Okay, I'm hoping to keep this short. I have been to the doctor and I'm waiting for an ultrasound, but that's not until June.
Since last June, my mentraual cycles have been getting shorter but my cramps have been getting worse and worse. In December my doctor told me my ferritin was 8 (normal level 12-300). By the time I went back to get bloodwork done again, I had a period that was mainly clots. Small ones, but I had never passed clots before. He told me that wasn't too significant but come back if it got worse next month.
About a week before my next period, I got really sick. Epigastric pain that was generalized, every time I ate I got sick (ended up only when I ate fatty foods and in the mid epigastric area), got diarrhea, etc. Couldn't think of what was wrong, someone suggested gall stones. But then I started passing clots the size of toonies (for you Americans, it's a large $2 coin).
But now when I have the pain, it's in the areao f my pancreas. But what's wierd is that after I'm sick for about a day (I get nauseus as well...it's a stabbing pain that goes away but comes and goes for about a day), I have frequent loose bowel movements for the next 2-3 days...this does not sound like gall stones. Then someone suggested endometriosis...
Or even three, if you look at all the symptoms separately. Dontcha feel so much better for that, Amanda? Sorry hun. Make sure you get a full abdo US, not just pelvis - if there are stones there, at least you'll be able to explain some of the symptoms.
Yes, I'm getting an abdominal and pelvic US...the whole shebang! I'll let you know if I can get the OBGYN to check me over...I'd have to go to him for further investigation anyway, why not tell him now? Thanks for your concern...
Waiting till June for an US is wacked! But I hope you get to the root of this soon. You are blessed to have folks here to give you some insight. Feel better!
Panda, honey- if I were you I would go screaming, crying and gasping in PAIN, PAIN, PAIN to the emergency room--on a daily basis, if necessary, (if I thought that I might get attended to quicker). No way, would I wait--not with your symptoms.
My experience, much like the experience you are describing, was uterine cancer-
I ended up in ER in Edmonton a few weeks ago...they figure it was a cyst...went to my GP to see if I could get my US bumped up (that's what the Doc said in ER since I don't live in Edmonton) and he said since it's not life threatening it couldn't be considered urgent.
So I pulled my weight as an RN and scammed an appt with one of the OBGYNs here (there's only 2...small hospital...)...no gall stones, no cysts, no fibroids...so why all this pain? Who knows...it's every day...not all day but I have at least one "stab" a day...sometimes it lasts only a few seconds, sometimes 1/2 hour. It's wierd.
So I go for a laparoscopy next week. Hopefully something will come up. The only other thing I can think of is endometriosis, but why would the pain go up to the epigastic area? Wierd...
I had pain the epigastric area radiating to my back for over a year, I had NO gallstones. Finally had a HIDA scan, my gallbladder was pratically dead, had 8% function. A negative U/S gallbladder is useless without a HIDA scan. An ulcer (I've had one of those too) can also cause this kind of pain. I'd put myself on OTC famotadine BID and see if I got better, if you take a lot of NSAIDS for the uterine cramping that could be your answer.
Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.
Originally posted by LilgirlRN
I had pain the epigastric area radiating to my back for over a year, I had NO gallstones. Finally had a HIDA scan, my gallbladder was pratically dead, had 8% function. A negative U/S gallbladder is useless without a HIDA scan.
We recently had a patient who was classic for gall bladder, whose US *AND* hida scan were negative, but they three docs involved were so convinced they took it out anyway and sure enough it was bad.
Thanks for getting us up to date, Panda. Hope they sort out what's wrong soon!
Thanks for your concern...
I am sending Light to you in faith that you heal soon! Peace!:kiss
frannybee
267 Posts
Hope you get sorted soon, Amanda. My symptoms aren't as nasty as yours sound, but I can definitely relate!