Is this pain from my Ovaries????

JulesInWisconsin · 06-19-2005, 05:18 PM

Hi all...
I see my gyno on Tuesday, to talk about me being newly diagnosed with PCOS.
I just have a question....This morning and throughout this afternoon, I have had such pain. The pain is down by my lower tummy ( hope that sounds right ) on each side. It's very tender to touch and I've been laying on the couch all morning & afternoon. Very tired, sick to my stomach and simply exhausted. I am also having stabbing pains, every once in awhile in my vaginal area (sorry if that sounded strange). My eyes are very dry and red ( not sure that has anything to do with anything ) but I also tried to have lunch, ate a little and lost my appetite. My lower back also aches, not so much a "crampy ache" it's hard to explain. I feel very bloated, thinking the water pill should be helping that. Is it just me, or does this sound like something you've gone through? What is itttttttttt??? Why does it hurt so bad.
Thanks
Julie

lil lizzie · 06-19-2005, 09:10 PM

I'm not sure exactly, but it could be endometriosis. I've had pain like you've described, and I was diagnosed with endo the same time as PCOS. I would definitely ask your gyn about that when you go on Tuesday. Then again, it could be something completely unrelated. Anyone else have any thoughts?

amshum · 06-22-2005, 02:12 AM

Hmmm... Definitely discuss this with your doctor. I agree with Amber in that it could be endometriosis. It could be a rupturing cyst... But you said it was on both sides... When I have a cyst rupture the pain is concentrated on one side or the other while its happening and then I'm sore all over.. Including my back. I describe it as if someone beat me with a baseball bat and I'm just sore for the next couple of days.

Let us know what your doctor says! Best wishes and feel better!

theflyingturtle · 06-22-2005, 02:20 AM

my money would be on endo too.

theflyingturtle · 06-22-2005, 02:22 AM

The endometriosis association is headquartered in Milwaukee....btw

I had my surgery and was diagnosed in Madison.

JulesInWisconsin · 06-22-2005, 04:23 PM

Hi everyone,
Thanks for caring to write and help me with my questions.
Well I saw my Gyno, and all of you were right. He's most definitely thinking it's Endometriosis and PCOS. He doesn't want to make a judgement call until this friday when I have an ultrasound. He gave me the number to meet with a endocronolgist (spelling?) and I couldn't get in until August, so I'll wait till then for that. I had this a list of my pains and symptoms and he was happy for that. I feel so lost though...I spent a good hour or two reading about Endometriosis and was so confused. I have such bad pain on my right side. And a dull lingering pain on my left. All I want to do is cry, ack what is wrong with me!?!?!?! I took the Glugophage for the first time last night. And I was in the bathroom 3 times from 1:30 a.m to 3:00, is that ok?? My doc is starting me slow 1/2 pill first week 1/2 & 1/2 the second and so on. Still taking the Spriro too....still really new maybe a week...so I'm not sure if it's working yet.
Thanks for listening..
Julie

theflyingturtle · 06-22-2005, 04:31 PM

THe only way endo can be diagnosed these days is through surgery.
(one would THINK that we'd have another way these days!) The other tests he's doing is for the PCOS.
I couldn't deal with the met and quit taking it. Also quit taking the sprino. I'm on low ogesteral (spelling?) as a BCP and that's it for my PCOS and I take that for the endo as well as Ibuprofin 800's as needed. I have been HORRIBLE about taking my bcp's lately and have noticed an huge problem with facial acne (which I have never really had before---always had it on my chest/back) anyway I gotta get better about that.
Glad your finding both out. I found out about the PCOS when I was having problems with pelvic pain and iddn't get the 100 % endo diagnosis till last year when I had surgery to finally diagnosis it. I was terrified of the surgery. It wasn't to bad, once they gave me enough drugs so I had no clue what was happening. (I was scared of the whole being put to sleep thing). I was diagonesd PCOS at 22ish and endo at 24.

canadianmutation · 06-22-2005, 10:13 PM

Julie---
Had the same kind of pain but it wasn't endo. I had too much lining in the uterus and it was time to shed it. Hurt like crazy. Just wanted to let you know that its not always endo.

JulesInWisconsin · 06-24-2005, 03:26 PM

Hi Everyone...

