gmof2
02-25-2008, 07:26 PM
Hi, I am brand new here but have consulted these forums over the past few months. I need help, reassurance, advice from anyone with a diagnosis who has had similar symptoms.
I am scared. About 4 months ago I began having severe pelvic pain which I assumed was of a gynecological nature, although I am post-menopausal at 53. I saw my gynecologist who did an exam and I had an ultrasound which revealed no abnormalities. I visited the ER one night when the pain was particularly bad (lower right pelvis) and had a CTscan which revealed nothing abnormal. The following week, I saw my primary care physician who scheduled a colonoscopy, which I had performed within the month, and had a couple of benign polyps removed, no major issues. My PCP then sent me to a surgeon to have me evaluated for a possible hernia, which the surgeon could not find. He felt that the nature of my pelvic pain suggested nerve entrapment. Meanwhile, around this time (about 2 1/2 months ago) I began having back pain all along my spine. The pain does not seem to affect my range of motion, but the spine is literally sore to the touch in places, and both of my legs feel weak. I developed a ringing in my ears around this same time. I returned to my physician in tears, scared...and he prescribed zoloft and klonopin for panic attacks. Granted, I AM panicked but this is BECAUSE I can't seem to be diagnosed. Three weeks after he started me on these meds, I returned for follow-up. I told the doctor I was afraid that I have cancer, a brain tumor, my back hurts, my vision has been getting progressively worse in one eye over the past few years, and lately the vision in my right eye is almost nil. He sent me to an ophthalmologist who examined my eyes and said I have a cataract, which I am scheduled to have removed in a couple of weeks. My PCP also increased my dosage of zoloft, and he insists I am having panic attacks. I am scheduled to see him again this week, so that he can clear me for the cataract surgery and fax paperwork over to the ophthalmologist. I am going to BEG for an MRI of the brain. My head now feels like there is a band around it, and the ringing in my ears is non-stop and loud. Sometimes my neck hurts as my head feels so heavy, and my nose sometimes feels numb. I have some hip pain in addition to this, and my spine feels unstable; I can feel the joints cracking when I move. If I look down toward the floor, I have a weird sensation in my chest and throat, and sometimes (not always) my ribs hurt.
I realize this sounds like hypochondria. It is NOT. I had not seen a doctor in nearly 15 years prior to the initial pelvic pain for which I sought medical advice. I have researched too much on my own, and have come up with brain tumor, spinal tumors, csf leak, multiple myeloma and I am driving myself crazy with worry. Does anyone have any experience with nerve compression that began as pain low in the pelvis? Can anyone identify with the problems I am having? Any ideas as to what this could be? Please help if you can. I am physically exhausted as well. Thank you so much for listening.
I am scared. About 4 months ago I began having severe pelvic pain which I assumed was of a gynecological nature, although I am post-menopausal at 53. I saw my gynecologist who did an exam and I had an ultrasound which revealed no abnormalities. I visited the ER one night when the pain was particularly bad (lower right pelvis) and had a CTscan which revealed nothing abnormal. The following week, I saw my primary care physician who scheduled a colonoscopy, which I had performed within the month, and had a couple of benign polyps removed, no major issues. My PCP then sent me to a surgeon to have me evaluated for a possible hernia, which the surgeon could not find. He felt that the nature of my pelvic pain suggested nerve entrapment. Meanwhile, around this time (about 2 1/2 months ago) I began having back pain all along my spine. The pain does not seem to affect my range of motion, but the spine is literally sore to the touch in places, and both of my legs feel weak. I developed a ringing in my ears around this same time. I returned to my physician in tears, scared...and he prescribed zoloft and klonopin for panic attacks. Granted, I AM panicked but this is BECAUSE I can't seem to be diagnosed. Three weeks after he started me on these meds, I returned for follow-up. I told the doctor I was afraid that I have cancer, a brain tumor, my back hurts, my vision has been getting progressively worse in one eye over the past few years, and lately the vision in my right eye is almost nil. He sent me to an ophthalmologist who examined my eyes and said I have a cataract, which I am scheduled to have removed in a couple of weeks. My PCP also increased my dosage of zoloft, and he insists I am having panic attacks. I am scheduled to see him again this week, so that he can clear me for the cataract surgery and fax paperwork over to the ophthalmologist. I am going to BEG for an MRI of the brain. My head now feels like there is a band around it, and the ringing in my ears is non-stop and loud. Sometimes my neck hurts as my head feels so heavy, and my nose sometimes feels numb. I have some hip pain in addition to this, and my spine feels unstable; I can feel the joints cracking when I move. If I look down toward the floor, I have a weird sensation in my chest and throat, and sometimes (not always) my ribs hurt.
I realize this sounds like hypochondria. It is NOT. I had not seen a doctor in nearly 15 years prior to the initial pelvic pain for which I sought medical advice. I have researched too much on my own, and have come up with brain tumor, spinal tumors, csf leak, multiple myeloma and I am driving myself crazy with worry. Does anyone have any experience with nerve compression that began as pain low in the pelvis? Can anyone identify with the problems I am having? Any ideas as to what this could be? Please help if you can. I am physically exhausted as well. Thank you so much for listening.