If it's been hurting for months there is no sense in waiting another 3 months. I would get to a new doctor right away.

[BusyGirl16]

I havent heard anything back from my doctor. This doctor is the most recomended and he is really letting me down. I am still having the pains and I get sick everytime I eat....I think I am going to have to find another doc. that will listen to me and follow through... Thanks for giving me some advice...