Well this morning I went for my ultrasound appt. They did a regular & vaginal ultrasound. The Lady doing the ultrasound, stated there was nothing to be found. No Cysts or tumors... I am so confused now... Does this mean I don't have PCOS, or ENDO like the doctor suggested? I am lost....ughhhhhh!!! Why the constant pain... Why the symptoms? Why did the doc put me on Spiro & Glucophage? Why do I have heavy periods/pain when I get them and why haven't I gotten one in 2 months then when it did come it came for 4 hours? I just don't get it.
(sorry about the constant complaining, I'm just SOOOOO confused)
Can someone please shed some light here...
Thanks a whole bunch

Julie

DCsFinest1 · 06-24-2005, 03:38 PM

I have no cysts at all but my LH harmone level was off so they said I have PCOS, now I dont know why the pain and the heavy cycles but keep going until you get answers, if you feel bad then your body is telling you something is wrong... Get a second opinon if you need too.
good luck

paisleystar · 06-24-2005, 04:01 PM

Hi I was just diagnosed with Endometriosis on June 13, by a laparoscopy surgery. I was having heavy bleeding, pain in my pelvic and vaginal areas like the ones you have described.
I don't think that endo can be diagnosed without the laparoscopy surgery. On my last ultrasound I didn't have any cysts either, but they can come and go. I did have 3 fibroids growing on my uterus as well.
I don't know what my treatments for the endo will be yet.
I hope you find out what is bothering you soon. If you have any questions just let me know!

Marlyss

amshum · 06-24-2005, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paisleystar

I don't think that endo can be diagnosed without the laparoscopy surgery.

That's very true. In order to get a firm diagnosis you will have to have the surgery unfortunately.

I found this on diagnosing Endo:
(source: http://www.stronghealth.com/services/womenshealth/gynecology/endometdiag.cfm)

Quote:

Pelvic Pain & Vulvar Disease Center

Endometriosis

How is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of endometriosis cannot be made from symptoms alone since some women with endometriosis have no symptoms at all, and many women with pelvic pain do not have endometriosis. However, it may be suspected if a woman is having difficulty getting pregnant, or she has pelvic pain, painful periods, or pain during intercourse. A family history of endometriosis in a close relative is also suggestive. A woman who has an affected close relative is more likely to have endometriosis and more likely to have severe disease.

Physical examination - A physical examination can be helpful, particularly in making diagnoses other than endometriosis that may cause pelvic pain, but it is not an accurate way to diagnose endometriosis. The doctor may or may not be able to feel tender spots of endometriosis or an enlarged ovary. If the exam is performed at the time of menses it sometimes can be especially helpful. Findings at the physcial exam may be helpful in directing further tests and evaluations, as well as treatment.

Laparoscopy - The diagnosis of endometriosis is generally considered uncertain until proven by laparoscopy. Laparoscopy, is an operation, during which a thin telescope, called a laparoscope, is inserted through a small incision and the patient's abdomen is distended with carbon dioxide gas to make the organs easier to see. It may be done under local or general anesthesia. When it is performed under local anesthesia, a technique called pain mapping may be done. This is a relatively new procedure that allows the patient and her surgeon to localize areas of endometriosis, or other disease, that directly cause the pelvic pain. By moving the laparoscope around the abdomen, the surgeon can check the condition of the abdominal organs and see the endometrial implants, if care and thoroughness are used. Skill and familiarity with endometriosis are important, as it has many different appearances and may be missed by the inexperienced or inattentive physician.

If endometriosis is seen at laparoscopy, it is usually possible to destroy it by burning it with electrical or laser energy, or by cutting it out with traditional surgical techniques using a surgical knife and scissors. The location of the endometriosis will influence which techniques are used. It is helpful if a small piece of endometriosis can be removed for microscopic examination at this time, called a biopsy. Confirmation of the diagnosis by biopsy is very helpful, as even the most experienced surgeon is sometimes fooled by lesions that look like endometriosis, but are not. It is important that women without endometriosis not be labeled as having it. Although a woman may be treated as if she has endometriosis without surgical confirmation, it is not good practice to diagnose endometriosis without surgical confirmation.

Other diagnostic techniques - There has been intense research directed towards finding blood tests to diagnose and stage endometriosis, but as yet such tests are not available. Ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to get more information about the extent of the endometriosis in severe cases. These techniques can identify cysts in the ovaries and are usually done in the hospital radiology (X-ray) department or in a specially equipped doctor's office. They cannot be used to make a definite diagnosis of endometriosis as yet, but some research with MRI has been promising.

Here's some more information on ultrasounds:
(source: http://www.healthywomen.org/content.cfm?L1=3&L2=90&L3=1.0000 )

Quote:

Your health care professional may also order ultrasound imaging of the ovaries to look for the characteristic picture of multiple cysts or to look for endometrial abnormalities. The test usually involves insertion of a probe into the vagina, although a transabdominal ultrasound can also be performed. Such a test, however, is not definitive, since it is very common for women without PCOS to have small ovarian cysts; it is also common for women with PCOS to have no cysts . The ultrasound, however, can help confirm a diagnosis and some doctors consider it the single most reliable way of making a diagnosis as long as it is done by a physician who understands variations in the ovarian image. It also allows simultaneous examinations of the endometrial lining for abnormalities. Health care professionals rarely remove benign cysts, opting more often to prescribe lifestyle modifications and medication to treat symptoms.