So much for that tame pelvic CT Report in March

[slipnslide]

I just had a pelvic and abdominal CT done in March and the only thing it showed was a tiny ovarian cyst. Well, "tiny" went out the window at 3am this morning. At first I thought I was getting gas pains, but within ten minutes of the pain's onset, I was doubled over, sweating with chills, and vomiting. I was home alone and had two choices, call an ambulance to drive me to the hospital, or drive myself (which would be quicker than waiting for an ambulance and cheaper since I have no medical insurance:eek:). When I got to the ER, they did the usual blood tests and exams, started an IV (the first attempt in the right arm failed and my arm swelled a 2 inch circle where they put it in:eek:, so they put a new one in the left arm), and gave me Delotted(sp?). My WBC was up over 25. I was sent for an ultrasound, a trans-vaginal ultrasound, and another pelvic CT. It turns out that over the past few months, that tiny ovarian cyst grew into a large mass and ruptured. The ER doctor called my Hema/Onc regarding my elevated white counts and he said it was probably due to the mass rupturing and my body reacting to it...WHEW!:). I was released from the ER about 11am with a RX for Percocet...which I already take for my spine issues:rolleyes:. I guess I should be glad it wasn't my gall bladder or appendix, but I'm still not looking forward to the bills from this visit to the ER:(.

[Kathi49]

Whoa Kim! That's all you need! :eek:

I am glad you are okay enough to post though. :)

Which ovary was it; which side? And is it on the same side as your hip pain? I am just asking because your description reminds me of the endometriosis attacks I used to get. And at one time I had an "implant" that shot pains into my hip, groin and leg. The doc thought I was nuts at the time; complaining of leg pain but then afterwards apologized...it was DEEP in a ligament that goes into the leg. Heck, and don't ask me which one because I was only about 30 at the time. :)

Whew what a morning it must have been for you. :( Let us know how you are faring as time goes on. I know that must have been pretty darn painful!

[slipnslide]

Kathi,

I can't remember for sure which ovary it was. All I know is that the pain was front and center in my abdomen. When I get to feeling a little better I will check the CT report from a few months ago and see what it says. I'm thinking it said "right ovary", but with my memory being horrid these days, I very well could be mistaken!:o

I tried searching on here to see if I had mentioned it in a post, but could not find anything.:rolleyes:

[Nana4&cntn]

Kim,

I am so sorry you had to go through this! I had one happen when I was about 20 and thought I was going to die. My ex found me passed out on the floor of our apartment.:eek: Long story short, they gave me an IV and pain meds, sent me for tests and sent me home with antibiotics and pain pills.

They pain is incredible! I sure hope you are feeling better very soon!;)

[LKAHMS]

This sounds like an awful experience. I am sorry to hear you had to go through this & to be sent home w the same meds you already use sucks.
I hope you have a quick recovery and all turns out ok.
Glad you were able to get to the ER.

[slipnslide]

Kim,

I am so sorry you had to go through this! I had one happen when I was about 20 and thought I was going to die. My ex found me passed out on the floor of our apartment.:eek: Long story short, they gave me an IV and pain meds, sent me for tests and sent me home with antibiotics and pain pills.

They pain is incredible! I sure hope you are feeling better very soon!;)

Kathy,

I can totally relate! It was so painful that I thought my appendix or something like that had ruptured.:eek: I was sweating profusely and my limbs were shaking uncontrollably. I honestly was afraid that if I waited for an ambulance, I'd die before they arrived.:o....pretty silly, eh?:o

Everything I've read says that antibiotics should be given, but I don't recall them giving me any in the ER, nor did they send any home with me:confused:. I am going to have to double check the papers they sent me home with and see if there is a RX attached for an antibiotic. Can you recall how long it took for the pain to go away when you had this happen? I'm still in a cramped over position, and what feels like my diaphragm, at the base of where my ribs meet, is extremely sore and hurts to breath deep, cough, or laugh.

