Pelvic Abdomen Pain 2 weeks

[Hopeit'snothing]

Hi,

I'm a 32 year old male. Recently I had severe cramping/constipation, and I really pushed hard trying to get it out. Well the next evening, I noticed a kind of hot pain in my lower left abdomen. I waited for almost a week, and then concerned that the pain was getting worse I went into the emergency thinking that perhaps it was a diverticulitis infection. They did blood work and urine tests, and they were all fine (though I don't know what they looked for e.g. white cell count?). The doctor pushed a couple places on my abdomen and said it was his opinion that it was an abdominal wall strain. That was a week ago. The pain has not gotten any better. It starts off very mild in the morning (almost unnoticeable) and by the evening it is fairly bad. It feels like there is a red-hot coal in my abdomen, i.e. it's a kind of burning sensation, with a lot of gas (I am burping all day long). Anyways, as I'm in Canada getting a CT scan for someone my age is very difficult, and I am not even sure if it is the best idea? The doctor at the ER refused to do one, and also would not proscribe any antibiotics as I had no fever and no blood in my stool or urine. He said to come back when I am passing blood.

So now I really am at a loss for what to do. I can't even get a family doctor (moved here a year ago), so the best I can do is a walk in clinic or wait for something to rupture and have emergency surgery (obviously not the preferred option), because it doesn't seem to be going away. I am thinking it could be a few things, a) hernia, b) diverticulitis, c) IBS or some variant. I have been taking fiber in case it is due to diverticula, but honestly nothing seems to help. I am sure it must have started when I strained myself during a constipation episode 2 weeks or so ago. If someone could suggest an appropriate set of tests to get to the root of this that would be great. Or even if there is some way for me to confirm the DR's opinion that it is a abdominal strain...I do not know of cases of abdominal strain causing excessive refluxive gas though, but then I am not a DR.

Much appreciated in advance,
Tim

[undiagnosedillness.org]

Hi Tim

Sorry to hear about your suffering, not pleasant when the Doctor won't listen.

Has any doctor mentioned your appendix?
The pain from this can mimic lots of other conditions, and sometimes blood tests/scans don't show anything. I had a burst appendix and this wasn't picked up until surgery for something unrelated. The pain was excrucitating and the several doctors I seen, plus emergency visits missed it too.

Just a thought..
Hope you find the answer soon
Samantha


http://www.undiagnosedillness.org

[Felsen]

Tim,

If it is in your lower left abdomen, it can hardly be appendicitis, but it can still be diverticulitis. The best way to see it is to make a coloscopy. Have you tried probiotics, I mean loads of them, to at least relieve your pain?

I was also thinking, are you absolutely sure that it's in your intestines? You mention that it appeared when you were pushing hard. You don't think it could be something vascular? Do you have any pain in your lower pelvis or genital area?

[undiagnosedillness.org]

You'd be surprised what pain appendicitis can do, and where the pain can travel.
It's not always on the right, and not always were you think the pain should be coming from, hence the reason so many people are mis-diagnosed....

Tim,

If it is in your lower left abdomen, it can hardly be appendicitis, but it can still be diverticulitis. The best way to see it is to make a coloscopy. Have you tried probiotics, I mean loads of them, to at least relieve your pain?

I was also thinking, are you absolutely sure that it's in your intestines? You mention that it appeared when you were pushing hard. You don't think it could be something vascular? Do you have any pain in your lower pelvis or genital area?

[Felsen]

Sorry Samantha, you are absolutely right. Appendicitis can also give referred pain. Your post made me think and I've learned something new. Thank you.

[Unregistered422]

could be a hernia

[undiagnosedillness.org]

That's ok
Surprising how many go undiagnosed because most just assume the pain should be in a certain spot, lots of people suffer referred pain thinking were it hurts that's were the problem must be..
Something I've discovered myself too

http://www.undiagnosedillness.org

Sorry Samantha, you are absolutely right. Appendicitis can also give referred pain. Your post made me think and I've learned something new. Thank you.