I didn't realize there was a Urology board here! I posted this yesterday in one of the General Health boards, but didn't get much help. I think I'll get more answers here.
Here's my story-
Two years ago, on my right side, I had pain from my back, below my shoulder blade, around my side, and down to the side of my belly button. I was treated for a UTI, though I never found out what the results of my urine sample were, and was feeling better by the end of the course of antibiotics. About a month later, I had the same symptoms (though a little more in front than in the back) on the same side, and it was a Sunday, and also the day before I was leaving oin a trip, so to make sure I got treatment for when I was away, I went to the ER. They did a CT scan, or an ultrasound, I don't remember which, and found that I had a small ovarian cyst. It felt better within a few days.
Fast forward to a month ago- I was having pain in the left side of my back this time, starting in the middle of my ribcage, and travelling down, around my side, to the side of my belly button, and sometimes lower almost to my leg. I assumed I had a UTI, so I went to a walk-in center since I wasn't able to get in with my physician right away, and had they started me on antibiotics, and took a urine sample. I finished the antibiotics and felt better (though I still had some slight pain on the last day of the antibiotics), but when I called them to find out the results, they said they were inconclusive because my sample was contaminated.
A month later (about a week ago), I started with the same pain again. On Monday, I had already had an appointment scheduled with my gyn, so I told him I thought I had a UTI again, he examined me, took a urine sample, and started me on 7 days of Cipro. I was taking them for two days, but was actually in more pain than when I started. So I called the doctor's office to see if it was really an infection, because I suspected it wasn't. I talked to the nurse there who said my results had just come back from the lab, and the doctor looked at it and said it was negative for infection, and that if I was still having pain, I should see a urologist.
The thing is that I suspect an ovarian cyst again. My gyn examined me and said my ovaries felt normal. But would he really be able to feel a small cyst (the last time, the cyst turned out to be about the size of a pea)? The pain isn't really consistent with what I've read about ovarian cyst pain, but it's very similar to the last time I had one two years ago when I thought it was a UTI. And the pain came a month apart, during ovulation.
Also, what would a Urologist be checking for? I don't know if it's kidney stones, because don't those usually have you doubled over in pain? The pain I have is dull and sometimes nagging, but it's not that bad. What other things would a urologist be looking for?
Also, I stopped taking the antibiotics, since my urine came out clear of infection. Was this wise? Or is it possible I could have an infection that doesn't show up and I should finish the antibiotics?
I would think that a urologist would check for kidney stones or pylonephritis(sp.) a kidney infection. Also a urologist might check for IC or Interstitial Cystitis which causes a achey pelvic pain but pain is not always only in the pelvic area. With IC people have UTI's sometimes. I really hope that they will get to the bottom of what's ailing you.
Kidney stones wouldnt necessarly have you doubled over in pain UNLESS you are "passing" a good sized stone. I have small stones and the pain is more nagging for me, and the stones are still within the kidney, I havent passed them at this point. So it is possible to have them and not be doubled over in pain.
Have they done a chest or abdomonal CT, Im just wondering if "MAYBE" its your gallbladder that is the problem? I had pain in the area your discribing when I had gallbladder problems. The gallbladder is located on the right side behind the rib cage, and can cause an array of symptoms. I had alot of shoulder pain, pain around my shoulder blade, as well as my belly. It was found in an abdomonal CT scan but also could be seen in one done on the chest as well. My pain wasnt constant, and depending on what I ate as to how painful it was. You can also have what they call "refered pain" where the problem may be in one area of the body, but pain felt in others. I had it removed and the pain is now gone. Just a thought.
I also have ovarian cysts, that cause achy, cramping, but lower on the pelvic area and lower back. I get several cysts on each ovary, as many as 4 on my right ovary and they messure approx 3cm, which is around 1 1/2 to 2 inches in total diameter, and Ive had 2 cysts on my left ovary. Fortunatly Ive never had one rupture, which from what I hear is extreamly painful. If the cyst you have is truely the size of a "pea", I wouldnt think that would be what is causing you so much discomfort? I don't know, but it does seem odd that its happening around your menstral cycle, so its hard to say.
UTI seems unlikely to me because what your discribing sounds as though its too high in your abdomon, just my opinion of course.
Do you think there is anyway you can get your primary care to order a abdomonal CT scan or even a ultrasound of the gallbladder itself, it could at least rule that out, mine was found on a CT but I "think" they can sometimes detect it through ultrasound also? They wouldnt be able to see the gallbladder in a "pelvic" CT or Pelvic ultrasound which ever it was you had in the ER.