[slipnslide]

This sounds like an awful experience. I am sorry to hear you had to go through this & to be sent home w the same meds you already use sucks.
I hope you have a quick recovery and all turns out ok.
Glad you were able to get to the ER.

LKAHMS,

Thank you:). Them sending me home with percocet, knowing that I am already taking Percocet 10's and Keppra 500, is beyond me...god only knows what they were thinking!:rolleyes:

I am going to call my GYN tomorrow or the day after, once I'm feeling a little better, and see if I need to get an appointment with him.

[Nana4&cntn]

Kim,

I wish I could remember, but it was nearly 30 years ago! I do really think you need the Antibiotics as I am sure the cyst was full of bacteria! I am glad you are calling your doc tomorrow.

Please take care and if you get a fever get back to the Hospital!

Kathy

[Mark N]

Kim, sorry you had to go through this especially all alone like you did. It is good you are seeing your doctor to follow up. I think the ER just has a formula they follow so they don't look to see you already are on percocets the book says percocets and that is what you get.

I hope you are feeling much better this morning and the doctor doesn't find any more trouble brewing. So much for a little cyst is right.

[slipnslide]

Kathy,

I just checked, and NO antibiotics!:confused: How weird is that when my WBC came back at 25!?!? If you ask me, they should have given me an antibiotic being that the upper limits of a normal WBC is 10, my WBC's usually run in the 15 range, and I show up in the ER with a WBC of 25:eek:. I'm thinking someone screwed up and dropped the ball on this one!:mad: I hope it's not the reason why the pain is still quite strong.

Mark,

Being alone was a little scary because I wasn't sure how dangerous it would be to drive, but being that it was that early in the morning, there was nobody on the road so staying between the lines and obeying the limit wasn't an issue.;) I didn't even think twice about the police possibly pulling me over. The only part of the 9 mile trip that I remember is pulling into a parking space at the ER and hobbling through the door. I don't even remember if the traffic lights on the way were red or green or if I stopped at any.:o

[Nana4&cntn]

Kim,

No concern of peritonitis? With bacteria spilling in the area, I would think that would be a concern:confused: I looked some online last night, and most said to give antibiotics for that reason.

I am no doc, but I have lived and learned! Go figure?

I hope the pain resides soon, if not you probably should be seen by your doc.:eek:

Take care and be good to yourself.

Kathy

[slipnslide]

I called my GP this morning and his office is going to have him call me. I've also decided to pick up my medical coverage thru COBRA and let them pay my ER, lab and prescription bills.:D

[Nana4&cntn]

Kim,

Good for you, I know COBRA is expensive, but the alternative is so much worse! I had all my major surgeries done while I had it. I know you are still fighting for SSDI and Medicare. What a bunch of crap they make you go through to receive the benefits you need.

I sure hope you Doc gets back to you soon and that you feel better very soon!

Take care,
Kathy

[slipnslide]

My GP called back and said that the pain I am describing at the base of the sternum is "chest pain" and would not be related to the ovarian cyst bursting. I told him that "I beg to differ!, it started immediately when the abdominal pain started, along with my upper abdomen spasming". He told me to see what the OB/GYN says, and if he can't help me any, then to come back and he'd look into the chest pain:rolleyes:. I'm waiting on a call from the GYN's office, so hopefully they will know more about what I am experiencing.

[Kathi49]

Kim,

I apologize for not posting sooner. :o Had facet injections today.

Anyway, I wanted to say that I am GLAD you are getting the insurance straightened out. I don't know anything about COBRA other than what has been posted here; just glad you will have something to get you through.

I hope you can get the chest pain looked into pretty quick. Let us know what the doc(s) say or do.

