Pelvis Congestion Syndrome/OBGYN or possible GI question
Hello,
I have a OBGYN, possible GI related question.
I am a 31yo female, had 3 kids via C-sections (no other pregnancies), healthy otherwise. After our last baby in 2007, I had a tubal ligation. Had some hormonal imbalances after that with much higher than normal levels of free testosterone. Non-existing to short (1 day) periods followed for a while. Now it's still irregular (shows up 1-2 weeks early almost every month) and they last about 2-3 days, no heavy flow.
The PROBLEM: Starting about 2 years ago, I started having LLQ abdominal pain. It progressively got worse and with passing time I couldn't ignore it anymore. Right now, it's interfering with my daily life. Most days, my entire L lower side of the abdomen feels almost "sore" to touch and I have occasional (maybe once every 2-3 weeks, not related to my period) a very painful day with intense pain, pressure all over my abdomen, extending now to the Right side as well, stabbing & short pains at times. Also, the pain extended more recently toward my left lower back. It hurts so much sometimes that I have to sit down. I feel very full very quickly as I eat. Pain (more like pressure & inability to go; not burning) during urination with extreme pressure (no UTI, already checked). Pain right before and after bowel movements. No constipation at this time; it's actually the opposite: I have mostly soft stools, even diarrhea at times. Constant pain now on my LLQ. The pressure on my left side of the abdomen almost feels unbearable at times & I need to lay down. Can't run, lift or do pushups as it hurts too much. The most worrisome pain I had several times came accompanied by something that I can feel very hard, like a rock, on my left side above my pubic bone. Hurts more when I sneeze & cough. I panicked and I saw a GI specialist who said to try a colonoscopy. I have that scheduled, but not yet performed.
Meanwhile, I saw a OBGYN and after a ultrasound and a pelvic CT scan, she also referred me to a GI specialist. This what I got from the OBGYN:
● She said I have Pelvic Congestion Syndrome.
● She considers laparoscopy to look for endometriosis (if colonoscopy comes out ok).
Some other ultrasound & CT scan results:
●prominent parametrial vessels
●anteverted uterus 10.3x6.4x4.8 cm
●unremarkable myometrial echotexture
●Right ovary 3.2x1.9x2.3 cm with a small peripherally hyperechoic avascular cyst within the ovary measures 0.9x0.7x0.7 cm; normal color doppler flow in the ovary
●Left ovary 3.1x2.7x2.1 cm; normal follicular pattern & color doppler flow
●no pelvic free fluid
●subcentimeter hyperechoic lesion in R ovary; tiny cyst teratoma is not excluded but appearance would be atypical
moderately prominent parametrial vessels
●normal pap
●follicle in Left ovary 28x28x21 mm; no enhancing septation appreciated
●2 small calcifications in the Right ovary
●prominent Gonadal veins lateral to the uterus on each side
●moderate dilatation of both Gonadal veins anterior to the Iliopsoas, measuring 9.2 mm AP on the Right image 11 series and 6.6 mm AP on the Left.
●small Phleboliths present in the pelvis bilaterally
●the visualized osseous structures and urinary bladder appear normal.
●Follicle in the Left ovary has increased in size since the ultrasound and now measures 2.8x2.8x2.1 cm
●Moderate dilatation of the uterine and gonadal draining veins.
The pain is getting worse, I have more questions than answers from my Dr at this time. Every time I eat, there's a lot of noise and commotion in and around my abdomen. I have been feeling so tired over the past 2 months, to the point that I'm not myself. Very low energy levels and even depression sinking in now. Frustration maybe as well because we can't figure out what's wrong and fix it.
Also worth mentioning.. several hours after I had the Barium drink (before the CT scan), I had severe pain all around my abdomen for the entire day and on my Left side of the lower back. I was very bloated for 2 straight days (I looked like I was pregnant).
At this point, I don't know if it's Gi related or not or what else it could be. Besides the colonoscopy, are there any other tests that would help correctly pinpoint/diagnose the problem? I sincerely appreciate anyone's feedback. Maybe someone can catch a symptom, a sign of something that's been missed all along.
Thank you!
Diana
