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What Causes Pain On Lower Stomach And Back?
Question: Hi my name is XXXXXXX and I've been in pain on the lower left side of my stomach and back for quite a few months now without relief. I'm unable to go to work. I finally went to the hospital early July and they diagnosed me with PID - I've been with the same sexual partner (who is now my fiancé) for nearly 6 years and during that time we've been routinely tested for STD's and the outcome is always good. I was referred to a gynaecologist and she gave be antibiotics that helped with the infection, but the pain in my lower back is still present. My gynaecologist review my condition by doing ordering an ultrasound and a physically check my ovaries and fallopian but nothing was found, so she concluded that the it may no longer be a gynaecological issue and I may need medical attention elsewhere. She called her colleague in the hospital that deals with kidney to check my condition as she would be referring me there to do a CT scan. After hours of waiting my CT scan and blood work came up negative-nothing was found. He then stated he can't help me if he doesn't see what to diagnose, understandable but extremely frustrating for me. After seeing tears of frustrations in my eyes, he gave me a referral sheet to see a gastroenterologist. I immediately called them the next morning and they stated that they won't be able to see me until September 23rd/14, which is unnerving for me because I haven't been able to sleep on the left side of my body for months, I can't sleep i take 2-3hr naps, after eating I feel pain, I can't sit for long periods of time because the pressure of me being seated hurts that left side, I feel sharp pains on both my lower back and stomach, I feel pain when I walk around for lengthy periods of time, and I feel like its progressively getting worse each day. Ive been on different medication to suppress the pain but it still hurts, the pain wakes me out of my sleep. The urgency to feel better is great because, I have my engagement ceremony is coming up in October this year and I would like to walk to my fiancé without pain, plan my wedding, and return to work. I am only 28, I've never been pregnant or have had children and I feel helpless because I have no answer to my pain, only addictive perception drugs for pain that aren't helping. Please Please give me an answer to support my desperation to be healthy and pain free.
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thanks for posting your concern in the HCM.
Firstly,my understanding is, whenever you have a back pain, the following problems must be ruled out, either by clinical examination alone or combined with some tests-
1. Any spinal pathology
2. Colonic problem
3. Urogenital problems including PID
4. Pancreatitis
5. Retroperitoneal problems.
Looking at the history written above, exclusion of spinal problem seemed to me as the first priority because I think the pain seems to be radicular, exacerbated by abdominal fullness and bearing body weight.
Furthermore, as you were declared not to have any urogenital problem, by concerned specialists, it seems more likely to be so.
Therefore, as I cannot perform a clinical examination, I have to come to a diagnosis based on imaging. So, I would suggest you to have an MRI of the dorsolumbar spine done. You can wait until the gastroenterologist see's you, get this test ordered by him. Alternatively you can speak to your primary physician or the doctors who already examined you and see if you can get the test done. I also need to know the following things-
1. Did you ever have any fall or trauma?
2. Do you feel any pain, tingling & numbness in thighs, calves or legs?
3. Is your bowel habit irregular?
4. What are the medications you took?
Now, for the time being my recommendations are-
1. Plenty of oral fluid, preferably 3 lit/day
2. High fiber diet
3. Tab Paracetamol 500 mg twice daily after meals for 5 days
4. Locally available probiotic XXXXXXX twice daily for 14 days
5. Ispagulah husk-2 tsf in a cup of at bedtime
6. For any stiffness, movement restrictions, you may have Cyclobenzaprine 15 mg twice daily.
You should also see an orthopaedic consultant.
For any further information, please write back.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushik
.
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thanks for posting your concern in the HCM.
Firstly,my understanding is, whenever you have a back pain, the following problems must be ruled out, either by clinical examination alone or combined with some tests-
1. Any spinal pathology
2. Colonic problem
3. Urogenital problems including PID
4. Pancreatitis
5. Retroperitoneal problems.
Looking at the history written above, exclusion of spinal problem seemed to me as the first priority because I think the pain seems to be radicular, exacerbated by abdominal fullness and bearing body weight.
Furthermore, as you were declared not to have any urogenital problem, by concerned specialists, it seems more likely to be so.