[slipnslide]

I spoke with the woman at my employer's office and she said that the COBRA is retroactive, as if my bennies had not been terminated, so they will go back and pay for the ESI I had last month and cover the ER visit from Monday morning too. What's really great about the people from my work is, I dropped off a check and the paper-work for the COBRA, and an hour later I was at the pharmacy filling my pain RX's and the insurance company had already been notified and the co-pays are all I had to pay!:D So those RX's that would have cost me $706 were just $65 total! There is a god!!!:D

As far as what my GP is calling "chest pain", I still disagree with him, it's what i feel is the upper portion of my abdominal lining. It's still spasming, very tender, and to put it simply, pissed off:rolleyes:. Here I go again with trying to tell people (medical personnel) that my belly is swollen and distended like a six month pregnancy. My belly is normally flat as a board, but they tend to believe that "you're just normally fat!" :rolleyes::mad: I know my PM knows what my belly is like normally, and I'm hoping my GYN remembers too. To me it's so obvious that there is something in there that is large and swollen, and I'm sure that is adding to my pain and discomfort.

[Kathi49]

Kim,

That is great news! :eek::) I am so happy you have something to back you up now.

As for the other, you need to get that checked as soon as you can. Maybe a Gastro doc? I don't know as it could be a lot of things. Gosh, I hate to throw out anything and everything because I just don't know. I hope you can get this checked out pretty soon.

[Nana4&cntn]

Kim,

I agree with Kathi about going to a gastro doc. GP's seem to get their minds around something and just don't let go. I also have the problems with the distended tummy and was finally sent to a Gastro Doc. We set up a schedule for eating and foods to ignore etc. The other thing to think of is seeing an OB/GYN as you could be having problems w/o realizing.

Take care and Congrats again on the COBRA!

Kathy

[slipnslide]

I knew it, I'm not crazy!!!:p When I said it hurt to breath deep, cough or laugh, and that I have pain at the base of my sternum, I wasn't losing my mind! And when I said it started right when the ovarian cyst ruptured, I was right on the money!;)

I picked up most of the test reports from the hospital today. The first thing the CT report says is: Basilar air space disease bilaterally is relatively symmetric, likely representing atelectasis, or less likely, scar.

Atelectasis may be an acute or chronic condition. In acute atelectasis, the lung has recently collapsed and is primarily notable only for airlessness. In chronic atelectasis, the affected area is often characterized by a complex mixture of airlessness, infection, widening of the bronchi (bronchiectasis), destruction, and scarring (fibrosis).

Acute Atelectasis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atelectasis#Causes)

Acute atelectasis is a common postoperative complication, especially after chest or abdominal surgery. Acute atelectasis may also occur with an injury, usually to the chest (such as that caused by a car accident, a fall, or a stabbing). Atelectasis following surgery or injury, sometimes described as massive, involves most alveoli in one or more regions of the lungs. In these circumstances, the degree of collapse among alveoli tends to be quite consistent and complete. Large doses of opioids or sedatives, tight bandages, chest or abdominal pain, abdominal swelling (distention), and immobility of the body increase the risk of acute atelectasis following surgery or injury, or even spontaneously.

At least now i know why it hurts to breath:(. My lungs are partially collapsed from my darned swollen and distended belly that is pushing up on the lower lobes of my lungs:eek:. This is one of those times where I hate being right!;) I'd feel a heck of alot better if the pain would go away and I could breath normally.

......now to continue with the "findings" on the CT report......(i'll leave out anything that is noted within normal range;))

CTF PELVIS W/O Contrast
CTF ABDOMEN W/O Contrast
Findings: Basilar air space disease bilaterally is relatively symmetric, likely representing atelectasis, or less likely, scar.

Minimal athlerosclerotic calcification of the abdominal aorta.

Non-contrast imaging of the pelvis demonstrates a confluent area of density inferiorly. Within this area there is an organized region of low density measuring 4.9 x 4.3cm demonstrating some heterogeneity in it's deep inner portions. This appearance is suspicious for a cyst, probably of left ovarian etiology, with dependent density which may represent complex fluid (ie., blood). A small amount of free fluid is not excluded. Hypodensity within the right adnexa measures 1.8cm and may be related to the right ovary representing a right ovarian cyst. The findings are also suspicious for a small amount of fluid adjacent to the liver.

