[The Lumpy Shadow]

For the past 3 months I've had problems with pain in my lower abdomen in the pelvic area. Sometimes the pain is worse than others, however, the frequency and amount of pain seems to be increasing. I have been to my GP and OB/GYN. I've had CT Scan, blood work, and a sonogram done with no results found on either. Both doctors threw up their hands and gave up on trying to find an explanation for my pain. At the moment I am forced to live with it and I have no possible solution for my problem since I have no idea where else to go.

6 weeks ago I started a diet and exercise program. By journaling my foods I was at least able to discern that "flare ups" are not related to what I eat. I also found that lifting weights causes the pain to ease for several hours.

However, I am thoroughly demoralized by not having any diagnosis for my problem and the potential that I may just have to learn to live with this. Even though lifting weight helps, I find it hard to get motivated to go to the gym when I am hurting so badly. I find it hard to get motivated to do almost anything, in truth. I find it hard to take any sort of enjoyment when pain taints everything I do.

Does anyone have any suggestions for working through this?

[RoseWaddles]

As a fellow pain sufferer, I know what you're going through. It's not easy dealing with chronic pain, especially when there's no name for it.
I have no advice, just moral support, I guess. Come here and talk a lot, share your feelings or rant if needed.

If the chronic pain get's you too far down, mentally, I suggest talking with your doc about anti-depressants (short term) to help you get over this hump.

((((hugs))))

Rose

[SwimGirl]

I just noticed this thread, and wanted to tell you that I had the same thing, and while I haven't had a diagnosis that makes 100% sense, I've had some good leads. Depending on where the pain is, it could be Endometriosis, Vestibulitis, or possibly even Irritable Bowel Symdrome. Those are all the things I've come up with, now the thing with IBS is that it can mimic Endometriosis... I don't have any good sites on any of those issues, I have a book called "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" which I find really helpful. Try taking Calcium, which I find helps with the pain, and Ibuprofen is also helpful. IBS is related to the foods you eat, chocolate, dairy, bread, and pasta are some of the foods which are very bothersome for people who have IBS. I hope this helped, take care!