Could it be Endometriosis?

[bindy]

Hi,

I feel like I'm stuck in some cycle with doctors having sent me here, there, and then here again. So I'm hoping someone might have experienced the same kind of symptoms I'm having, as the next step in my diagnosis is having a Laparoscopy but for that I have to wait until February to even make an appointment.

I've had quite a few assessments by specialists and my referring doctors to try to find out what is causing the abdominal pain; which is more of a discomfort, I've had for almost three years now. I've always assumed it was brought on from when I was thrown from a horse 3 days before I first experienced the pain, but doctors seem to overlook this, so maybe it's unrelated. However, in this fall I was bounced around in the saddle quite strongly for a bit before being thrown and simply tumbling forwards from the horse's back and first impact was the base of my neck, and top of my shoulders (or at least that's what I assume), as I had grazes on my shoulders. The back of my helmet was cracked, which displays the force in which I fell, but intial doctor didn't think that that was anything important to note. My discomfort is chronic. It is always present, and seemed to always be increased due to physical activity- so I've assumed that my pain was muscular related. It is situated in the centre of my upper abdomen, right in the middle and right below the bottom of the ribcage. If you place your hand in the spot I've described (hopefully well enough) that is the general area of my pain. It additionally runs along the bottom of the ribcage around where the diphragm is.

When my discomfort increases it becomes so intense that neasea sets in, but I haven't vomited in all the time I've had this (aside from when I first experienced it and took a strong pain killer without enough food). Additionally, sitting in a car has seemed to increase my discomfort also and at time I feel like an accordian. However, when I'm driving, being in the car doesn't seem to bother my abdomen much (likely due to using the pedals I assume - manual). Again, if i sit as you're supposed to in a car, it is worse for my abdomen than if I say, I lie across the back seat. At present my pain isn't as bad as it was when it first started, but, as I've had to go through grade 10, 11 and 12 with my abdomen how it is, and had to drag myself to school alot of the time, and had many days off. I've had to push on and I assume I've become accustomed to the pain. When the pain has increased, I've used a hot water bottle, drank warm water, and or used heat packs or a warming gel. This seems to help a bit, again making me think it is muscular.

Throughout my tracking through doctors and speciallists, I've had (in order) and ultrasound of my entire abdomen, Spinal x-rays, Endoscopy, Chest x-rays, CT Scan of my whole abdomen, Quarterzone Injections on my abdomen, Injections of some numbing drug and use of a hot needle to numb nerves in my back (which of course are the same nerves which travel round to the front of my abdomen), another CT Scan as well as numerous blood tests in between all these procedures/investigations and one urine sample assessment. These all came back normal aside from every blood test coming back with a low iron level. This I can understand as I am constantly exhausted from it. Alternative treatments I've had are accupuncture, chiropractic consultations, bowen massages (which is a deep muscle massage). All of these seemed to help to some extent, but then would improve no further.

I am on a drug called Lyrica, which works by de-sensititzing the signals emmitted from your nerves, so that the brain doesn't fully register how intense the pain is (or at least, that's my understanding of it). When I go off the lyrica, my abdominal pain increases regardless of wether I lie around all day or do something. Again... this seems to indicate some muscular affliction, but without diagnosis I'm lost. Recently however, wether it's because I've put up with it for so long and can now see other patterns regarding the occurrence of increased pain not I don't know, but it seems to also increase when it's my time of the month. Usually it will get worse, say a day or so before I start menstruating, which would co-incide with hormones changing what's going on internally before there's evidence within bleeding. By the time I'm finished menstruating I will feel better than during. My periods have many times, but not always resulted in me having heavy bleeding, but not as heavy as I would assume most women would get. They have always been painful and I've only had a small number which have been pain free. At times the pain can be quite unbearable, and I'll find myself doing nothing at all during these times, as to move increases the pain. I take panadol when I get pain such as this. It takes the edge off, but I would rather not take anything stronger than light asparins. All the doctors I've seen regarding this pain I have have asked the routine question of 'How are your periods? Are they normal' I've replied that they are, as it's rather hard to know what normal is and isn't... Everyone is bound to get period pain, as well, as heavy bleeding at times and etc. So it's hard to distinguish.

However, there are also times when my abdominal pain will be increased for what seems to me no reason at all. No foods have any affect, nor the act of eating etc. My stools I believe to be normal. I pass them every 1 to 2 days. The only time my bowel movements may be showing any indication of something internal causing probs is during my periods, as my bowel movements during these times have always been diorrhea (sp?)

Sooo.... these newly assessed elements of my andominal pain/discomfort has brought me into thinking about endometriosis (more so). My next step is a laparotomy, so if I do have Endo, then it should hopefully be discovered during the procedure (hopefully). Or whatever the cause of my abdominal pain is. However, I would like to know the possibility that this is caused by Endometriosis. I have found that Endometriosis can occur on the diaphragm which is an obvious area where my discomfort is in the vicinity of my abdomen. My large bowel is also present in the area I've desciribed.

I am clueless, and as I don't know what the next step will be after I have my laparoscopy if nothing is found to be abnormal.However, I would really liek to know any information regardless of wether it could eb endometriosis or something else. It may help me at least get some understanding, or solidify my thoughts for what the future holds with my investigations, and hopefully diagnosis.

Sorry about the length. I was trying to keep it short. Also, I am nearly 18, a very (well, prior to this) active person, eat pretty well, and my periods are regular.

Thanking you in advance
Bindy