Valuable Lesson: Don't let doctors dismiss your pain!

I am so glad you're ok! I remember reading about the  pain you were in. I'm so glad that someone finally figured out what was wrong and that you are doing well now!

I can so relate to your story! It took two years of being in horrible, wishing I would die type pain, 5 different doctors, numerous tests, being in a pain clinic, getting treated like a drug addict, and then finally getting turned away for medical help before someone finally realized I was not joking!  No one believed me, when I would tell them I hurt, and would be in the ER. Everyone thought I was just coming in for another narcotic refill. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I woke in the worse pain I ever had. I had the hubby call into work, and take son to daycare and then me to ER. They ran blood tests where it did show that my blood counts were all wrong, but the doctor told me "there is nothing we can do, call you pain clinic doctor TOMORROW when they open." So I go home and just lay in bed in the fetal position wishing I would just die and get it over with. The only thing that kept me going was my 4 year old laying there with me, telling me he loved me. So the next day the hubby calls the pain clinic and they say 3:00 come in. So again we wait. My husband had to carry me into the hospital when it was my appt time, I could not stand let alone walk. The doctor took one look at me and said I needed to go to ER, we explained that I was there and they said they could not do anything. So he personally walked me over there and told them to get the pain under control. Once the morpophine go going and they noticed I was having no relief, they decided to do some tests. Well to make a very long story short, 3 hours later I was on an ambulance being rushed to another hospital in a bigger city because an ulcer that I had perforated and was leaking all over inside my adbomen. I was taken to surgery. Two days later I come too. I had every tube know to man inside me. I was told that if they had waited any longer, or turned me away again, I would not be alive. At that point I am not even sure I want to be alive. I was told I was looking at having to stay in the hospital for up to a year, no eating or drinking, and numerous surgeries to repair all the damage caused.  By the grace of God, and I think my guardian angel grandma watching over me, I walked out of the hospital 3 weeks later, eating normally. I was told by the doctors that it was an absolute miracle.  Moral of this very long story, listen to your body! Never take someones answer if you fell it is not correct! Keep pushing for the right answers!

OMG!  You ladies are scaring me.  I have been dealing with what I call back spasms for about a year now.  It starts as my lower back feeling very stiff and pelvis area hurting.  I feel like the pain is radiating into my pelvis and it runs down both legs.  I feel like my abdomen is swollen.  It's like I become paralyzed from the waist down.  I can't lift my leg to get into my vehicle or walk up the steps.  I have to physically pick up my leg with both hands to raise my legs.  I've been to an Orthopedic surgeon, had an MRI (was told I have arthritis), chiropractor, physical therapy, ER and NOTHING!!!!  No one knows what is wrong with me.  I have taken so many different drugs and nothing works.  It just makes me high and does not take the pain away.  Seems like I do have problems with my bowels - like constipation.  Seems like when I do have it, it's when my "spasms" start.  But I am at my wits end - I don't know what else to do with myself.  It interferes with my life.  It ruins whatever I have going on.  The day I ended up in the ER was the day of my daughters first communion.  I could barely walk that day.  I made it to the church (barely) and after we left our guests and family at the house so my husband could take me to the hospital.  They drugged me up and took xrays - NOTHING!  I feel like I am going to be the next Anna Nicole - I'm going to OD on accident or on purpose because I don't know what to do anymore.  My "spasms" happen about every 5 - 7 days.  I would appreciate any input I can get from anyone. Thanks, Carey

I am sorry you are going through this. Although I am not sure of what may be happening, keep seeing doctors until someone can find an answer. If one can;t figure it out, ask for another refersl, an so on. It is hard, but you must!  Good Luck! You will be in my thoughts!  Bridget

Thanks Bridget.  It just gets so discouraging!  I get so sick of all the doctors. Carey

Carey, have you seen a gynocologist?  If not, you should.  The swollen abdomen is scary.  There was a gal on the board a while back that had a swollen tummy and pain.  Not trying to scare you but she had ovarian cancer.  See your gyno!

Lyn I was JUST THINKING THE SAME THING,,,,MY MOTHER DIED FROM OVARIAN CANCER...she had same issues and had 3 scans,,nothing,,the problem was her cancer was hiding under her ovaries and on the scan it was showing normal ovaries,,,she was matastised(sp) and had to remove a foot and a half of her colon, her omentum, and it had spread to her stomach..she battled this for 2 yrs before she was overtaken,,,please,,don't forget our female parts.....

Hi Lyn, The Gyno was actually the first doc I went to.  He did an ultrasound because at one time I did have a cyst on my ovary that had ruptured on its own.  Thought that might have been the case again.  But it wasn't.  Thanks for your input.

Hey girlfriend,  I am so sorry you are going thru this. It has to be sooo frustrating. I do hope you find answers soon. It is scary, We are the trailblazers for those who are coming behind us. I just hope for their sake  that they can figure out what is going on. It is happening to too many people. What I am wondering don't these surgeons communicate amongest one another and compare notes. What, aren't we apart of the medical journals? Are they doing any long term studies? I hope you are doing better soon. Just remember my offer, even if your back isn't the problem, it will still make you feel better.TTYL

Toni you are the best!  I totally agree with you.  I am happy to say 8 days without a spasm (knock on wood - don't want to jinx myself).  I'd like to arrange something with you for my husband and I one day.  He also has back issues.  Thx - Carey