I sure hope you get some answers soon.
Please let us know how you make out !
Take care and GOd bless.
Annette
Last edited by Momof2sons; 04-23-2008 at 09:35 AM.
Thanks for your replies! The pain I have now is on my left side, so I don't think it's my gallbladder. Two years ago was when the same pain was on my right side and it turned out to be an ovarian cyst (my gyn had said at the time that I might just be one of those who is more sensitive to ovulation and to cysts, because ususally cysts that small don't cause pain. But there are some women who can feel it).
I think I will go to my primary doctor or try to find a urologist covered under my insurance.
I am still having pain- it's been over a week.
I'll let you guys know how it turns out.
Thanks a lot!
I just saw a urologist this morning. He thinks I have a kidney stone, and I am scheduled for a CT scan and an X-ray on Saturday. I'll let you all know how the testing turns out!
I just saw a urologist this morning. He thinks I have a kidney stone, and I am scheduled for a CT scan and an X-ray on Saturday. I'll let you all know how the testing turns out!
I hope that your doc can get to the bottom of your problem. Please keep us posted!
Hello again,
The Urologist just called me with my CT Scan and X-Ray results. He said there were no stones, and everything looks okay with my kidney, and he said "If the pain comes back, just give me a call." So I said, "Well, I'm still having pain every day for the past three weeks." So he was a bit confused, and asked me again to describe the pain and to tell him where it hurts (my upper and mid-back, side, and sometimes in the front), so he said, "Well, it sounds too high to be anything to do with the ovary, and if it's not a kidney infection or a stone, there's not really any other reason for kidney pain." So he said he was going to send me a copy of the results, and a copy to my physician, and he told me to make an appointmrent with my physician.
So now I'm totally stumped. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also, interesting fact- he said that the scan showed that I was born with "Malrotation of the Gut", which means everyrthing in my gut is basically switched around and opposite of where it should be, so my appendix is on my left side, for example (???!!!). He said it's not a problem, and that I should just know so I can let doctors know if I have any kind of problems in that area so they'll know everything's opposite.
But the confusing thing is that when I had surgery 3 years ago to remove a large ovarian cyst on my left ovary, my doctor also said that while they were in there, he checked my appendix at the same time (made an incision on the right side for it, too) just to make sure it was healthy, because if it was looking like it was going to give me trouble they would remove it during that surgery. And he said everything looked fine, and never mentioned to me that my appendix was on the wrong side!
Also, would this mean that my gallbladder would be on my left side too, instead of my right, because someone here did mention gallbladder problems...
Is it possible the CT Scan or Xrays were read the wrong way???
Thanks!
Last edited by SentenceDoing; 05-06-2008 at 11:58 AM.
I'm glad that you don't have stones but it would've at least explained some things for you.
I'm not surprised that when you had surgery that no one mentioned the gut malrotation. I don't know how docs can omit so much important info. The doc had to have noticed that everything was switched around!
Yes it would mean that your gallbladder is on the left side instead of the right. I had mine removed 8 years ago. The gallbladder pain is a very achey nagging pain that radiates under your ribcage and goes through to your back sometimes. It is especially bad when eating spicy or greasy foods.
About the x-ray and CT scan being read the wrong way, anything is possible but I wouldn't think that a stone or abnormality would not show up because organs are on the opposite side. I would hope that a X-ray tech can identify organs whether they're switched or not but freakier things have happened. I sure hope that you can get some relief soon!!!!!!
I don't think it's my gallbladder, because I only have one of the risk factors (my mom had her gall bladder removed a few years ago), and the pain is basically all the time and doesn't get worse when I eat greasy or fattening foods. It does usually get worse throughout the day, but I think it's just because of sitting certain ways that aggravate it and not resting.
Have your doctor check for a "trapped nerve" in that area. Sometimes a muscle can spasm and trap a nerve in the tunnel where the branch of nerves come out and head for other areas of the body. Learn all you can about The Abdominal Wall: An Overlooked Source of Pain
I am having pain on the right side and have narrowed it down (my own diagnosing) to possibly being a trapped nerve, irritation of the nerve or abdominal wall hernia. I too have had surgery to remove ovaries 8 years ago. This pain does not stop, is there day and night, feels like a tight pulling hurt and at times has shooting pains go thru it.
I had galllbladder surgery 5 weeks ago (keyhole type) and wonder whether it is a result of the surgery or an old problem showing up again.
I have tried heat, muscle relaxer, to no avail. Now trying ice pack after reading it might reduce swelling of the nerve area, if, that should be the cause.
