I'm wondering whether anyone has any advice for me. I am currently experiencing right sided abdominal pain, located around the belly button and below. I can take the edge of it with OTC pain relief but it does not take it away completely. I have had a cyst on my right ovary twice in the past, both times it has resolved itself and not needed treatment.
A few weeks ago I was woken up in the middle of the night by a sharp pain in my abdomen (right side) and felt hot, sweaty and as though I was going to pass out. I walked around for a bit feeling very disorientated and eventually (after 20 mins or so) was able to get back to sleep. The next day I was exhausted and could barely function. I then missed a period - when it was due my stomach became very swollen, felt really heavy and I looked six months pregnant. I went to the doctors because OTC painkillers weren't helping. I mentioned I was slightly constipated to him and he prescribed me laxido without feeling my stomach. I took it as instructed and started going to the toilet about four times a day so figured I didn't need to take it any more and stopped. I then started passing rabbit pellets again and the abdominal pain continued - some days I felt OK, some days I just wanted to curl in a ball and cry. Sometimes I would pass a normal stool and others nothing. I began to feel a pressure feeling in my rectum too like there was something in there. I went back to the docs and he said it sounded like IBS and told me to take IBucspan which I did, made no difference whatsoever. I then got my period and for those few days I felt relatively normal. A few days after my period ended the abdominal pain came back on the right side, it was so bad I got an appointment at the out of hours clinic. The doctor said it sounded like a problem with my bowel and she felt my stomach, was very sore when she pressed on the right side and she said that it could be because of constipation or maybe a cyst. She gave me Colofac. I have been taking those for the last few days and they don't seem to be helping at all. I went back to my doctor and he said he would arrange for me to have a test on my bowel (where they out the camera up there, not a colonoscopy, the other one flexible something?) which I will be having next Tuesday. I have started going to the toilet (normal stools) this week without the aid of laxido - I have been drinking cups of cooled boiled water and it has got everything moving along) but the abdominal pain on the right side remains.
I am petrified about having bowel cancer as my Mum's brother died of it. He was 44 and I am 40. I haven't had any rectal bleeding and my poo does not seem to have blood in it. The feeling of fullness in my rectum seems to have subsided since I have got my bowels moving again. I have quite a lot of gas though.
Obviously I want the test I am having on Tuesday to show nothing serious but if it does I don't know where to go from here? The only thing that makes the pain any better is holding a hot water bottle to my right side. Lying down flat is OK but if I sit up or lie on my side it is really uncomfortable.
Does anybody have any ideas as to what is happening to me? I have three children, my husband works abroad and it is hard to make it through each day (and night) in pain and with so many worries running through my head!
Hi Kerry read all my comments <<<I also had that pain ,it was a dermoid cyst (size grapefruit)my mum uncle and more kin died bowel cancer ,it was not the big c,(prob dermoid)please don't worry im sure its cyst ,please read back my notes and tc ,mags xx
You've just described everyhing I went through in the last year. I had been to doctor with abdominal pain they told me it was stds pumped with antibiotics didn't get better told me it was pelvic inflammatory disease pumped me with more drugs. Had a scan came back clear so I just went away and tried to forget about it. Sex was painful and day to day activities became a struggle.
The doctor said I had IBS so I was put on anti spasmodics for 3 months monitored my diet, still the same. Was asked if my pain got worse at particular times of day which it didn't there was no pattern. At this point I was regularly taking painkillers, and I was so bunged up couldn't go to the toilet, so was told to take stool looseness. The pain was now unbearable, it was on my right side in line with my hip it went into my back my groin. I remember going shopping with my mum in tesco and went so hot sweaty dizzy crying I ended up sat on floor in middle of tesco! Went hospital and they felt my tummy said it was probably a mixture of pain and constipation. Had a blood test for cysts etc all clear, made me feel like I was making it up!
