Undiagnosed Illness - Fourth Gastroenterologist

Medical History

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome IBS is a syndrome, meaning a group of symptoms. The most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or discomfort often reported as cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and or constipation. IBS affects the colon, or large bowel, which is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool. IBS is not a disease. It�s a functional disorder, meaning that the bowel doesn�t work, or function, correctly.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis Symptoms Endometriosis is a common medical condition characterized by growth beyond or outside the uterus of tissue resembling endometrium, the tissue that normally lines the uterus. In endometriosis, the endometrium (from endo, inside, and metra, womb ) is found to be growing outside the uterus, most commonly in the pelvis.

Costochondritis

Also called Tietze's Syndrome
Costochondritis is a form of inflammation of the cartilage where ribs attach to the breastbone.

Pain caused by Costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart condition.

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis of the Uterus
Adenomyosis is the growth of uterine tissue from one particular layer of the uterus (the endometrial glands) into the wrong layer (the muscle layer, called the myometrium). It is a benign condition, but it can enlarge the uterus presenting as a growth.

Neuropathic Pain

Neuralgia
Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic pain state that usually is accompanied by tissue injury. With neuropathic pain, the nerve fibers themselves may be damaged, dysfunctional or injured. These damaged nerve fibers send incorrect signals to other pain centers. The impact of nerve fiber injury includes a change in nerve function both at the site of injury and areas around the injury. Symptoms may include shooting and burning pain, tingling and numbness or electrical pain.

Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

(SOD)
Sphincter of oddi is situated in the upper intestine, or duodenum, at the site where the pancreatic and bile ducts enter. Normally, this sphincter functions as a one-way valve to allow bile and pancreatic secretions to enter the bowel, while preventing the contents of the bowel from backing up into these ducts. Sphincter of oddi

When the sphincter malfunctions, it becomes overly tight and does not allow adequate drainage of the pancreatic and bile ducts. The result is a pressure build-up in the ducts, leading to recurrent episodes of pancreatitis or biliary pain mimicking gallstone disease.

Splenic Flexure Syndrome

Muscle Spasms of the Colon
Splenic flexure syndrome refers to the trapping of gas at the splenic flexure causing distension and bloating. Pain can be felt up under the left ribs. When the pain is really bad, it can enter the left armpit.

Anal Sphincter Dysfunction
Significant Cause of Constipation

Anal Sphincter Dysfunction can result from nerve damage as well as from lacerations of the sphincter. Tears are an important risk factor for long-term anal sphincter dysfunction.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Predominantly Affecting Females

Pelvic floor dysfunction, or obstructed defecation, results when the external anal sphincter and/or puborectalis muscles do not relax appropriately when defecation is initiated. People with pelvic floor dysfunction strain excessively in a feeble attempt to eliminate stool from the rectum.

Mystery Diagnosis

Living With an Undiagnosed Illness

Fourth Gastroenterologist

Appointment had finally arrived

I was a little nervous about the Sigmoidoscopy, sounded like a rather painful and undignifying procedure. But at this stage the pain I had already been through, I was happy to have more tests. It was painful, only because the Gastroenterologist found problems. A small section of my bowel did not inflate, it was stuck to the side walls, which gave him suspicion of endometriosis invading the bowel wall.

Bowel Re-Section

He recommended bowel resection. So back to the gyno for test results and he agreed with the Gastroenterologist that I would definitely have endometriosis stuck to the bowel wall, he was 100% positive. So I needed to see another Surgeon first to arrange a joint operation for bowel resection and endo.

Bowel Re-section Surgeon

Appointment made, waited roughly 2 weeks. This Surgeon was local so it was a relief not to have to travel again. I was informed he had done bowel resection many times with the gyno who referred me to him, and although he didn't know much about endometriosis he had done plenty of bowel resection operations.

This Surgeon made a wise crack about my gallbladder surgery, I got the feeling there was some animosity between him and the surgeon who performed it. Comments made about why he didn't find the reason for my inflamed gallbladder and perhaps he had nicked something during surgery which may have given referred pain to my left side. (the pain was there before the operation) I respect the surgeon who did my gallbladder surgery, he showed compassion and seemed concerned about my health and always followed up with phone calls. So I was not at all impressed with his unprofessional manner. But if he could do the bowel resection that's all I wanted. So back again to the gyno, booked in for a laparoscopy and bowel resection. The costs were killing me, my family helped but I was now started to deplete their bank balances.

Waiting for Bowel Resection

The Story Continues ....... If you would like to continue reading: Waiting For Bowel Resection

Medical Procedures

Colonic Transit Study

CT Scan /Abdominal / Pelvis

MRI / Chest / Spine

X-Ray Lungs

Colonoscopy

Gastroscopy

Sigmoidscopy

Bone Scan

Hida Scan

Barium Meal

Laparoscopy x 3

Abdominal Ultrasound

Pelvic Ultrasound

Abdominal Wall Ultrasound

Infrared Imaging

Cholecystectomy

Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

This website is therapeutic.. A place for me to vent and express my feelings. When problems bother you in real life your always advised to talk about it but with an undiagnosed illness your often told just live with it and carry on with your life. Easier said then done.

Undiagnosed Forum

Thank you to all members of the forum for your continued support, encouragement and guidance.

Mystery Diagnosis

Just over 5 years now and Im still undiagnosed. I'm extremely exhausted.