http://www.wdxcyber.com/mpain.htm#mpa01
<|>I had a c-section last June, and in December of last year I began to experience pain in the lower left side of my abdomen. The pain usually begins a day or two after my period ends,
Doctor's answer: After it ends or begins? How long does your period last? In other words if you have a 5 day period, the pain is starting on day 6 or 7 after the period starts, is that correct?
<|>The pain is the worst after my period is over with, but I do have pain throughout my period also. My period usually lasts 5-6 days. The pain increases in severity the 3rd and 4th day and is gone by the 5th or 6th day. I went to the ER last year, and after HOURS of tests and waiting, the doctor said I was ovulating, and that was causing the problem. He also said that the ultrasound showed some kind of cysts on my ovaries, but said it was normal to have them, and nothing to worry about.
Doctor's answer: "Normal" cysts on the ovaries are almost always follicles in the ovary and not "cysts" that are abnormal physiological events or "cysts" that are benign growths. They are usually less than 2.0- 2.5 cm in size and there can be several. They can occur on BC pills, especially with the lower dose pills. Most doctors appropriately under play their significance. Radiologists and Ob- Gyns should never call them "cysts" in the first place.
<|>I was not comfortable with this diagnosis, so I saw my gyn in January, who said it wasn't ovulation - I am on BC pills, so shouldn't even ovulate.
Doctor's answer: That's not correct. Ovulation is decreased but it certainly happens. On the other hand, I would agree that the pain was unlikely to be due to "ovulation".
<|>I am on Trilevlen- 21 active, 7 "reminder" pills. Does this affect ovulation?
Doctor's answer: Triphasic pills often block ovulation but not always. They work in many different ways though so even if ovulation isn't blocked, pregnancy still doesn't occur.
<|>She did an exam, and decided it was either scar tissue from c- section, or endometriosis.
Doctor's answer: This is possible.
<|>She also had an ultrasound done, but said it showed no cysts - WHERE DID THEY GO?
Doctor's answer: They probably were not "cysts" in the first place, but rather follicle development that had gone away ( that's normal ).
<|>She acted unconcerned, and prescribed pain pills to last until my next check-up. I am still having the pain, and it has been a year since the C-section. Is this normal?
Doctor's answer: Pain for 6 months is not normal. It may not be related to the C- Section. If it is related to the C-Section it would be due to some scarring which can develop later.
<|>The gyn did suggest scar tissue causing the pain. If so, how long can this go on?
Doctor's answer: For many years if it is due to scar tissue.
<|>Or could it be beginning stages of endometriosis?
Doctor's answer: Yes, but that's why I asked about the pain. Endometriosis almost always produces it pain DURING the time of the menses, not after it.
<|>When I asked about endometriosis, my gyn said the only way to diagnose it is a surgical procedure, and she wanted to avoid doing that until I had all the children that I wanted to have. WHY??? is it dangerous?
Doctor's answer: The surgical treatment of endometriosis often involves resection of tissue, sometimes removal of the ovaries and/or uterus. Even if those organs are not removed, the resection of endometriosis can cause scarring that affects your fertility.
<|>But she acted like she didn't really want to do laparoscopy to check. Endometriosis runs in my family, and I am concerned about the pain I am having, but no one else seems to be concerned. Am I overreacting?
Doctor's answer: Is it that they are not concerned or is it that they cannot easily solve your pain problem?
<|>It seems to me to be lack of concern, but that is just my opinion. My husband thinks my C-section was botched some way, and the gyn, who is also the ob who did the C-section, is trying to cover it up!
Doctor's answer: Poorly performed surgery (at C-Section) almost always would cause pain or problems from day one after the surgery, not 6 months later. We do live in a skeptical society and I can see how he would think that. Maybe he just wants to deny that you could have a chronic disease.
<|>Please help me in any way that you can. Do I need to see another gyn for a second opinion?
Doctor's answer: This can often help. Another doctor may suggest a trial with some anti-endometriosis medicines to see if the pain gets better. That would point to endometriosis as a cause. Another approach may be to consider a diagnostic laparoscopy to see if there is any scarring that can be removed or released to improve the pain. That is usually an outpatient surgery procedure.