Had a scan internal found a few cysts one big one!! If your taking pain killers your body will naturally clog up!!
thank you for both your replies. I am now convinced it is a cyst and I feel less stressed by the whole thing. Your experience in tesco is exactly how I have been feeling! Since I posted I had my sigmoidoscopy which was completely clear. I upped my laxido and am now going to the toilet normally - I think I was constipated due to the amount of pain killers I was taking and the two courses of unnecessary antibiotics i had been prescribed. The pain has lessened since the constipation has cleared but I am still having weird sensations whereupon ovary is. The day after my sigmoidoscopy I started a period that has been sooo heavy with lots of clots and has lasted 7 days -usually I am only 4-5. I have a ultrasound booked at the hospital for the 13th march so I hope I will get more answers then. Thanks for taking the time to reply to me x
Doctors give you all these drugs and it plays havoc with your toilet business, eat loads a fruit and pro biotic yog!!
My periods were all over place heavy light 12 days 4 days every other week it was awfull.
I always think the worst, and it's nice to have some reassurance even of it's to get a good nights sleep!! By sounds if it your pretty busy and I'm guessing night times your brain goes off on it's own little knightmare!
Think positive - it will get sorted and there is a light at end of the tunnel xxx
I am happy to say I feel back to myself now. After the second period my pain disappeared and my bowel function returned to normal. I received my ultrasound date and went along to that - everything on my ovaries completely normal. So I never got a diagnosis as such but I just know it was a cyst from past experience. This one was nastier than any others I have had and took two cycles to clear whereas usually I get relief after one. I believe it may have burst the night I had my weird dizzy episode and then it took my body a few weeks to get back to normal. I think it was pressing only bowel and, coupled with all the pain killers and antibiotics I had been prescribed meant havoc for my bowels!
Just so frustrating seeing different doctors all the time and being diagnosed with ibs etc without so much of a feel of the tummy! I believe if I had had an ultrasound when I first presented with pain a cyst would have shown up!
I hope you are pain free soon Corinne. I know it is easy to say but try not to panic. I got myself in such a state about it but to be honest I have never has such pain for such a long time! I would keep pestering the doctor and make sure you get a scan - and if you don't feel better keep going back, be persistent. You know your body best. Good luck, let me know how you get on x
Hi Kerry. I had the same thing. Exactly the same on my left side a couple years ago. It was a torsioned ovary and I had to have an emergency surgery to remove it. It is very difficult to diagnose apparently. Mine was not because I was at the point where the organ was dying and causing gangrene. Most women will not get to this point because the pain will become intolerable before that happens. I however have a high pain tolerance so It was a very serious life and death situation. I am now having the same thing on my right side. It is the same issue of torsional strain and the ovary is being removed. We just caught it quicker this time because I know the signs. Be sure to discuss this possibility with your doctors. I have been told by my surgeons that this possibility is overlooked by many, many doctors. (torsioned ovaries are caused by cysts)
I have just been discharged from hospital today after 2 days in hospital from exactly the same sympotms as you have described. The consultant has fobbed me off again (this is my 7th time attending hospital) and said that because they cant find anything else it must be IBS.
I get the same pains, sweating, dizziness and swelling as you have described at least once a month and i cant seem to get a doctor to listen to me.
I am going to go to my gp and ask to be referred to check my ovaries after seeing this post. Has your problems been resolved? What did they do to stop your pain?
So interesting to find this discussion. My symptoms are very similar and I'm scheduled for tests on Wednesday next. I have history with troubling cysts and now have more information with which to guide my physician. It's such a scare, not knowing what's going on and having every effort to correct simply not work. I'm 63 and had a hysterectomy when I was 30 but my ovaries were retained. I've been mainly concerned about ovarian cancer because of where the pain exists, the feeling of bloating and the need to further eliminate, the pain on my right side, the "bulbing" of my belly which used to be flat. the sense of urgency to eliminate even after spending the morning in the loo, etc. I appreciate very much reading your experiences and will hope to best for all to have positive outcomes.
