Nasty Cramps Pelvic Cramps

Yes, it could be endometriosis but you need to see a NEW doctor to diagnose you for that or anything else. Your doctor is lousy and not pursuing what sound like horrible symptoms.

Ask yourself: Does this affect my ability to lead a normal life? Yes, clearly it does. So please find a new doctor tomorrow and go in and be assertive -- insist that this makes your life unliveable and you will not leave until the doctor has scheduled procedures and tests to start finding SOME reason for this.

Please don't ever assume that something is a kidney infection or anything else-- and if it were indeed a kidney infection, you needed antibiotics, not over the counter meds. I really hope you find a good, aggressive doctor and are assertive with him or her. You do a good job of tracking your cycles and have all the dates of skipped periods, etc. -- take ALL that to the doctor. Tell the doctor you need extra time and expect to sit down and talk, not just have a five-minute exam and be dismissed. Something is wrong but your current doctor is ignoring you.

I had exploratory surgery to diagnose endometriosis. My doctor said that the only way to know for sure if one has endometriosis is to look inside. My symptoms were similar to yours without the pain in my legs.

Endometriosis can only be diagnosed with a laparoscopy to look inside. Your doctor cannot say you do not have it with an exam in the office or even an ultrasound. I recommend you get a new doctor because these symptoms are not normal and need further investigation.

No I haven't but....
This *could* be endometriosis.
You need to see your doc.
Good luck!

It sounds like you have an overproduction of prostaglandins. These are the hormone-like substances that make your uterus contract and cramp. Advil is an antiprostaglandin and there are other stronger ones. Your back hurts because of "referred" pain (i.e. where there are not nerve endings in your pelvis, the pain goes elsewhere).

You might try some dietary changes...eating lots of omega 3 fats helps to keep the bad prostaglandins down...try flax oil, salmon, etc.

It could be a lot of things, and it's hard to really guess at things from our perspective.

I get the feeling from your description that your doctor is just throwing meds at you left and right. Are you getting the time and attention you deserve? Even if you are, this medical approach is not addressing anything - meds are just treating symptoms and not getting at the underlying cause.

I know a lot of women who've done great with a supplement designed for women that helps all kinds of issues, from teenage bloating/mood swings to ovarian/uterine issues like heavy bleeding, to menopausal problems like hot flashes and night sweats. It certainly wouldn't hurt, and it could help tremendously. It is a food based product that will not conflict with medications. There's also a natural peptide that is a strong anti-inflammatory and immune system booster that has no side effects. (As a bonus, it reduces cholesterol). Both products have patents so they are proven safe and effective. It's not going to be an overnight fix, but your problems seem to be of such long duration that it would be worth your time.

I'm really concerned about the amount of time, money and pain invested in your current course of treatment, with no relief.

Yes.

You could have bacterial vaginosis, as well as endometriosis.

I would talk to the doc again about doing the ablation. I had one done, and it saved my life. My cycles are now lighter and more consistant.

You could also be having kidney and dehydration issues.Drinking a bunch of water right before the test may have caused the test results to be false. A dr. told me that we should be drinking half our weight in ounces of water daily, no counting other drinks. So if you weight 200 lbs, you need to drink 100 oz of water (5 20oz bottles), every day.