Hi ladies,

After getting nowhere with my female doctor, I fired her. In the meantime, I have suffered from low back pain, periods that happen two or three times a month although they are not gushing; fatigue; constipation and diarrhea; abdominal bloating; frequency in urination; dry mouth. My thyroid tests have all been fine as well as hormonal test although I have my doubts about that because it was only one test. I called the nurse triage and after a bit of explaining what was going on, she said "it could be a number of things: endometriosis, fibroids (like some have suggested here on this board), PID (which I know I don't have because I am not sexually active. My pap test in November said something about negative for malignancy but inflammatory changes were present. I guess my question is is it possible I could have endo and that is what is raising my ESR? The nurse was Very noncommitital since she is not a doctor but suggested I get things redone when I get my new GP. I might add that I have never had children or been on birth control which I understand are two risk factors. My family doesn't have a history of this, though but my mom and my sister have had children. Any thoughts, anyone? And yes, I definately plan on following up with the new doctor on August 1st. Thanks everyone who can offer any insight.

Sherri

Yes, according to what I have researched Endometriosis can definitely elevate ESR and, as I understand it, is one of the primary indicators in lab value testing.

I have had endometriosis for 30 years and yes, it can definitely raise your ESR. Have you had a pelvic ultrasound or CT scan? I would ask for one.

A lot of the symptoms you describe could also be attributed to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It can be difficult to diagnose pelvic issues when IBS is going on, because so many of the symptoms overlap. When I was in my twenties, I had the same symtpoms as you do, except I also had a sharp pain in my lower left pelvic area. I was told by at least four different doctors that it was my bowels...until an ultrasound revealed a huge endometrial tumor on my left ovary. I had surgery to remove it and thankfully, it wasn't malignant.

You've got to be proactive with your doctors...don't let them push you around. Tell the new GP that you are concerned with the lower back pain, constipation, and frequent periods and ask for a pelvic ultrasound (with a transvaginal also). The frequent periods could be from fibroids, but you could also have cysts on your ovaries that cause pain and mess up your lower GI tract. My mother had a hysterectomy at 45 because she was loaded with enometrial cysts...they were all over her ovaries and tubes.

When you see the new doctor, emphasize the bloating, constipation, and lower back pain. If she's a good doctor, she'll want to make sure your ovaries are okay. Good luck and let me know how your are doing. If the pain gets significantly worse, don't wait till August...call the office and tell them you are in distress and need to be seen immediately.

I'll be thinking of you!
-RR

Thanks RR
SO a pap couldn't detect endometriosis? I do feel like I have been pushed around because I haven't gotten answers except all illnesses I have complained about are due to me being overweight......UMPH! Actually this will be a male doctor (internist) who is supposed to have a great bedside manner. Let's hope he can look beyond the overweight issue too.

Forgot to add that I did have a bladder and kidney CT ultrasound. Would that have detected endo or fibroids?

sherri: A pap would not tell you if you have endometriosis. In fact, the only way to tell definitively, is to peek inside you with a laparscope. Bladder and kidney ultrasounds also wouldn't be able to show endometriosis...UNLESS you had an endometrial mass on either of those organs. (Which is rare, but possible...endometrial tissue can show up anywhere in the body...but it usually stays confined to the pelvic area.)

I don't understand what you mean by "all illnesses I have complained about are due to me being overweight." Is this true, or is this just the way you feel you are being treated by your doctor? Also, I'm curious as to why you are consulting an internist and not a gynecologist...a male internist is not likely to be well informed about female issues. I wish you lived near me...I go to a wonderful gyno practice---all women, and they really listen!

Hi Robin,

I know about the laparscope thing but I thought maybe they would be able to tell a little something by an abdominal CT. I feel like the medical profession is making my weight an issue.....by that I mean my female GP told me "Your biggest problem is your overweight". I asked her about the other things that were going on and she said "take care of your weight and every thing else will be fine." Not true!!! Someone of normal weight could be having these symptoms as well. Anyway, I have an HMO that states for now I need to have a GP in order to get a referral so hence the GP. I am hoping an internist will be more proficient; just don't feel like i have a lot of options within the area i live in.