Undiagnosed Illness - Fourth Gastroenterologist

My Medical Conditions

Excruciating Pain
Sphincter of Oddi
Found during a Hida Scan. 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.

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.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Bad Stomach
Most people have Irritable Bowel Syndrome !

Endometriosis
Endometriosis Symptoms
2 Surgeries so far on my Endometriosis. Last surgery showed Endo has completely gone. Gyno said my Pelvis was crystal clear.

Costochondritis
Very Painful
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
Benign Condition
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.

Splenic Flexure Syndrome
Very Painful
Splenic flexure syndrome refers to the trapping of gas at the splenic flexure causing distension and bloating.

Anal Sphincter Dysfunction
Constipation
I suffer extreme bouts of Constipation. Daily doses of Movicol and Normacol.

Neuropathic Pain
Damaged Nerves
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.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Cause of Constipation
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.

Undiagnosed Illness

Fourth Gastroenterologist

Appointment had finally arrived

I was a little nervous about the Sigmoidoscopy, sounded rather undignifying. But at this stage the pain and procedures I had already been through, this was nothing to worry about at all. 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, 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:

read my story

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Medical Tests So Far

I've had some of these procedures more then once

Ultrasound

CT Scan

MRI

X-Ray

Colonoscopy

Gastroscopy

Sigmoidscopy

Hida Scan

Barium Meal

Laparoscopy

Ultrasound

I know alot of people can relate. I hope you all have close families because they really do make a difference.

Exhausted From Pain

It's been 3 years and 4 months, and yep still undiagnosed. I'm extremely exhausted.

Exhausted

Journal

This website is meant to be therapeutic.. A place for me to vent and express my feelings. Somedays I find it frustrating because it brings back memories when doctor's gave up, saying it was all in my head, nothing wrong with me, yet I pushed on with different doctor's and GUESS WHAT ? they found more medical conditions!

Pain....Pain...Pain....Pain.....