Therefore, as I cannot perform a clinical examination, I have to come to a diagnosis based on imaging. So, I would suggest you to have an MRI of the dorsolumbar spine done. You can wait until the gastroenterologist see's you, get this test ordered by him. Alternatively you can speak to your primary physician or the doctors who already examined you and see if you can get the test done. I also need to know the following things-
1. Did you ever have any fall or trauma?
2. Do you feel any pain, tingling & numbness in thighs, calves or legs?
3. Is your bowel habit irregular?
4. What are the medications you took?
Now, for the time being my recommendations are-
1. Plenty of oral fluid, preferably 3 lit/day
2. High fiber diet
3. Tab Paracetamol 500 mg twice daily after meals for 5 days
4. Locally available probiotic XXXXXXX twice daily for 14 days
5. Ispagulah husk-2 tsf in a cup of at bedtime
6. For any stiffness, movement restrictions, you may have Cyclobenzaprine 15 mg twice daily.
You should also see an orthopaedic consultant.
For any further information, please write back.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushik
.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi Doctor,
Just to clarify on some details, the pain is on the lower left side of my stomach (above my bikini line below my belly button), as well as on my lower back closest to my side just slightly above my rear, and along my hip. The pain that i'm feeling is sharp, at times I feel a burning sensation as if I've eaten spicy food that is only being stored on the left side of my body - I have to get a clod cloth to cool in down, within moment the cloth is worm. When I initially went to the hospital in July they did an ultrasound which detected that my fallopian were inflamed, i had a small cyst, and some fibroids. They placed me on antibiotic that I had an adverse reaction to-unfortunately I don't know the name of that medication. The left side of my body was knob and i felt extreme itchiness on the left side of my body, so i immediately stopped the prescription and went to my family doctor who then referred me to the gynaecological specialist. The gynaecologist physically checked me at the time by taping the top region of my back (which was painful) and did an internal exam, and noted the information i told her about the hospitals findings from the ultrasound (inflamed fallopian tubes)-she conclude that in addition to the inflamed tube perhaps another organ such as my kidneys may have been infected, so she gave me two antibiotics for the possible infections that may have been causing the pain in my back. I did feel some relief in the higher region of my back but once the antibiotic was done i still felt pain and discomfort. I have never gotten in an accident, fallen, tripped on anything, or faced any sort of trauma. I do not feel any pain, tingling & numbness in thighs, calves or legs-but every now and then i feel itchiness on the left side of by body, thigh, leg and arm. I have bowl movement a couple times each day but its extremely small and are pebble shaped like dog food. Unfortunately I can't remember the antibiotics I took-I uploaded a portion of the paperwork my family physician filled out for the medication I was on at the time (i just can't read it), he pain killers were precocet and (currently taking) tylanol 3. My family physician has ordered an MRI for me in addition to the referral. Any additional information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
In addition to my above details, due to the pain I exhibit after eating meals, I don't eat much and have lost 35 pounds since i've been sick. I eat home cooked food, I don't eat any junk food, and I am constantly dehydrated, I drink 5-7 bottle of water every day.- I'm not sure if that information will help but I am desperate for an answer.
Thank you,
XXXXXXX
Just to clarify on some details, the pain is on the lower left side of my stomach (above my bikini line below my belly button), as well as on my lower back closest to my side just slightly above my rear, and along my hip. The pain that i'm feeling is sharp, at times I feel a burning sensation as if I've eaten spicy food that is only being stored on the left side of my body - I have to get a clod cloth to cool in down, within moment the cloth is worm. When I initially went to the hospital in July they did an ultrasound which detected that my fallopian were inflamed, i had a small cyst, and some fibroids. They placed me on antibiotic that I had an adverse reaction to-unfortunately I don't know the name of that medication. The left side of my body was knob and i felt extreme itchiness on the left side of my body, so i immediately stopped the prescription and went to my family doctor who then referred me to the gynaecological specialist. The gynaecologist physically checked me at the time by taping the top region of my back (which was painful) and did an internal exam, and noted the information i told her about the hospitals findings from the ultrasound (inflamed fallopian tubes)-she conclude that in addition to the inflamed tube perhaps another organ such as my kidneys may have been infected, so she gave me two antibiotics for the possible infections that may have been causing the pain in my back. I did feel some relief in the higher region of my back but once the antibiotic was done i still felt pain and discomfort. I have never gotten in an accident, fallen, tripped on anything, or faced any sort of trauma. I do not feel any pain, tingling & numbness in thighs, calves or legs-but every now and then i feel itchiness on the left side of by body, thigh, leg and arm. I have bowl movement a couple times each day but its extremely small and are pebble shaped like dog food. Unfortunately I can't remember the antibiotics I took-I uploaded a portion of the paperwork my family physician filled out for the medication I was on at the time (i just can't read it), he pain killers were precocet and (currently taking) tylanol 3. My family physician has ordered an MRI for me in addition to the referral. Any additional information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
In addition to my above details, due to the pain I exhibit after eating meals, I don't eat much and have lost 35 pounds since i've been sick. I eat home cooked food, I don't eat any junk food, and I am constantly dehydrated, I drink 5-7 bottle of water every day.- I'm not sure if that information will help but I am desperate for an answer.