Hi. Was wondering if you've found out yet what is causing your symptoms? I have EXACTLY the same symptoms as you, and have also been to the hospital several times with no resolution. They've done CT scans, MRIs, colonoscopy, endoscopy, barium tests, etc., and still no diagnosis. I suffer daily from abdominal pain on my lower right side (feels like a constant dull/throbbing pain). Sometimes worsens, where it feels as though your intestines are twisting. When this pain occurs, I get completely blocked up; cannot pass gas or stool for days. When the spasm goes away, it is as if the flood gates open, and everything gets purged all at once. This is what landed me in the hospital 2 weeks ago. My heart rate sky rocketed to 140+, blood pressure went up, fever, dizziness, neasea, vommiting, etc. They told me that I was just dehydrated!! They did yet another CT scan, and saw that I had a 1.6 cm cyst "probably" on/in my ovary. The results all stated "probably" in the diagnosis. I have been to 3 gastro doctors and my OBGYN countless times, and each time I go to one, they blame it on the other. They gyno says it is a gastro issue, and the gastro says it is a gyno issue. So frustrated at this point, I don't know where to turn. I have been on several anti-spasm medications, prilosec for acid reflux, probiotics, IBS diet, gluten free diet, etc., and NOTHING has changed. I cannot find a doctor who can figure out what is wrong with me and I am so tired of feeling horrible.
Hi I also have very similar to you! Not sure if mine is gynae or Ibs! So frustrating. Have had scan and they found small ovarian cyst but said shouldn't be a problem. Then lately have tried a Fodmap diet for Ibs but still getting right side low pain! Been back to Doctor and thinking of having a colonoscopy as last one was three years ago but also feel like I want another scan to double check ovaries. It gets you down doesn't it!
I have exact same thing. I had a colonoscopy 2 months ago and they said everything is great. I went to Gynae in December who also said everything is good but the constant lower right sides pain is constantly there and it really is getting me really down and worried. When I asked for scan he told me there is no need. My Gynae says its scar tissue from my appendix and my gp says its ibs with scar tissue. I also get vaginal discharge which Gynae said is within normal amounts. I'm sick and tired of this and don't know what else to do but I can't imagine my life like this forever. Any suggestions?
So glad to find that other people are experiencing the same kind of pain as me. I was diagnosed with PCOS at a young age and I'm 23 now. I've had stomach pains for over a year now, been to a&e numerous amounts of time as you can imagine. I've also visited my gp over and over again. At first they said it was IBS, so I completed food diaries and was taking mabevarine but nothing seemed to work. I was referred to a gynecologist, who thought it may be endometriosis. I was having an injection in my stomach for 3 months, which seemed to calm things down. Then in December things got really bad and I spent a week in hospital, they didn't really do much. By this stage I was taking tramadol and oramorph for the pain, sometimes that wouldn't work. Anyway after months of agony and time off work I had a laparoscopy in January. Turns out I didn't have endometriosis, so they didn't do anything to free me of pain. I ended up having 4 months off work, I had only started the job 5 months before. I work on a pediatric ICU, so they rely on staff to be well. I went back to work in April, on a graduated return and things were going well. Up until a few days ago when my period made an appearance, sometimes I don't have a period at all. Today I've been experiencing pain in my right hand side, it was just a dull ache, so I proceeded to carry on with my day as usual including visiting the gym. I didn't do too much because of the pain. When I was on the exercise bike I noticed the pain becoming worse, so I didn't do any more and left. By the time I got home I was in absolute agony, so much that I was doubled over. I've just taken some pain relief and lay down. But the pain is still severe.
Before I returned to work I seen a gastro team who seen me once and said its IBS. Anyone have any other suggestions other than IBS?
hi megan, I'm wondering if you have had previously had any abdominal surgery for the pros? I'm 40 and have had cysts removed on three occasions as well as a partial hysterectomy. I have recently been experiencing very similar symptoms to you although on the LHS. I have two small cysts of around 2cm but my pain is apparently due to adhesions. My bowel and bladder are now attached to the left ovary so when it Causes issues for me it affects everything in the area. I had no idea when I started having this trouble at 15 that I would be causing issues later on. I have found I need to take maximum safe doses of pain relief as soon as the pain starts rather than waiting. I take two ibuprofen and two panadol then space the rest out during the day as directed. If this doesn't works high it doesn't always, I end up in bed taking codeine based pain killers and being a zombie. This in itself then causes constipation. My work colleagues are now used to me lugging around a heat pack as it brings some relief in a different way to the meds.