Because of the CT findings, I was sent for the Ultrasound tests......

Ultrasound Pelvis

Findings:
There is a 6.7 x 4 x 4.8cm structure in the left adnexa which may relate to the left ovary with multiple follicular cysts and at least one large complex cystic structure measuring approx. 3cm x 3cm within the left ovary which may relate to a hemorrhagic cyst or follicle. There is moderate free fluid in the pelvis adjacent to this complex cystic structure. It may indicate cyst rupture. Doppler flow is seen in the left ovary.

The right ovary measures 3.6 x 3.5 x 2.1 cm and contains a 1.8 simple cystic structure, which may relate to a dominant follicular cyst. Doppler flow is seen in the right ovary.

Impression: Right ovary is enlarged by a complex cystic structure with low level echoes. Moderate fluid throughout the left adnexa around the left ovarian complex cyst may indicate cyst rupture. The possibility of hemorrhagic cystic rupture is not excluded.

Well, as for the hemorrhagic cyst, this is what I found:

Hemorrhagic cyst

A third type of functional cyst, which is common, is a Hemorrhagic cyst, which is also called a blood cyst, hematocele, and hematocyst.[16] It occurs when a very small blood vessel in the wall of the cyst breaks, and the blood enters the cyst. Abdominal pain on one side of the body, often the right side, may be present. The bleeding may occur quickly, and rapidly stretch the covering of the ovary, causing pain. As the blood collects within the ovary, clots form which can be seen on a sonogram.[17] Occasionally hemorrhagic cysts can rupture, with blood entering the abdominal cavity. No blood is seen out of the vagina. If a cyst ruptures, it is usually very painful. Hemorrhagic cysts that rupture are less common. Most hemorrhagic cysts are self-limiting; some need surgical intervention. Even if a hemorrhagic cyst ruptures, in many cases it resolves without surgery. Patients who don't require surgery will experience pain for 4 - 10 days after, and may require several days rest. Studies have found that women on tetracycline antibiotics recover 25% earlier than the majority of patients, a surprising correlation found in 2004. Sometimes surgery is necessary,[18] such as a laparoscopy ("belly-button surgery" that uses small tools inserted through one or more tiny slits in the abdomen).[19]

Something tells me I might wind up going for more surgery soon! Complex cysts are definitely not a good thing from what i've read:( What scares me more is being sent into full blown menopause by having my ovaries removed.

[slipnslide]

by the way....I see that I was given Dilaudid and Zofran, not "Delotted":o....:D

[Kathi49]

Wow Kim!

You poor thing! I am glad you found this out all out but feel badly for you! :(

One thing I want to say though and I know you are speaking of cysts only. But I think it would be far more dangerous to have an ovary blow up so to speak than to have them removed. IF it comes down to that. And I am only saying this because of being on fertility drugs before. Before I had my RE another doc was giving me big doses of Pergonal so I had ovum busting out everywhere. And, yes, quite painful. When I switched to my RE she was livid! You don't want to know what she said about hyperstimulation of the ovaries. I know...beside the point. But what she said terrified me. So, going into full blown menopause may be rough but can be dealt with. I hope it doesn't come down to surgery but it just might. IF it does, again, the menopause stuff can be dealt with.

What is the next step or plan of attack regarding your breathing. This happened to my sister after her hysterectomy and she had one lung collapse. All she could do was to practice breathing into that hand held breathing deal and just wait for it to reinflate. And that's why I am asking.

[slipnslide]

The ER doc didn't even address the issue...he just told me to follow up with my doctors. How insane is that??:mad: So here I am calling my GP and GYN and telling them that I had an ovarian cyst burst (being that that's the only thing the ER doc told me and that my Hema/Onc said don't worry about the WBC of 25.8). My GP is saying, "you need to go see your GYN about it" and had no clue why I was told to call him, and what I was talking about when I told him I had pain at the base of my sternum and it hurt to breath, laugh, and cough...He must be thinking I'm losing my marbles!:o Now if he had access to the radiology reports I picked up today, then he might understand why the ER doc told me to call my GP.