Thank you,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Thanks a lot XXXXXXX for your prompt and prudent reply.
Your history definitely helped me. Now, I think you have got an irritable bowel syndrome or an inflammatory bowel disease. They do mimic spine symptoms. Or else,;you may have got some spinal problems and the exacerbation of pain is due to the bowel problem.
You please follow my above recommendations because I had given the advice keeping IBS in mind. Please also have a routine examination of stool done alongwith stool for occult blood.
Let me know all the reports at the earliest.
Regarding your family doctor, I think his advices were very good and rational.
I would now recommend you not to have metronidazole any more (written in the prescription).
You continue with the probiotic. You may also start on Tab Rifaximin 400 mg twice daily for 14 days. This is a good antibiotic. Your treating doctor will know about it. If you find itching stop the same immediately and consult your family doctor or me at the earliest.
You may need Cyclobenzaprine immediately. It may be needed if some spine problems are found in MRI. Continue with other medicines.
And avoid heavy meals, carbonated beverages, spices and restrict oil intake to 2 tablespoon per day.
For further assistance, please let me know the reports.
if you are satisfied with the answer, please close the thread and rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushik
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Thanks a lot XXXXXXX for your prompt and prudent reply.
Your history definitely helped me. Now, I think you have got an irritable bowel syndrome or an inflammatory bowel disease. They do mimic spine symptoms. Or else,;you may have got some spinal problems and the exacerbation of pain is due to the bowel problem.
You please follow my above recommendations because I had given the advice keeping IBS in mind. Please also have a routine examination of stool done alongwith stool for occult blood.
Let me know all the reports at the earliest.
Regarding your family doctor, I think his advices were very good and rational.
I would now recommend you not to have metronidazole any more (written in the prescription).
You continue with the probiotic. You may also start on Tab Rifaximin 400 mg twice daily for 14 days. This is a good antibiotic. Your treating doctor will know about it. If you find itching stop the same immediately and consult your family doctor or me at the earliest.
You may need Cyclobenzaprine immediately. It may be needed if some spine problems are found in MRI. Continue with other medicines.
And avoid heavy meals, carbonated beverages, spices and restrict oil intake to 2 tablespoon per day.
For further assistance, please let me know the reports.
if you are satisfied with the answer, please close the thread and rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushik
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi Doctor,
Thank you for your help. After reading up on the conditions you stated above, I believe it may be the cause of my discomfort. I will be following up with my family physician for with additional details and care.
Thank you,
XXXXXXX
Thank you for your help. After reading up on the conditions you stated above, I believe it may be the cause of my discomfort. I will be following up with my family physician for with additional details and care.
Thank you,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Please rate my answer
Detailed Answer:
Thanks again XXXXXXX for your prompt reply.
If you are satisfied with my answer and do not have any other related query, please close the thread and rate my answer.
wish you a healthy life.
For any further questions, please write back directly to me.
Regards
Dr. Kaushik
Please rate my answer
Detailed Answer:
Thanks again XXXXXXX for your prompt reply.
If you are satisfied with my answer and do not have any other related query, please close the thread and rate my answer.
wish you a healthy life.
For any further questions, please write back directly to me.
Regards
Dr. Kaushik
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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