Abdominal Update: "Second" Opinion

I want to provide an update on the status of my abdominal pain, because I feel I glossed over that update a bit in my Mayo Clinic post. I saw a new gynecologist at the recommendation of my pain management doctor. I explained in this post that my pain was not due to scar tissue on my abdominal wall, as he had previously thought. His advice at my follow-up appointment was to go seek another opinion from a gynecologist. As I said at length in my previous post, I was disappointed to start back at square one, but excited at the fresh perspective this new doctor might bring. Although, I should point out that while I am calling this a second opinion, I have actually seen 3 other gynecologists within two practices for this issue. However, their diagnoses/treatment plans were SO wrong, that I choose not to include them when discussing my progress.

Finding a New Gynecologist

My mother (angel that she is) made an appointment at a local gynecologist that had experience in laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and seemed well regarded by her previous patients. I would like to point out at this point that we had already been the surgery route. I have had a large number of surgical procedures for a woman my age, and while we are not against surgery, we don't want to keep opening me up without a game-plan. We hoped that this new doctor, let's call her Dr. R, would provide us with potential non-invasive options, as well as explore diagnoses we had not yet considered.

A Possible Diagnosis

After taking a thorough history, and taking into consideration the diagnoses and procedures I had already explored, she had a potential diagnosis. Dr. R believed I was exhibiting some symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis. This condition is also known as painful bladder syndrome. The obvious symptom I was displaying, was mild-severe pelvic pain. I will say, however, that I do not feel like my pain necessarily revolves around the bladder or urination. Just the same way that I don't feel that my pain increases or decreases based on what I eat, or how much I eat. As always though, symptoms are different for everyone.

source

Treating I.C.

The best part was that the treatment is non-invasive. Physical therapy for your abdomen and pelvic floor (sounds interesting), and a medication with minimal side effects. I tried the medication for about a week- it is supposed to be fast acting- and experienced no changes in my pain. I have an appointment booked for physical therapy, but as with everything in the medical world, there's a waiting list. I'm not too optimistic about the physical therapy since the medication didn't work, but I will give it my best and try to go into it with an open mind.

I can't imagine I will have too many more updates on my abdominal pain before I go to the Mayo Clinic, but I will of course have plenty of other things to write about!

Turn a Negative into a Positive

After leaving yet another appointment with more questions than answers, one could say that it's getting old. Due to the massive amount of pain I'm in, and the lack of improvement from my last procedure, my pain management doctor feels quite certain that my abdominal pain is not coming from the abdominal wall. His advice to my mom and I was basically to start at step 1. To go get second opinions.

Walking out of this appointment, I felt frustrated, exhausted, angry, and honestly, just fed up. I can't believe that after a year of appointments, surgeries, and treatments, my pain is more severe than when it started, and I have no concrete answers. However, I am choosing to look on the bright side. Going to new doctors and starting fresh gives me the chance to reevaluate my condition. To seek out the best specialists, and use their fresh eyes on my stale problem. I hope that they will have new ideas for diagnoses and treatments. They might see something that my other doctors did not, or have an idea for a procedure that my previous doctors did not think of. I want to keep pushing because I refuse to lay down and accept the pain. I will keep searching for answers.

And to end on the highest note, here is a picture of my adorable cat, Brees, cuddling with  a stuffed llama my boyfriend gave me after surgery.

Gemma

Progress through Appointments

Today I made some doctors appointments that I feel could provide some good insight into a lot of my issues. I will be seeing a sleep specialist at the beginning of June, who is also a neurologist, due to my sleep schedule being weird. Last night I slept from 12AM -6AM, and then 10AM-12PM, which is odd. My frequent awakenings in the night and trouble falling asleep are some issues I would like to discuss with her. Getting a good night's rest is important even if you aren't in chronic pain, so hopefully this doctor will be able to give me some answers and make my sleep feel more restful.

I am also going back to see the neurologist I saw last summer, whom I really like. He bases all of his treatment plans and advice off of neurological studies, and what the science tells us. He doesn't let his own preconceived notions about a more abstract treatment, such as acupuncture, prevent him from recommending that treatment to a patient. As an aspiring engineer studying math and science, I appreciate this. I also find it important not to dismiss more holistic methods due to my adverse reactions to some medications, which I may discuss in a later blog post. 

My head is getting more painful now and I feel I may be developing a migraine. Off to get a snack and rest! At least I have a little more hope heading into the next few weeks knowing that I have these appointments on the books.