It's sad, ER doc's are told not to "diagnose" patients, simply "stabilize" and move them out!

If it wasn't for picking up these reports to take to the GYN with me, I'd never have known that my lungs are partially collapsed and that is why i'm having trouble breathing, that one of the cysts is hemorrhaging and that is why i'll have pain for 7-10 days instead of 1-2 days, and that the fluid in my abdomen is causing the swelling.

If I don't hear back from the GYN's appt line by morning, I'm calling them again and talking to a nurse, maybe that will speed up the process.

[Kathi49]

Kim,

How insane is it? Don't get me going! :mad: It just sounds like pass the buck. That GP should have taken you a LOT more seriously considering what you underwent. And, yes, call the Gyn pronto in the morning! Oh, boy, I need to hush up but I know what you mean by the ER too. There is only one now that I INSIST I go to because the one near me, well, they basically watch the clocks and rap and dap while you lay there in agony and that is no lie. But the other one is great!

[slipnslide]

Kathi,

In the ER doc's defense, he's honestly a nice guy. His bedside manner was polite and he truly seemed concerned. He did all the right tests. It's just that they are to follow "proper protocol". There's always a higher power dictating what doctors can or can't do, whether it's the hospital, the Insurance Companies, or laws, it's become so impersonal and seemingly uncaring.:( It's a shame because I know there are doctors out there that would like to do more for a patient, but their hands are tied (by the system).

[Kathi49]

I gotcha Kim! :)

I was mainly referring to the GP. I just meant that he should have taken your complaints more seriously considering what had just happened. And I don't have a problem with the ER DOCS anywhere...it is the staff that annoys me. :( The docs are usually fine, good...whatever. But getting someone to get to you fairly quick is insane at this one hospital. The other one isn't like that...they are on it immediately. I don't understand why but there is a big difference. Anyway, my Neurologist did tell me once not to even waste my time going to this one I don't like. So, I guess she has even noticed it. But ya know, what can you do when you have to get somewhere fast? I DO try to make it to the one I really like, or at least I have in the past, but that was not always possible either.

Anyway, how are you doing today? Have you talked with the ob/gyn yet? I was thinking about you this morning and am glad you posted. I just know it hurts considering what I saw with my sister. :(

[slipnslide]

Kathi,

I did call and leave a brief message for my GYN's nurse and requested for her to call me. Hopefully it won't be too long before I get a call. I'm in a little less pain today than yesterday, so it is getting better slowly.:)

[Nana4&cntn]

OMG Kim,

I sure hope you hear from you OB/GYN, it sounds as though you may need to be hospitalized! You must really be in pain and freaking out! I know I would be. I have had 3 different ovarian cysts burst and it is tremendously painful, I really feel for you. I noticed you aren't online, I am hoping you GYN called and got you in, if not I hope you are at her/his office and being seen.

I just cannot believe the hospital let you go with a collapsed lung and hemmoraging happening. I would be royally pissed and ready to sue, especially if something is really going to cause more pain for you!

Sending you all my prayers and good thoughts!
Kathy

[slipnslide]

Kathy,

My abdomen is swollen from the cysts rupturing, the fluid and blood leaking out and it irritating the lining of my abdomen. My white counts shot up to 25+ in response to the inflammatory process going on inside me, that's why my Hema/Onc told the ER doc that he wasn't too concerned. He does a Bone Marrow Biopsy when my counts go above 20 usually, but being that it's being cause by the ovarian cysts rupturing, he's not too concerned. I'm still waiting for the OB/GYN's office to call me back....unbelievable:mad:!!! I've put 2 calls in to them, one on Tues., and one this morning.

[slipnslide]

My GYN's nurse called today and gave me an appointment for this coming Tues. morning.

