Undiagnosed Illness - Third 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

Gastroenterologist

Appointment with Third Gastroenterologist

The third Gastroenterologist was terrific, the first time I recall ever having a thorough psychical examination. This time someone thought to look at my spine and ribs!. He definitely thought this was a non Gastroenterologist issue, and I needed to have x-rays on my rib cage. And you will next guess .........

The x-ray was negative aaarrrggggggg how frustrating.

Gastroenterologist

When I returned to the Gastroenterologist for results, even though the x-ray was negative he still thought from the psychical exam that it was spine or rib related and recommended I find another Doctor (GP) to look into this area, as no one had even thought about the spine, I didn't either, I thought something inside my stomach was annoying the rib cage, making it very tender and sore to touch.

Back To My Doctor

I came out of that appointment very enthused, why didn't I think about that, and very happy the third Gastroenterologist picked this up. Even though I had no faith in my very first Doctor, she was always willing to refer me for anything I asked, so I ventured back with the report from the third Gastroenterologist regarding the rib/spine potential problem. After all these Doctors, specialist etc I didn't want to relay all this info to another so stuck with my first Doctor, she knew the background info, and I really couldn't face telling the whole story over and over again.

Test Results I was referred for a CT scan, not long to wait for this test, but you will never guess what....... the results were again NEGATIVE, arrrrrgggggg so frustrated. The Doctor just shook her head and said I really don't know what is causing the pain. I was just so upset, how can the test be negative when you can see this odd lump under my rib, my stomach is the size of a pregnant women and I'm in so much pain, why why can't they pick something up. Many months pasted, I stayed home alot, I slept alot, and yes I was depressed to some degree I don't deny that, but 90% was FRUSTRATION, ANGER, ANNOYANCE, and some more ANGER.

Alternative Treatments

I made an appointment with a Herbalist, perhaps he could help me.

The Story Continues ....... If you would like to continue reading:

read my story

I hope you visit my Undiagnosed Illness Forum If you have any suggestion's or comments I would love to hear from you.

Don't forget to and check back often for updates

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.....