No I haven't had any other surgery other than the laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis. They haven't mentioned much else to be honest, other than trying other medication. But the pain I had when I wrote the post only lasted 2 days, I'm guessing it will make an appearance again soon. But touch wood I've been okay.
Sounds like you need to hound your gp though, especially if your in pain most of the time.
I am 63. When I was 16 I had my appendix out but there was nothing wrong with it. Suggestion was a ruptured ovarian cyst that had caused my pain. For most of my adult life I have suffered from constipation and had various drugs prescribed over the years. I have had ops for piles and fissures. A colonoscopy 10years ago showed the starts of diverticular disease. I have also been told that I have IBS and over the years have become more restricted in the kinds of fibre that I can eat. I was getting pain in right side. Passing urine could be difficult at times. Twice in last 6 months I have been diagnosed with diverticulitis even though the pain was on the right side. Why am I telling you this? Well recently I decided I had had enough. I asked for tests as worrying about having a bowel movement was taking over my life. I could be in the loo for up to 2 hours. A sigmoidoscopy showed the diverticular disease but nothing else. There was a suggestion that previous surgery may be the cause of my pain. However an ultrasound scan has now detected an ovarian cyst which is 8cm. If you look at many of the posts that are on this forum the signs were there. The GPs and I have been distracted by my history of bowel problems.
I have the same worries only with pain on the left side! It has me worried sick. I have been diagnosed with a cyst but always have the feeling something else is wrong.
Going to get another ultrasound to see if my cysts is still present and if it is gone going to take steps to look into the colon. I just need to know nothing else is causing this pain.
I'm with you on this and it is scary as hell and the ongoing pain and worry is enough to drive you loopy.. I know.
I had a laparoscopy over 6 weeks ago to try and find out what was causing me all the right sided loin pain and pressure/bloating in my tummy. The gyne found adhesions (scar tissues) sticky webs over my right abdominal wall bowel area and also all over my appendix...
he dealt with them, but all the pain.. pulling and tugging sensations are back. It literall feels like my right side is in a straight jacket !!
I am being investigated further via gyne scans etc etc.. and all they can find is a right sided ovarian cyst.. I've been having these things crop up every month mainly on the right side, blood filled cysts.
I am trying to work out what caused it all to start months back, as my pain started with right sided severe loin pain and bladder frequency pressure and fever. There was obviously some form of infection that affected my right side. I've had 3 hospital admissions with all the pain since January.
My brain is thinking.. adhesions... what caused them?? bowel and appendix area, why?? Nobody can give me an answer. I know adhesions are related to endometriosis and I am having severe problems now with periods/ovulation and cysts.... extreme pain.
I wonder if one of the cysts on the right ruptured and this is why I got the adhesions (scar tissue) I also wonder if i actually DO have endomentriosis although gyne said after laparoscopy that he couldnt see any endo??
I'm not so sure.
My right ovary is enlarged (without the cysts...).....I have some fibroids in the uterus apparently...severe periods now with terrible pelvic burning pain... bladder issues..... and on top of that all the adhesion pain right side loin.
I am determined to get to the crux of it all. Sending myself loopy trying to work it all out..
To add Ella... I also have all the bowel pain/bloat/constipation/pressure... bladder pressure...burning feeling.
I'm being referred for another CT scan and also a camera up the bum ugghhh just to be on safe side...
The worrying thing is, that all of these symptoms unfortunately are linked to Adhesions in the pelvic/abdomen. They put pressure on the bowel and bladder and they can cause severe pain.
Its getting the actual answers though that count as to WHY ?!! what is the route of the cause? Bowel/ovaries/Endometriosis????
All a mystery and the pieces of the jigsaw are all out there in my case and I just want them all slotting together.