[Kathi49]

Kim,

I am glad to hear you have your appointment pretty soon...just wish it was yesterday huh? ;) Hang in there and I hope you get to feeling better.

[slipnslide]

Thanks Kathi:). I'm feeling better than I was. My belly isn't as swollen and tender, and I can stand straighter now. I'm still having some trouble with pain at the base of my sternum, and breathing deep. I'm coughing alot when I try to breath too deep which I think is causing my mid & upper back to hurt, but all-in-all, I'm doing alot better!:)

[slipnslide]

I had my GYN yesterday. It was fairly uneventful. He did a pelvic exam, a CA 125 blood test, and a transvaginal ultrasound. He set me up for a repeat transvaginal ultrasound in 3 weeks. My GYN and the ultrasound tech seemed a little concerned with what they were seeing on the monitor and a little unsure of what the "mass" was:eek:. He basically just instructed me to call him if I start having another pain episode like I did last week, otherwise we'll just do the repeat ultrasound & exam in 3 weeks.

[Kathi49]

Kim,

I am glad you got to the appointment. But...mass??! :eek: What exactly did they say? In any case, I hope the pain doesn't return.

[slipnslide]

Kathi,

That's just it, I'm sort of in the dark on this one.:confused: My GYN came in to view the ultrasound while it was being done. The tech and he were viewing the monitor and saying: "There's a fluid filled cyst, and there is what appears to be the ovary, but what's that mass between the two...":eek:.....then the tech jokingly said: "is it a baby?":D....I told her it better not be, because he (my GYN) did a hysterectomy and it would also make me the next Virgin Mary!!!:D...She and I laughed, but my GYN just kept looking at the screen:confused::eek:. He told me to meet him in his office and that's when he said he wants to do a repeat ultrasound in 3 weeks, and that over the next three weeks I'm to pay attention to any new pains in that region, or if I have another pain episode like last week to call him. Then in 3 weeks, he'll discuss how it looks at that time and how I've felt in the mean-time, and "we'll make a decision at that time whether to wait and watch, or to treat it surgically". He made it a point to let me know that alot of it depends on my feed-back as to how and what I'm feeling as far as pain, and also what is seen on the next ultrasound. The good thing is that his nurse called me today to let me know the results of the CA 125 blood test. I came back at an 8, and she said that anything under 35 is good:).

[Lil E]

Hello
I just read this last night, boy what an ordeal! The ER really dropped the ball, you should tell the hospital what happened. Glad your doc is finally on top of this. I've been having pain for a year on the left side, they say its a small cyst and won't do anything. I hope it doesn't get as bad as yours. It was very brave to drive yourself.

[slipnslide]

Lil E,

Believe me, I wasn't brave at all, I was just that scared! I really thought I was going to die from whatever was irritating my abdomen.:o I've never had severe pain come on that quick with sweating, chills, limbs shaking, and dry heaves....at the time, I thought my appendix had ruptured:o.

With you having pain from a cyst for a year, I'm curious as to why they won't do anything about it:confused:? :( Everything I've read says that functional cysts come and go in just a few months, but problematic cysts should be watched and removed if they cause pain.

[Nana4&cntn]

Kim,

I am happy to hear your tests came back and are ok! I am glad your GYN is on top of things and is taking you seriously. I sure hope the mass goes away, and the next ultrasound shows nothing. My thoughts are with you.

Take care!

[Kathi49]

Kim,

First, I have to say that I LOVE the fact that you are keeping up with your great sense of humor. Girl, you have been through he@@ and back! But to stay lighthearted even while in severe pain is to be commended. I love it...the Virgin Mary LOL! I always tell them when asked if it is possible I could be pregnant, "That would have to be an Immaculate Conception because there is no way!" :)

Anyway, and this might be far fetched but just your description of sweating, chills and drive heaves...plus this mass makes me think of Endometriosis. I realize it could be something else. But that is how an attack of Endo used to hit me and I would just hit the floor and lay there until that spell passed after awhile but that pain would last during my entire cycle. Plus, a LONG time ago I had a book that talked about "Chocolate Cysts" from Endo. I remember a picture of that and it looked huge! But I never had endo that extensively; actually it was mild or rather not a lot of it. But darn did I get sick from it and the pain was fierce! And another thing my RE had mentioned is that Endo was weird lol, because you could have it so mild and be in such severe pain whereas other people who were loaded with it sometimes had no pain at all. So, it is a weird disease!

Also, I have read the same things as you...those cysts can come and go. I can't really remember anything rupturing. But I can say with fertility drugs and during ovulation I thought I would cramp up and die. But that's another 4 year story LOL!

Anyway, just a thought...and I could probably be so far off it isn't funny. I just hope they keep an eye on it, figure out what that mass is and can perhaps treat it.

[slipnslide]

Kim,

First, I have to say that I LOVE the fact that you are keeping up with your great sense of humor. Girl, you have been through he@@ and back! But to stay lighthearted even while in severe pain is to be commended. I love it...the Virgin Mary LOL! I always tell them when asked if it is possible I could be pregnant, "That would have to be an Immaculate Conception because there is no way!" :)

Anyway, and this might be far fetched but just your description of sweating, chills and drive heaves...plus this mass makes me think of Endometriosis. I realize it could be something else. But that is how an attack of Endo used to hit me and I would just hit the floor and lay there until that spell passed after awhile but that pain would last during my entire cycle. Plus, a LONG time ago I had a book that talked about "Chocolate Cysts" from Endo. I remember a picture of that and it looked huge! But I never had endo that extensively; actually it was mild or rather not a lot of it. But darn did I get sick from it and the pain was fierce! And another thing my RE had mentioned is that Endo was weird lol, because you could have it so mild and be in such severe pain whereas other people who were loaded with it sometimes had no pain at all. So, it is a weird disease!

Also, I have read the same things as you...those cysts can come and go. I can't really remember anything rupturing. But I can say with fertility drugs and during ovulation I thought I would cramp up and die. But that's another 4 year story LOL!

Anyway, just a thought...and I could probably be so far off it isn't funny. I just hope they keep an eye on it, figure out what that mass is and can perhaps treat it.

Kathy,

With all the exams, tests, Pelvic CT's, and Ultrasounds I've had, I sure hope they would've found it by now if it was endo:eek:;). At this point, all I know is that it's a whole different "ball of wax" as far as the location of the pains and the types of pain it is as opposed to the hip/groin/thigh pain. It feels like acid is dripping into my abdomen, I'm cramping across the top of the pubic bone from side to side, my upper abdomen feels like it's spasming just below the sternum, there's a stabbing feeling that comes and goes just left of middle in my lower abdomen, and my belly is swollen like if I just gave birth a couple of days ago:eek::o;). The pain is no longer severe, it's just making me cranky:rolleyes:.

As far as the humor, the air in the room was getting "thick" which was making me nervous. I tend to crack jokes when I'm nervous or scared just to lighten the mood.;)

I wanted so bad to ask my GYN what he thought it might be if he was to take an educated guess, but I could tell by what he was saying to me that he didn't want to commit to anything. He did mention that with the other sugeries I've had that there is scar tissue across my lower abdomen from the hysterectomy, scar tissue and a defect in the bone at the iliac crest, scar tissue from the hernia repair, and the mesh they use for the hernia repair is rough and irritating, so all these things can contribute to the pain. I'm able to distinguish which pains are new and different from the ones I've been dealing with the past couple years. I just need to let him know at my next visit.

[Kathi49]

Kim,

I am so sorry. I had forgotten about the hernia repairs and mesh. :( I am glad to know that the pain has lessened somewhat though. And, I know, I do the exact same thing when nervous or scared; just make jokes to lighten the mood as you said. So, sit tight (no pun intended) and hang on and I hope at your next visit you can get more answers.